...Greek Mythology Intro Greek mythology is the myths and legends the ancient Greeks centered their lives around. The ancient Greeks used these myths to explain the events and components of the world around them. Their religion included gods and heroes, creation stories, and the origins of their civilizations and rituals. It is topic that had been studied and examined in great depth for thousands of years. This fascinating religion's messages and influences are reflected in today’s modern society, and many similarities can be found between Greek mythology and modern religions, such as Christianity. The twelve Olympian Gods and their Myths To begin with, many of the beliefs that the Ancient Greeks believed in were based on the Olympians. The Olympians were a group of twelve gods who ruled after they overthrew the Titans. All of the Olympians are related in some way and they were named after their dwelling, Mount Olympus. The three major gods are Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. Their father, Kronos, was the leader of the Titans, he was cruel and was so determined not to lose his throne that he ate his children alive. But one child, Zeus was spared because his mother, Rhea, fed Krono’s a rock disguised as a baby instead of Zeus himself. Zeus defeated his father by chopping him up into little pieces and scattering his remains across the world. Then Zeus released all of Krono’s children that his father had eaten. These gods were Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Demeter, and...
Words: 1242 - Pages: 5
...ancient Greek myths because they influenced the ancient Greeks’ daily life and developed a sense of community within each city state. The people of ancient Greece believed that the diverse range of deities within Greek mythology influenced and controlled life on Earth, which made all aspects of life dependent on the attitudes of the gods. Each deity possessed specific desirable traits making them admired by the ancient Greeks. However, the gods also showed moral weakness to represent how it is natural to be influenced by temptation. It is interesting that the most powerful individuals in the universe were given flaws, which made each god and goddess more relatable. Mythology was intertwined...
Words: 885 - Pages: 4
...Greek God Eros In the ancient period, society believed that both the world and the universe were developed by many multiple deities, gods and spirits, whom they worshiped. These legends, tell of the gods and their adventure are called myths. The main point of mythology is to assert an issue in life and connect people’s past. Civilization still does not know what or how people tumble upon love. The plea lays in Eros, or Cupid, the God of love in Greek Mythology. Eros was the cause love which unfolds the mystery of the existence of love. Eros, also know by Cupid, is the god of love, passion, and sexual desire. He is the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and Aries, the god of war. He has the power to bring love to both gods and mortals. He also has the power to shoot love and hatred arrows. His love arrows were golden with dove feathers and his hatred arrows were made out of lead with owl feathers. These arrows were used to induce love. Eros was frequently at his mother’s lateral supporting her in all her devise and godly intrigue. Men were departing, leaving her altars desolated, worshiping alternatively an essential mortal female. She was the Goddess of the soul; Psyche. Aphrodite demanded Eros to forcefully induce Psyche to fall in love with the hideous male on earth. Eros assumed his mother’s pleads. Instead Eros fell profoundly in love with Psyche’s beauty. Eros appeared without exception by night, but he asked Psyche not to aglow her alcove. Psyche was in love with the...
Words: 449 - Pages: 2
...Hercules an Epic Tale... Hercules an Epic Tale... Tarik Lee January 14, 2011 Period 4, Ms. Burke In Greek mythology there are many heroes. Heroes came in the form of gods and men. Greek mythology tells a story of a man named Hercules that was an epic hero. Hercules is one of the epic heroes in Greek mythology for several reasons. Hercules has super strength, he attracts women, and he saves people. First off lets go to the beginning of this “epic” tale. Zeus is having a party for his new born son Hercules. All the gods are in attendance and having a good time. All except the biter god of the under-world, Hades. He’s already unhappy that Zeus has appointed him the god of the under-world, but also Zeus’ son is going to be better than Hades. Hades designs a plan that is going to make Zeus very angry. His plan is to kidnap Hercules so that it would be easier to defeat Zeus and takeover Mount Olympus. One night Hades does kidnaps baby Hercules. He gives him a potion he created to turn him mortal. Little Hercules drinks it willingly and he is now a mortal human, no longer a god. The only thing is that he still retains his super human strength because he didn’t drink the very last drop of the potion. Hercules grows up in an adopted home where his parents finally tell him about how they found him and he bared the charm of the gods. Now Hercules has to set out and become a true hero so he can be accepted back into Mount Olympus as a god. He goes through a series of task that...
Words: 619 - Pages: 3
...Thomas April 22, 2013 Professor Vredenburg Myths of the Greek World #3 Assignment In our society the roles and equality of men and women are treated as equal. The norms of men and women have changed through history in the U.S. and in countries around the world. Particularly in the eyes of Greek culture, there are many differences in how they portray men and women. They express their views through their stories of Greek mythology. This is best expressed in the Greek plays and stories such as Sophocles’ Antigone and Oedipus the King. In the story of Antigone and Oedipus theKing, male are predominantly superior to women, yet some of the women in the stories transgressed their roles in society to their own. The roles of women in Greek society were very similar to the roles of women all around the world. Their role in society was to be the care takers and was known as nothing more than a child bearer and object of sex. They were portrayed as weaker and obedient to men. In Sophocles play of Antigone, Antigone’s sister says, "We who are women should not contend with men; we who are weak are ruled by the stronger. . . Pardon me if I obey our rulers since I must" (Sophocles, Antigone 61-66). This shows us how typical women act and believe in Greek society. In Oedipus the King, the inferiority of women is shown through the portrayal of Jocasta, being shown as the weaker sex. As we have learned from history, in these Greek plays, the women were played by men, showing that they did...
Words: 1409 - Pages: 6
...Greek Hero’s, True Tragedy English 103 Greek Mythology December 12, 2010 The Greeks looked at their gods with attributes they only wished they could attain. They developed stories of extraordinary people that were the offspring of immortals such as Nymphs or gods like Hermes or Zeus. Most of these stories consisted of labors, quests, or bloody wars, where the heroes were at the epicenter of the tale. What made these heroes so great was not just the fact they had godly attributes or completed monumental tasks, but endured more tragedy or more bliss than any common Greek would undergo. One tale commonly told was that of a demigod named Achilles. His mother Thetis was a Sea Nymph, and his father was Peleus, was the king of the Myrmidons. Most stories of Achilles revolved around war, where either his gift was at his greatest or worst. Every Greek sought him for battle so his skills would tip the balance to their favor. No myth exemplified this more than that of the ten-year Trojan War. An excerpt from a translation written by Apollodorus that accounts this time state, “He also took Lesbos and Phocaea, then Colophon, and Smyrna, and Clazomenae, and Cyme; and afterwards Aegialus and Tenos, the so-called Hundred Cities; then, in order, Adramytium and Side; then Endium, and Linaeum, and Colone. He took also Hypoplacian Thebes and Lyrnessus, and further Antandrus, and many other cities.” (Frazer) By many accounts, you could argue that...
Words: 1135 - Pages: 5
...Mythology: “The body of myths (sacred stories) of a particular culture; the study and interpretation of such myths.” A long time ago mythology was something treated with respect. People respected and believed in it. The two major mythologies known are Greek and Roman. What are the similarities and differences between these two famous mythologies? The Roman mythology has two types of creation. Certain people believe it was created around the 12th century BC, after the war between Greece and Asia. The legend says that after the war, Aeneas, a very strong and popular soldier of the Greek royal army, won the battle against Asia but then decided to leave for Carthage. There, the Queen Dido fell in love with him but Aeneas left her to travel to Italy, where he found Rome. From there, Aeneas knowing the gods from his culture decided to create a new mythology with new gods. The other type of creation of the Roman mythology consists of two men from Greece, Romulus and Remus, who were the sons of the God Mars and a mortal woman named Rhea Silvia. These two brothers lived with their uncle. When their parents died the uncle decided to kill the two brothers so he could receive the power of their father, the God Mars. In the conflict, Remus died but Romulus escaped to a new city named Rome, where he became its first king. “The date that Romulus founded Rome was 753 BC” (Varro). There were several more gods in the Roman Mythology. There were 21 considered very important for the people...
Words: 816 - Pages: 4
...Greek mythology with the possible exception of the Vedic-Hindu religion of India, religion or religion in connection with the mythology of the ancient Greeks produced the most complex and sophisticated in the world. Greek myth usually read as individual stories. Greek mythology has exercised a profound and unparalleled influence upon western culture. Dramatists, artists, and philosophers from Roman times, through the great revival of interest in antiquity the Renaissance, up to the present day have been inspired by the thrilling legacy of ancient Greece. The origins of these myths are impossible to determine and there is no one true version of any myth. Greek mythology is the foundation of allusion and character genesis in literature. The imaginative...
Words: 776 - Pages: 4
...The mythological figure of Zeus/Jupiter has been given many different character traits, based mostly on the idealized views of certain human qualities. In Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound and Plautus’ Amphitryon the god assumes two very different roles. In both works he also shows the various way that he exercises his power, and treats those whom he views as inferior to himself. In tragedy Zeus is typically shown in a more harsh and serious manner, while in comedy he seems to be a less tyrannical leader and more of a foolish and self absorbed one. Not to say that Zeus is fundamentally different in these separate types of work, but he most certainly takes a different stance upon his throne. In Prometheus Bound, Zeus is “betrayed” by Prometheus and as a result of his actions Prometheus is punished. In this tragic work Zeus is shown to be a very harsh leader. For example when Hephaestus tells Prometheus, “You'll cry out often, in sorrow, pain, regret it will do you no good. Zeus is not to be won over. He is harsh, as all those new to power are harsh” (Aesch. Prom. 36-38). Here Hephaestus is trying to explain to Prometheus that the punishment that he is to endure will be terrible and no matter how much he suffers and begs he will not convince Zeus to free him. This whole exchange shows that Zeus is not interested in the welfare of his fellow gods, but he cares more about the fact that he be view as a ruler with an iron fist. This most certainly shows Zeus in a tyrannical and abusive...
Words: 1467 - Pages: 6
...Heracles - Son of Zeus + Mortal (Zeus disguised himself to appear like her husband) - Hera is mad sends 2 snakes to kill him - He kills the snakes - Divine strength - Hera mad makes him crazy -> traumatic mania, kills his wife and children. Redemption: Eurystheus 10 tasks + 2 bc did not recognize 2 = 12 tasks – if completes them redemption + immortal 12 tasks 1. Kill Neman Lion 2. Kill Hydra 3. Catch the Hind 4. Boar 5. Stables 6. Bird 7. Bull 8. Horses 9. Belt 10. Cattle 11. Golden Apple 12. Cerberus -> Heracles= defender of evil, brings victory //Samson killed lion Theseus - Kills serial killers like they kill people (major theme) 1st – Kills him with a club PERIPHETES 2nd – Ties his feet to a tree and lets it go – tears apart people’s legs SINIS 3rd – Killed the Crommyonian Sow 4th – Pushed him off a cliff to the sea SCIRON 5th – Wrestling CERCYON 6th – Ties him to a moving bed, if too big, chops off body parts to make it fit PROCRUSTES Minotaur - King Minos asked Poseidon for a snow white bull + kill it to show respect to Poseidon - Minos wanted to keep it because of its beauty and to sacrifice another bull - Poseidon enraged - Made King Minos’ wife fall in love with the bull - Wife asks famous craftsman to make a wooden hollow cow - Offspring = Minotaur - King Minos asked craftsman to build a labyrinth for the Minotaur = man-eating creature - King Minos’ son winning Panathena games in honour of Athena -> jealousy -> kill him ...
Words: 444 - Pages: 2
...“The mythology of the ancient Greeks included a dazzling array of deities, demigods, monsters, and heroes” (“Greek Mythology”). Greek mythology is a collection of myths, especially belonging to the ancient Greek people, Gods, and Goddesses. These myths are commonly recognized as great tales. Some popular stories in Greek mythology include the Trojan War, Pandora’s Box, Oracle of Apollo, and so many more. Apollo is the God of music, poetry, plague, oracles, sun, and healing. Apollo, also known as Phoebus or Apollon, is the son of Zues and Leto. Zues is the God of the sky and thunder and Leto is the representation of motherhood, so she had many children. Apollo and his twin sister, Artemis, Goddess of the hunt, were born on the island of Delos. Zues was a man of many women, therefore, when Leto became pregnant, a jealous Hera cursed Leto, causing her to not be able to find a stable place to have children. After Apollo and Artemis’ birth, the island of Delos was one of the most sacred places in Greek mythology. Apollo is described as a young, beardless man, having ideal physique and curly, long, golden hair. “[Apollo] served...
Words: 448 - Pages: 2
...Polytheistic Greek myths explain religion and ritual worship. Polytheistic myths allowed the Greeks to explain the origins of the universe and allow for elaboration by introducing new gods, to stress the importance of ritual and sacrifice, and to give moral standards by showing that even gods can make the same mistakes as humans. Myth first and foremost explains the origins of the universe, the gods, and humankind. Polytheistic gods were necessary because they allowed for new gods to be introduced in order to answer questions that could not be answered. Chaos produced Gaea, Tartarus, and Eros, as well as darkness/night and radiance/day (Lecture 4). From these gods, there are still many others needed to explain why the earth is the way it is. Thus the mountains, the sky, the sea, and love, among many others, are introduced to show how the earth became the way it is. Because of polytheism, these new gods are able to be accepted into the origin story. Polytheism also taught the Greeks the importance of ritual and sacrifice. Since Prometheus stole fire from the gods and brought it to humankind, he had to sacrifice an ox to appease Zeus (Morford 2014, 93). This story tells both how the humans received fire and how the practice of animal sacrifice came to be. This practice of proper sacrifice became arguably the most important ritual in Greek life. Humans believed that sacrifice would encourage the gods to bring them good fortune and help them avoid reprisal. If this ritual...
Words: 449 - Pages: 2
...The film “300” depicts a variety of contemporary themes such as brotherhood, betrayal, honor, integrity, and the like. Above all, “300” follows the cultural truth-value of fulfilling one’s own destiny along with illuminating the ideology of a modern day “kleos” myth. King Leonidas, along with the 300 Spartans illustrate these cultural truth-values through their altercation with King Xerxes I and his Persian Empire. We view similar concepts in “The Odyssey”, as well as other classical mythology works. There are many examples in “300” where the Spartans express a common theme of fulfilling their fate no matter the cost. A case in point is during the first half of the film when Leonidas blatantly slaughters Xerxes’s messenger. Thus, starting a war and...
Words: 594 - Pages: 3
...Mythology is a collection or study of myths.While greek mythology is the body of myths and the teaching of the greek gods, their history, and significance. Although Aphrodite is known as the goddess of love and beauty, she is also known for her act of destruction and a myth in influence on modern world. Aphrodite's general background can consist of her birth, family, where she came from, her love life and the type of goddess she is. Aphrodite's birth has two stories to it. The first story was Uranus's son Cronus, a titan, had chopped off Uranus's sex organs and threw them into the sea. Shortly after Aphrodite had emerged.(Wickersham) "Her name comes from Aphros, the Greek word for foam."(Wickersham) The other story is that she had simply came...
Words: 811 - Pages: 4
...GREEK MYTHOLOGY Background to Homer’s Odyssey As you read each story, ask yourself: What is most enjoyable, predictable, or bizarre about this story? How would I have responded in this situation? What mysteries or features of the world might this story try to explain? What bit of moral or religious instructions (i.e. don’t disobey the gods) might be contained in this story? How does this story compare with Christian beliefs, or with the values of our culture today? Are there any other stories or fables I’ve heard that follow the same pattern as this story? The Creation Myths Part 1 Before there was anything, there was Chaos, a formless void. This void, this pure nothingness, gave birth to Gaea (the Earth itself), Tartarus (the underworld), Eros (love), Erebus (underground darkness) and Nyx (the darkness of night). The two kinds of darkness joined together and gave birth two kinds of light: the Light of the heavens and the Light of day. Nyx (night) also gave birth to the three Fates, who control the course of the universe and determine the length of each person’s life on their wheel of fortune. Of the fates, Clotho spins the threads of each person’s life, Lachesis measures the length of the thread, and Atropos cuts the thread. The Fates – Francisco Goya (one of the best painters ever!) 1823 – Note the scissors in the hand of Atropos and Lachesis measuring with a magnifying glass. Who’s...
Words: 10610 - Pages: 43
