Transcript Greek Mythology

Greek Mythology
What is mythology?
• How can we define mythology?
• How did the Greeks View their
religion?
Greek mythology was
based on a polytheistic
religion that was
integral to the culture,
politics, and art in
ancient Greece
Many of Western
civilization’s symbols,
metaphors, words, and
idealized images come
from ancient Greek
mythology
What are some examples?
• Company names?
• Symbols?
• Words and phrases?
“A face that launched a
thousand ships”
Greek god Asclepius,
Cereal named after
Ceres
Narcissistic
Herculean
Apollo Space Missions
Greek Mythology
Origins
Polytheistic religion
Combined Minoan and
Mycenaean features of
religion
Explanations of natural
phenomena, human
qualities, and life events
Gods took human form
Because the gods were
powerful and possessed
many skills, Greek people
wanted to be like them
Greek gods and goddesses
Zeus- Chief of the gods,
ruler of the sky, weather,
and thunderstorms
Hera- protector of
women and marriage;
wife of Zeus
Athena- wisdom and
art (Athens)
 Apollo- light, drove
the sun across the sky
in his chariot
Poseidon- sea, brother
of Zeus
Hades- underworld,
brother of Zeus
Artemis- hunter,
moon, children
Ares- war
Aphrodite- love,
beauty
Dionysus- wine,
fertility