Transcript Chapter 8-3 242-249

Chapter 8-3
242-249
Greek Mythology and Literature
Greek Mythology and Literature
The Big Idea
The ancient Greeks created great myths and works of literature that
influence the way we
speak and write today.
Main Ideas
• The Greeks created myths to explain the world.
• Ancient Greek literature provides some of the world’s greatest poems
and stories.
• Greek literature lives on and influences our world even today.
Main Idea 1:
The Greeks created myths to
explain the world.
• Instead of scientific explanations, the Greeks used mythology to
explain things.
• Mythology is a body of stories about gods and heroes that try to
explain how the world works.
• They believed gods caused things like volcanic eruptions and the
changing seasons. They had supernatural powers, but participated in
daily events as well.
• To keep the gods happy, they built great temples. The Greeks expected
help when they needed it in return.
Look on Page 243, you are responsible for knowing these
gods and their powers
Heroes in Mythology
• Many Greek myths told about the adventures of great
heroes.
• Some heroes were real, while others were not.
• Some of the major heroes were Theseus, Jason, and
Hercules.
– Theseus traveled to Crete and killed the minotaur, a
half-human, half-bull monster.
– Jason sailed across the seas in search of great treasure.
– Hercules was the most famous here. He fought many
monsters and performed nearly impossible tasks.
Main Idea 2:
Ancient Greek literature provides some
of the world’s greatest poems and stories.
• Among the earliest Greek writings are two epic poems, the Iliad and
the Odyssey by Homer.
• The Iliad tells the story of the last years of the Trojan War.
• The Odyssey describes the challenges that Odysseus faced on his way
home from the war.
• These poems were central to the education system and influenced later
writing as well.
Lyric Poetry and Fables
• Some poems were
set to music.
• The writers of these
poems were called
lyric poets, after
their instrument, the
lyre.
• The most famous
lyric poet was a
woman named
Sappho.
• Her poems were
beautiful and
emotional. They
spoke of love and
relationships with
her friends and
family.
• Other Greeks told
short stories that
taught the reader
lessons about life or
gave advice on how to
live. These stories were
called fables.
• Aesop is famous for
fables such as “The
Tortoise and the Hare”
and “The Boy Who
Cried Wolf.”
Read this biography on page 247
Main Idea 3:
Greek literature lives on and influences
our world even today.
• The most obvious way we see the influence of the Greeks is
in our language.
• Many English words and expressions come from
mythology, such as “odyssey” and “titanic.”
• Greek myths have inspired artists and writers for centuries.
• Moviemakers have borrowed some of these stories.
• Mythological references are also common among names of
sports teams.
• Olympic Games (read the passage on page 245)
– Paragraph in Encyclopedia Book
Using the Greek Alphabet in America
• Math- Pi=3.14
• Greek Organizations
Extra Credit
Part 1: Using Creative materials, create a display
of the Greek Alphabet
Part 2: Learning the Greek Alphabet in order
and pronounced correctly
8-3 Quick Questions
1. What was the purpose of telling myths?
2. What was often the explanation for natural events such as
earthquakes?
3. What were some events that the Greeks believed their gods were
responsible for?
4. What role did heroes play in Greek myths?
5. Who are some of the Greek heroes that are featured in myths?
6. What was the purpose of the ancient Olympic Games?
7. Why is it important that the 2004 Olympic Games took place in
Athens?
8. What purposes did Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey serve for the Greeks?
9. How have recent writers been influenced by the poems of Homer?
10.What types of stories are credited to Aesop?
11. Give two examples of terms in our language that have been
influenced by Greek stories?
12. What are some modern references to Greek Mythology?
13. Why have many modern writers and moviemakers borrowed from
Greek stories and myths?