Transcript What is Mythology?

English 9B
Mrs. Lux
Defining Moments
• Mythology = the study of myths
• What are myths?
• Stories about supernatural beings, in early
times, handed down orally from one
generation to another
• Collected from groups of people
– Like Greeks, Romans, Celts, etc.
Purpose of Myths
• To EXPLAIN
• Nature
– Where did earth come from?
• Man
– Where did man come from?
• Gods
– Where did the gods come from?
How do we know about myths?
• LITERATURE
• Primary source of knowledge about
ancient myths
Virgil
Homer – Iliad & Odyssey
Hesiod
Ovid
Why is mythology important?
• Interesting
• Entertaining
• Shows how ancient
people viewed their
world
• Constant references to
mythology all your life
• Allusions
– Literature, music, arts,
advertising, history,
language
Mt. Olympus
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Council of 13 gods
Zeus
Hera
Athena
Ares
Apollo
Hestia
Poseidon
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Hades
Hephaestus
Artemis
Hermes
Aphrodite
Demeter
Unit Focus
• Creation stories
• Hero study
– Comparing Greek heroes to modern heroes
• Research project
• Presentations
• Overall Focus Questions: What did you learn
about Greek mythology? How and where does
it apply today?