Greek+Mythology

=Greek Mythology=

Aaron Locke


 * Overview:**

The presence of Greek mythology is extremely important to the culture of ancient Greece. Not only did the myths act as lessons for the the people of Greek communities, but they have provided long lasting morals that have echoed throughout the history of the world. The tales of Pandora, Hercules, and Zeus have been depicted through film and books and are known throughout the world. Greek mythology is a flawless representation of the beliefs and views of ancient Greece and have had a huge impact upon the modern world.


 * Sources of Mythology: ​**

The origination of myths are important to their survival in the world. Often, the best myths are one that are passed down from generation to generation, by word of mouth. In Greek history, however, the contributions of mythology were made substantially by the poet Homer. He wrote two epic poems in his time, the //Iliad// and the //Odyssey.// Other writers throughout Greek history including Herodotus, helped to supplement the mythology by their accounts of Greek history.


 * Iliad**:

The Iliad is an epic poem that covers herioc exploits of ancient Greece. The title comes from the Greek word //Ilios// or //Ilion//, which can be translated to Troy. But if it were to be directly translated, it simply means, //a story concering "Troy"//. The setting of the epic poem takes place in the City of Troy and the surrounding area. The characters of the story range from the tempermental Achilles to the King of Troy, Priam. The poem is written in a dactylic hexameter and is where the Homeric Epithet originated from. Homeric Epithet is the combination of noun that is modified by a compound adjective. (ex. //fleet-footed Achilles//). The author, Homer, is often considered a literary master becaues of his ability to write something completely different than anything else at the time.

//(from left to right)// Achilles, Poseidon, Apollo. All characters dictated in the Iliad.


 * Odyssey**:

The Odyssey is seen as the sequel to the Iliad. It was the second peice of work done by Homer. Another epic poem, this one focuses upon the Greek hero Odysseus and his trip home after the fall of Troy. It takes him ten years to reach home, and in that time, he is believed to be dead. His travels take him across what is now the Ionian Islands. The Odyssey is just as, possibly more popular than the Iliad. It has been translated into several languages and now can be read like a novel.

The main character of the Odyssey, Odysseus.


 * Types of Mythology**:


 * Heroes**: In Greek mythology, there are several stories of heroes. Often these heroes are decendents of Gods, but are not actually Gods. To be considered a God, you must live on Mount Olympus. And several of the Greek heroes do not. The most popular is Heracles. (alternate spellings include Hercules) Heracles is considered a demi-god or greek hero. His myth's include overcoming huge beasts and saving a beautiful girl from the depths of the underworld. Heracles' stories are much similiar to many other heroes in Greek mythology. The hero with God-like powers is confronted with a problem, and they overcome.


 * Gods**: The most popular form of Greek Mythology are the myths that have to do with Gods. God's like Zeus, Hera, Athena,, etc. These myths often have an overall message or meaning that is conveyed upon the reader. Things like war and trouble finding peace often plague the Gods, and they must decide between two choices, and which is the most just. Examples include the war between Athena and Posieden. God myths often include interactions with heroes and humans, which is the primary reason for their importance.

(e.i. when Prometheus steals fire from the Gods, when Demeter teaches argriculture)
 * Tales of Punishment**: Involves the appropriation and invention of important cultural artifacts.

(e.i. Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite)
 * Tales of Love:** Usually involved a type of incest, seduction, or even rape of a mortal woman by a male God, that results in heroic offspring.


 * Locations:**

Most Greek myths take place between interactions between Mount Olympus and the human world, and the Underworld and the human world.


 * Mount Olympus**: Towers up from the center of the earth. The major Gods live and hold court.
 * Underworld**: The Underworld is hidden in the earth. It is the kingdom of the dead and ruled over by Hades

Olympian Gods:
 * Greek Gods**


 * Zeus**: King of the Gods, God of Sky and Thunder
 * Poseidon**: God of the Sea, Earthquakes and Horses
 * Hades**: God of the Underworld and Riches
 * Hestia**: Goddess of the Hearth
 * Hera**: Goddess of marriage and women
 * Ares**: God of war and bloodshed
 * Athena**: Goddess of wisdom, weaving and heroic endeavour, Patron Goddess of Athens
 * Apollo**: God of music, poetry and oracles
 * Aphrodite**: Goddess of love and beauty and sexual desire
 * Hermes**: Messenger of the gods, god of commerce, thieves, travelers, sportsman, and border crossings
 * Artemis**: Goddess of the Hunt, Forests and Hills, the Moon
 * Hephaestus**: God of Technology, Blacksmiths, Craftsmen, Artisans and Volcanoes

Titans:


 * Gaea:** Earth Goddess
 * Uranus:** Sky God
 * Cronus:** Ruling Titan
 * Rhea:** Wife of Cronus
 * Oceanus:** Is the unending stream of water encircling the world
 * Tethys:** Wife of Oceanus, together with him, produced the rivers and the three thousand sea nymphs
 * Hyperion:** Titan of light, sun, moon, and dawn
 * Mnemosyne:** Titan of memory
 * Themis:** Titan of justice and order
 * Iapetus:** Father of Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Atlas
 * Coeus:** Titan of intelligence
 * Phoebe:** Titan of the Moon
 * Thea: G**oddess from whom light emanates and considered especially beautiful
 * Prometheus:** Wisest Titan, Protector and Benifactor of Man, had the gift of fire
 * Epimetheus:** Introduced Pandora to the box that released evil on the world
 * Atlas:** Held the world on his back
 * Metis:** Presided over all wisdom and knowledge


 * Summary:**

Greek mythology is an important aspect of greek culture. It is where many of the cultural influences and ideals come from. The stories and histories of Greece are shown through the numerous aspects of the stories. The many gods, just a few of whom are listed above, cover things from the God of tecnhology to the Goddess of marriage. The gods represent every part of what makes up a culture, and much like importance that some cultures place in animals, Greek culture places importance in human like, relatable gods and goddesses.


 * Bibliography:**

1. www.greekmythology.com 2. www.wikipedia.org/greek_mythology 3. www.hellenism.net 4. www.LIMC-France.net 5. www.library.theoi.com