Download Mythology Webliography - English Teachers and Students: Welcome!

A Webliography of Greek and Roman
Mythology
Compiled by Holly Delduchetto
Introduction: This webliography is designed primarily for secondary students,
although some sites are appropriate for younger pupils or kids at a lower reading
level. I limited it to Greek and Roman mythology because there are so many
categories of mythology (i.e. Norse, Celtic, Egyptian…) that it’s too ambitious for
one unit. These websites could be incorporated into an English class, a social
studies class, or even an elective specifically focusing on mythology. The key word
for each site is “exploration.” Kids can explore the magical realm of mythology and
lose themselves in exciting stories from ancient Greece and Rome.
Ratings: All of these sites are good or I would not have included them in the first place. The
number of sigmas ∑ (a Greek letter) rates the site based on amount of information, ease of
navigation, visual attractiveness, and student-friendly language/reading level. One is the lowest
rating; five is the highest.
Site: Mythology Guide ∑ ∑ ∑
Web Address: http://www.online-mythology.com/
There’s a collection of about 75 Greek and Roman myths and gods. Simply
click on the name of the myth/god, and you’ll get the story plus any other
pertinent information. Some items provide more detailed stories than others.
It’s a good beginning site; it’s designed in a basic format. There are no graphics
or fancy decorations, but does contain lots of information.
Site: Greek Mythology: Gods, Titans, and More!!! ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
Web Address: http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110010/home.htm
This fun site was designed with the help of kids. It would be good for upper
elementary students or older students who don’t read on level. There are sections on
Gods and Goddesses, Titans, Creatures, Space (names of planets, moons, and
constellations whose names come from mythology), and Fun Stuff (games, quizzes,
mythology hangman, scavenger hunts, skits, and more). This is a very appealing site.
There are lots of cute graphics, bright colors, and the information is in language kids can
understand. The many branches of this site present multiple paths for kids to explore whatever
interests them.
Site: Greek Mythology: From the Iliad to the Fall of the Last
Tyrant ∑ ∑ ∑
Web Address: http://www.messagenet.com/myths/
This explains Greek mythology in depth! It begins with some brief, introductory essays, and as a
bonus, each page shows visitors how to cite the information given. The author states outright that
his goal is to create a “comprehensive online dictionary of all things dealing with Ancient
Greece.” In fact, he encourages comments from people using his site. A site map lets you search
for specific information, and there’s an extensive list of all the Greek gods, including descriptions
of each one. For students who wants to test their knowledge, there’s a “Fun Fact Quiz” that allows
players to keep trying until they get the right answer. If all this information isn’t enough, the site
links visitors to other web pages where they can explore such topics as Greece’s geography,
classical authors, Greek art, and Greek coins. There is a whole page of information about the
author and designers of the website; the material seems reliable and well researched. Because of
the reading level and thorough explanations, I would recommend this site for high school
students and for anyone seriously interested in the subject.
Site: Characters of Greek Mythology ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
Web Address: http://mythology.tonyarn.com/
At this address, the scope encompasses mostly the people found in Greek
myths. An alphabetical index allows you to find names quickly, and once
you locate a person, it’s captivating to look at the beautiful artwork
accompanying each one. A special section divides the characters into
groups, such as “”The Titans,” “The Olympians,” “Mythological Creatures,”
and “Heroes.” Other features include family trees, a paintings index, and my particular favorite,
mythological word origins (e.g. “Achilles heel,” “morphine,” “narcissism”).
I love this site! High school students, I believe, would enjoy it, too. The information is logically
organized and the site is easily navigable. Clear, concise explanations go hand in hand with
visually appealing artwork. There’s even some humor; for instance, on the page about Aphrodite,
her biography is divided into such categories as “Stats and Facts,” “Lovers and Children,” and
“Most Embarrassing Moment.” I especially like the helpful phonetic pronunciations.
Site: Elysium ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
Web Address: http://library.thinkquest.org/26264/
In Greek myth, Elysium is the name of the heaven-like place where heroes
and heroines go when they die. This site is designed by students for
students, so it’s perfect for the classroom. The information found here can
be verified for authenticity because a full list of literary references used to
create the site is provided. Its most unique feature is the way you must choose a “guide” at the
beginning who will lead you through the site. There are three options: a newcomer, for those
novices just looking for an overview or brief initiation to the world of Greek myths; a student,
who thoroughly reviews Greek mythology, takes you to the art museum, and allows you to read
the myths for yourself; and finally, a teacher, presenting more scholarly information on the
subject and offering ideas to educators as to how to use this site in the classroom. It’s a superbly
designed site that is informative and geared for users of different ages and abilities.
Site: Windows to the Universe: Mythology ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
Web Address:
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mythology/mythology.html
This site contains much more information than you would probably need in
the classroom, but it’s terrific nevertheless. The most relevant section would
be classical mythology (Greek and Roman), though you’ll find rich resources
on 16 other world cultures (e.g. Inuit, Inca, Sumerian, and Hindu). Because
world cultures typically associate gods and goddesses with celestial objects, the information is
explained in the context of mythology, not science. The mythology family trees make the complex
interrelationships among the characters clearly structured for visual learners (or anyone who is
confused!). Teachers might want to order the guidebook or the companion CD for the site. It’s
truly designed with educators and students in mind. I love the flexibility of the site and the
myriad options it presents! The most exceptional feature is the way that the content is written at
three different reading levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced), so students of all ages and
abilities will find it functional. It’s the same information, just explained using a range of
vocabulary levels and including a manageable quantity of details at each level. For recreation, I
suggest playing Mythology Hangman available at this website. This reputable resource has
earned several awards, also described at the site.
Site: Encyclopedia Mythica ∑ ∑ ∑
Web Address: http://www.pantheon.org/
This site provides extensive information; it’s quite detailed and in-depth. In addition to Greek
and Roman myths and figures, there are sections on dozens of other types of mythology, such as
Mayan, Native American, Norse, Aztec, and Japanese. One of the best
features is a complete guide to pronunciations, which is especially valuable
with some of those daunting classical names. Kids of all levels can participate
in the Greek Mythology Quiz which lets you choose not only the level
(beginner, intermediate, or advanced), but also the number of questions.
Though it’s a good site, there’s an imbalance between words (too many) and
graphics and colors (too few). Recommended for high schoolers.
Site: Mythweb ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
Web Address: http://www.mythweb.com/
At Mythweb, you’ll find an outstanding educational tool for the classroom. It’s “devoted to the
heroes, gods, and monsters of Greek mythology.” I am impressed with the site’s reliability, which
I cross-checked with some of the other sites on this list. The author is clearly named and is able
to be contacted; additionally, the date of the most recent update is displayed on
the screen. It would appeal to all ages with its manageable readability, fanciful
cartoons, and animation. The stories, with one paragraph per page (like a book),
are even illustrated with colorful cartoon-style characters. For some myths,
visitors can choose between the “short version” and the “detailed version” of each
hero’s or god’s tale. There’s a valuable section just for teachers that offers
teaching tips, free downloads, a rationale for including mythology in the
curriculum, and a page that links you to information about other cultures in
order to compare their myths to those of the Greeks. One of the best qualities of Mythweb is that
nothing is too lengthy; there’s enough information, but there isn’t so much reading that it
becomes overwhelming.
Site: Mythography ∑ ∑ ∑
Web Address: http://www.loggia.com/myth/myth.html
Mythography is an informative site which is probably best
suited for older high school students and/or students taking a
course specifically about mythology. This website has branches
dealing with Greek and Roman mythology and art, in addition
to a segment on Celtic legends. It has a full directory of gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines,
lovers, monsters, and the various classical creatures. If you’re still hungry for further
information, Mythography lists dozens of references, resources, and a “lexicon” of Greek words
and terms. The online forum available at this site presents an opportunity to engage in
discussions about the topic and express your own views. The information is plentiful, but this site
is less attractive than many of the others. There are few graphics, animations, or colors.
Site: History for Kids: Mythology ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
Web Address:
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/religion/greekrelig.htm
Here you have all the ancient Greek myths retold for kids. Teeming with
hyperlinks, just click on any name or place about which you’d like more
details, and it takes you to stories, pictures, and pronunciations. Any words with which children
may be unfamiliar are highlighted and explained--not just mythological figures and places, but
words like “volcanoes,” “BC” (following at date), and “kingdom” are defined, too. Each page has
three or four book titles that kids can look for in their local libraries if they want to know more
about a particular person or story. The only downside is that there are advertisements and bookpurchasing links to Amazon. Nevertheless, it’s great for elementary school pupils: easy to read,
lots of graphics and pictures, simple to navigate.
Site: Greek Mythology Today ∑
Web Address: http://mythman.com/
∑ ∑ ∑
This site is designed both for students and for anyone who loves Greek
mythology. It’s a humorous yet comprehensive collection of Greek myths
and legends. Visitors can play the two multiple choice quizzes, tour the
Myth Gallery packed with hundreds of images, peruse the “Myth of the
Month” (stories from previous months are available), and read dozens of celebrated Greek stories.
The site’s author, Nick Pontikis, encourages kids to use this site for homework help and even
offers his e-mail address for anyone who wants to contact him with questions, suggestions, and
reactions to the site. To me, the most valuable part is an enlightening directory of modern
allusions to Greek heroes, gods, and locations found in today’s world. Kids will be surprised at
how many names, stories, images, and expressions can be traced to the classical world of the
Greeks. You can read about the thousands of references in movies, art, songs, conversational
phrases, geographical locations, and even international corporations (e.g. Nike). Students who
have seen Disney’s animated version of Hercules might be interested in the portion that compares
it to the original story. I think this site is awesome because of its whimsical cartoons, its
extensive resources, and especially because it explicitly demonstrates for kids the influence of
Greek mythology on modern culture.
Holly Delduchetto
EDU 505
Dr. Harrison Yang
Spring 2007