Download Mythology Unit

Introduction
to
Mythology
Background
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The word mythology is derived from the
Greek word mythos, which concerns a
system of beliefs related mostly to
supernatural forces. Many ancient
cultures based their religion on
mythology which was centrally focused
on divine or heroic beings.
• Over time, these beliefs were
eventually broken down, replaced, and
have since evolved into mythology.
• Mythology beliefs were often initially
passed down verbally, only to be
written down by later generations.
Even today, mythological figures are
part of many of mainstream religions.
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The purpose of mythology was to explain
the universe and all that is in it. Thus,
mythology has roots in science, religion,
and history.
It connects the creation of the world to its
future destruction.
Types of Mythology
Norse Mythology
Roman Mythology
Egyptian Mythology
Greek Mythology
Japanese Mythology
Aztec Mythology
Korean Mythology
Identify one fact about each
culture’s mythological belief. For
example, in the Japanese culture,
who is responsible for happiness
and longevity of life?
ANSWER: Jurojin
Use an advanced Google search
to find your answers or check out
http://www.windows2universe.org/mythology/
mythology.html
http://www.paralumun.com/mythology.htm
Greek Myths and History
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Tracked back over 40,000 years.
Many come from a time before writing.
Passed on by word of mouth.
Spoken tradition helped them survive
upheavals when writing was destroyed or
forgotten.
The Changing Myths
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Conquerors and peaceful settlers brought their
own beliefs into Greece.
Beliefs adopted or combined with the myths
and gods that already existed.
These changed and developed over the
centuries.
Change was less once they were written down.
Different versions of many myths survive.
Before 6000 B.C.: Hunter-gatherers
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The area now known as Greece was inhabited
at this time by wandering tribes.
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Tribes hunted and lived off what grew on the
land.
700-500 B.C.: The Archaic Period
(Greek Archaic Period)
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Greece became rich in art, literature, science,
and commerce.
Trade was established with many
Mediterranean countries.
A new form of writing was invented.
Coins were introduced for money.
They experimented with government and
social organizations.
500-336 B.C.: The Classical Period
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The best-known period of Ancient Greek
history.
The Ancient Greek image was most influenced
by Classical art and literature of this period.
Many plays based on the myths were written
during the Classical Period.
336-31 B.C.: The Hellenistic Period
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This period named after Helen.
Helen was a legendary ancestor of the Greeks.
Alexander the Great empire came during this
period.
Greek culture spread across the Near and
Middle East after his death in 323 B.C.
Roman Empire expanded during this period,
and became more powerful than Greece.
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Romans were greatly influenced by the
Greeks.
They had their own gods.
Their mythology was not as complex as the
Greeks.
Gradually they linked the Greek stories to their
own gods.
Both mythologies were almost the same after
the merging of the Roman and the Greek gods.
Greek Creation Myth
Chaos
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Before anything existed there was a dark
nothingness called Chaos.
The shape of Mother Earth emerged from the
emptiness.
The world was then formed.
Mother Earth’s Children
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Mother Earth (aka Gaea) produced a son
named Uranus.
Uranus was the sky.
Rain fell from the sky onto the Earth, making
plants grow and animals appear from the rivers
and seas.
Strange shaped monsters and giants were born.
Three of these emerged, and had only one
huge eye in the middle of the forehead.
This monster was known as Cyclopes.
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Some human-shaped giants, called Titans,
were born who became the first gods and
goddesses.
Mother Earth (Gaea) encouraged the Titans to
rebel against Uranus.
Chronos led the Titans.
He attacked and overcame Uranus with a
sickle and took power.
**Gaea & Uranus became husband and wife
and had the Titans and other gods/goddesses.
The Birth of Zeus
Chronos
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Chronos married his
sister, Rhea, and
became King of the
Titans.
They had five children.
Chronos had been
warned that one of
them would kill him.
The Birth of Zeus
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He swallowed each
one as it was born.
To save her sixth
child, Rhea tricked
Chronos into
swallowing a stone
wrapped in baby’s
clothes and hid the
child among lesser
goddesses.
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These lesser
goddesses were
called nymphs, and
brought him up
safely.
This child was known
as Zeus.
When he grew up, he
returned home in
disguise.
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He slipped a potion
into Cronos’s drink,
making him choke.
The children he had
swallowed were
coughed out, whole
and safe.
These were Hestia,
Demeter, Hera,
Hades, and
Poseidon.
What the World was
Like
The victorious gods divided the world amongst
themselves. What follows are the beliefs the
Ancient Greeks held about their world and
what it was like.
Earth
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Earth was where humans
lived.
Many weird and
dangerous creatures were
supposed to live there
too.
Greek heroes often had
to fight these monsters.
For example, Hercules
was a strong and mighty
monster slayer.
Earth
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Every hero has a villain.
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Heroes that are against
gods are considered evil
and severely punished.
Earth
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Gods used their powers through fire, water,
wind, and other earthly features.
Gods responded to worship, rituals,
supplications, and sacrifice from humans. For
example, for steady sailing, worshippers prayed
to Poseidon.
Mythology uses roots and genealogy of gods,
kings, and heroes tracing back to the Trojan
War.
The Underworld
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Zeus’s brother, Hades, ruled the
Underworld.
Everyone went there when they
died.
There were three parts.
Three Parts of the Underworld
Part One:
 Ordinary people wandered around the
Asphodel Fields as “shades.”
 They were shadowy versions of their earthly
selves.
Part Two:
 Tartarus was the place of punishment for really
evil people.
Part Three:
 Exceptionally good or heroic people resided in
Elysian Fields.
 This was a golden, blissful place of rest.
 You could be sent back to earth after you died
to live another life.
 If you earned a place in the Elysian Fields three
times, you were allowed to go to the Isles of
the Blessed.
 Once there, you would never have to leave.
Olympus
Olympus
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A real mountain in the north of Greece.
This place was known as Mount Olympus.
This is where the gods lived.
The gods lived here like a family.
Zeus married his sister, Hera, and they ruled as
king and queen.
No one but the gods could visit Olympus.
Ocean
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The Earth was thought
to be surrounded by
water, called Ocean.
This was ruled by
Poseidon.
He controlled the winds
and waves.
Ocean
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He was very
important to sailors.
They made
sacrifices to
appease him.
He had to obey
Zeus.
Poseidon’s wife
was Amphitrite,
and she was a sea
nymph.
The Styx
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Styx was the name of the river you had to cross to
enter the Underworld.
You would have to pay the boatman.
Charon, the boatman, would collect one obol,
which was the Ancient Greek coin.
This payment would get you a ferry across the
Styx, and on to your afterlife destination.
Religion
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Stories told in the Greek myths formed part of
the religion of Ancient Greece.
They illustrated the nature of the gods.
They taught what pleased or angered the gods.
Religion and Everyday Life
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Religion was a part of everyday life to the
Greeks.
They said a quick prayer before doing
something because they thought this would
bring them success.
Each god was responsible for some aspect of
life.
People worshiped the ones they found
relevant.
Festivals and Dramas
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The Greeks had special feast days for the gods.
These consisted of processions and sacrifices.
Plays were performed telling the gods’ lives.
Much of today’s knowledge of Greek myths
comes from these plays.
Euripides, Aeschylus, and Sophocles were
three of these famous playwrights.
Mystery Cults
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These were groups who worshipped a
particular deity in secret ceremonies.
Members had to pass tests before they were
accepted.
The cults kept their secrets so well that nobody
today knows exactly what they believed.
Greek Mythology Family Tree
http://www.windows2universe.org/mythology/greek_family_tree.html