Download Myths and Legends in Greek and Roman History

Myths and Legends in Greek
and Roman History
By: Arti Jalan, Chelsea Brault and Vanessa
Longshaw
Romulus and Remus: The
Beginning of Rome
• This tale is the foundation legend of Rome
• When their mother, a Roman princess, was murdered by a wicked uncle,
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the baby twins Romulus and Remus were thrown into the Tiber
They were rescued by the river god Tiberinus and raised by a she-wolf, who
reared the boys as her own
She nurtured them and taught them the ferocity of wolves and their pack
loyalty
Once Romulus and Remus decided to build the city, the two argued over
where the exact position of the city should be. Romulus was set on building
the city upon the Palatine, but while Remus wanted to before fortified
Aventine Hill, a place for royals When Remus was infuriated by Romulus’s
victory, and as Romulus began digging a trench where his city's wall was to
run on April 21st, 753 BC, he ridiculed some parts of the work, and
obstructed others. At last, Remus leaped across the trench, an omen of bad
luck, since this implied that his city was easily breached, Romulus killed him
that instant
Romulus founded the city of Rome, which was named after him.
Romulus and Remus Timeline
Modern day
picture of the
Tiber River
A she-wolf
saved them
and brought
them up
Romulus
won and
established
the city
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Baby twins
are thrown
into the
Tiber
They
wanted to
found a city
together,
but fell out
and fought
to the death
Rome was
founded in
753 BCE
Illustration of the
she-wolf and
Romulus and
Remus
Hercules and the Twelve Labours
• The name Hercules was Roman in origin and represented the greatest hero
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of Greek mythology,
Called Herakles in Greek legends
Hercules’ father was the supreme god Zeus and his mother was the mortal
woman Alcmene
Zeus’s queen Hera was often jealous of Hercules, and when he was still an
infant she sent two snakes to kill him in his crib
Hercules was found later happily in his crib with the two strangled serpents
in each hand
Hera was determined to make trouble for Hercules and made him lose his
mind. While in this confused and angry state he killed both his wife and
children
When he awaked from this trance he prayed to the god Apollo for guidance
and was told he had to serve the king Eurystheus
As part of his sentence, Hercules had to perform 12 labours
The Twelve Labours of Hercules
Picture of Hercules
with the Nemean
Lion
One: Kill
the
Nemean
Lion
Three:
Capture the
Cerynian
Hind
Five:
Clean the
Augean
Stables
Seven:
Capture
the Cretan
Bull
Nine:
Take the
Girdle of
the
Amazon
Queen
Eleven: Take
the Golden
Apples of the
Hesperides
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Two: Kill
the
Lernean
Hydra
Four:
Capture the
Erymanthian
Boar
Six: Kill the
Stymphalian
Birds
Eight:
Capture the
Horses of
Diomedes
Ten:
Twelve:
Capture
Capture
the Cattle Cerberus
of
Geryon
Zeus: Father of Gods and Men
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Youngest son of Cronus and Rhea
As supreme ruler, enforced laws, justice and morals
He was always associated as being a weather god by Greek tribes which came south from the
Balkans around 2100 BCE
He controlled lighting, thunder and rain
Was hidden by his mother Rhea from his father Cronus who had gotten a prophecy that one
of his children would try to overthrow him, and therefore swallowed all of his children upon
birth, except for Zeus who was rescued and hidden by his mother
Was raised by the divine goat Amaltheia in a cave on Mt. Olympus, surrounded by lesser gods
named Kouretes who would make noise to stop Cronus from hearing the baby’s cry
Revolted against his father forcing him to regurgitate his all his swallow children ,and the
Titans and banished them, gaining rule over the heavens and his brother Poseidon gaining
rule over the seas and Hades over the underworld
Had many children, his estranged and unhappy wife and sister, Hera, bore him Ares,
Hephaestus, Hebe and Elleithyia, Artemis and Apollo were born from his liaison with Leto (
meaning hidden one ), great Greek warrior Heracles of Hercules came from Zeus’ union with
mortal Alcmene
Zeus fathered more than 50 offspring
Has many sanctuaries named and temples named after him, Olympia being the most famous
Is usually portrayed as a bearded middle aged man with a youthful figure and is always regal
and imposing
Zeus’ Timeline
Was raised by a
goat Amaltheia
on Mount Ida in
Crete in the
company of
Kouretes, a
group of smaller
gods
Shared the world
with his elder
brothers Poseidon
and Hades, Zeus
ruled over the
heavens, Poseidon
the sea, Hades got
the underworld
Had many extramarital affairs
with various goddesses, most
known are Demeter, Latona,
Dione and Maia and mortal
women notably Semele, Io,
Europa and Leda, all of which
giving him over 50 offspring,
such as Aphrodite, Hermes and
Hercules
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Was born to
Rhea in
Crete, hidden
from his father
Cronus who
swallowed his
children
When he grew
up, he forced
Cronus to
regurgitate his
children by
cutting open his
stomach,
overthrowing the
Titans
Married his
sister Hera,
their children
were
Hephaestus,
Eilethyia, Hebe
and Ares
Statue of
Zeus’
wife
Hera
Influences on Civilization: Rome
Geographical Influence
The legend of Romulus and Remus influences the geographical situation of
Rome. The baby twins came ashore to an area near the Tiber River, which
they later established as Rome. If the she-wolf had not picked them up at
that particular spot, they would likely have floated downstream and
established Rome in a completely different location. This would have
completely changed the Romans way of life.
People believed the legend to be the founding of their city and it was
regarded as the beginning of the major empire that was to be Rome!
Social Influence
In the legend, Romulus kills Remus. Since the beginning of Rome was
founded on bloodshed, this could be where the Romans acquired their
violent temperaments.
Influences of Civilization: Greece
Geographical Influence
The gods were said to have lived on Mt. Olympus which is an actual place in Greece and is
a tourist attraction. Many of the gods were born on certain Greek islands, for example,
Zeus was born on the island of Crete, these legends incorporate reality with fiction by
having these gods born on Earth.
Social Influence
Zeus fathered many of the gods and thus started the Greek mythological society. The
Greek gods could interact with mortals, they were like mortals as well and could have all
human characteristics and emotions. The Gods could afflict happiness or joy or anger or
sadness on mortals unbeknownst to them.
Cultural Influence
The Olympics were conjured up to please the Gods especially to pay homage to Zeus. It’s
name derived from Mt. Olympus the mountain on which the Gods lived.
Religious Influence
Zeus was the embodiment of Greek religious beliefs, he was the main religious figure to
Ancient Greeks. His main temple , the Temple of Zeus, is one of the Seventh Wonders of
the Ancient World
Short and Long Term Effects
Rome
Romulus and Remus’ legend defined their city’s foundation and
geographically established the location of Rome. Like Egypt, the
location of Rome influenced its culture and way of life, as well as
the success of the civilization. The statue of the she-wolf suckling
the baby twins is well known around Italy and is displayed in a well
recognized area in the city.
Greece
Zeus came to be known as the supreme god and was worshipped
for many decades. Hercules’ labours were eventually interpreted as
the clearing of monsters from earth for the benefit of mankind.
Because of this, he became a hero on Mount Olympus and was
worshipped by Greek citizens. The Greek gods were the basis of
religion in Greece during ancient times.
Historical Importance: Greece
• These myths and legends give insight into ancient religious beliefs
• Although these stories are probably not accurate, they are conceived to
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provide hope and they give an explanation for how the civilization came to
be
Greek mythology became the forefather of latter cultures’ beliefs and
mysticisms
Stories, movies, books have been written on these myths, ( e.g , Hercules,
The Iliad, Odyssey)
There are everyday references and phrases that relate to Greek
mythological characters that appear in everyday speech, ( e.g, “ Aphrodite’s
Love Shop” or “ You’re as Strong As Hercules”)
Myths and legends gave people control and a sense of hope over certain
situations that they knew they had no control over, ( e.g, before they go to
war, they would pray to a god like Ares, the god of war )
People in many different religions still pray to different gods and patron
saints in their religions to help and guide them during dilemmas
Historical Importance: Rome
• The legend of Romulus and Remus was the origin of the great
Roman empire, which was the foundation of many other empires
that came after its demise.
• It is important to learn about the religions of other countries
because it provides people with insight and helps them to
understand other cultures
• It is similar to today’s religions, in the fact that modern day
religion gives us hope and solutions to problems
• Legends provide people with a way to explain history. It lets
them come up with stories that help others to understand the
background and beginning of their civilization. By having stories,
it gives people a certain type of security, in that it lets them have
an explanation for the unknown.
Mount Olympus the
mountain on which
the Gods lived
Discussion Questions
1. What were the names of the twins who founded
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Rome? Who killed who?
How many labours did Hercules have to perform for
King Eurystheus?
Why did Cronus ( Zeus’ father) swallow all of his
children? And where did Zeus go to be saved from the
same fate?
Why do you think people of ancient times created so
elaborate and nonsensical myths?
Do you think any of these myths could be based on
factual events?
Ancient Geography
Map of ancient Greece
Map of Ancient Italy
A Look At The Legends
Statue of Zeus at the
Temple of Zeus
Sculpture of the she-wolf
suckling Romulus and
Remus
Statue of Hercules