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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, • • • • 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 ________________________________________ 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 • • • • • • • 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 ____________________________________ 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 • • • • • • • • • • • 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 ___________________________________ 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 • • • • • 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 2. 3. 4. 5. 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