Name About Myths A myth is a dramatic story, often including extraordinary beings or creatures with superhuman powers, that is widely known and often repeated within a culture. Myths can have the following purposes: To explain how life began, how the world works (nature), or what happens after death. To instruct: myths confirm and reinforce the institutions, beliefs, and customs of the society that tells them. They teach people the attitudes and behavior needed to function successfully within their culture. For example, a myth might highlight the importance of honoring one s parents or elders. Myths are universal because they deal with mysteries, passions and longings that all people feel. Knowing myths is important because many literary works as well as movies, TV shows, etc. make allusions to Greek mythology. Knowing the myths that are being alluded to deepens our understanding of the stories that refer to the myths. Order Out of Chaos Identify each of the following: Gaia Uranus Cronos Zeus Gaia gave birth to three different types of creatures. What were they? What was the punishment for Atlas, the Titan who led the rebellion against the gods?
Stories of the Gods Directions: Describe the role of each character listed in the story, and answer each question. The Trickery of Hermes Hermes Apollo The Loves of Apollo Clytie Daphne Phaethon Phaethon What lesson does this story teach?
Athene s City Athene Poseidon Arachne Arachne How and why is Arachne punished? Origin of the Seasons Demeter Hades Persephone According to the story, why do the seasons occur?
The Mysteries of Dionysus Dionysus
Name The Loves of the Gods Directions: Describe the role of each character listed in the story. Cupid & Psyche Cupid Aphrodite Psyche The Spring Flowers Hyacinthus Echo Narcissus Adonis
Eternal Youth Artemis Endymion Aurora Tithonus
Name The Creation of Man Early History of Mankind Epimetheus Prometheus The Coming of Evil Pandora What was the one good thing left in Pandora s Box? The Great Flood Deucalion Pyrrha What Biblical story is The Great Flood similar to?
Name Niobe Men s Rivalry with Gods Niobe What character trait of Niobe s is being punished in this story? Daedalus Daedalus Icarus Why is Icarus punished? Midas How and why is Midas rewarded? How and why is Midas punished (twice)?
Name The Great Musician Love Stories of the Heroes Orpheus Eurydice The Lover of Beauty Pygmalion Galatea The Fortunate King Alcestis Admetus
Pyramus & Thisbe Pyramus Thisbe What other piece of literature that we have read this year does Pyramus and Thisbe remind you of? Baucis & Philemon Baucis Philemon
Name Atalanta s Lovers Althaea Adventure Stories Meleager Atalanta Hippomenes The Killing of the Chimera Bellerophon Pegasus What is a chimera? How does Bellerophon die?
Name Medusa s Head Acrisios Perseus Polydectes Medusa Andromeda
Name The Golden Fleece Jason King Pelias Cheiron Athamas Nephele Ino Phrixus Helle Medea King Aeetes
What warning does the oracle give to Pelias? Why does Pelias send Jason on the quest for the Golden Fleece? Describe some of the adventures that Jason and the Argonauts encounter on their journey to Colchis. What is the task that King Aeetes gives to Jason? How does Medea help Jason fulfill this task? How does Jason betray Medea? How does she get her revenge?
Name Theseus 1. What does Theseus find under the rock? 2. Who is Theseus father? 3. Explain how Theseus defeats each of the following people: The Club Bearer Sinis the Pine Bender Sciron Procrustes 4. How does Medea try to kill Theseus?
5. How does Aegeus recognize his son? 6. What is the Minotaur and what tribute do the people of Athens have to pay to it? 7. How does Ariadne help Theseus defeat the Minotaur? 8. Why does Aegeus believe that Theseus is dead when he sees the returning ship?
Name Heracles 1. Why does Heracles have to perform the Twelve Labors? 2. Briefly summarize each of Heracles Twelve Labors. First Labor: The Nemean Lion Second Labor: The Hydra Third Labor: The Cerynean Hind Fourth Labor: The Erymanthian Boar Fifth Labor: Augean Stables Sixth Labor: Birds of Ares Seventh Labor: The Cretan Bull
Eighth Labor: The Mares of Diomede Ninth Labor: The Girdle of Hippolyte Tenth Labor: The Cattle of Geryon Eleventh Labor: The Apples of the Hesperides Twelfth Labor: Cerberus