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The Age of Mythology

The Age of Mythology. Timeless Tales of Heroes, Gods, and Monsters. Mythology.

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The Age of Mythology

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  1. The Age of Mythology • Timeless Tales of Heroes, Gods, and Monsters

  2. Mythology • Definition:a usually traditional story of events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon . Myths often involve divine, supernatural, and/or heroic characters. • Or in other words…

  3. Mythology • Definition #2:A collection of fictional stories involving the actions of gods, goddesses and other imaginary characters, intended to explain the unexplainable.

  4. Oral Tradition • Definition:the practice of passing along stories, tales, and folklore by word of mouth • Oral tradition is responsible for many of the “inconsistencies” of ancient mythology.

  5. Legends • Definition: fictional stories loosely based upon real/historical people and events. • Also known as “tall-tales” • Are rooted in facts, but stories have been changed through the years…WHY?

  6. Fables • Definition:A brief story, often containing animal characters that teaches a lesson or moral • Fables deal with “useful truth”

  7. Fantasy • Definition:highly imaginative writing that contains elements not found in real life • Many science fiction and fantasy books, movies and comic books are based upon the style and manner of myths.

  8. Classical Greek Mythology • Definition:A collection of stories about a set of gods, based upon oral tradition, as told and recorded by the ancient Greeks • Myths served as entertainment, a sense of national/regional pride, and religious education

  9. “The Classicists” • Greek mythology existed for hundreds of years before these stories were ever recorded with written words. • The scholars/poets who recorded the myths are known as “classicists.” • The major classicists of Greek Mythology include Virgil, Homer, and Ovid.

  10. Categories of Myths • Myths of creation:these explain the beginning of time, space, and man • Myths of explanation:these explain the great questions of the universe • Myths of morality: these teach lessons and reinforce cultural morality

  11. The Importance of Myths • Myths were critical to the Ancient Greeks • These stories touched all aspects of Greek life, including their art, music, architecture, military endeavors, religion, and education.

  12. Why Study Mythology? • Greek myths are the foundation for the arts as we know it, including: movies, television, commercial products, sports, music, and comic books. • A knowledge of Greek mythology enhances a person’s ability to understand and appreciate the world as a whole.

  13. Mythology: A Brief Timeline • The beginning: according to popular belief • Uranus was the “First One”, and he created the universe. • Uranus created and married Gaia, otherwise known as “Mother Earth.” • They lived on Mt. Olympus

  14. Uranus and Gaia had many children: • Some were human-like giants, called the “Titans” • Some were hideous, disfigured monsters • The Titans lived for many years under Uranus’s cruel reign • Uranus’s most powerful son would soon challenge his rule.

  15. Cronus killed his cruel father and assumed his role as “king of the Titans.” • Before Uranus died, he predicted that Cronus would be killed by one of his sons, just as he had been. • What is the logical solution to this problem?

  16. Cronus married his sister, Rhea, and had: • -Three daughters: Hestia, Demeter, Hera • -Three sons: Posiedon, Hades, and Zeus • These offspring were considered Titans, but would later become the gods and goddesses of Greek Mythology

  17. Because he feared his sons, Cronus ate his first two sons whole • Fed up with his baby-gobbling, Rhea gave birth to her third son in secret • Rhea dressed a boulder up as a baby and Cronus ate the rock unknowingly • Zeus was sent as an infant to be raised in secret by human shephards

  18. “Cronus Devours His Children”

  19. Zeusreturned to Mt. Olympus as a young man and poisonedCronus • Cronusvomited up brothersPoseidonandHades • Zeuswas celebrated as a hero • An epic battle ensues betweenCronus and his sons for the right to ruleMt. Olympusand the universe.

  20. The Great Battle! • Cronus is assisted in battle by his Titan brothers • Zeus and his brothers are assisted by the monsters Cronus had abused and tortured for years in captivity. • These monsters included the Cyclopes (3) and the Hundred-Handed Ones (3)

  21. Mythology and Classic Art • The Battle Between the Gods and the Titans by Wtewael Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago

  22. Cronus is Defeated! • The three sons roll dice to divide Cronus’ kingdom • Poseidon wins, but elects to choose second, knowing that naïve Zeus would choose the empty sky. • Poseidon is correct, and Zeus chooses unwisely. • Hades is left to bitterly receive “leftovers.”

  23. Enter the Gods… • Magically and mysteriously, the children of Cronus become immortal, and become gods and goddesses. • Mythology offers no explanation for this important transformation!

  24. The Pantheon • There are many gods, goddesses, demi-gods (half-gods) and supernatural beings in Greek Mythology. • The twelve main gods and goddesses are known as the Pantheon.

  25. Zeus

  26. Zeus: • King of the gods, ruler of Mt. Olympus • Also god of lightning • Was a powerful and aggressive ruler • Struck Earth with lightning bolt when upset • Waged constant war with wife Hera • Cheated on wife countless times, and had numerous children with mortals, gods, and other creatures

  27. Zeus (continued) • Was a master of disguise, which aided him in his philandering • Was a complex character: capable of unspeakable acts of immorality and occasional acts of mercy

  28. Hera

  29. HERA • Queen of immortals, goddess of marriage and childbirth • Unhappy wife of Zeus • Disapproved of Zeus’ constant cheating • Held grudges against Zeus’ “children” • Often punished Zeus with childish pranks and vengeful schemes • Associated with the peacock

  30. Poseidon

  31. Poseidon • God of water • God of horses as well • Ruled over seas, oceans, rivers and all the sea creatures • Did not live in the lost city of Atlantis • Invented many of the fish and sea monsters of mythology • Created the horse for Demeter (*)

  32. Demeter

  33. Demeter • Goddess of the harvest, plants, farming • One of Zeus’ favorite females (also sister) • Poseidon also loved Demeter • Mother of Persephone • Responsible for the all-important growing season (most Greeks were farmers)

  34. Athena

  35. Athena • Goddess of wisdom and warfare • Zeus daughter out of wedlock • Mother was Metis, a Titaness • Zeus became paranoid that his child would harm him, so he eats her whole. • Zeus developed a splitting headache • Hephaestus split his head open with a chisel, and…

  36. The “Rebirth” of Athena • Athena jumped out of Zeus skull, full-grown and wearing battle armor. • Often associated with the owl • Carried a shield adorned with the head of Medusa, the Gorgon • One of the most popular and respected immortals • Athens, Greece is named for her

  37. Apollo

  38. APoll0 • God of the sun, art, music, math, moderation and poetry • Artemis’ twin brother • Was especially talented but arrogant • Often engaged in unfair competitions with mortals • Regarded as Zeus’ most powerful son • Known for his bloated self-esteem

  39. The Flaying of Marsyas

  40. Artemis

  41. Artemis • Goddess of hunting, sport, and the moon • Born of Zeus and Leto (a nymph) • Was Zeus’ favorite daughter • Zeus granted Artemis three wishes to show her his affection • Many of Zeus’ children were jealous of Artemis’ attention and gifts

  42. Artemis (continued) • Artemis wished for a silver hunting bow and arrow. • Artemis desired to be known by many nicknames. • Artemis desired to stay forever young. • *Artemis remains chaste for eternity. She endures countless advances, though.

  43. Hades

  44. HADES • God of the Underworld • Was an aggressive, moody and selfish god • Often depicted inaccurately as the “antagonist” of mythology • “Hades” refers to both the character and the region of the Underworld itself

  45. Hades (continued) • Ruled over the three regions of Underworld: • Tartarus: dark field bordered by hideous, animated trees, filled with lost souls • River Styx: raging river, often depicted as lava or blood, that marked the entrance to the Underworld. • Also called the “River of Souls”

  46. Hades (continued) • Elysian Fields: a barren wasteland where the good dead reside • (*) Isle of the Blessed: blissful paradise where only the most priviledged mortals went upon dying

  47. Hades (continued) • Lived with his kidnapped wife, Persephone • Cerberus (three-headed dog) guarded the entrance to the Underworld • Despite being an important mythological character, Hades only left the Underworld a handful of times.

  48. Hephaestus

  49. Hephaestus (Vulcan) • God of iron work, blacksmithing, mechanics and manual labor • Son of Zeus and Hera • Was born ugly and fitful • Hera kicked him from Mt. Olympus • Was reinstated by Hera for his masterful skill of jewelry-making • Was ugly, crippled and hideous

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