Greek Mythology

Why Should We Study It?

What is Greek Mythology?

Mythology is stories people

invented in an attempt to explain

the world around them.

It was a way to explain the

unexplainable and to teach moral

lessons.

Greek Mythology is

Still Here Today

The characters from Greek Mythology are

still utilized today in many forms.

You can find the same types of characters in

movies, books, comic books, TV shows,

businesses, and modern symbols.

Let’s take a look at a few…

Zeus

• Leader of the gods

• Rules the heavens

• Wielded the most power

• Leader of the Justice League

• Came from the “heavens”

• Wielded the most power

Superman

Poseidon

• Rules the sea

• Uses a trident

• Symbol is the

dolphin

Neptune

King Triton Aqua Man

Athena

• goddess of war and skill

• strength, intelligence,

justice, courage

Wonder Woman

• trained in battle; skilled

• uses “lasso of truth”

• stands for justice

Hermes

• messenger of the gods

• winged helmet and boots

• known for his speed

The Flash

• winged helmet and boots

• known for his speed

The gods lived high above the earth on Mount

Olympus.

In their free time, they would visit the people

of earth disguised as humans.

The justice league lived high above the earth.

They would visit the people of earth assuming

secret identities.

Where else have we seen

Greek Mythology?

Some businesses have used symbols

from Greek Mythology to represent

their products or services.

Let’s take a look at a few…

Nike: goddess of victory,

strength and speed

Why do you think the shoe company “Nike”

chose the goddess Nike to represent their product?

Apollo Theater in NYC, NY

Apollo was the god of music. The Apollo Theater

promotes the advancement of music.

Titans- giants of incredible strength

who lived before the Olympians

Why do you think the football team, the Tennessee

Titans, chose the Titans to represent them?

Hermes- the messenger

Florists Transworld Delivery

Why do you think this flower delivery

company chose the Greek god Hermes to

represent its business?

Greek Mythology is used to

teach moral lessons.

There are stories and myths that we

read today that help teach a lesson.

They each have a strong theme.

Let’s take a look at a few…

Trojan Horse • The Spartans and the

Trojans had been at war

for ten years

• The Spartans built a

giant wooden horse and

filled it with soldiers.

• The Trojans accepted

it as a gift and brought it

inside the city walls.

• The Spartans snuck into the city of Troy while the

Trojans slept, conquered Troy, and won the war.

• “Do not trust your enemies.”

Pandora’s Box • Pandora was given a box

(jar) and instructed to

never open it.

• Her curiosity caused her

to open the box.

• All the evils escaped into

the world (disease, greed,

hatred, war, etc.)

• A small, innocent act can

have great consequences.

King Midas • received the gift of the

golden touch

• everything he touched

would turn to gold

• even food or his loved

ones would turn to gold

• eventually washed away

his “gift” in a river

• “Be careful what you

wish for.”

Mythological Words and

Phrases.

Some of the phrases we use today

come from Greek Mythology.

Let’s take a look at a few…

Achilles • Greek hero of the Trojan

War

• Was killed after a single

arrow hit his heel

• Achilles tendon named

after Achilles

• “Achilles Heel” is a

deadly weakness despite

overall strength

Atlas

• Son of a Titan

• Punished by Zeus-

must bear the weight of

the heavens

• Phrase: “feel like

you’re carrying the

weight of the world on

your shoulders”

Hercules

• Greek demigod

• Known for his incredible

strength and adventures

• Tasked to complete

twelve labors

• “herculean strength”

• “herculean task or labor”