9th Grade Mythology (Notes)

Myth
Museum of the mind
Stories show hopes and fear of ancient people
Stories show characters traits these people admired and traits they disliked
Storytellers had enduring imagination because of their takes have been around thousands of years and shared by many generations

Why create Myths?
To explain natural phenomena like floods or storms
To speculate about human relationships with gods or higher beings. To ponder creation,life,death and the possibility of afterlife (religious connections)
To examine human behavior, both failings and virtues

Aphrodite
(Venus)--Goddess of love, beauty, and peace.
Symbol-dove

Ares
Mars)--God of War. Symbols--spear,armor,dogs and birds of prey

Demeter
Ceres)--Goddess of agriculture. Symbols--sheaf of grain, horn of plenty

Achilles
Greek hero of the Trojan war. Mother dipped him in the river Styx to protect him, but his heel remained vulnerable.

Ajax
Greek character who was capable of destroying all who came his way

Cronos
(Saturn)-- Father of Zues and other gods. He swallowed his children in an attempt to retain power. Symbol--hourglass (Father Time)

Athena
(Minerva)--Goddess of Wisdom, war and crafts
Symbols--owl and shield

Hermes
(Mercury)--Messenger god,god of travelers & merchants Symbol--winged sandals and hat

Nike
Goddess of victory; rewarded winning athletes

Pan
God of woods,fields and nature.Played with pan pipe (flute). Panic and pandemonium come from him

Where do all Our Heroes Come From?
Physical strength
Will to win
Courage
Intelligence

Altruism
Self sacrificing, more interested in others' welfare than their own

Characteristics Ancient Greeks Admired:
Bravery (Achilles)
Superhuman Strength (Hercules)
Cleverness (Odysseus)
Persistence (Odysseus)
Good Leader
Father-Figure to followers
Merciful to the weak
Merciless to enemies

King Arthur's Court & Knights of the Round Table
Use Strength only for good
Help the defenseless
Gentler, Politer than Greek ideal

Newer Ideals that Americans Admire
Self-made person from lowly background
Persistence & determination against great odds