Gods and Goddesses
ofAncient Greece
A Mythology Webquest
Adapted from Mythology Webquest by Miss Albert
http://teacherweb.com/WQ/MiddleSchool/TheLightningThief/apt1.aspx
Introduction• Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have
a superpower? To fly through the air or leap tall
buildings in a single bound? Well, the Greek gods and
goddesses of Olympus had it all: power over the
earth, sky, sea, and underworld, lightning bolts, skills
on the battlefield and in the hunt, athleticism, beauty,
and superior intelligence. Unfortunately, they also
had their faults: vanity, jealousy, and greed, to name
a few.
Many cultures have created stories to
understand the world around them. These
myths or legends were used to explain forces
of nature, weather, animals, and even the
creation of humans. In Greek mythology, the
lives, choices, and actions of the Olympians
helped the Greeks make sense of their world.
In this webquest, you will:
become familiar with Greek gods and goddesses and understand what traits and characteristics were valued in Greek culture
gain an appreciation for the lasting impact of this culture as you examine advertising campaigns that contain Greek gods and symbols
compare and contrast the ancient Greek culture and our own society
create a “modern god or goddess” that represents a positive or negative aspect of our world today
write and give a speech campaigning for Zeus's job as head of the Olympians
Activity 1(Use Activity 1 packet Page)
The first task will introduce you to the twelve Olympians and
other mythological creatures.
Use the links below to complete Activity 1.
Remember, some sites are more helpful than others and some have more complete information. Don’t rely on just one!
Greek Lineage and Descriptions: http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Mythology/
Greek Encyclopedia:
http://www.mythweb.com/encyc/contents.html
Greek God/Goddess Bios: http://www.desy.de/gna/interpedia/greek_myth/gods.html#GreekGods
Encyclopedia Mythica:
http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythology/europe/greek/articles.html Examples of Student-Made Trading Cards:
http://teachingwithblondeambition.blogspot.com/2012/04/more-greek-mythology-fun.html
Activity 2(Use Activity 2 Packet Page)
There are hundreds of companies that use
mythological names, symbols or figures in their
logos or advertising campaigns. Some of them,
like Nike or Amazon, are very familiar to you.
Use this link to complete the second packet
page and discover other mythological
connections.
Greek Mythology in Modern Slogans/Logos:http://thanasis.com/modern/biz.htm
Activity 3(Use Activity 3 Packet Page)
In the last part of your quest, you will need to
examine ancient Greek myths and culture and
compare them to our own modern day world.
The ideas and skills that were valued in the time
of the immortals may not be what 21st century
men and women consider important!
Greek Culture: http://www.crystalinks.com/greekculture.html
The Greek Explanation of the Creation of Man:
http://www.greekmythology.com/Myths
Ancient Greece: http://greece.mrdonn.org/
Activity 4(Use Activity 4 Packet Page)
Creativity Time!
• The gods and goddesses of ancient Greece were made up heroes, created by the Greeks to help them explain and understand the forces of Earth’s nature as well as human nature.
• Now, you will create your OWN modern-day god or goddess, based on your interpretation of what is important to us today.
• Use the Activity 4 organizer to plan your hero, then explain why you chose to create this particular one and why he or she is significant in our society today.
• Finally, create an illustration of your god or goddess!