Introduction to Greek Mythology

Greek Mythology is Everywhere!

What is Mythology?

Myths are ancient stories that teach a moral lesson and usually explain how something came to be (creation stories).

The characters in these stories represent metaphors that the ancient Greeks used to make sense of the world around them.

What should I look for when reading a myth?

1) A Moral Lesson: What is the myth trying to teach us?• What human characteristics lead to failure? Success?

How do myths reflect virtues that a society values?

2) An Explanation: Does it explain how something came to be? If so, what?

3) Connections: How does the myth connect to other myths, stories we tell today, movies and our lives?

Intro to Mythology Carousel & Journal Assignment

Objective: 1) Understand what how ancient Greeks explained the world around them.2) Understand how ancient Greeks taught morality through their origin myths.

Assignment: In small groups you will rotate from 1 station to the next within the classroom.

At each station you have 8 minutes to read and scan each origin myth. Each group member will have a role within your respective groups.

Intro to Mythology Carousel & Journal Assignment

Journal Assignment (15 points)Moral/Lesson

Connections

Explanation

Bulleted list of Events:

“Myth of Phaethon” 1.Why did Phaeton go to visit

Apollo?

2. Describe Apollo's palace.

3. What reasons did Apollo give for not wanting Phaeton to drive the chariot?

4. Why did Zeus have to blast the chariot from the sky?

5. Does the story involve any sort of MORAL or EXPLANATION of the natural word?

“Myth of Narcissus & Echo”

Who was Narcissus?

Who was Echo and why was she condemed?

Does the story involve any sort of MORAL or EXPLANATION of the natural word?

“Myth of Pandora’s box”

5. Does the story involve any sort of MORAL or EXPLANATION of the natural word?

“Myth of Arachnae” 1.Why was Arachne punished

by Athena?

2. Who was the better of the two weavers?

3. In your opinion, why was Athena angry about Arachne's weaving?

5. Does the story involve any sort of MORAL or EXPLANATION of the natural word?

“Myth of Prometheus”

Who is Prometheus?

Why is he punished?

5. Does the story involve any sort of MORAL or EXPLANATION of the natural word?

Use GreekMythology.com for future webquest.