Unit 6: Section 3Ancient Greek Literature

Homer & Epic Poetry Wrote two great epic poems The Iliad and

The Odyssey

ILIAD – tells the story of Achilles in the final days of the Trojan War

ODYSSEY – tells the story of Odysseus and the challenges he faced on his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War

These stories were not just entertaining, but central to Greek education system. You are even likely to read these in high school or college!

Lyric Poetry Poetry set to music Today, the words to a song are

called LYRICS—we get this from the stringed instrument the Greeks used called a lyre.

SAPPHO was the most famous lyric poet. She wrote beautiful, emotional pieces.

Many of her works focused on love and relationships with her friends and family.

Fables FABLES are stories that teach a lesson

or give advice about life. Animals are often the main characters

and given human traits. “The Ant & The Grasshopper” “The Tortoise & The Hare” “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”

Language ODYSSEY = a long journey (also Honda’s

minivan) TITANIC = something large (like that boat

that sank) PLACE NAMES = Athens is named for

Athena, Atlas Mountains named for Atlas who held up the sky, Europe named for Princess Europa

Literature & The Arts ART – paintings and sculptures over the

centuries MOVIES – Hercules, The Lightning

Thief/Percy Jackson series

SPORTS TEAMS – Tennessee Titans, USC Trojans

BUSINESSES/ADVERTISING - Midas