Greek Literature “We are all Athenians”

1. Greek Literature“We are all Athenians” “We are all Athenians…for the ideas of ancient Greece have permeated our whole culture.” Why are Americans all Greek? + =

2. Roman Degrees of Separation: It’s a small world after all…. • The Roman Empire invades Greece. • The Roman Empire adopts Greek government and religious practices. • The Roman Empire conquers the wild unsettled lands of Great Britain. • The Roman Empire collapses leaving Great Britain to become its own Empire. • Modern day British government is modeled after Roman Government which in turn was modeled after ancient Greek government practices. • The Unites States system of government is modeled after that of Great Britain, therefore truly, like the previous statement declares, Americans are Athenians or Greeks.

3. Greece in relationship to EuropeWhy did the Romans invade? Because Greece was there….

5. The Principal Gods She was the Titan that was the mother of the chief rivers of the world known to the Greeks. Uranus Gaea The Ocean that encircles the world: A Titan Coeus Phoebe: The Moon Helios: The Sun Oceanus Tethys Cronus Rhea Titan of Intelligence TWINS Hestia Hades Poseidon Hera Zeus Demeter Leto Zeus Prometheus Epimetheus Gave Fire to Mankind, created the first human out of clay Holds the world on his shoulders Goddess of Youth Athena Persephone Apollo Artemis Maia Zeus Dione Hercules Hebe Eris Ares Hephaestus Castor Pollux TWINS Son of Zeus with Alchameny Twin sons of Zeus with Queen Leda of Sparta, a mortal. Goddess Discord Often said to be Hera’s son only. Hermes Aphrodite God of Light and Truth, often confused with Helios, the Sun Titan Strife Pan Eros: Cupid Dionysus God of Unreasonable fear or “panic” Son of Zeus with Seleme, a mortal. Iris- Goddess of the Rainbow The Muses: 9 Sisters that inspire the arts The Graces: 3 Sisters- the embodiment of beauty Atlas Eros:Cupid

6. The Purpose of The Greek Gods Helios- Titan- The Sun Apollo- God of light and truth Hermes/ Mercury- Messenger of the Gods Hera/Juno- goddess of marriage and childbirth Hephaestus/ Vulcan- Blacksmith of the gods Poseidon/ Neptune- God of the sea Artemis/ Diana- Goddess of the hunt Eros / Cupid- God of love Cronos - Grandfather of the Gods, Titan of time Hades / Pluto- God of the Underworld Aphrodite / Venus- Goddess of love and beauty Hebe - Goddess of youth Ares / Mars- God of war Atlas- Titian who is condemned to hold the world on his shoulders for all time. Zeus / Jupiter- King of the gods Persephone - Queen of the underworld Athena / Minerva- Goddess of war strategy and wisdom Prometheus - Titan who created mankind Demeter / Ceres Goddess of the harvest and nature

7. Myth- a fictional tale that explains the actions of the gods or the causes of natural phenomena. (a hurricane meant that the god of the Sea was angry with the costal peoples) They contain little historical truth and involve supernatural elements. The Iliad and The Odyssey are not Myths. The Iliad and The Odyssey are Epic Poems written and preformed by the Greek Poet Homer based on the historical event: The Trojan War.

8. The Epic Hero CycleThis will not be the last time you see this The Epic Hero Cycle is a series of requirements necessary for a character to be defined as an Epic hero.

9. 1. The main character is a hero, who is often possessed of supernatural abilities or qualities. 2. The hero is charged with a quest. 3. The hero is tested, often to prove the worthiness of himself and his quest. 4. The presence of numerous mythical beings, magical and helpful animals, and human helpers and companions. 5. The hero’s travels take him to a supernatural world, often one that normal human beings are barred from entering. 6. The cycle must reach a low point where the hero nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated. 7. The hero experiences a resurrection. 8. Restitution. Often this takes the form of the hero regaining his rightful place on the throne.

10. The Ultimate Epic Heroes • Even though Achilles has what the modern world considers an unhappy ending, he is not considered a tragic hero for he does not meet all the requirements. • To an ancient Greek audience, Achilles is victorious by the end of the poem. • Achilles is an Epic Hero • Odysseus is an Epic Hero

11. In Media Res – Latin for in the middle of things. Authors could do this because the audience would already be familiar with the characters and events. Stock Epithets- Stock descriptive words or phrases that accompany the character’s name making it easier for both the author and the audience to keep track of multiple characters. Examples: Resourceful Odysseus, Hera of the White Arms, Hector of the Shining Helm

12. Divine Causality is the idea that the Gods cause human successes or failures by way of direct interference by working through human inclination. Example: Athena stopping Achilles from fighting Agamemnon

13. Map of Modern GreeceIt’s all still there…. • Oedipus was King of Corinth • Athens was where Sophocles lived • Mt Olympus was the seat of the gods! • Sparta is where the film 300 took place (no, we are not watching it) • The coast of Turkey is where the Trojan War was waged for over a decade…