11/21/2011 1

Homer’s Epics

11/21/2011 2

Major Olympians

Who are these gods and goddesses and why are they so important

to the story???

11/21/2011 3

Where did it all start?

Mt. Olympus, Greece. Ancient

Greeks/Romans believed this to be the home of the

Olympians

11/21/2011 4

Zeus/Jupiter

King of the gods, ruler of the sky.

His symbols are: Thunderbolt Oak tree Eagle Aegis (in some stories)

11/21/2011 5

Poseidon/Neptune

Brother of Zeus. God of the sea. His symbols are:

Trident Sea horse dolphin

11/21/2011 6

Hades/Pluto

Brother of Zeus. God of the Underworld & wealth.

His symbols are: Bident Pomegranate Invisibility cap Cerberus

11/21/2011 7

Hera / Juno

Queen of the gods, goddess of marriage Her symbols are:

Peacock Cow Cuckoo

11/21/2011 8

Demeter/Ceres

Sister to Zeus. Goddess of the harvest & grain.

Her symbols are: Cornucopia Sheaf of wheat

11/21/2011 9

Hesta/Vesta

Sister to Zeus. Goddess of the hearth/home.

Her symbols are: Fireplace Sacred fire

11/21/2011 10

Athena/Minerva

Goddess of Wisdom, strategic battle.

Born from Zeus’ head.

Her symbols are: Owl Aegis Olive tree Loom

11/21/2011 11

Ares/Mars

God of war. Son of Zeus & Hera. His symbols are:

Vulture Dogs Wild boar Sword

11/21/2011 12

Apollo

Son of Zeus & Leto. God of the sun,

music. Oracle at Delphi His symbols are:

Golden bow/arrows Lyre Laurel tree Sun

11/21/2011 13

Artemis/Diana

Daughter of Zeus & Leto. Goddess of the moon &

wild animals. Her symbols are:

Silver bow/arrows Stag Deer Moon

11/21/2011 14

Aphrodite/Venus

Goddess of love & beauty.

Her symbols are: Dove Swan Roses

11/21/2011 15

Hephaestus/Vulcan

God of the forge. Son of Zeus & Hera. Lame.

His symbols are: Anvil Fire Hammer Quail

11/21/2011 16

Alternates to the main 12

11/21/2011 17

Hermes/Mercury

Son of Zeus & Semele. God of thieves, divine herald, messenger

god. His symbols are:

Winged hat/sandals Caduceus Crane

11/21/2011 18

Dionysus/Bacchus

God of wine, revelry His symbols are:

Ivy Grapes

11/21/2011 19

Olympian Family Tree

11/21/2011 20

Homer Legendary early Greek poet (850

BC. to 750 BC.) traditionally credited with The Iliad and The Odyssey.

For the Greeks of the 7th century BC. these books were their history. Their past had been obliterated by the destruction of Mycenaean Civilization.

Traditionally depicted as a blind minstrel, not a storyteller.

11/21/2011 21

The Iliad

What started the whole thing? Who is fighting over what?

Or…..whom?????

11/21/2011 22

In the beginning…

Wedding of Peleus & Thetis “For the Fairest” Judgment of Paris

11/21/2011 23

Trojans Priam - King of Troy

Hecuba - Queen of Troy

Hector - Eldest Son, leader of the Trojan Army

Paris - Son, cause of war

Cassandra - daughter, prophetess

Polyxena - daughter

11/21/2011 24

Greeks

Agamemnon - King of Mycenae, Leader of Greek Army

Meneleus - King of Lakonia, Brother of Agamemnon & husband to Helen

Odysseus - King of Ithaca, our hero

Ajax - second greatest hero, big baby

Nestor - only one to have a happy life

And the greatest of all……..

11/21/2011 25

Achilles

Death of Penthesilea

Dragging body of Hector

Son of Peleus & Thetis Styx immunity greatest warrior

11/21/2011 26

Greek Text

“Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story of that man skilled in all ways of contending, the wanderer, harried for years on end, after he plundered the stronghold on the proud height of Troy.”

11/21/2011 27

Our Hero, Odysseus

Home: Ithaka Wife: Penelope Son: Telemachus Occupation:

Farmer/Warrior Problem: Lost

11/21/2011 28

Elements of a Greek Hero

Intelligence Wit Cunning Bravery Help of the gods

11/21/2011 29

Adventures of Odysseus

Circe

scylla

Charybdis

Sun-god

Cattle

Polyphemus

Sirens

11/21/2011 30

Odyssey Map

11/21/2011 31

Back on the island…

Penelope is besieged with suitors who have moved into Odysseus’ home

She is just as cunning as Odysseus

They are scheming to kill Telemachus and become king

11/21/2011 32

Heinrich Schliemann

Born: January 6, 1822 in Neu-Buckow / Mecklenburg Germany

Died: December 26, 1890 in Naples / Italy

11/21/2011 33

Where is this Troy?? Troy (Hisarlik) lies on the western edge of Modern Turkey Bronze Age Greece Excavated ~1850 IX layers of different Troys Troy VIIa: ca. 1300–1190 BC

11/21/2011 34

Father of Modern Archaeology

Walled city of Troy then

After partial excavation

11/21/2011 35

Priam’s Treasure

His wife Sophia wearing part of the treasure. Disputes about authenticity.

11/21/2011 36

Links with the past

“I have gazed on the face of Agamemnon.”

11/21/2011 37

Now

What does all this mean for us? What can we learn from the past?