Lecture Notes: The Entire Story of Greek Mythology

Introduction

• Greek Mythology originates from ancient Greece over two thousand years ago.
• Central figures include heroes, gods, and mortal men and women.
• Key stories involve Zeus, Prometheus, Pandora, Hades, Hercules, and the Trojan War.

Creation Myths and the Rise of Gods

Primordial Beings

• Started with chaos, leading to the birth of Gaia (Earth) and Eros (Love).
• Night, Day, and Erebus (Darkness) emerged, followed by Tartarus (punishment realm).
• Gaia birthed Uranus (Sky); together they produced 12 Titans.

The Titans

• Oceanus (world river), Hyperion (Sun), and Selene (Moon) were among the Titans.
• Uranus was a cruel father, trapping the Titans within Earth.
• Cronus, the youngest Titan, overthrew Uranus using an indestructible sickle given by Gaia.

The Olympian Gods

• Cronus ruled but feared being overthrown by his children.
• Swallowed his children except Zeus, who was hidden by Rhea.
• As an adult, Zeus overthrew Cronus, leading to the rise of the Olympians.
• Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades divided the realms among the sky, sea, and underworld.

Prometheus and the Creation of Man

• Prometheus sculpted man from clay, giving them fire against Zeus' wishes.
• Zeus punished Prometheus by chaining him and sending an eagle to eat his liver daily.
• Pandora was created with a box releasing evils into the world but leaving hope inside.

The Ages of Man

• Began with the Golden Age, a time of peace and prosperity.
• Transitioned through Silver and Bronze Ages, ending with a great flood sent by Zeus.
• Pyrrha and Deucalion survived the flood, repopulating the earth.

Zeus and the Olympians

Zeus

• Marries multiple times with numerous offspring, including Athena and Hercules.
• Known for infidelity; punished mortals who defied him.

Hera

• Zeus' final wife, vengeful towards his lovers and offspring.
• Her children with Zeus include Ares and Hephaestus.

Athena

• Goddess of wisdom and war, protector of heroes.
• Patron of Athens and notable for her strategic warfare.

Poseidon

• God of the sea, known as the Earth Shaker.
• Participated in rebellions against Zeus, built the walls of Troy.

Artemis and Apollo

• Twin children of Zeus, representing the hunt and prophecy respectively.

Ares

• God of war, known for bloodlust and cruelty.
• Consorted with Aphrodite, a source of many myths.

Aphrodite

• Goddess of love, born from Uranus' severed genitals.
• Caused many romantic myths and scandals among gods and mortals.

Significant Myths and Legends

Hercules

• Famous for his 12 Labors as penance for killing his family under Hera's spell.
• Known for immense strength and adventurous exploits.

Perseus

• Slayer of Medusa; rescued Andromeda and founded Mycenae.

Jason and the Argonauts

• Sought the Golden Fleece; faced numerous challenges including the Sirens and Talos.

The Trojan War

• Sparked by the abduction of Helen by Paris of Troy.
• Featured heroes like Achilles, Hector, and Odysseus.
• Resulted in the fall of Troy through the Trojan Horse strategy.

The Odyssey

• Odysseus’ 10-year journey home post-Troy.
• Encountered mythical creatures like Cyclops, Sirens, and Circe.

The Role of Underworld

• Hades ruled the Underworld, home to souls and mythical beasts.
• Judged by three rulers, leading to Elysium, Asphodel, or Tartarus.

Conclusion

• Mythology provided explanations for natural phenomena and human behavior.
• The Age of Heroes transitioned to the Age of Iron, reflecting human reliance on technology and self-determination.