Greek Myths and Their Lessons

These flashcards cover key characters, concepts, and themes found within various Greek myths and their moral implications.

Meleager

A hero from the Calydonian Boar Hunt, connected to themes of pride and tragic family conflict.

Arete

Excellence or virtue, often leading to hubris or excessive pride in Greek mythology.

Hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence, commonly resulting in nemesis for characters in Greek myths.

Atalanta

A skilled huntress who challenges suitors to races, embodying themes of gender roles and competition.

Narcissus

A character who falls in love with his own reflection, illustrating the dangers of self-obsession and vanity.

Echo

A nymph cursed to only repeat the last words spoken to her, representing loss of individuality.

Daedalus

A master craftsman and inventor, symbolizing creativity and the consequences of human folly.

Icarus

Daedalus's son who flies too close to the sun, illustrating the dangers of overambition and ignoring warnings.

Calydonian Boar Hunt

A myth highlighting pride, jealousy, and tragic decisions within a family.

Phaethon

The son of Helius who seeks to drive his father's sun chariot, ultimately leading to destruction due to overreach.

Divine Retribution

The theme in many myths where the gods punish mortals for their actions, particularly hubris.

Fates

The three goddesses who control destiny in Greek mythology, signifying the inevitability of fate.

Pandora

Beautiful first woman, who was gifted to Epimetheus along with her jar. Released evils into the world.

Nemesis

Retribution or vengeance, particularly the inevitable punishment for hubris in Greek mythology.

Mycenaean Society

An ancient civilization in Greece known for its rich myths that often include heroic tales and moral lessons.

Anthropomorphism

Attributing human traits to gods, as seen in Greek mythology's depiction of deities with human emotions and flaws.

Moral Code

The set of principles that guided the behavior of individuals in ancient Greek society, often reflecting their myths and values.

Patriarchy

A societal structure where men predominantly hold power, often challenging female characters in Greek myths.

Arachne

A skilled weaver who challenged the goddess Athena and was transformed into a spider as punishment for her hubris.

Niobe

A figure in Greek mythology who was punished by the gods for her pride after boasting about her children, resulting in their deaths.

Lycaon

A king who tested Zeus's divinity by serving him human flesh, resulting in his transformation into a wolf as punishment.

Prometheus

A Titan who defied the gods by stealing fire and giving it to humanity, resulting in his eternal punishment.

Epimetheus

Brother of Prometheus, known for his lack of foresight. He is responsible for accepting Pandora, leading to the release of evils into the world.

Deucalian and Pyrrha

A couple in Greek mythology who survived a great flood sent by Zeus to cleanse the earth. They repopulated humanity by throwing stones that transformed into people.

Pygmalion

A sculptor who fell in love with a statue he created, which was later brought to life by Aphrodite, teaching the lesson of the consequences of desire and the power of love.

Phaethon

The son of Helios who tried to drive his father's sun chariot but lost control, resulting in disastrous consequences. This myth teaches the importance of understanding one's limits and the dangers of hubris.

Orpheus and Eurydice

A tragic love story where Orpheus, a musician, journeys to the Underworld to rescue his wife Eurydice, teaching the power of love and the consequences of doubt.

Midas

A king who was granted the ability to turn everything he touched into gold, which ultimately led to his downfall. This myth illustrates the perils of greed and the importance of valuing what truly matters.

Oedipus

A tragic hero in Greek mythology who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother, illustrating themes of fate, free will, and the search for truth.

Erysicthon

Ate himself after Demeter had Famine embrace him.