Ancient Greek Mythology, Key Figures, and Trojan War Insights

Aphrodite

Goddess of love/beauty; gave Paris Helen, sparking the Trojan War.

Apollo

God of sun, music, prophecy; supported Trojans.

Ares

God of war and violence.

Artemis

Goddess of hunt, moon, chastity.

Athena

Goddess of wisdom/war; aided Greeks, especially Odysseus.

Calliope

Muse of epic poetry.

Cronus

Titan, overthrew Uranus; later overthrown by Zeus.

Demeter

Goddess of harvest, agriculture, seasons.

Dionysus

God of wine, festivity, theater.

Eris

Goddess of strife; golden apple caused Trojan War.

Uranus (Father Heaven)

Sky god, overthrown by Cronus.

Hades

God of the underworld.

Hephaestus

God of fire, forge, craftsmanship.

Hera

Goddess of marriage; opposed Trojans out of jealousy.

Hermes

Messenger god, trickster, guide of souls.

Hestia

Goddess of hearth and home.

Gaea (Mother Earth)

Primordial earth goddess, mother of gods.

Poseidon

God of sea, earthquakes, horses; aided Greeks.

Rhea

Titan, mother of Olympians.

Zeus

King of gods, upheld balance of power, often neutral in Trojan War.

Achilles

Greatest Greek warrior; rage shaped war; killed Hector.

Agamemnon

Commander of Greeks; quarreled with Achilles.

Andromache

Wife of Hector; represents grief, family loss.

Cassandra

Trojan princess, cursed prophetess, speaks truth but not believed.

Clytemnestra

Agamemnon's wife; later killed him.

Hector

Trojan hero, noble defender; killed by Achilles.

Hecuba

Queen of Troy; mother of Hector, Cassandra, Paris.

Helen

"Face that launched a thousand ships"; cause of war.

Menelaus

Helen's husband; Greek king of Sparta.

Paris

Prince of Troy; chose Aphrodite's bribe; took Helen.

Patroclus

Achilles' closest companion; death sparked Achilles' rage.

Penelope

Odysseus' loyal wife; famous for weaving trick.

Polyxena

Trojan princess, sacrificed after fall of Troy.

Priam

King of Troy; begged Achilles for Hector's body.

Odysseus

Greek strategist; devised Trojan Horse plan.

What was the role of religion in Ancient Greece?

Central to daily life; myths explained nature, taught morals, and justified rituals.

What were typical household roles?

Men: public/political roles. Women: domestic duties (weaving, raising children).

What was the importance of schooling?

Boys trained in literacy, philosophy, athletics; girls trained in domestic skills.

What was the initial purpose of myths?

To explain natural events and origins of the world.

How did the purpose of myths evolve?

Later served moral, cultural, and entertainment purposes.

How did Greece's landscape influence myths?

Mountains caused isolation; seas encouraged travel and naval themes.

What does the creation story reveal?

Beliefs in chaos → order, generational struggles, destiny.

Who were the key figures in the Creation Story?

Chaos → Gaea (Earth) + Uranus (Sky); Cronus overthrew Uranus; Zeus overthrew Cronus.

Main theme of Creation Story

Cycles of power, family conflict, divine succession.

What caused the Trojan War?

Paris chose Aphrodite's bribe (Helen), sparking conflict between Greeks and Trojans.

What is Achilles' role?

Greatest warrior; anger and grief shape outcome.

What is Hector's role?

Noble defender of Troy; tragic death at Achilles' hands.

What is Helen's role?

Cause of conflict, symbol of beauty and desire.

What is Odysseus' role?

Clever strategist; created Trojan Horse plan.

What is Agamemnon's role?

Greek commander; pride led to conflict with Achilles.

What is Priam's role?

King of Troy; begged Achilles for Hector's body.

How do perspectives on the Trojan War differ?

Greeks emphasize glory; Trojans emphasize tragedy; poets/playwrights vary.

Main themes of Trojan War stories

Love, pride, honor, fate, rage, consequences of anger.

What should you know about the poems?

Basic summary, tone, and mood.

Example of heroic poems

Emphasize glory, bravery.

Example of tragic poems

Emphasize grief, loss.

What is the play's overview?

Aftermath of the Trojan War from women's perspective; suffering of survivors.

What is Hecuba's role/attitude?

Queen of Troy; grief-stricken, dignified.

What is Andromache's role/attitude?

Wife of Hector; mourns husband, fears for son.

What is Cassandra's role/attitude?

Cursed prophetess; mix of despair and madness.

What is the role of male characters in The Trojan Women?

Represent cruelty, power, conquest.

Themes of The Trojan Women

Cost of war, loss of identity, resilience of women.

What do the book excerpts add?

New insights or perspectives on characters/events.

How do they compare to other texts?

Reinforce or challenge earlier themes and viewpoints.

Theme example: Pride leads to downfall

Hector refuses to retreat despite Troy's doom; his pride leads to his death.

Theme example: Love clouds judgment

Paris chooses Helen, sparking war; Achilles dishonors Hector out of grief for Patroclus.