Greek Mythology and History Overview

Mythology Timeline

  • 3000 BC: Early Bronze Age begins; bronze metallurgy introduced to Greece.
  • 2000 BC: Minoan civilization emerges on Crete.
  • 1600 BC: Mycenaean civilization emerges in mainland Greece; Late Bronze Age begins.
  • 1450 BC: Minoan civilization collapses.
  • 1400-1200 BC: "Heyday" of Mycenaean culture & civilization (Kings of the Iliad & Odyssey).
  • 1250 BC: Trojan War occurs.
  • 1200-1000 BC: Dark Age/Iron Age begins.
  • 750 BC: Homer composes/perform the Iliad & Odyssey.

Gods and Their Rules

  • Zeus:
    • Lord of the sky.
    • Considered the king of the gods and represented authority.
  • Hera:
    • Protector of marriage.
  • Poseidon:
    • Known as the "Earth Shaker"; controlled storms and the sea.
  • Hades:
    • God of wealth, precious metals, and the dead/underworld.
  • Athena:
    • Protector of civilized life and wisdom; defended state and home.
  • Apollo:
    • Master musician and lord of the silver bow; known as the healer and god of light and truth.
  • Artemis:
    • Known as the Lady of Wild Things; protector of dewy youth and goddess of crossways and dark magic.
  • Aphrodite:
    • Goddess of love and beauty; embodies laughter and desire.
  • Hermes:
    • Master thief and god of commerce and the market; serves as Zeus's messenger and guide of the dead.
  • Ares:
    • God of war; seen as the incarnate curse of mortals.
  • Hephaestus:
    • God of fire; patron of handicrafts and protector of smiths.
  • Hestia:
    • Goddess of the hearth.

Edith Hamilton

  • Lived from 1868-1963.
  • Grew up in a home filled with literature and language.
  • Engaged in games about King Arthur's knights; demonstrated a strong inclination towards reading and storytelling.
  • Published her first book at the age of 103.
  • Notable works include:
    • The Greek Way
    • The Roman Way
    • The Echo of Greece
    • Mythology (published in 1942).

Tasks of Hercules

  1. Drive away Stymphalian Birds:
    • There was a plague with a large number of birds.
    • Athena drove the birds out of their coverts, and Hercules shot them as they flew.
  2. Kill the Lion of Nemea:
    • This lion was invulnerable to weapons; Hercules ultimately strangled it, choking the life out of it.

Arete

  • The Greek idea of excellence, obtained through competition or struggle.
  • Winning had significant effects:
    • Ability to protect others.
    • Gaining a reputation.
    • Protecting one's honor and the honor of one's family.

Dark Age

  • Characterized by a decline in population.
  • Food production dropped significantly.
  • Lack of knowledge about the period leads to a sense of mystery surrounding it.