Explorations: Explore Character Traits of the Ancient Greek Heroes

Explorations

Explore Character Traits of
the Ancient Greek Heroes

This is an image of Zeus with his thunderbolt
Maria Daniels, ( Musée du Louvre)
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Hercules/giants.html

Investigate the Ancient Greeks | Explore Character Traits of the Heroes
Discover the Myth Maker in You | Inspire others to be Good People

Essential Question:

Can we learn more about what the Ancient Greeks believed made a good person by exploring the heroes from their myths?

Introduction:

For thousands of years, the myths from Ancient Greece have intrigued people. Their stories have enthralled us with tales of brave heroes, savage monsters, and powerful gods. Myths blend fact and fiction that can help us to better understand the behaviors, customs, and way of life of the people of Ancient Greece.

I suggest that we can learn a great deal about the Ancient Greek ideas on what made a person a good person if we explore the heroes from their myths. After all, these heroes are the people that the Ancient Greeks felt to be their greatest good people.

The Greek Heroes

When reading these exciting Greek Myths we can look to the heroes of the story to understand Greek beliefs on how to be a good person. After all, the heroes of these Myths are considered by the people of Ancient Greece to be the best people.

These heroes often faced a quest that looked like it could never be overcome but by relying on their strengths they often won and completed their quests. We can learn many important lessons, including how to be a good person, by focusing on their actions and their behavior thought the myth.

***See Ancient Greek Heroes in the Online
Resources for more information!***

The Greek Gods:

When you look at Greek Myths the first characters to jump out at you will be Greek Gods. The Greeks believed that there were many gods. Each god played an important role in keeping everything running smoothly. For example, Zeus is the king of all the gods, Aphrodite is the goddess of love, Ares is the goddess of war, and there are many more gods!

The Greeks believed that these gods were similar to humans in many ways but they held amazing powers, were unbelievably beautiful, and they were immortal (they could not die.) Also, the Greeks could really relate to their gods because they believed their gods had human emotions. In myths, the gods could get angry, sad, jealous, happy, or even fall in love. When you read myths look for how the gods are involved. They really make the myths exciting!

***See Ancient GreekTitans and Gods in the
Online Resources for more information!***

Do you think that we can learn more about the Ancient Greeks beliefs on what behaviors made someone a good person by reading their myths and focusing on their heroes?

E-mail us your thoughts.

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Stay on Task:

Have a great time exploring the Ancient Greek ideas on what made someone a good person while you read their action packed myths. You can use the resources you have available to learn more about the Greek heroes, gods, and monsters that you read about.

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Great Greek Books:

Read about...

Heroes who Showed Humility
The Spinning Contest (Classic Myths to Read Aloud)
The Weaving Contest (Favorite Greek Myths)
The Wrath of Archiles (Classic Myths to Read Aloud)
The Judgement of Paris (Classic Myths to Read Aloud)
The Hero and his Horse (The Robber Baby)
The Mysterious Visitors (Favorite Greek Myths)

Heroes who were Strong, Brave, and Steadfast

The Story of Theseus (Classic Myths to Read Aloud)
Theseus and the Minotaur (Stories from the Stars)
Theseues (Greek Myths)

Heroes who had a Spirit of Adventure

Jason and the Golden Fleece (Classic Myths to Read Aloud)
Jason and the Golden Fleece (Tales from Ancient Greece)
Andromeda and the Sea Monster (Tales from Ancient Greece)

Heroes who were Generous

Beaucis and Philemon (Classic Myths to Read Aloud)

Heroes who knew The Importance of Friendship

Damon and Pythias (Classic Myths to Read Aloud)

Heroes who Listened to their Parents

The Boy who Flew (The Robber Baby)
Daedalus and Icarus (Tales from Ancient Greece)
Icarus and Daedalus (Classic Myths to Read Aloud)
Chariot of the Sun God (Favorite Greek Myths)

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Online Resources:

Myths

The Creatures of Ancient Greek Myths Very brief encyclopedia like descriptions make this a good starting point.
Odyssey: What is a myth? Great description of what makes a myth a myth.
Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology Great resource to keep all the characters straight.
Origins of Greek Mythology
The Greek Mythology Page Great resource for myths!
Infostructure@Mt. Olympus Good greneral resource for myths!
Mythology Fun site for Greek Myth Resources!

Ancient Greek Heroes

Labors of Hercules Great stories with illustrations and artifacts to liven them up!
Hercules and Hesione, the Trojan Princess Well told stories!
The Struggle for the Delphic Tripod Hercules faces the challenge of a life-time!
Megara, Hercules' First Wife Hercules in love? Excellent images decorate this story.
Hercules and the Giants Let's go way back in time. Near the beginning!
Hera Made Hercules' Life Difficult Boy, is this ever an understatement!
Who is Hercules? This site describes Greece in the time of Hercules.
Athena, goddess of wisdom A great Friend!
Omphale, the Barbarian Queen Hercules was a slave at one time? Find out!
The myth of Jason, the Argonauts and the Golden Fleece A quest!
The Adventures of Bellerophon He flirted with the wrong girl!
The life of Theseus He lifted a boulder and that was just the start.
Odyssey, Homer's epic It's a long one but it is great!
The Golden Fleece Well written myth with a glossary included.

Ancient Greek Titans and Gods

The Olympians (Gods) Very brief encyclopedia like descriptions make this a good starting point.
The Lesser Gods Very brief encyclopedia like descriptions make this a good starting point.
Images of the Gods Brief description of the god with great images.
Images of Women and Goddesses Great images with a brief description of the goddess.
A list of God's Just a list with a name and brief description.
List of the Immortals Great descriptions of the Greek Gods.
Greek Names Vs. Roman Names A helpful tool to sort out who is who in Greek gods.
Very Thorough List of the Gods Quick look at the gods.
The Titans Very brief encyclopedia like descriptions make this a good starting point.
Creation of the World A Brief Story but you'll get the jist!

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Activity:

Create a Poster to teach others about an Ancient Greek belief or behavior that makes the hero such a good person. To gather ideas for your poster read several myths. You will find some great myths in the books found under Great Greek Books. Use the Online Resources to supplement your reading and to gain further insight into the wide variety of heroes, gods, and monsters that you will read about. When you're ready to create a poster use a large poster size paper, flashy colors, a catchy slogan, and your best art work to attract peoples attention. Remember, your poster should educate others bout an Ancient Greek belief or behavior that makes the hero such a good person.

***See our Teacher's Tips page for further details on this
activity or one of our many other creative activities.***

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Revisit the Question:

Can we learn more about what the Ancient Greeks believed made a good person by exploring the heroes from their myths?

For Further Consideration:
Can we learn more about the characteristics that our society finds desirable by exploring our stories (television, books, radio, Internet, movies, magazines, ...?)

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Investigate the Ancient Greeks | Explore Character Traits of the Heroes
Discover the Myth Maker in You | Inspire others to be Good People

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Created: July 24, 2000
Last Updated: April 12, 2004