​The Legacy of Ancient Greece

• ​The Ancient Greeks had a lasting impact on later civilizations & cultures

• ​These include:

  • ​gov't & law

  • ​history

  • ​philosophy

  • ​technology

  • ​architecture

  • ​literature

​Greek Literature

• ​Greek myths, fables, epics and dramas are still part of our world today

  • ​"Tortoise & the Hare"

  • ​Comedies

  • ​Dramas

  • ​Tragedies

​Greek Myths

• Religion of the ​Ancient Greeks was polytheistic

  • believed in & worshiped many gods & goddesses

• The Greeks made and shared the stories about their gods

  • We call these stories myths​

​Greek Myths

• ​The Greeks believed that the home of the gods & goddesses was @ top of Mt Olympus

• ​some of the gods & goddesses included:

  • ​Zeus = king of the gods

  • ​Hera = queen of the gods

  • ​Poseidon = god of the sea

  • ​Hades = god of the underworld

  • ​Aphrodite = goddess of love

​Greek Myths: Gods like humans

• ​Greeks believed gods to be very much like human in emotion and their actions

• ​Stories (myths) tell of gods fighting each other, being jealous of each other or playing tricks on each other

​Greek Myths: Gods like humans

• ​The gods would interact w/ humans, helping or punishing

• ​The gods very much involved in everyday life

• ​Each city-state chose one god or goddess to protect it

  • ​performed rituals, prayed, made offerings to please

  • ​Athens named after . . . . . . ?

​Greek Myths: Why?

• Myths involving gods helped explain & make sense of events of everyday life for the ancient Greeks.

  • ​Thunder & lightning = Zeus being angry

• ​Very little to no understanding of how the world worked

​Greek Myths: Legacy

• ​Western culture heavily influenced by Greek Myths

  • ​found in plays, literature, movies, everyday life

    • ​Pandora's Box

    • ​Clash of the Titans

    • ​Percy Jackson

    • ​Superheros