Greek Myths

Unit Review Sheet

Facts and Definitions

Lesson 1: Ancient Greece

• Know the roots from Set 1 of your Beyond Roots II card game.

Lesson 2: The Gods and Goddesses

• Names and descriptions of the gods (found on the character cards).
• Definitions of vocabulary words: crone, indomitable, cavorted, prattled, draught, flitting, furrows, and oracle.

Lesson 3: The Stories

• Archaeologists and historians learn about people in the past by examining written documents and artistic contributions.

Lesson 4: Minor Gods, Nymphs, Satyrs, and Centaurs

• Greed and the desire for power often lead to devastating consequences in Greek mythology.
• In Greek mythology evil is often punished and good deeds are often rewarded.

Lesson 5: Mortal Descendants of Zeus

• Standard conventions of myths include a hero, a problem, a maiden or princess, a god or goddess, a monster, and someone who helps the hero; often the hero receives something to help with his problem.
• Perseus' mother was wed to Zeus, and when the king wanted to marry her, Perseus was set on protecting her. The king sent Perseus on the impossible mission of bringing him Medusa's head, which Perseus captured and showed to the king, killing him. Perseus also slew a sea monster to save Princess Andromeda.

Lesson 6: Vainglorious Kings

• Greek myths often serve as an inspiration for more modern literature.
• Hercules was a superhero for the Greeks. He was the strongest man that ever lived. He had to pay penance for terrible deeds he committed, so he had to perform ten labors that involved courage and strength. He successfully accomplished his labors, rose up to Olympus, protected the gods, and ruled with them.
• Theseus defeated the evil Minotaur in a labyrinth so that the Athenians no longer had to sacrifice their youth to Crete.
• Oedipus was doomed to kill his father and marry his mother. His father wanted him killed, but he was rescued by a shepherd and raised by another king and queen. When Oedipus is grown, the oracle tells him of his destiny so he flees to protect his parents, not realizing they were not his real parents. On his journey he ends up unknowingly killing his biological father and marrying his wife, the queen, his biological mother.
• Jason's uncle had stolen the throne from Jason's father. Jason was raised in the wilderness and set out to claim his rightful throne. On his journey he met Hera, disguised as a crone, and carried her across the river. The king sent Jason on the almost impossible task of finding the Golden Fleece and taking it from King Aeetes. Jason gathers a group of men and they set sail. Madea, the king's daughter, falls in love with Jason and helps him escape with the Golden Fleece to regain the throne.

Lesson 7: The Trojan War

• Oral summaries include the important details found in a literary work.
• Paris and King Menelaus fought over the beautiful Helen for years. Finally the Greeks defeated Troy when the Greek warriors hid in a wooden horse that was pulled into the city of Troy.

Final Project: A New Twist on an Ancient Myth

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