Greek mythology fascinates children and adults alike with its fantastical tales of heroes, gods, beasts, monsters, and all things divine, terrifying, and wonderful. Myths deal in strong emotions and the moral lessons that come from them.
Meet the Greek Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Creatures
Your first stop on this virtual trip through Ancient Greece and Greek mythology is at Myth Web, a portal to the world of Greek gods and heroes in the form of a comic encyclopedia. Visitors experience the ancient stories in short, illustrated sections and advance by pressing arrows to proceed through the larger myth.
The newest section of Myth Web explores how Greek myths are relevant today with examples of Greek characters appearing in everyday speech, i.e, a Herculean effort. You can also learn about the related adventure game Wrath of the Gods available at discount to teachers.
The Emotions, Human Conditions, and Qualities Behind Myths
The next stop on your virtual journey goes deeper into myth to the emotions, human conditions, and qualities within them (i.e., love, jealousy, fear, justice, health). Theoi.com lists the emotions personified by various Greek gods and goddesses. The god Eros, for example, personified love; Nike personified victory; and Phobus personified fear. The Greek names of deities (gods and goddesses) often translate to the human condition for which the deities symbolize. Achos means pain. Euthenia means prosperity.
Try writing some myths of your own with the help of the Myth Brainstorming Machine.
Record What You've Learned About Ancient Greece and Greek Mythology
The coastal Mediterranean country of Greece is relatively small, but Greek mythology is large and far-reaching. Learn how the Mediterranean environment may have influenced the development of Greek culture and mythology in Geography in Greek Myth.
Record what you've learned in a lapbook (how to make a lapbook): Fetch the "About Greece" tab book, the "A Myth is..." minit book, and "My Favorite Myth" pocket flap, well as any other relevant unit study or lapbook pieces from Homeschoolshare.com for use in a mythological lapbook to record your journey through Greece and Greek mythology.
More ideas for a Greek mythology lapbook: A list or booklet of Greek god and goddess names and their meanings; small drawings about your favorite myths to tuck into the "My Favorite Myth" pocket; drawings and descriptions about fabulous creatures.
Greek mythology has spread throughout the world because of its universal elements: emotions, human conditions, and qualities. People in many cultures share the experiences and moral lessons depicted by the gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines, beasts and fantastical creatures featured in the ancient Greek stories.
Related:
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Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
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