Part One: Who is Homer?
Who was Homer?
When and where was he born?
What was Homer like?
What two major works are attributed to Homer?
Part Two: Terms and Conventions
Define the following…
Epic
Epic hero
Epithets
Part Three: Ancient Greece
Answer the following questions based on the links specifically for those sections.
Map of Ancient Greece: What three seas surround Greece?
Ancient Greece>Culture & Society>Ancient Greek Theater: Which god’s festival was the cause for developing dramatic performances?
Ancient Greece>Culture & Society>Ancient Greek Theater: Where does the word theater come from? What did theaters look like at the time?
Ancient Greece>Olympics: What athletic events were included in ancient pentathlons?
Ancient Greece>Olympics: What was the crowning prize for a winning athlete?
Ancient Greece>People: Pick ONE person (playwright, philosopher, leader, historian, sculptor or mathematician) and give some fun facts about that individual.
Ancient Greek Wars: Who was a warrior in Greece? How did training in Sparta compare to other city-states? When did Spartan boys start training?
Google Search: What are the four cities in Michigan whose names have Greek roots?
Part Four: Themes
Create a list of topics from this website to keep in mind while you read…
Part Five: Encyclopedia Mythica
Define the following terms… (If you cannot find a term in the encyclopedia, then Google it.)
Aeolus
Athena
Poseidon
Zeus
Laertes
Odysseus
Penelope
Telemachus
Tiresias
Calypso
Charybdis
Circe
Cyclops
Muses
Scylla
Sirens
Part One: Who is Homer?
Homer is a legendary ancient Greek poet, traditionally believed to be the author of two of the greatest epic poems in ancient Greek literature, the Iliad and the Odyssey.
When and where was he born?
The exact birthplace and date of Homer are unknown, and there is much debate among scholars regarding his existence. Some theories suggest that Homer was born in the 8th century BCE in the city of Smyrna, which is now known as Izmir in modern-day Turkey.
What was Homer like?
Since there is limited historical information about Homer, not much is known about his personal life or character. Some legends describe him as a blind bard, while others suggest he may have been a group of poets working collectively under the name Homer.
What two major works are attributed to Homer?
The two major works attributed to Homer are the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Part Two: Terms and Conventions
Define the following…
Epic: An epic is a long narrative poem that typically celebrates the achievements of legendary or heroic figures.
Epic hero: An epic hero is a larger-than-life character in an epic poem who embodies the values and ideals of their culture, and often goes on a journey or quest.
Epithets: Epithets are descriptive phrases or terms used to characterize a person or thing, often used as a substitute for a proper name.
Part Three: Ancient Greece
Answer the following questions based on the links specifically for those sections.
Map of Ancient Greece: The three seas that surround Greece are the Aegean Sea, the Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Ancient Greece>Culture & Society>Ancient Greek Theater: The festival of Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility, was the cause for developing dramatic performances.
Ancient Greece>Culture & Society>Ancient Greek Theater: The word theater comes from the Greek word "theatron," which means "a place for viewing." The theaters at the time were open-air structures built on hillsides, usually with a circular or semi-circular shape.
Ancient Greece>Olympics: The ancient pentathlons included five athletic events: running, long jump, discus throw, javelin throw, and wrestling.
Ancient Greece>Olympics: The crowning prize for a winning athlete in the ancient Olympics was a wreath made of olive leaves.
Ancient Greece>People: Aristotle was a famous Greek philosopher who lived from 384 BCE to 322 BCE. He was a student of Plato and a tutor to Alexander the Great. He made significant contributions to various fields, including philosophy, logic, ethics, biology, and politics.
Ancient Greek Wars: Spartan warriors were known for their military prowess. Training in Sparta was rigorous and focused on physical discipline, combat skills, and endurance. Spartan boys started their military training at the age of seven.
Google Search: The four cities in Michigan whose names have Greek roots are Athens, Sparta, Troy, and Ithaca.
Part Four: Themes
Create a list of topics from this website to keep in mind while you read…
- Greek mythology
- Historical context of ancient Greece
- Epic poetry
- Heroic journey and quest
- Ancient Greek culture and society
- Warfare and battles in ancient Greece
- Philosophy and intellectual pursuits
- Greek gods and goddesses
Part Five: Encyclopedia Mythica
Define the following terms…
Aeolus: In Greek mythology, Aeolus is the ruler of the winds.
Athena: Athena is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill in ancient Greek mythology.
Poseidon: Poseidon is the god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses in Greek mythology.
Zeus: Zeus is the king of the gods and the god of the sky, lightning, thunder, law, order, and justice in Greek mythology.
Laertes: Laertes is the father of Odysseus in Greek mythology.
Odysseus: Odysseus is the hero of the epic poem "Odyssey." He is known for his cleverness, resourcefulness, and ten-year journey back home after the Trojan War.
Penelope: Penelope is the wife of Odysseus in Greek mythology. She is known for her fidelity and patience while waiting for Odysseus' return.
Telemachus: Telemachus is the son of Odysseus and Penelope in Greek mythology. He plays a significant role in the "Odyssey" as he embarks on a journey to find his father.
Tiresias: Tiresias is a blind prophet in Greek mythology who appears in several myths and provides guidance and predictions.
Calypso: Calypso is a nymph in Greek mythology who keeps Odysseus as a captive lover on her island, Ogygia, for seven years in the "Odyssey."
Charybdis: Charybdis is a sea monster and whirlpool in Greek mythology, located opposite the monster Scylla. It is a hazard that Odysseus encounters on his journey home.
Circe: Circe is a sorceress in Greek mythology who turns Odysseus' men into animals with her magical potions.
Cyclops: Cyclops are one-eyed giants in Greek mythology. The most famous Cyclops encountered by Odysseus is Polyphemus.
Muses: The Muses are nine goddesses in Greek mythology who preside over the arts and inspire creativity in humans.
Scylla: Scylla is a sea monster in Greek mythology with six heads and twelve legs. It is another hazard that Odysseus encounters on his journey.
Sirens: Sirens are enchanting creatures in Greek mythology that lure sailors to their doom with their mesmerizing voices.