Table of Contents Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Definition of Mythology Common Approaches to Mythology Greco-Roman Mythology: Classic and Popular Unit 1 Myths of Universe Creation………………………………………………………………15 Account from Hesiod’s Theogony The Pelasgian Creation Myth The Homeric-Orphic Creation Myths Account from Metamorphoses by Ovid Account of Mythopoeia Hindu Creation Myth Chinese Creation Myth Unit 2 Five Ages of Man…………………………………………………………………………25 The Five Ages of Mankind Hesiod’s Version Alienation of the Human from the Divine Prometheus and Mankind Pandora’s Box The Deucalion Deluge and Human Creation Unit 3 Titanic and Olympian Genealogy…………………………………………………………37 A Survey of the Divine Family Uranus and Cronus Gaia’s Children Cronus and Zeus Titanomachy The Olympian Family The Family Tree Major Olympians Minor Gods and Goddesses and Demigods Unit 4 Major Olympian Deities (I)………………………………………………………………57 Zeus King of Gods and Goddesses Zeus and Hera Zeus and His Mortal Lovers Zeus’ Children Apollo Birth of Apollo The Oracle of Delphi Apollo’s Love Musical Contests Dionysus Birth of Dionysus The Wanderings of Dionysus The Dionysia Unit 5 Major Olympian Deities (II)……………………………………………………………81 Hera Queen of the Heavens Strife Between Hera and Zeus Ability of Parthenogenesis Stereotype of a Nagging and Jealous Wife Aphrodite Birth and Marriage Stereotype of Mistress Aphrodite and Adonis Athena Birth of Athena Nature of Athena Athena and Athens Contest with Arachne Unit 6 Greek Heroes (I)………………………………………………………………………… 99 Perseus Birth of Perseus Beheading of Medusa, the Gorgon Rescue of Andromeda Fulfilling the Prophecy Heracles Birth of Heracles Twelve Labors of Heracles Heracles’ Love and Death Twelfth Labor: Fetching Cerberus Unit 7 Greek Heroes