Week 1: The Ancient Greeks’ “Creation Myth”
What defines a “myth?” Beginning with “Chaos” we’ll discuss the two significant Titans – Prometheus (forethought) and Epimetheus (afterthought) – who were given the responsibility for “gift” distribution to all living creatures and also consider the psychological impact of Pandora’s box, trapping “hope.”
Week 2: The Birth of the First Olympians
What did the ancient Greeks’ understand about the world’s shape and limitations? What did they believe happened in the “afterlife?” After the eruptions of the Titans had settled, the Olympians came to power. We will focus on birth, symbols, and some stories about the first six Olympian.
Week 3: The Remaining Olympians and Natural Phenomena
Altogether there were 12 Olympian gods and goddesses. We will explore the remaining six, their special symbols, attributes, and stories and also look at some of the myths that explain natural phenomena such as the seasons, the narcissus, and echo.
Week 4: Heroes and Monsters
The three Fates measured out the “thread” of life – a rather fatalistic way of viewing our life-spans. Was this significant in the lives of Bellerophon, Oedipus, and other heroes like Perseus, who slew Medusa, and Theseus, slayer of the Minotaur?
Week 5: The Labours of Heracles and Two Love Myths
We will discuss Heracles’ punishment of 10 labours – that became 12 labours because he was thought to have completed two with help – along with two of great love myths: Pygmalion and Galatea, and Orpheus and Eurydice.
Week 6: The Underworld
Hades was god of the Underworld, as well as the name given to it. How did mortals get to the Underworld, and what happened there? Why were Odysseus and Orpheus allowed simply to visit? We will discuss Hades, one of the three major Olympians, and his role.
