H.+Mythology



** Discovering References to Greek Mythology in Popular Expressions **

**Assignment to hand in:** [| Notes About Popular Expressions and Greek Myths]

**Step 1: Introduction** - Look at the picture and read the text below: Our popular expressions and art have been influenced by Greek mythology. For example, you might of heard of the expression, "he has the weight of the world on his shoulders." This comes from the story of Atlas in Greek mythology.

Before the Greek Gods, seven giant [|Titans] ruled the world. Titans were the sons and daughters of Heaven and Earth. The strongest Titan was named[| Cronus], and was the father of the Greek God [|Zeus]. Cronus was told by a prophet that is son, Zeus, would be more powerful than his father, and so Cronus tried to devour Zeus. Zeus escaped to [|Mount Olympus] in Greece and lived with the Olympian Gods there, plotting his revenge. When he grew up, Zeus challenged Cronus and the other Titans to a war to see who should rule the world. Atlas, the son of the Titan Eurymedon, agreed to the challenge. He disliked Zeus and was eager for war. Zeus and the Olympian Gods prepared themselves for a long and bloody battle. After fighting for 12 months straight, they defeated all of the Titans, and Zeus declared himself King of the Olympian Gods. he reorganized the world with the heavens above the earth and the oceans and mountains below. In order to punish Atlas for fighting against him, Zeus made Atlas stand with one foot in the oceans and one foot in the mountains and hold the whole earth on his shoulders, forever.

**Step 2: Note Chart** - Complete the handout,, by looking at the pictures and information below. "Sketch of Artwork" column is your version of the corresponding picture given.

This is an oil painting of the Goddess Thetis dipping her son Achilles into the River Styx, which runs through Hades. In the background, the ferryman Charon can be seen taking the dead across the river in his boat. The scene was painted by Peter Paul Reubens around 1625.
 * Expression: "Achilles' heel" **

This is a drawing of the Greeks leaving their hiding place inside the Trojan Horse in order to attack Troy. The drawing is based on an oil painting by Henri Motte.
 * Expression: "beware of Greeks bearing gifts" **

This is a painting of Odysseus's boat passing between the six-headed monster Scylia and the whirlpool Charybdis. Scylla has plucked six of Odysseus's men from the boat. The painting is an Italian fresco dating to 1560 C.E.
 * Expression: "caught between a rock and a hard place" **

This is a fresco of Paris abducting Helen by force. It is painted on a wall inside a villa in Venice, Italy.
 * Expression: "the face that launched 1,000 ships" **

This is an engraving of Hercules performing one of his labors as he forces a bull to the ground. The engraving was created by B. Picart in 1731.
 * Expression: "Herculean effort" **

This is a painting of Narcissus reaching out to touch his reflection in a pool. His right arm encircles flowers resembling those we call narcissus today. It is based on a painting by Will H. Low.
 * Expression: "he's so full of himself" **

This is an oil painting of Perseus holding Medusa's head in his left hand. He is encouraging Andromeda to look at its reflection in a well so that she will not be turned to stone by Medusa's gaze. The scene was painted by Sir Edward Burne-Jones around 1887.
 * Expression: "if looks could kill" **

This is an engraving of Pandora trying to close the box that she had opened out of curiosity. At left, the evils of the world taunt her as they escape. The engraving is based on a painting by F.S. Church.
 * Expression: "opened up a Pandora's box" **