Greek vs. Roman Mythology

Why are they the same? OR ARE THEY….. A note on note-taking...

● As you take notes - you DO NOT have to write down every word on the slide, or every word your teacher says! ● Listen for important information: ○ When the teacher emphasizes something ○ Dates and other numbers ○ Events ○ Comparisons (how things are the same, how things are different) A bit of history

We don’t know when Greek Mythology “began”, but it was their religion and we know that it’s been around at least 2,800 years.

The Roman Empire began expanding (WAR!!) by 275 BCE.

What does “BCE” mean?

First they conquered Sicily. Originally from Carthage in Where is Sicily? Northern Africa

In Sicily, the Romans were fighting the Carthaginians. Some of the Greeks decided to help the Carthaginians fight the Romans, because the Greeks were afraid of the Romans. But the Carthaginians lost. The Romans were very angry at the Greeks, and they started to take Greece over as well. Then what?

For a while, the Roman Empire let Greece stay pretty independent, but (rich) people would do some travelling back and forth, experiencing both cultures.

“The Romans thought Greek plays and Greek philosophy were very interesting, & many Greeks went to Rome as teachers & entertainers. Many Romans came to Athens to go to the great colleges there, Plato‘s Academy & Aristotle‘s Lyceum.”

Why do you think the Romans took such an interest in Greek culture? Greek Architectures from before the Roman Conquest (a fountain in Corinth). Compare & Contrast: Origins of the Gods

Greek Mythology Roman Mythology ● No specific origin or “beginning” ● Had some gods specific to known Roman Culture (like Saturn, the god of sowing and seed, though they later connected him to Cronus). ● Many other gods came from lots of other cultures! (Isis from Egypt, for example)

Why did the Romans “collect” gods/goddesses from so many different places? Compare & Contrast: Main Literary Source

Greek Mythology Roman Mythology ● Homer’s The Iliad and The ● Virgil's The Aeneid Odyssey ● Written between 29 and 19 BCE ● Written in 762 BCE (give or take 50 years) Compare & Contrast: Physical Looks

Greek Mythology Roman Mythology ● The beauty of Greek gods and ● Physical beauty was must less goddesses was vital to the important. culture. ● How gods and goddess (or any ● Features like their muscles, eyes, character) looked was rarely and hair were often described in described in written mythology. detail. ● In fact, sometimes the gender ● Often “Immortalized” in statues wasn’t even mentioned, just the name!

Why do you think the Roman people didn’t describe the gods and goddesses physically? Compare & Contrast: Personalities

Greek Mythology Roman Mythology

● Gods and goddesses had ● The personalities of gods and distinctly described goddesses were not as personalities. important to the myths’ plotlines ● They were often similar to - though the power of the gods humans - and they had human was. personality faults too!

What are some of the more negative personality traits of Greek gods and goddesses that we’ve talked about so far? Compare & Contrast: Revered Traits, Actions

Greek Mythology Roman Mythology ● Gods and goddesses in Greece ● The personalities of gods and were often praised for their goddesses were not as creativity. important to the myths’ plotlines ● Poetry was a high form of art. - though power was. ● Individual actions of the gods, ● Gods and mortals were praised demigods, and of mortal men for their ability as warriors. could make a big difference in ● Important and worthy actions the world of myth. were not usually individualistic. Why do you think warriors were more important in Roman myths than poets and beauty, like in Greek myths? Remember the Greek & Roman Counterparts!

Note: Not all gods and goddesses were thought of equally in both cultures!

Ex) Ares/Mars Sources and More Information

● https://www.diffen.com/difference/Greek_Gods_vs_Roman_Gods ● https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Roman-mythology-almost-the-same-as-Gree k-mythology ● https://quatr.us/greeks/roman-greece-st-paul-christians.htm ● http://www.openculture.com/2016/07/1600-year-old-illuminated-manuscrip t-of-the-aeneid-digitized-put-online-by-the-vatican.html