Greek Mythology: Heroes

Baldwin’s Mythology Heroes ● Odysseus ● Heracles (Hercules) ● Jason ● Theseus ● Achilles ● Perseus Odysseus ● Legendary Hero in Greek Mythology ● King of the island of Ithaca and the protagonist in Homer’s epic The Odyssey ● It all started over a woman... Odysseus (continued) ● Odysseus was one of the suitors that wanted to marry Helen, step-daughter of king Tyndareus of Sparta. However, there suitors, so they drew straws. As a result, Menelaus drew the lucky straw, while Odysseus married Penelope. ● Helen was abducted by Prince Paris of Troy, so all suitors were summoned to help Menelaus in his quest to bring her back. ● After the Greeks reached Troy and the war started, Odysseus played a particularly influential role as an advisor. He maintained the morale of the Greeks in a high level and managed to keep everyone sane. Odysseus (continued) ● Odysseus was most famous in the war for his contribution to create the Trojan Horse, a huge wooden horse that was supposed to be a gift to the Trojans by the retreating Greeks. The Trojans accepted the gift joyfully and started celebrating around it. When the night fell and everyone was drunk, the Greek warriors, who had hidden in the hollow body of the horse, revealed themselves and slew the Trojans, winning the war. Hercules ● Heracles (or Hercules) is best known as the strongest of all mortals, and even stronger than many gods. ● He was the last mortal son of Zeus, and the only man born of a mortal woman to become a god upon his death. ● Terrible things happened to him because of Hera's hatred, a hatred that he was not responsible for. That he persevered through it all was a moral victory beyond simple strength. ● His Quest: 12 Labors Jason ● Jason was a hero in Greek mythology, the leader of the Argonautic Expedition in the quest of retrieving the Golden Fleece. ● When Jason was still a baby, his half-uncle Pelias, vying for the throne of Aeson, killed all of Aeson's children, and overthrew Aeson; however, he failed to kill Jason. ● The baby was sent to the centaur Chiron, who nurtured him to adulthood. ● Pelias, in the meantime, consulted an oracle that told him to be careful of a man with one sandal. Jason, a grown man, returned to Iolcus to attend some games held by Pelias in honour of the god Poseidon; during his travel, he lost one of his sandals in the river Anauros while helping a disguised Hera to cross. Jason (continued) ● Hera secretly blessed Jason at that point. Jason appeared in front of Pelias, asking for the throne as the rightful heir of Aeson, but Pelias gave him the quest to bring the Golden Fleece in order to step down from the throne. ● Jason is most known for his quest to find the Golden Fleece. Theseus ● Theseus was a Greek hero in Greek mythology. While having all the qualities of a traditional hero, such as strength and courage, he was also intelligent and wise. ● While growing up, he looked up to his older cousin Heracles. Theseus and Heracles later saved each other's lives; Heracles through his strength, and Theseus through his wisdom. ● Many of his adventures benefited the city and region of Athens. He led the Athenian army on a number of victorious campaigns. ● He was also credited as the founder of democracy, voluntarily transferring many of his powers as king over to an elected assembly. He gained a reputation for helping the poor and oppressed. Achilles ● Achilles was a hero in Greek mythology and one of the main characters that participated in the Trojan War. He was the son of Peleus, king of the Myrmidons, and Thetis, a nymph. Both Zeus and Poseidon were in love with Thetis, however Prometheus warned them of a prophecy that said the son of Thetis would be greater than his father, so the two gods decided to withdraw, and Peleus ended up marrying her. ● When Achilles was born, his mother wanted to make him immortal and thus, dipped him in the river Styx. However, she did not realize that his heel, by which she held him, was not touched by the waters, and so that was the only part of his body that remained mortal. Perseus ● According to the myth, there once was a king named Acrisius, who had a beautiful daughter named Danae. The Oracle of Apollo told Acrisius that there would come a day when Danae's son would kill him, so he locked Danae in a bronze tower so that she would never marry or have children. ● Danae was very sad, until one day, a bright golden light came through the small window; a man appeared holding a thunderbolt in his hand and although Danae knew he was a god, she didn't know which one. The man said, "Yes, I am a god and I wish to make you my wife.” Perseus (continued) ● Acrisius saw light coming out of the small window. He told his men to tear down one of the walls. When he entered, he saw Danae smiling and holding a baby on her lap. This was Perseus. Acrisius was furious, so he locked Danae and baby Perseus in a large chest and cast them out to sea.

● Somehow, they managed to arrive safely to the island of Seriphos, where Polydectes ruled. Polydectes heard about Danae and asked her in marriage, but she rejected him. If it wasn't for Perseus, Polydectes would have married Danae by force, so the king decided to create a plan to get rid of the young man. Perseus (continued) ● Polydectes pretended to marry the daughter of his friend. Everybody had to bring a wedding present, including Perseus. However, Perseus, being poor, had not brought anything, and Polydectes pretended to be furious. After a heated discussion, Perseus said he would bring him anything the king would ask, so Polydectes asked for the head of Medusa.