How to Teach Greek Mythology

Teaching Greek mythology is a snap. The stories are well organized and straightforward, and the principle characters are easy to identify. The trick is in picking from the wonderful wealth of literature available.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Instructions

1. Have your students get a good reference book on Greek mythology. Edith Hamilton's "Mythology" is a good one.

2. Teach your students about the creation of the principle Greek gods and goddesses, the Olympians. Teach them the story of how the titan Kronos ate all of his children until his wife, Rhea, tricked him into eating a rock. This spared his son, Zeus, who then led a revolt against his father. Discuss the symbolism of Kronos, whose name means time, eating his children.

3. Teach your mythology students the stories of the major Greek heroes. Make sure to teach them about Odysseus, Perseus, Atalanta, Achilles, Hercules and any other heroes who will come up in your readings.

4. Read ancient Greek literature. Ovid's "Metamorphoses" is a great source for Greek mythology. Homer's "The Odyssey" and "The Iliad," and Sophocles' Oedipus trilogy explore the interplay between the Greek gods, kings and heroes.

5. Study Greek history. Homer's works, in particular, cannot be understood outside of a historical context.

6. Read some modern adaptations of Greek mythology. For example, Jean Anouilh's "Antigone" provides an interesting treatment of the Oedipus myth.