Heroic Myths:

• Intro & Gilgamesh: Powell, Chapter 13 (12 in 4th-6th edit) & Class nots:
  • Key Names & Terms
    • Gilgamesh, Enkidu, Utnapishtim, Ishtar, Siduri (Powell)
    • heroic code: kleos, aretê, timê, role of gifts (class notes)
    • xenia: who protected, steps, gifts (class notes)
  • sample questions at Powell's web site: click here


• Perseus: Powell, Chapter 14 (13 in ...):
  • Key Names & Terms:
    • Prior to Perseus: Io, Zeus, Hera, Danaüs, Danaïds
    • Perseus' myths: Acrisius, Danaë, Perseus, Zeus, Polydectes, Gorgons, Medusa, Andromeda, Tiryns, Argos, Mycenae
  • sample questions at Powell's web site: click here


• Heracles: Powell, Chapter 15 (14 in ...):
  • Key Names & Terms:
    • background & early life: Zeus, Hera, Heracles, Alcmena, Eurystheus, Amphitryon, Megara, Delphi
    • Labors: Nemean lion, Lernean Hydra, Stables of Augeas, Cretan bull, Cerberus
    • side deeds: Chiron, Admetus, Alcestis, Cacus (Rome)
    • later & end of life: Acheloüs, Deianira, Nessus, Philoctetes
  • sample questions at Powell's web site: click here


• Hercules, the movie:
  • Key names & terms: Zeus, Hera, Hermes, Hades, Pain, Panic, the fates, Hercules, Alcmene, Amphitryon, Phil, Pegasus, Meg, the titans, the cyclops, Thebes, "go the distance", "true hero"
  • web site for script: click here


• Theseus: Powell, Chapters 16, all, & "Theseus & Amphitritê" and "Theseus and the Minotaur" from Ch 17 (15 & part of 16 in ...):
  • Key Names and terms:
    • Prior to Theseus: Cephalus, Procris, Procnê, Philomela, Tereus, Itys
    • Theseus' myths: Delphi, Aegeus, Troezen, Theseus, Poseidon, Procrustes, Bull of Marathon, Minotaur, Ariadnê, Hippolytus, Phaedra, Pirithoüs
  • sample questions at Powell's web site: click here


• Greek Heroes & the Underworld: Powell, Chapter 12 (11 in ..):
  • Key Names and terms: Hades, Pluto, Erinyes, Tiresias, Tantalus, Sisyphus, Ixion, Elysium, Orpheus, Eurydicê, Charon
  • sample questions at Powell's web site: click here

Possible Essay Questions:

• Heroic Code: Disney takes the traditional Greek definition of a hero and then adds an American twist to it in the movie Hercules. In your essay, first, show how Hercules is similar to how 2 of the following the poets Ovid, Pseudo-Hesiod, and Vergil describe 2 of the following heroes: Perseus, Amphitryon, & Heracles (see Paper 3 for page numbers), then demonstrate what the American twist is. For evidence for this paper, restrict yourself to the page numbers for the classical authors as listed in paper 3 and Disney's movie Hercules.


• Societal Norms: We have seen that the Greek myths affirm the cultural values and practices of the ancient Greeks. Disney's movie Hercules does the same for American cultural values and practices. In your essay exam 1-2 values or practices that are the same for American and Greek societies and 1-2 that are different. For evidence for this topic, restict yourself to the material from Powell we have covered in this unit (see above) and Disney's movie Hercules.


• The Underworld (or beyond): Compare/contrast Hercules' trip to the underworld in the movie Hercules with that of Odysseus' or Orpheus' and with Gilgamesh's trip to visit Utnapishtim. Don't forget that each main body paragraph should have a thesis and provided examples from all 3 myths (or at least 2 myths). Use only the material in Powell and the movie as evidence.