Ancient Greek Myths of environmental destruction

Geniko Lykeio Neou Skopou

Ancient Greek myths of environmental destruction

ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΜΥΘΟΛΟΓΙΑ

The myth of Akateon

ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΜΥΘΟΛΟΓΙΑ

Μορφές και Θέματατης Αρχαίας Ελληνικής Μυθολογίας

The myth of Odysseus

Μορφές και Θέματατης Αρχαίας Ελληνικής Μυθολογίας

The myth of the spider and Athena

ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΜΥΘΟΛΟΓΙΑ

The myth of Demetra and Persephony

ΑΡΧΑΙΟΙ ΕΛΛΗΝΕΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΒΑΛΛΟΝ

ΒΙΚΙΠΑΙΔΕΙΑ

The myth of Prometheus

The myth of Erysichthon

The myth of Defkalion

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Created by George and Paisios

The myth of Erysichthon

Erysichthon was an king in Thessaly and he was famous for his ego, his disrespect and his blasphemy. Because he wanted to built a grand palace, he ordered his servants to gather wood from the sanctuary forest, which was dedicated to the goddess Dimitra. After cutting down most of the forest the goddess was outraged and she send the goddess Peina(= starvation) to curse him. Erysichthon, unable to stop his starvation, had a tragic death.

Created by Katerina P and Chrysanthi

THE MYTH OF PROMETHEUS

When gods created humans and animals, they appointed the Titan Prometheus and his brother Epimetheus to hand out gifts to all creatures. Hasty Epimetheus, rusted to give animals all the gifts so at the end there was nothing left for humans. Then Prometheus decided to climb mount Olympus, in order to discuss about the problem with Zeu. There, he discovered that gods used fire for cooking and heating and decided to steal it and give it to humans. But when Zeus noticed, he punished him by tiding him on a rock, where an eagle came to eat his liver every day. Prometheus is considered a symbol of atonement from oppression but autonomy in nature doesn’t exist. Everything in nature is depending on one another.

Created by Nikoleta and Dimitra

The myth of Demetra and Persephone

Dimitra, goddess of fertility, good harvest and the bloom of nature, had a daughter with Zeus, Persephone. While she was picking flowers with the Ocean nymphs, the Earth suddenly opened, Hades jumped out of it with his chariot and grabbed her. Sad Dimitra who lost her daughter, withered all nature. The sun told her about the kidnapping, so Dimitra went to ask her back. With the help of Zeus an agreement was reached. Persephone would be on Earth with her mother for 6 months and 6 in the Underworld with Pluto. Dimitra was unhappy for 6 months without Persephone, so autumn and winter prevailed, while the other 6 were months of fertility and summer flowering. The final message of the story is: Ignorance is the beginning of our suffering The destruction of the earth removes man from God and leads to death.

Created by Κaterina S. and Agapi

Arachni (spider) was Idmona’s daughter who was known for her weaving. She hated the rumour that she owed her talent to goddess Athena. Her arrogance disappointed Athena, so she turned into an old woman who warned Arachni to acknowledge Athena's greatness. Arachni told to the old lady that she could win Athena in a weaving competition. Athena was revealed to Arachni, and they started the competition. Arachni’s weaving satirised gods especially their craving for immortal women. Athena touched Arachni on the face, she felt guilty and commited suicide. Athena didn't want her to die so she turned her into a spider. Message: Man cannot be better in creation than God, he only mechanically repeats himself. Man is not wise.

The spider and Athena

created by Maria and Kiki

Odysseus

After having taken part in the Trojan War, a brave and daring man, prudent and clever, he started with Menelaus, his journey back home which lasted ten years. He had a lot of adventures: He fought the Kikones in Thrace, he remained in the land of the Lotus Eaters, then the Cyclops. He visited the island of the Centurion, he went to the island of Coriarynx and the island of Squirath, arrived on the island of Trinakria and then he took refuge on the island of Ortygia. Also he wrecked on the island of Phaeacus, Scheria. He went down to Hades, managed to get through the strait, where the two monsters, Scylla and Harilde lived. Finally, he came back to Ithaca to his loving wife and son. The myth's point is that over-consumerism leads to the blind destruction of resources. Man plays with his soul, the future of his children and the earth itself. There is freedom of choice and ability to carry out it..

Created by Stavroula and Apostolia

He was the son of Prometheus. Zeus decided to destroy humans because of their disrespect and wickedness, and caused a flood. But Prometheus had advised Deucalion to build a shrine with his wife Pyrra, that is, an ark and be prepared. The shrine sailed on the water for nine days and nine nights. Finally, it anchored on Mount Parnassos. There Deucalion made a sacrifice to the gods and wished the earth to be inhabited again. Zeus advised Deucalion and Pyrra to throw their mother's bones behind their heads. The stones thrown by Deucalion became men and those thrown by Pyrra became women. Thus the human race was renewed. Message: If we treat nature like we own it, we violate the divine laws and flooda na destruction will come.

The myth of Defkalion

Created by Victoria and Chrysa

Ακtaion was the son of Aristaios and Autonoi, Autonoi was the daughter of Thebe's king Kadmos. He was raised by Centaur Chiron in Pelion and he became a great hunter. He hunted every day in the forests with he’s fifty dogs. One day Ακtaion saw by mistake godess Artemis with her nymphs in the fountain while she was washing her hair. The Goddess was outraged, transformed him into a deer and he was devoured by his own dogs. Message: Acts that destroy the enviroment, lead us to self distruction.

The myth of Aktaeon

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