Odyssey Webquest
Greetings, Modern-Day Greek Sailors!
(What's that you say? You're Vikings? Well, close enough, we're shorthanded lately...something about a Cyclops eating a few of our men...)
Today we will be going on a quest to retrace the steps of our great bard Homer and his hero, Odysseus. Along the way we will meet Odysseus' wife Penelope, his son Telemachus, and a host of gods, goddesses, monsters, and notable characters of Greek mythology.
Your goal is to gather the information you will need to understand Homer's Odyssey by following all of the steps below. You are NOT limited to these sites; they are just to get you started. However, you must make sure all sources you use are written by experts.
Good luck, sailors!
Where Are We Going? (Geography Of The Ancient Greeks)
-Guiding Questions: What did the known world look like to the Ancient Greeks?
-Where had they traveled (what would have been on their maps and what was unknown)?
-What is the setting of The Odyssey? What are the important places in The Odyssey?
-Can you find a map that depicts Odysseus' journey?
British Museum (click on the "Explore" link)
Arizona State University: This short handout from a university geography class does a great job showing how geography affected the Ancient Greeks.
Greek Geography (thanks to a period 2 student for this one!)
IMPORTANT CLUE: There are also lots of books about gods and goddesses in the IHS (Ithaca High School, of course!) Library!
Guiding Questions:
-Who were the important gods and goddesses involved in Homer's epics?
-How did the ancient gods act as alter egos for the heroes?
-In what ways did the gods impact the lives of the people?
History Channel--there's tons of stuff in here if you click all the links
How did the Greeks worship their gods?
IMPORTANT CLUE: There are also lots of books about Greek mythological creatures in the IHS Library!
Guiding Questions:
-What characters does Odysseus encounter that serve as an obstacle on his journey?
-How do those characters interact with the gods/goddesses?
-What is the history of these monsters and other characters before and after they meet Odysseus?
Hint: Look up these guys: Lastrygonians, Lotus Eaters, Cyclops, Scylla and Charybdis, Sirens, Circe
History Channel--there's tons of stuff in here if you click all the links
Guiding Questions:
-What is epic poetry?
-What is the difference between a myth and an epic?
-What do we know about who Homer was? When did he compose The Odyssey?
-What was The Iliad and how is it related to The Odyssey?
-What is a "Homeric simile" (="epic simile")?
-The Greeks of Homer's time had an oral storytelling tradition. What does that mean and how did it work?
-What/who are rhapsodes?
On this site, a NY State University professor has attempted to read part of The Iliad the way he thinks Homer would have said it--good to get the feel of it--need headphones to listen. English translation is below the Greek. Do you hear how it is spoken a lot like a song?
Guiding Questions:
-When was the Trojan War and why was it fought? How did it turn out?
-What was the Trojan Horse?
-Can you explain the difference between the Acheans and the Argives?
-Can you describe the sights and sounds of a live performance of The Odyssey in Ancient Greece?
-What Greek values of Homer's time are reflected in The Odyssey? Especially consider what the Greeks of that time believed abouthospitality and those who violate its rules, and those who demonstrate moderation.
-Gender: What was the role of women compared to the role of men at this time?(Hint: While you're looking up the role of women, make sure you know who Penelope and Calypso were in The Odyssey)
University of Pennsylvania: Trojan War Summary
Odysseus' role in the Trojan War
Archaeology Magazine: On this interesting page, an archaeologist involved in a dig at Troy answers the question of whether the archeological evidence proves the Trojan War happened like Homer described in The Iliad:
UPenn Archaeology Museum--click on the links along the top
Hospitality in Greece and the Odyssey
Importance of family in Ancient Greek Literature
Women and slaves in Ancient Greece
Women's changing role in Greece
University of Pennsylvania Archaeology Museum: Women's Daily Life
