Examples in Society
The Greek gods were worshiped over two-thousand years ago. There were various forms of art, such as statues, paintings, pottery, and literature, created in their honor. Their followers have diminished over years, but the ancient Gods are still present in our everyday lives.
Planets
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/2/6/16265500/1132810.jpg?261)
The planets, in English, derive their names from Latin after the names of the Roman version of the Gods which shows their strong influence in our society today.
Mercury- The Roman winged messenger God and the God of Travel, Trade, Communication, and theft. Also known as
Hermes
Venus- The Goddess of love, beauty, temptation, and desire. Also known as Aphrodite
Earth- English for the word terra which meant Earth and also stood for Mother Earth one of the original goddess and creator of the giants, Cyclopes, Titans, Gods and pretty much everything else that has to do with Greek and Roman Mythology. Also known as Gaia
Mars- The Roman God or War and Anger; He is the son of Jupiter
and Juno. Also known as Ares
Jupiter- The Roman God of the sky and Leader of all of the other gods sitting at the head of the Olympian council with his wife Juno. Also known as Zeus
Saturn- A Titan and former God of Agriculture. Also known as Cronus
Uranus- A Titan and former God of the Sky. Also known as Ouranos
Neptune- God of the sea and brother of Jupiter and Pluto. Also known as Poseidon
Pluto- God of the Underworld and brother of Jupiter and Neptune. Also known as Hades
Mercury- The Roman winged messenger God and the God of Travel, Trade, Communication, and theft. Also known as
Hermes
Venus- The Goddess of love, beauty, temptation, and desire. Also known as Aphrodite
Earth- English for the word terra which meant Earth and also stood for Mother Earth one of the original goddess and creator of the giants, Cyclopes, Titans, Gods and pretty much everything else that has to do with Greek and Roman Mythology. Also known as Gaia
Mars- The Roman God or War and Anger; He is the son of Jupiter
and Juno. Also known as Ares
Jupiter- The Roman God of the sky and Leader of all of the other gods sitting at the head of the Olympian council with his wife Juno. Also known as Zeus
Saturn- A Titan and former God of Agriculture. Also known as Cronus
Uranus- A Titan and former God of the Sky. Also known as Ouranos
Neptune- God of the sea and brother of Jupiter and Pluto. Also known as Poseidon
Pluto- God of the Underworld and brother of Jupiter and Neptune. Also known as Hades
Amazon.com
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/2/6/16265500/8821512.jpg)
Amazon.com is one of the leading websites in book sales in the world. It is named after a group of ancient warrior women.
Hercules
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/2/6/16265500/6312157.jpg)
The commonly known Disney movie "Hercules" is lightly based off of an ancient mythical story about a man named Heracules. The original story of Heracules is about the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, who completes twelve labors as a punishment in an attempt to claim his place as a God in Mt. Olympus. This movie gives children an opportunity to learn about ancient mythology in an appropriate and understandable way.
Nike
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/2/6/16265500/7087172.jpg)
The famous Nike brand of sporting apparal and equipment is named after the Nike, the Greek Goddess of victory. This brand aims to succeed, just as this powerful goddess does.
William Shakespeare
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/2/6/16265500/2278981.jpg?215)
Although there are countless references to mythology in literature, one of the most famous authors of all time even brings ancient myths into his writing. William Shakespeare is one of the many authors who are known to refer to mythology in their writing. For example, in Shakespeare's "A Misummer Night's Dream" he uses a mythical characer, Theseus, in his story. The reader will then use this referance to compare the rest of the characters in the play to other mythical beings. This gives Shakespeare an advantage because everyone, especially during that time period, is able to relate to the characters when they are put in this mythical perspective.
Months
Months also derive there English name from their Latin counterparts that generally related to Roman culture with some of them being named after gods. (After all it was created by Caeser.
January: Janus, the god of doors and gates February: Februalia, a time period when sacrifices were made to atone for sins March: Mars, the god of war April: aperire, Latin for “to open” (buds) May: Maia, the goddess of growth of plants June: Juno, Goddess of Marriage July: Julius Caesar August: Augustus Caesar September: septem, Latin for “seven” October: octo, Latin for “eight” November: novem, Latin for “nine” December: decem, Latin for “ten”
![Picture](https://www.editmysite.com/editor/images/na.png)
Amazon.com
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/2/6/16265500/6427528.jpg)
One of the leading websites in book sales is named after a race of ancient warrior women.
Hercules
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/2/6/16265500/7387552.jpg)
Disney's "Hercules" is based on the story of a ancient Greek story about the twelve labors of "Heracles". This movie is an opportunity for children to learn about ancient Greek mythology stories in a concept that they can understand.
William Shakespeare
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/2/6/16265500/3371223.jpg?208)
Shakespeare refers to Greek mythology in some of his plays, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" for example. In his play, he uses one famous mythical character, allowing the reader to associate the rest of the characters with this theme.
Nike
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/2/6/16265500/9203307.jpg)
A famous brand of athletic wear such as apparal, shoes, and equipment is named after "Nike" the winged goddess of victory.
University of South California Trojans
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/2/6/16265500/2101526.jpg?232)
Along with hundreds of other schools in the nation, the University of South California's mascot is the Trojans. The "Trojan Horse" was used in the famous Trojan War fought against the Greeks and the Trojans.