Greek Mythology Surrounds Us

2021 5th & 6th Grade Prose Honorable Mention

Greek Mythology is packed with interesting stories that have been incorporated into
modern day culture. Our plays, language, symbols, games and brands all contain references to
Greek mythology.

Many well-known plays are based on Greek stories. Romeo and Juliet may be one of
Shakespere’s most famous productions, but what most people don’t know is that he was
inspired by the story Pyramus and Thisbe, a Greek Myth. Pyramus and Thisbe were next door
neighbors in Babylon that fell in love but their parents wouldn’t allow them to get married, a
decision that ultimately caused both of their deaths. Like Pyramus and Thisbe, Romeo and
Juliet were also lovers that weren’t allowed to marry and perished as a result.

While Romeo and Juliet was a play written long ago, newer plays have also been written
about Greek Mythology. A popular Broadway musical is Hadestown which features the story of
Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus and Eurydice were both exceptional musicians but Eurydice’s
life was sadly cut short by a snake who bit her. Eurydice died and Orpheus was so heartbroken
that he went down to the underworld, the realm of the dead, and demanded to have her back.
The play, Hadestown, follows the same story as Orpheus and Eurydice. Theater is rich with
Greek Mythology.

The Periodic Table Of Elements also contains references to Greek Mythology. The
element tantalum is directly inspired by King Tantalus. Tantalus fed his son Peplos to the gods.
Outraged, the gods killed Tantalus and prepared a special punishment for him once his spirit
went down to the underworld. Tantalus was trapped in a pit filled with crystal clear water up to
his neck. There was also a mouthwatering pear branch over his head. Although, whenever
Tantalus went to pick a pear, the branch raised out of his reach. Whenever he tried to drink
water from the pool, it simply drained itself. This is also where we get the term “tantalizingly
close.”

Another element, niobium, is named after the foolish Queen Niobe. Queen Niobe
boasted that her seven sons and seven daughters were greater than the deities Apollo and
Artemis. Outraged, the twin gods came down from Olympus and shot all her sons and
daughters. Niobe was heartbroken. More examples of elements being named after Greek
characters are promethium, named after the cunning titan Prometheus who stole fire from the
gods and titanium, named after the sinister titans that once ruled the world. These are just a
few examples of Greek Mythological figures featured in science.

Even the historic Trojan War influences our technological expressions. The Iliad and
Odyssey are books still read and enjoyed by audiences of all ages. In the Iliad, Odysseus, the
wise King of Ithaca, infiltrated Troy in a giant wooden horse dubbed the Trojan Horse. The
Trojans assumed that the horse was a gift of some kind, and brought it into their city walls. Little
did they know, but Greek warriors were hidden inside the horse's giant hollow belly. Once the
horse arrived in Troy, the Greeks jumped out and burnt Troy to the ground. Today, if you click on
a seemingly harmless download that installs malicious software damaging your computer, it's 
called a Trojan Horse.

Dungeons and Dragons, the world’s most popular role playing game, has elements of
Greek Mythology incorporated into many of its settings. Enthusiastic fans of Dungeons and
Dragons were overjoyed when the Dungeons and Dragons guidebook, the Mythic Odysseys of
Theros, was released in 2020. Theros, the setting of the guidebook, was a Greek Mythology
inspired world. Theros has mythical monsters and mythical gods that are either based on Greek
Mythology, or pulled directly from it. For example, Theros’s god of the sun, Heliod, is almost
identical to Helios, the Greek God of the sun.

Even shoes have references to Greek Mythology. Nike, the greek goddess of victory, is
the name of one of the most famous clothing and footwear brands. The logo for Nike is actually
the goddess Nike’s wing. Nike was speedy, just like runners when they wear their Nike apparel!

Greek Mythology is also evident in our entertainment. Marvel has produced many
fantastic movies, comics, TV shows and characters. One of, if not the most, recognizable
Marvel characters is the righteous Captain America, with his iconic star-spangled shield.
Captain America commonly goes head to head with the menacing organization Hydra. In the
franchise, Hydra frequently worked with the Nazis in World War Two. The organization Hydra
was inspired by the fearsome nine headed Greek monster also called the Hydra. Hercules, a
demigod son of Zeus, also makes an appearance in the Marvel comics. Just as in the myths,
he is muscular and short-tempered. Unlike in the myths, he resides in modern day New York
City.

Companies also look to Greek Mythology for ideas for their brand names, slogans, and
mascots. Amazon, the shopping website, shares its name with the fearsome women warriors,
the Amazons. The Amazons resented being treated unfairly and killed all the men in their
kingdom. The Midas automobile service takes its name, slogan, and mascot from the fictional
Greek King Midas. Dionysus, the god of wine, offered to grant Midas one wish. Midas, being
greedy, asked that everything he touched would turn to gold. Dionysus agreed. At first, Midas
was ecstatic. Then, he soon realized that he couldn’t eat or drink because food or water would
turn into gold. It is unclear whether Amazon or Midas customers realized the companies were
named after a murderous tribe or a greedy king.

Although Greek Mythology was created more than two thousand years ago, the myths
still live on today in our culture; you just need to know where to look!