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Cyclops: The One-Eyed Giant
After a long sea voyage, Odysseus and his men were happy to find an island. There was even a cave full of sheep. They had a wonderful dinner. The only problem was that the cave belonged to a cyclops. The Cyclops decided to eat the men in exchange for the sheep they took. He ate two men right then and there, then rolled a stone across the entrance so the sailors couldn’t leave. Odysseus knew he needed to come up with a plan. He watched the cyclops roll the stone open every day to let the sheep out and he told the others his idea. That night Odysseus gave the cyclops some wine and when the cyclops fell asleep the sailors stabbed him in the eye with a spear. Now the cyclops was blind. The next day, when the blind cyclops rolled the stone from the door so the sheep could go outside Odysseus and his men were each tied to a sheep and made their escape.
Chimera: The Three Headed Monster
The Chimera was a fire-breathing monster that terrorized the countryside of Lycia. A king commanded a man named Bellerophon to kill the beast. Bellerophon couldn't complete the task on his own, but the goddess Athena helped him tame Pegasus, the winged horse, with a golden bridle. Bellerophon and Pegasus chased the beast, but the Chimera's fire was too fierce for them to face. Bellerophon realized he could use the heat of the fire to his advantage. He put a piece of lead on the end of his spear, and when the Chimera opened its mouth, he stabbed it. The lead melted and the Chimera suffocated, ending its reign of terror.
Cerberus: Hound of Hades
For the last of Heracles ' twelve labors, Heracles was given the task of retrieving Cerberus. Hades agreed that Heracles could take Cerberus from the underworld, but he could use no weapons. Heracles grabbed Cerberus and was bitten by the hound's snake tail, but he didn't let go. In the end, he managed to overcome the hound.
Heracles brought Cerberus to the mortal world but he did not kill him and Cerberus returned to the Underworld.
Ancient Greek Black-Figure Pottery
In Ancient Greek black-figure pottery, the figures were painted with liquid clay that turned black when heated, leaving the background the color of the clay. In this activity, students can replicate that art style by painting a terracotta pinch pot.
The Wife Who Led an Army
King Wu Ding had an unusual way of garnering support from his people.
He married them.
Not all of them, of course. That would be insane. He only married 62 women.
Fu Hao was one of these lucky ladies. King Wu Ding plucked her from…
Lunar New Year
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is the most important festival in China. It takes place on the first new moon between January 21st and February 20th. In 2024, Lunar New Year falls on February 24.
Ancient Egyptian Symbols
Ancient Egyptians believed symbols did more than relay information, they were an important part of the Ancient Egyptian religion. Icons that represented different gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt also represented different religious values. For example, the feather of the goddess Ma'at represented truth and justice.
