Year 1 – Ancient Heroes – Weekly assignments: Weekly Notes
August 29 – Week 1: Introduction to Ancient Heroes: What is a hero?
September 5 – Week 2: Heroes from the Bible: Genesis, Judges
1. Read (Noah) Genesis 6:9-9:29, (Abram/Abraham) Genesis 11:31-12:20, 15:1-12, Chapter 18, 21:1-7, 22:1-19, (Moses) Exodus 3:1- 4:17,
Chapters 7-12, Numbers 20:1-12, (Deborah and Jael) Judges 4
2. Complete the weekly worksheet found here
September 12 – Week 3: Heroes from the Bible:1, 2, Samuel, 1, 2, Kings
1. Read (Samuel) 1 Samuel 1, 2:18-21, Chapter 3, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 10:17-27, Chapter 12, Chapter 15:17-16:13,
(David) I Samuel 16:12-13, 22, 23, Chapter 18, II Samuel 1:17-1:4, Chapter 5:1-6:4, Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 22,
(Solomon) 1 Kings Chapter 2:1-4, Chapter 3, Chapter 4:20-21, Chapter 6: 1-6, Chapter 8:1-11, Chapter 9:1-9, 11:1-13,
2. Complete the weekly worksheet found here
September 19 – Week 4: Heroes from the Bible: Jonah, Daniel, Esther
1. Read (Jonah) Jonah Chapters 1-4, (Daniel) Daniel Chapters 1, 2, 5, 6, (Esther) Esther Chapters 1-10
2. Complete the weekly worksheet found here.
September 26 – No class – come see At Home in Mansfield at 5:00 on the square in Mansfield!
October 3 – Week 5: Greek Mythology (D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths) – The Main gods
1. Read D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths from the beginning through the end of Zeus and his Family (Dionysus)
2. Use the study guide found here to help you study the Greek gods.
3. Start building the family tree of the Greek gods you study about.
October 10 – Week 6: Greek Mythology (D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths) – The Minor Gods
1. Read Minor Gods through Orpheus
2. Imagine what it would be like to meet one of the characters gods from this section. What would you do? What would you talk about? Where would you take them? What kinds of adventures do you think you might have? In 1-2 pages, write about what you imagine your experience would be like. You may write about one specific experience or an adventure over time. Bring you writing to class on Friday and we will share.
October 17 – Week 7: Greek Mythology (D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths) – The Mortal Descendants of Zeus
1. Read The Mortal Descendants of Zeus through the end of Heracles.
2. In 1 paragraph to 2 pages, write about the following: Consider that the Fruits of the Spirit to be similar to Greek virtues. Based on this week’s reading from Greek Mythology, what is one fruit of the spirit that the Greeks appear to be teaching about through the characters.
Note: This is an expository paper. An expository paper explains an idea that an author has presented. That means that your paper should include a topic statement that is explained by using examples from the text, your own explanations, literary devices (adjectives used to describe the characters, word pictures, repeated words or sounds, etc.) that focus on the virtue (fruit) you are writing about, and repetition of the virtue from one character to another.
October 21 – Week 8: Greek Mythology (D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths) – The Mortal Descendants of Zeus
1. Read The Mortal Descendants of Zeus through from Theseus to the end of the book.
2. In 1 paragraph to 2 pages, write about the following: Consider the vices mentioned in the book of Proverbs in the Bible. Based on this week’s reading from Greek Mythology, choose a character that displayed a vice found in Proverbs and tell how that vice affected others. Finally, discuss what we can learn in modern times from the vicious behavior of Greek Heroes.
Note: This is an expository paper. An expository paper explains an idea that an author has presented. That means that your paper should include a topic statement that is explained by using examples from the text, your own explanations, literary devices (adjectives used to describe the characters, word pictures, repeated words or sounds, etc.) that focus on the virtue (fruit) you are writing about, and repetition of the virtue from one character to another.
October 31 – No Class
November 7 – Week 9: The Iliad (Fitzgerald’s translation or The Iliad for Boys and Girls by Alfred Church) – Books 1-5
1. Read Books 1-5 in the Fitzgerald translation, OR from “How The War Began” through “Of Glaucus and Diomed” in The Iliad for Boys and Girls
2. Read The Children of Zeus, Context, and Summaries of books 1-5, and “Things To Think About While Reading This Poem” 1-3 in the study guide found here
3. Read the following lines and be prepared to discuss them in class.
Anger be now your song, immortal one,
Akhilleus’ anger, doomed and ruinous,
that caused the Akhaians loss on pitter loss
and crowded brave souls into the under gloom,
leaving so many dead men-carrion
for dogs and birds; and the will of Zeus was done.
Begin it “When the two men first contending
broke with one another the Lord Marshal
Agamemnon, Atreus’ son, and Prince Akhilleus.
Among the gods, ·who brought this quarrel on?
The son of Zeus by Leto. Agamemnon
angered him, so he made a burning wind
of plague rise in the army: rank and file
sickened and died for the ill their chief had done
in despising a man of prayer.
This priest, Khryses, had come down to the ships
with gifts, no end of ransom for his daughter;
on a golden staff he carried the god’s white bands
and sued for grace from the men of all Akhaia,
the two Atreidai most of all:
“O captains Menelaos and Agamemnon, and you other
Akhaians under arms!
The gods who hold Olympos, may they grant you
plunder of Priam’s town and a fair wind home,
but let me have my daughter back for ransom
as you revere Apollo, son of Zeus!”
Then all the soldiers murmured their assent:
“Behave well to the priest. And take the ransom!”
4. Read Names and Terms 1-4 in the study guide. Look at the charts in numbers 8-9.
5. Answer questions 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10 in the study guide.
November 14 – Week 10: The Iliad
1. Read Books 6-12 in the Fitzgerald translation, OR from “Hector and Andromache” through “Embassy To Achilles” in The Iliad for Boys and Girls
2. Read Summaries of books 6-8 in the study guide found here
3. Read the following lines and be prepared to discuss them in class.
Hector’s mother speaks to Hector, from Fitzgerald’s translation of The Iliad, chapter 6, Hector and Andromache.
“Why have you come
from battle, child? Those fiends, the Akhaians, fighting
around the town, have worn you out; you come
to climb our Rock and lift your palms to Zeus!
Wait, and I’ll serve you honeyed wine.
First you may off er up a drop to Zeus,
to the immortal gods, then slake your thirst.
\Vine will restore a man when he is weary
as you are, fighting to defend your own.”
Hektor answered her, his helmet flashing:
“No, my dear mother, ladle me no wine;
You’d make my nerve go slack: I’d lose my edge.
May I tip wine to Zeus with hands unwashed?
I fear to-a bespattered man, and bloody,
may not address the lord of gloomy cloud.
No, it is you I wish would bring together
our older women, with offerings, and go visit
the temple of Athena, Hope of Soldiers.
Pick out a robe, most lovely and luxurious,
most to your liking in the women’s hall;
place it upon Athena’s knees; assure her
a sacrifice of heifers, twelve young ones
ungoaded ever in their lives, if in her mercy
relenting toward our town, our wives and children,
she keeps Diomedes out of holy Troy.
He is a wild beast now in combat and pursuit.
Make your way to her shrine, visit Athena,
Hope of Soldiers.
4. Answer the following question: How does Hector’s character contrast with Agamemnon’s character? Which is more respectful to the gods? Give examples for your answer. Hint: Agamemnon’s disrespect for the gods can be seen in the first 1/4 of the book by the way he treats Chryses. Hector’s respect for the gods can be seen in the above passage.
5. Read the following lines between Hector and Andromache:
There his warmhearted lady
came to meet him, running; Andromakhe,
whose father, Eetrnn, once had ruled
the land under Mount Plakos, dark with forest,
at Thebe under Plakos-lord and king
of the Kilikians. Hektor was her lord now,
head to foot in bronze; and now she joined him.
Behind her came her maid, who held the child
against her breast, a rosy baby still,
Hektorides, the world’s delight, as fresh
as a pure shining star. Skamandrios
his father named him; other men would say
Astyanax, “Lord of the Lower Town,”
as Hektor singlehanded guarded Troy.
How brilliantly the warrior smiled, in silence,
his eyes upon the child! Andromakhe
rested against him, shook away a tear,
and pressed his hand in both her own. to say:
“Oh, mv wild one, Your bravery will be
your own undoing! ·No pity for our child,
poor little one, or me in my sad lot
soon to be deprived of you! soon, soon
Akhaians as one man will set upon you
and cut you down! Better for me, without you,
to take cold earth for mantle. no more comfort,
no other warmth after you meet your doom,
but heartbreak only. Father is dead, and Mother.
My father great Akhilleus killed when he
besieged and plundered Thebe, our high town,
citadel of Kilikians. He killed him,
but, reverent at least in this, did not
despoil him. Body, gear, and weapons forged
so handsomely, he burned, and heaped a barrow
over the ashes. Elms were planted round
by mountain-nymphs of him who bears the stormcloud.
Then seven brothers that I had at home
in one day entered Death’s dark place. Akhilleus,
prince and powerful runner, killed all seven
amid their shambling cattle and silvery sheep.
Mother, ·who had been queen of wooded Plakos,
he brought with other winnings home, and freed her,
taking no end of ransom. Artemis
the Huntress shot her in her father’s house.
Father and mother -I have none but you,
nor brother, Hektor; lover none but you!
Be merciful! Stay here upon the tower!
Do not bereave your child and widow me!
Draw up your troops by the wild figtree; that way
the city lies most open, men most easily
could swarm the wall where it is low:
three times, at least, their best men tried it there
in company of the two called Aias, with
Idomeneus, the Atreidai, Diomedes
whether someone who had it from oracles
had told them, or their own hearts urged them on.”
Great Hektor in his shimmering helmet answered:
“Lady, these many things beset my mind
no less than yours. But I should die of shame
before our Trojan men and noblewomen
if like a coward I avoided battle,
nor am I moved to. Long ago I learned
how to be brave, how to go forward always
and to contend for honor, Father’s and mine.
Honor -for in my heart and soul I know
a day will come when ancient Ilion falls,
when Priam and the folk of Priam perish.
Not by the Trojans’ anguish on that day
am I so overborne in mind-the pain
of Hekabe herself, or Priam king,
or of mv brothers, many and valorous,
·who will have fallen in ·dust before our enemies
as by your own grief, when some armed Akhaian
takes you in tears, your free life stripped away.
Before another ·woman’s loom in Argos
it may be you will pass, or at Messeis
or Hypereie fountain, carrying water,
against your ·will -iron constraint upon you.
And seeing you in tears, a man may say:
‘There is the wife of Hektor, who fought best
of Trojan horsemen when they fought at Troy.’
So he may say -and you will ache again
for one man ·who could keep you out of bondage.
Let me be hidden dark down in my grave
before I hear your cry or know you captive!”
As he said this, Hektor held out his arms
to take his baby. But the child squirmed round
on the nurse’s bosom and began to wail,
terrified by his father’s great war helm
the flashing bronze, the crest with horsehair plume
tossed like a living thing at every nod.
His father began laughing, and his mother
laughed as well. Then from his handsome head
Hektor lifted off his helm and bent
to place it, bright with sunlight, on the ground.
When he had kissed his child and swung him high
to dandle him, he said this prayer:
“O Zeus
and all immortals, may this child, my son,
become like me a prince among the Trojans.
Let him be strong and brave and rule in power
at Ilion; then someday men will say
‘This fellow is far better than his father!’
seeing him home from war, and in his arms
the bloodstained gear of some tall warrior slain
making his mother proud.”
After this prayer,
into his dear wife’s arms he gave his baby,
whom on her fragrant breast
she held and cherished, laughing through her tears.
Hektor pitied her now. Caressing her,
he said:
“Unquiet soul, do not be too distressed
by thoughts of me. You know no man dispatches me
into the undergloom against my fate;
no mortal, either, can escape his fate,
coward or brave man, once he comes to be.
Go home, attend to your own handiwork
at loom and spindle, ·and command the maids
to busy themselves, too. As for the war,
that is· for men, all who were born at Ilion,
to put their minds on -most of all for me.”
He stooped now to recover his plumed helm
as she, his dear wife, drew away, her head
turned and her eyes upon him, brimming tears.
She made her way in haste then to the ordered
house of Hektor and rejoined her maids,
moving them all to weep at sight of her.
In Hektor’s home they mourned him, living still
but not, they feared, again to leave the war
or be delivered from Akhaian fury.
6. Answer the following Question: The passage between Hector and Andromache is considered to be one of the greatest examples of a father’s love for his wife and family in all of literature. Find at least 3 examples of godly love and virtue in both the way Hector interacts with Andromache and how Andromache interacts with Hector.
Writing Assignment: Character analysis
I have assigned each of you a character to write a “newspaper” article on.
Hector – Joni
Paris – Elise Sikora
Agamemnon – Audrey
Achilles – Atticus
Athena – Megan
Hera – Kaelyn
Zeus – Ryan
Patrochlous – Elise
Include the following in your newspaper article:
1. A summary of your character’s involvement throughout the Trojan War.
2. A paragraph of war “highlights” showing how your character’s involvement influenced the outcome of the war.
3. An analysis of the character’s virtues or vices as a lesson to others who find themselves in a conflict.
4. Answer the question, “How does this character exemplify biblical truths?”
We will share our newspaper articles on the final day of our Iliad discussion on December 12.
November 21 – No class! Please attend Treasure Island in Seymour or online and keep reading The Iliad
November 28 – No Class! Thanksgiving Break, but make sure you keep reading The Iliad!
December 5 – Week 11: The Iliad – Books 13-18
1. Read Books 13-18 in the Fitzgerald translation, OR from “The Battle At The Ships” through “The Quarrel Ended” in The Iliad for Boys and Girls
2. Read Summaries of books 13-18 in the study guide found here
3. Answer the following questions and be prepared to discuss them in class.
a. Describe Iris’s mission in The Battle At The Ships. Who did she go to? What were her conversations with them?
b. In The Deeds and Death of Patroclus, Achilles and Patroclus, we read about Patroclus entering battle. In Fitzgerald’s translation, he writes this:
“Even so, defend the ships, Patroklos.
Attack the enemy in force, or they
will set the ships ablaze with whirling fire
and rob Akhaians of their dear return.
Now carry out the purpose I confide,
so that you’ll win great honor for me, and glory
among Danaans; then they’ll send me back
my lovely girl, with bright new gifts as well.
Once you expel the enemy from the ships,
rejoin me here. If Hera’s lord,
the lord of thunder, grants you the day’s honor,
covet no further combat far from me
with Trojan soldiers. That way you’d deny me
recompense of honor. You must not,
for joy of battle, joy of killing Trojans,
carry the fight to Ilion! Some power
out of Olympos, one of the immortal gods,
might intervene for them. The Lord Apollo
loves the Trojans. Turn back, then, as soon
as you restore the safety of the ships,
and let the rest contend, out on the plain.”
Did Patroclus do what Achilles told him to do? Why did Achilles want Patroclus to only save the ship and no more? What is Achilles motivation according to Fitzgerald?
Writing Assignment Reminder: Character analysis
I have assigned each of you a character to write a “newspaper” article on.
Hector – Joni
Paris – Elise Sikora
Agamemnon – Audrey
Achilles – Atticus
Athena – Megan
Hera – Kaelyn
Zeus – Ryan
Patrochlous – Elise
Include the following in your newspaper article:
1. A summary of your character’s involvement throughout the Trojan War.
2. A paragraph of war “highlights” showing how your character’s involvement influenced the outcome of the war.
3. An analysis of the character’s virtues or vices as a lesson to others who find themselves in a conflict.
4. Answer the question, “How does this character exemplify biblical truths?”
We will share our newspaper articles on the final day of our Iliad discussion on December 12.
December 12 – Week 12: The Iliad – Books 19-24
Finish reading the Iliad. Prepare to discuss the book, as well as present your newspaper article.
Writing Assignment Due: Character analysis
I have assigned each of you a character to write a “newspaper” article on.
Hector – Joni
Paris – Elise Sikora
Agamemnon – Audrey
Achilles – Atticus
Athena – Megan
Hera – Kaelyn
Zeus – Ryan
Patrochlous – Elise
Include the following in your newspaper article:
1. A summary of your character’s involvement throughout the Trojan War.
2. A paragraph of war “highlights” showing how your character’s involvement influenced the outcome of the war.
3. An analysis of the character’s virtues or vices as a lesson to others who find themselves in a conflict.
4. Answer the question, “How does this character exemplify biblical truths?”
We will share our newspaper articles on the final day of our Iliad discussion on December 12.
December 19 – January 9 – No class! Christmas Break!
January 16 – Week 13: The Odyssey (Fitzgerald’s translation or The Odyssey for Boys and Girls by Alfred Church) Books 1-5
January 23 – Week 14: The Odyssey (Fitzgerald’s translation or The Odyssey for Boys and Girls by Alfred Church) chapters 6-10
- Think about an era where you or your family went on a trip that didn’t turn out the way you thought it should.
- What did you learn by your experience on the trip? What were the virtue lessons you learned? What did you learn not to repeat in the future?
- Ulysses learns many lessons on his journey. Pick two lessons he learned and be prepared to discuss them in class. (You don’t need to write anything unless you wish to)
January 30 – Week 16: The Odyssey Books 11-15
1. Consider the difference between Telemachus’ experience keeping his kingdom and Alcinous’s ability to keep his.
2. What was the importance of the singer? How do you think he knew the stories of Troy?
February 6 – Week 17: The Odyssey Books 16-20
February 13 – Week 18: finish the Odyssey
February 20 – Week 19: The Aeneid (Fitzgerald’s translation, or The Aeneid for Boys and Girls by Alfred Church) Books 1-4
February 27 – Week 20: The Aeneid Books 5-8
March 6 – Week 21: The Aeneid Books 9-12
Marcy 13 – Week 22: Watch Aeschylus’s Agamemnon and follow along in the script
March 20 – Week 23: Watch Aeschylus’s Libation Bearers and follow along in the script
March 27 – No Class! Come See A Secret Garden in Seymour on online live streaming!
April 3 – No Class! Holy Week
April 10 – Week 24: Watch Aeschylus’s Eumenides and follow along in the script
April 17 – Week 25: Matthew
April 24 – Week 26: John
May 1 – Week 27: Acts
May 8 – Week 28: catch-up