Are myths and legends still modern? A project activity in which pupils found similarities between ancient gods and modern people.

1. MYTHS AND LEGENDS
The pupils from our school have shown great interest in mythology, especially in the
ancient Greek deities. Therefore, they have selected a number of Greek gods whom
they described and whose characteristics they outlined. At the same time, they
realised that their features can be found in contemporary people from our country or
from around the world.
Zeus – the father of all Gods and men who ruled the Olympians of Mount Olympus
was associated with Bill Gates, the business magnate and philantropist who rules the
world of computer technology.
Poseidon – the God of the sea and master of waters found its modern version in
Michael Phelps, American swimmer and the most decorated Olympian of all time.
Apollo – a very complex deity, god of music and poetry and the leader of the Muses,
he always wore the bay laurel crown. Its modern counterpart was found in Luciano
Pavarotti, one of the most successful tenors of all times.
Dionysos – the god of wine, vegetation, pleasure and festivity; he was usually
accompanied by nymphs. The pupils associated him with Ion iriac, a RomanianȚ
former tennis player known for hunting parties and taste for luxury.
Ares – the god of war because of his violent character, was resembled to Chuck
Norris- the American martial artist and actor.
Hades – the god of the underworld, a terrifying creature, was associated with Hitler,
the infaillible leader who caused death to so many people.
The feminine figures are dominated by Aphrodite – the goddess of love and beauty
with obvious physical attributes. The modern version of Aphrodite was in no time
found in Angelina Jolie, a modern icon.
Athena – the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspirations, civilization, mathematics,
strategy and skill was found a modern representation in Judit Polgar – a
contemporary Hungarian chessmaster who is by far one of the strongest female
chess players in history.
Hera – the wife of Zeus, a majestic and solemn goddess of women, epitomizing
devotion was associated with Queen Elizabeth II.
Artemis – the protector of young girls, carrying her bow and arrows was resembled to
Andreea Marin- a Romanian icon for works of charity but also a fighter for family life.
Pandora – the first mortal woman to whom each God gave something in order to
make her perfect. She had a box with hope lying on the bottom of it surrounded by
trouble. The pupils decided she best resembles Eve from the Christian culture.

2. Last but not least, there is Hestia – the goddess of the hearth, domesticity, family
and state. The pupils chose Mother Teresa as the woman who encompasses all
qualities such as: kindness, serenity and love for people in need.
In the end, the Gods and their modern versions presented their qualities in front of an
audience and underlined the resemblances between ancient times and modern
times.
Project elaborated by the pupils of the VIIIth grade from the coala Gimnazială IoanȘ
Slavici iria/Gal a.Ș ș
Directed by Maria Bumb – pupil VIIIth grade.