The Business of the Gods

Note: This activity has been adapted for M. E. LaZerte by Kris Campbell.

Introduction

You're a Greek god in a modern world with no one to worship you. In fact no one even remembers who you are much less your contribution to the world order? What do you do? After all, who needs thunderbolts these days when we have electricity? Who cares if you're the most beautiful goddess in the universe if you can't share the secrets of that beauty with the spandex generation? What do you do?

Reinvent yourself! Make a niche for yourself. Create a business, provide a service, produce a product. AND most important-----ADVERTISE!

The Task

The gods have decided to return to the world, but this time they'll disguise themselves as mere mortals. You can pretend that you are one of these gods! (Zeus, Hera, Athena, Hades, Poseidon, Apollo, Artemis, Demeter, Hermes, Aphrodite, Ares, Hephaestus, Hestia).

Working by yourself, you must evaluate the original domain of each god/goddess and determine which business, service, or product would be appropriate for each god based upon these
questions:
1. What area of nature or life was his/her special responsibility?
2. What powers did he/she possess?
3. What animal or plant was associated with him/her?
4. Did he/she have any quirks in personality or appearance?
5. What objects were associated with him/her?

2. You will choose a city or specific geographical location (international) where each god would currently reside.

3. Then you will create an advertisement flyer for the god/goddess you researched.

Resources

1. Teacher introduction to 12 Olympian gods

           2. Mythology Links:
                a.   Ancient Gods - The Olympians
               b.   Encyclopedia Mythica
                c. Mythography
                d.   Olympian Gods and Goddesses


          3.   Museum Links:
              a.   Ancient Greek Mythology
              b.   Right
              c.   Ancient Greek World

The Process

Each person will produce 1 advertisement flyer--one for each god/goddess.

First, choose your god.

Second, begin work on the advertisement flyer. Decide on a business, service, or product your god/goddess

Research the suggested links to determine an unusual yet appropriate enterprise for the god.

You must produce your own advertisement flyer; however, you may bounce ideas of someone sitting beside you concerning careers, logos, slogans, residences, etc. for your god.

Materials

Blank unlined piece of 8X11 paper, pencil crayons, felts, etc.

Advertisement Flyer Format

A. Your flyer must include
        a logo
        a slogan
        a street address
        a city or locale (international location)
        the name of the god/goddess (May be included in the logo or the business name)
        the name of the business
        the name and/or picture of the service or product
        your name, date, period on the back of each card

B. Final Product
        1. Use unlined (8 X 11) paper
        2. Use color markers or color pencils
        3. Print or type all written information
        4. The logo should be no smaller than 4” X 4” but may be larger

Evaluation

Library Grade For The Week

Completed task sheet for each god/goddess must be handed in with the finished products.
Please remember that any time missed in the library must be made up on your own.
It may be necessary for you to work on this project at home.

ALL FINISHED PROJECTS ARE DUE THURSDAY AT THE END OF CLASS!!!

Rubric

Task Sheet

every question answered

answers are correct 10

Advertisement Flyer

all information is present

product idea is original

class time used effectively 10

**NOTE: you will not be marked on artistic ability, but on your commitment to creating a finished product.

Conclusion

The ancient Greeks created the gods in their own image. These gods wielded great power and carried immense responsibilities, but they also exhibited many human weaknesses and character flaws. What gods would man create today? What domains would they control? Dare we believe that their human side would have improved.

SOURCES
Jason and Medea mural: (on-line): http://www.webcom.com/shownet/medea/grklink.html
Graphics: http://surfport.com/bydezign/ and Microsoft ClipArt
3-D title: 3-D TextMaker: http://www.3dtextmaker.com/