Choose one (1) of the following prompts and write a well-organized essay in a loosely 5-paragraph format (introduction, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion). Your thesis statement should be supported by at least three (3) specific examples. Include references to where the myths are told in ancient literature and/or art as appropriate. Prompt 1. Scholars have argued about whether religious rituals arise from myths or myths are created to explain why people do certain rituals. Do you think myth or ritual comes first? Is there a one-size-fits-all answer? Use at least three specific examples to support your argument. Prompt 2. Choose either the temple of Zeus at Olympia or the Parthenon and discuss the myths on its sculptural program (the pediments, metopes, cult statue inside, etc.) in relation to the god to whom the temple is dedicated, the location of the sanctuary, and the activities that took place within the sanctuary. Prompt 3. Compare and contrast the labors of Herakles and Theseus. What purposes do the labors serve? What do they say about their respective heroes? Use at least three specific examples to support your argument.

What is the organizing principle of the Fasti?

Dragon-slaying is a common theme amongst mythologies in the Mediterranean world and beyond.

The Cyclopes work in Hephaistos’ forge under Mt. Etna.

The early Romans seized the Sabine women in an attempt to:

What was the greatest center in Greece for the worship of Hera?

What is a parergon (plural parerga)? Name one associated with Heracles.

The torsion catapult invented by Dionysios of Syracuse and improved by Philip II had what consequence for ancient warfare?

In comparison with mythology, philosophy:

Nature as an Indifferent Force: Jack London vividly describes the harsh and indifferent environment the protagonist faces. How does London’s portrayal of nature in “To Build a Fire” challenge the romanticized view of nature often found in literature? What does the story suggest about the relationship between humans and the natural world, and How does it reflect the broader philosophical perspective of naturalism?