Twenty-five hundred years ago, in ancient Greece, a small band of Greek soldiers faced the mighty Persian army on the plain of Marathon. A runner named Pheidippides ran to neighboring Sparta, one hundred forty miles away, to ask for the Spartans’ aid. Afterwards he sped back to the battle, where he helped defeat the enemy. Then the weary runner did his duty yet once more; he ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver the miraculous news of the Greek victory. The legend of brave Pheidippides has inspired the running of marathons worldwide.
Greece
Materials from Greece
The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus
Long, long ago in ancient Greece, people began telling wonderful stories to explain the mysteries of life. These myths featured gods and goddesses, mighty beings who look human but have amazing powers and live forever. Now you can meet these extraordinary characters and hear their legends, brought to life again
Unique Monique
Monique hates her school uniform. Who wants to wear brown and blue? Monique wants to be different. One day she finds a trunk filled with her mother’s old clothes, and the next day , and the day after that, and the day after that Monique transforms her boring old brown and blue, (and herself), until she finally learns that no matter what you wear, individuality always shines.
The Hero and the Minotaur
Worthy quests, marvelous rescues, and timeless adventure: this is the story of Prince Theseus and the amazing trials that befall him when he vows to become a hero then sets out to prove his courage.
On his journey, Theseus will meet Ariadne, a brave princess, and a remarkable boy named Icarus. Together the three devise an exhilarating, desperate plan to slay a strange and terrible beast, known to all as the Minotaur.
Arion and the Dolphins
A retelling of the ancient Greek legend of a young Corinthian musician who, having won a gold prize for his singing, is thrown overboard by greedy sailors and befriends a dolphin who becomes his rescuer and protector.
Hercules
Journey back to ancient Greece and meet the greatest hero who ever lived-Hercules! With eleven difficult tasks behind him, he now must face the last and most terrifying. To bring back the three-headed monster dog, Cerberus, Hercules must enter the Underworld-where the dead go-and come back alive!
Max and Ruby’s First Greek Myth: Pandora’s Box
When Max snoops in his sister’s jewelry box, she reads her own version of the classic Greek myth about how Pandora’s curiosity sets loose all the horrors of the world.
Aesop’s Fables
In this elegantly designed volume, more than sixty of Aesop’s timeless fables have been carefully selected, humorously retold, and brought gloriously to life by four-time Caldecott Honor-winner Jerry Pinkney. Included are the Shepherd Boy and The Wolf, the Lion and the Mouse, the Tortoise and the Hare, plus many other characters—and morals—that have inspired countless readers for centuries. With more than fifty magnificent full-color illustrations, this handsome edition is a must for every bookshelf.
Cupid and Psyche
Psyche falls in love with her wonderful, yet invisible, host as she finds herself locked away in a castle, but when she betrays his love, she is forced to perform three impossible tasks to win back his trust, in a classic Greek myth of romance and love.
Persephone and the Pomegranate
Demeter refuses to allow spring to appear until she has been reunited with her daughter Persephone, who has been abducted to the Underworld by Pluto.