The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

Rhetoric stage, grades 8–12+. In down to earth terms, your teenagers will love to debate the weightier questions of Classical mythology.

Myth #2: Classical mythology isn’t an appropriate subject for Christians.

I’ll never forget the time I was in my booth at a Christian homeschool conference when one very angry woman stormed up to me and asked if I taught Classical mythology. When I said yes, she glared and retorted, “I can’t believe people still believe in the Olympian gods.” Even if I’d thought of a response, she didn’t wait to listen. She spun and left, still fuming about my presumed beliefs.

If she follows this line of reasoning strictly, she must also believe our Founding Fathers worshiped the Olympians since they were well versed in both Greek and Latin literature. Likewise, she must think the strangest things about historians, science fiction writers, literature teachers, and artists of all types.

Actually, many notable Christian
scholars and authors have been experts
in Classical literature. A quote credited to
C. S. Lewis sums things up nicely: “I be-
lieve Christianity as I believe the sun has
risen, not because I see it, but because by
it I see everything else.”
Through the lens of Christ, all great
literature can become a profound learn-
ing experience, certainly no less Classical
mythology. Lessons of courage, hospital-
ity, and loyalty can inform and instruct,
as well as tales of greed, pride, and cow-
ardice. The vast scope of Classical lit-
erature has inspired authors from Au-
gustine to Shakespeare, from Twain and
Tolkien to C. S. Lewis, who wrote many
poems, essays, and books with Classical
underpinnings.

Myth #3: Classical mythology
isn’t a good use of precious high
school time.
I saved this myth for last since it is one
that many good-hearted home educa-
tors fervently believe. With an impos-
sible schedule of dual enrollment and
AP classes, I find a lot of students skip
the study of Classical literature be-
cause they think it isn’t very useful for
serious-minded folks trying to get into
a good college. Likewise, students who
are not planning on the college path
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com
are expected to grind away on the same
topics that have failed to inspire before.
“Mythology,” Mom says, “won’t help you
finish your math and science diploma
requirements.”
On the contrary! Mythology in Clas-
sical literature may be one of the most
practical topics a student can study
during his four years of high school.
Learning Greek and Latin word roots
will open wide the potential for English
word power. Likewise, mastering Greek
and Latin literature will pull back the

Through the lens
of Christ, all great
literature can become
a profound learning
experience . . . .

curtain on all of Western Civilization.
Virtues such as chivalry, hospitality,
civic duty, and hard work are exempli-
fied in these ancient tales. Concepts
such as liberty, democracy, persever-
ance, and loyalty abound. Nearly every
great literary work and artistic master-
piece of Western Civilization has been
inspired by the Classical world in some
way. Skipping Classical literature is like
pulling half the blocks out of a building’s
foundation. It may not fall down, but it
will sure be full of holes.

Amy Barr is a homeschool mother of three and a full-time instructor of other home-educated students as co-founder of The Lukeion Project, www.lukeion.org. As an archaeologist, she spent more than a decade excavating sites throughout the Mediterranean and teaching Classics at the college level. Now she and her husband, Regan Barr, offer their expertise through live online workshops and college preparatory high school courses about the Classical world, Latin, and Greek. The two of them lead annual family tours to the Mediterranean and invite you to join them for a tour.

Discovered October 12, 2012 by Sasha Stevens

- Gulf Shores, AL

Sand Crabs.

At Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, they’ll never know they’re still in school. Sugar white beaches and interactive attractions make learning fun. It’s a whole different state of discovery.