What in the World Does Language Arts have to do with Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras is a time of year that most New Orleanians love.  We love to hear the sound of the bands and the roar of the crowds.  We love the excitement that our favorite parades bring.  But what does Language Arts have to do with Mardi Gras parades?  Well, many of the carnival krewes whose parades we enjoy are named for characters in Greek and Roman mythology.

          The ancient Greeks, like many peoples, tried to explain the mysteries of nature and how things came to be.  They lacked the scientific knowledge that we have today, so they created many gods and goddesses – powerful beings who rule storms, seasons, stars, the growing of things, love, death, and everyday life.

          As with all stories told, myths grew and changed through the years.  Some of the Greek myths and legends were written as early as 750 to 700 B.C.  When the Romans conquered the Greeks, they took over the Greek gods and goddesses.  They gave them Roman names.