Greek Culture Chapter 10 1 Greek Beliefs Greeks

Greek Culture Chapter 10. 1

Greek Beliefs • Greeks formed city-states – City-state-is the city and the land that surrounds it – Spoke Greek language – Shared many beliefs and customs – Believed many of the same myths • Myths-traditional stories about gods and heroes

Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece. Modern scholars refer to, and study the myths in an attempt to throw light on the religious and political institutions of Ancient Greece, its civilization, and to gain understanding of the nature of myth-making itself.

Greek Mythology …. Oh to be among the gods!

Who were the Greek Gods? Greeks believed in gods and goddesses Gods were not all-powerful gods marry and have children 12 most important gods and goddesses lived on Mt. Olympus

The Titans Beings the Greeks believed existed before the gods of Olympia. The Titans Were the offspring of Gaia (mother earth) and Uranus.

• Titans were the first generation of Greek Gods

The Greeks believed Cronos fathered the gods. Afraid they would take the Titans power, Cronos ate all of his children except Zeus killed Cronos and freed his siblings.

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Zeus is the king of all the gods. He divided up the world with his brothers, Hades and Poseidon. Zeus becomes ruler of the sky and earth. Zeus has many children all of whom have powers. However, Zeus has more powers than anyone else.

Hades is the lord of the dead in the Underworld. He’s so scary that people would not even say his name. Guests in the underworld are greeted by his three-headed dog. His brother, Zeus tricked the beautiful Persephone into marrying Hades. Her mother, Demeter, goddess of agriculture, makes a deal with Hades so Persephone only has to stay with Hades for part of the year causing winter weather.

Poseidon was god of the sea and brother to Zeus and Hades. In Homer’s famous Odyssey he punishes Odysseus because Odysseus blinded his son the Cyclops. He is able to cause storms with the use of his trident, 3 pronged spear. Earthquakes are believed to be caused by his wrath as well.

Hephaestus is the god of metalworking and is married to the unfaithful Aphrodite. He forges all the weapons for the gods. He works beneath the Earth’s surface. His smashing of steel into molten lava creates earthquakes and volcanoes

Athena is the firstborn and favorite child of Zeus. She is known as the goddess of wisdom. According to the myth, she busts out of his head fully grown and dressed for battle. She often uses her intelligence to rescue Greek heroes. She is the protectress of the city, Athens and has the Parthenon built for her as a temple.

Apollo is god of the sun and twin to Artemis. His daily task is to drive the sun across the sky. During the Trojan War he helps the Trojans and helps kill legendary Greek warrior, Achilles.

Ares is known as the god of war, not for his skill but because he liked all the violence. His parents were Zeus and Hera. He is father to the twins, Remus and Romulus will eventually become the 1 st king of Rome.

Artemis is the goddess of the moon and hunting. Artemis, being a female, would seek revenge if she felt someone wronged her.

Hera was married to Zeus and is therefore queen of the gods. Most of her time is spent causing trouble for all of her husband’s girlfriends and their children. She is most famous for trying to destroy Hercules. Her sacred animal is the peacock.

Aphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty. She plays a part in starting the Trojan War. In order to win a beauty contest she bribes Paris with the most beautiful woman in the human world, Helen. When she runs away with Paris the Greeks go after her and thus begins the war.

Olympic Games Located in Olympia Games “for the greater glory of Zeus” Began in 776 B. C. Greeks believed their gods would be please if people showed skill in the arts, in athletic games, or in thinking Olympic Games

Greek Oracles Priest or priestess spoke for a god Predicated the future Temple of Apollo at Delphi was the Most famous

Epics and Fables • Epic-a long story poem – The Greek poet Homer wrote two • The Iliad and The Odyssey • Fable- a story meant to teach a lesson usually with animals personified

The Trojan Horse In the Iliad written by Homer Tells of a prince of Troy that falls in love with Helen (the wife of the king) and kidnaps her Angers the Greeks and they attack Troy Trick the Trojans with a huge, hollow, wooden horse The Greeks capture the city, rescue Helen and take her home

The Odyssey Written by Homer Tells the story of Odysseus, a Greek Hero of the Trojan War It describes his long way home after the Fall of Troy. He faces storms, monsters, and Witches. Odysseus returns home to his wife.

Aesop’s Fables Aesop’s fables Stories that teach a moral (lesson) Popular stories include “The Tortoise and the Hare” “The Boy that cried Wolf”

The Impact of Greek Drama is a story told mainly through words and action of a cast of characters Greek Drama had two categories 1. tragedy-main character struggles to overcome hardships but does not succeed 2. comedy-story ends happily

Aeschylus Earliest Greek dramatist One of his dramas was called the Oresteia Tells about a Greek king’s return from the Trojan War and the troubles that strike his Family. It is a story about revenge and murders. Shows how one evil action can lead to another

Sophocles Accepted suffering as a part of life Stressed courage and understand Wrote play Antigone questions whether it is better to obey Orders or to do what one believe to be right

Euripides wrote about ordinary human beings in realistic situations.

Temple of Athena

Different types of Greek Columns • It was the ancient Greeks who invented 3 beautiful types of columns. These were used all over ancient Greece to hold up buildings and rooftops and temples. One column had a very simple design. One was sort of in the middle. And one was very ornate.

Acropolis-the hilltop that a fort stood on