Greek Mythology Part II Olympian gods The Olympians

  • Slides: 8
Download presentation
Greek Mythology Part II – Olympian gods

Greek Mythology Part II – Olympian gods

The Olympians

The Olympians

Zeus His bolts of lightning reminded all the gods and the people of Earth

Zeus His bolts of lightning reminded all the gods and the people of Earth that he, king of the gods, was in charge. He liked to go down to Earth and meddle in the lives of people. He could change shape to become anything he wanted. He was a strong but fair ruler. He was quick to laugh, but he was also quick to punish any liar or law-breaker. When he was in a joyful mood, the Earth enjoyed days of sunshine, but when he was angry, fierce storms raged through the sky. Symbol = thunderbolt

Hera As a beautiful Queen, the goddess of marriage, and the protector of women,

Hera As a beautiful Queen, the goddess of marriage, and the protector of women, she was the greatest of the goddesses. She didn’t want to marry Zeus at first, but he tricked her into falling in love with him. She was very jealous because Zeus married other wives, too. She often plotted against those other wives and their children. Her loyal guard (Argus) had 100 eyes, and when he was killed, Hera honored him by putting his eyes in the tail of a peacock. Symbol = peacock

Poseidon had a throne on Mt. Olympus but preferred his palace beneath the sea.

Poseidon had a throne on Mt. Olympus but preferred his palace beneath the sea. He liked to race the waves in his horse-drawn chariot. He was a moody and bad-tempered god. Humans needed his help but dreaded his anger. He could blow gentle winds so that ships could sail, or he could stop the winds so ships wouldn’t sail at all. One shake of his trident could send huge waves crashing to the shore, wrecking ships and swallowing entire coastal towns. Symbol = trident

Hades was the god of the underworld. He was gloomy, didn’t speak much, and

Hades was the god of the underworld. He was gloomy, didn’t speak much, and rarely left the underworld where he lived. He was rich because all the treasures in the ground belonged to him. When Hermes brought the souls of the dead to Hades, they had to pay money to cross the river Styx. Once inside the underworld, the three-headed dog, Cerberus, stood watch at the gate so no one could escape. He went above ground and kidnapped Persephone to live with him as his wife. Symbol = scepter

Hestia was the goddess of the hearth, home, and family. She was the gentlest,

Hestia was the goddess of the hearth, home, and family. She was the gentlest, most tender, loving, and forgiving goddess. Hestia rarely left her place by the fire. She made sure that the sacred fire of Olympus never died out. She protected every household and hearth on earth and was honored by gods and mortals alike. Hestia never married but often acted as the peacekeeper of her family. Symbol = hearth

Demeter and Persephone Demeter was the gentle goddess of agriculture and the harvest. Her

Demeter and Persephone Demeter was the gentle goddess of agriculture and the harvest. Her daughter, Persephone, was always with her as she took care of her grain fields. When Hades kidnapped Persephone, Demeter did not see what happened. As Demeter searched the earth for Persephone, flowers wilted, trees lost their leaves, and nothing would grow. Zeus told Hades he had to return Persephone except during four months of the year. During the months she’s gone, Demeter’s sadness brings Winter. When Persephone returns, Demeter’s joy brings Spring. Symbol = grains of wheat