Greek Mythology What is Mythology A belief system

Greek Mythology

What is Mythology? A belief system a collection of stories They explain the mysteries of life and other natural phenomena. They were about the Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes that the Ancient Greeks believed in.

Where do Myths come From? We Learned about the ancient Greek myths through ancient writing. Homer, who wrote The Iliad and the Odyssey retells most of the myths the Myths change according to who is telling the story - there are many different versions

The Creation of the World In the beginning, there was only darkness or chaos. From Chaos, Gaia and Tartarus were born. Gaia = Mother Earth Tartarus = Darkness, Hell **AKA Primordial Deities**

From Gaia, Uranus was born. Gaia = Mother Earth Uranus = Father Sky When it would rain from the sky onto the earth, life was created = plants and animals were born.

Uranus and Gaia’s Family They had 18 children 3 Hecatoncheires 3 Cyclopes 12 Titans

Hecatoncheires (Hek-uh-tonk-care-eeze) Also known as 100 -handed ones Each had 100 hands and 50 heads

Cyclopes Giants with one Eye in the middle of their head. They are incredibly strong. They can withstand heat. They have an extremely long life. They are usually Bad tempered and depressed.

Titans Most Famous: Kronos - The ruling Titan. He married Rhea. Their children became the Olympic Gods. Rhea - wife and sister to Kronos. Oceanus - Titan of Water. Atlas - Titan punished by Zeus to hold the world on his back. Prometheus - Titan who protects men. He also gave men the gift of fire.

The Fall of Uranus hated his ugly children - the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires, so he threw them into Tartarus. Gaia was angry at Uranus for this that she encouraged her remaining children (The Titans) to revolt against their father, led by Kronos.

During the Battle 3 drops of Uranus’s blood fell on the earth and formed the Furies. They are spirits of revenge. They have a dog’s head and bat’s wings. They are controlled by Hades (now).

Kronos Rules Kronos becomes the supreme God Kronos marries his sister Rhea They have 6 Children Hestia Hades Demeter Poseidon Hera Zeus

Reign of Kronos feared that one of his sons would over-throw him, just as he did to his father. So he ate each of his children. This made Rhea angry.

The Birth of Zeus Rhea did not want her youngest - zeus to be eaten by Kronos. She gave Kronos rocks instead to eat. Zeus was hidden and raised by lesser gods, the nymphs.

The Fall of Kronos When Zeus was grown, he returned to overthrow Kronos. He gave kronos a potion to drink that caused him to cough out all of his children. The Gods and Goddesses came out as adults, alive, and whole.

The Destruction of Kronos To help with the battle, Zeus freed the Cyclopes from Tartarus. The cyclopes made Zeus lightning bolts to fight Kronos. They also made Poseidon his Trident. And for Hades, they made him a helmet that makes the wearer invisible. Some of the titans fought with Zeus, some with Kronos. Zeus won. Kronos was cut into a million pieces and sent to tartarus with the other titans.

Dividing of the World Zeus became the ruler of the Sky and the Supreme God. He ruled from Mount Olympus. Poseidon rules over the Ocean. Hades rules over the underworld.

The 12 Olympian Gods and. Gods Goddesses Zeus Poseidon Apollo Ares Hermes Hephaestus Dionysus Goddesses Hera Demeter Aphrodite Artemis Athena

What about. . . Hades He rules the underworld and is not allowed on Mount Olympus, except for once a year on the Winter Solstice. Hestia She gave up her throne on Olympus to Dionysus in order to keep peace

Zeus King of the Gods God of the Sky, Storms, Thunder, Lightning, Justice, and the Universe Roman Names: Jove, Jupiter Animal: Eagle Symbol: Lightning Bolt

Zeus Married to Hera However he had many affairs with other goddesses and earth women. Some of his children are: Ares, Hephaestus, Athena, and Hercules

Hera Queen of the Gods Married to Zeus Goddess of Marriage, Childbirth, Air, Sky, Heavens Roman Name: Juno Symbols: Peacock Feather, crown, scepter

Hera punished the other women that Zeus was with. Hercules - she sent two snakes to kill him in his crib. She drove Hercules Mad and he ended up killing his wife. She did not like mortals (humans) and would punish them.

Poseidon God of the Sea, Rivers, Earthquakes, and Horses The Earth Shaker Roman Name: Neptune Symbol: Trident

Poseidon Brother to Zeus He and Athena did not get along because of their battle over the city of Athens. He has a great palace under the sea and doesn’t socialize with humans much.

Hades The Wealthy One God of the Underworld, the Dead, and Wealth Roman Name: Pluto Symbol: Helmet of Invisibility Brother of Zeus Cerberus - the three headed dog, guards the entrance to the underworld

Kidnapping of Persephone Daughter of Zeus and Demeter Goddess of plants and the harvest Hades saw her beauty and kidnapped her and took her to the underworld because Zeus wouldn’t let him marry her. She couldn’t leave permanently because she ate pomegranate seeds Spends half the year with Hades in the Underworld (Winter) and Half with Demeter (Summer). It is because of her we have seasons.

Demeter Goddess of the Earth, Harvests, and Fertility Roman Name: Ceres Symbols: Cornucopia, Wheat, and Torch Sister to Zeus Mother of Persephone She mourns for Persephone and that is when we have winter.

Ares God of War Roman Name: Mars Son of Zeus and Hera Lover to Aphrodite Bloodthirsty, merciless, and cruel During War, Ares can release the spirits of Discord, Strife, alarm, Fear, Dread and Terror on his opponents

Athena Goddess of Wisdom, War, and Strategy Roman Name: Minerva Symbols: Helmet, Spear, Shield Animal: Owl Athens is named for her why her and Poseidon don’t like each other

Athena Daughter of Zeus had a terrible headache. Hephaestus split open zeus’s head and out sprang Athena. no mother She is a virgin goddess never married

Aphrodite Goddess of Beauty and Love Roman Name: Venus daughter of Uranus - sprang from the ocean when his privates were cut off during the battle with Kronos Had many lovers, but was forced to marry Hephaestus One son = Eros (cupid)

Hephaestus God of Fire and Blacksmiths Roman Name: Vulcan Symbols: Hammer & Axe Son of Zeus and Hera Married to Aphrodite Eros (Cupid) is his son He makes weapons for the Gods He split open Zeus’s head when Athena was born

Hephaestus He is very kind, unlike his brother Ares When he was born crippled and ugly, Hera was angry because Zeus always had beautiful children with his lovers. So she kicked Hephaestus off Mount Olympus He works with the Cyclopes in the forges

Hestia Goddess of Fire, Hearth, and Home Roman Name: Vesta Hestia gave up her place on Olympus to keep Peace. She gave her spot to Dionysus. Many Greeks had her statue in their home, even though she is a lesser god. Virgin Goddess

Dionysos God of Wine, Disorder, and the Theater Roman Name: Bacchus Son of Zeus Symbols: Grapes and Theater Masks (Tragedy and Comedy) He is friends with Nymphs and Satyrs

Apollo God of Music, Poetry, Young Men, Prophesy, Archery, and the Sun Son of Zeus Twin Sister is Artemis In charge of raising and lowering the sun with his chariot Symbols: Lyre, bow

Artemis Goddess of the Moon, Archery, young women, and the Hunt Roman Name: Diana Daughter of Zeus Twin Brother is Apollo Symbols: Moon, Bow In charge of raising and lowering the moon with her chariot Virgin Huntress Has women who follow her and dedicate their lives to her service - they never marry and are given immortality and stay young.

Hermes Roman Name: Mercury Messenger for the Gods on Olympus Also God of: Travel and Roads Thieves Hospitality Wit, cunning Dreams He guides the dead to the underworld Only he and Hades know the path to the Underworld

Hermes He appears in more myths than any other character Symbols Winged Sandals Winged Helmet The Caduceus (Winged staff with snakes) Roman Name: Mercury Son of Zeus

Medusa She was a mortal cursed by Athena gave her head of snakes - called Gorgon If you look into her eyes you will turn into stone People would put her statue in her home to protect them

Moirae - The Fates Goddesses of the Fates of Mortals Names: Klotho “The Spinner” Lakhesis “The Dispenser” Atropos “The Cutter” Symbols: spindle, thread, loom, scissors They share one eye between them Daughters of the Cyclopes