GreekRoman Myth The Olympians and Other Major Deities

Greek/Roman Myth The Olympians and Other Major Deities

Religion and The Romans • Oral Tradition – Milman Perry • The importance of religion – In Government – Family life – Public life – Sacrifice • Polytheism

Mount Olympus

Mount Olympus Northern Border of Thessaly

Parade of the Olympians: A Divine Family (12) • • • • Zeus (Juppiter) Hera (Juno) Poseidon (Neptune) Demeter (Ceres) Hestia (Vestia) Aphrodite (Venus) NOT Hades (Pluto) Athena (Minvera) Artemis (Diana) Hermes (Mercury) Apollo (Apollo) Hephaestus (Vulcan) Ares (Mars)

Zeus (Jupiter), Lord of the Sky • Realms of Power – Sky god (overseer) – Weather – Xenia – Law and Justice

Iconographic Symbols • • Aegis Thunderbolt Eagle Scepter

Zeus • Zeus is married to his wife/sister, Hera. However, scholars today have calculated that he promiscuous love affairs totaled around 115. Some of his children are 100% divine (with a goddess) others are only 50% divine (with a mortal).

Zeus

Zeus

Zeus

Ganymede

Ganymede

Greek Symposium • Zeus + Ganymede= symbolism of Greek Symposium

Hera (Juno) • Realms of Power – Marriage – Women’s Fertility – Family Protection – Crops and Cattle

Iconographic Symbols • Fully Clothed • Hair Style • Peacock

Hera

Feuds • Hera is constantly found feuding with her husband Zeus about his extramarital affairs. • Sides with the Greeks in the Trojan War. Why? Zeus’ kids = Ganymede and Helen. Many other reasons. • Hera is constantly persecuting Zeus’ lovers like…

And Argus who guards Io

Poseidon, Lord of the Deep • Realms of Power – Sea and Ocean – Earthquakes – Homer calls him “Shaker of the Earth” – Does not have good will towards humans

Iconographic Symbols • Trident (strike = a spring) • Blue colors • Horses (creator)

Wife/Children • Wife= Amphitrite • Children= – Triton (calmed the seas with a conch) – Polyphemus

Poseidon

Hades • Means “The Invisible” • Given an invisible cap from the Cyclopes. • Married to Persephone (daughter of Demeter) • Hardly ever allows souls to return to the land of the living

Hades (Pluto)

Apollo • God of prophecy, health, disease • Mother= Leto Sister= Artemis • Born on the island of Delos

Iconographic Symbols • • Bow and arrow Sun Mice Laurel Wreath

Apollo

Hephaestus • • • God of craftsmen, forgery. Born asexually from Juno. Married to Aphrodite (ironic) Ugliest of the gods. Cast down from Olympus by his mother, Hera.

Hephaestus • Iconographic symbols- Hammer, fire, volcano, tools, etc.

Hephaestus (Vulcan)

Ares • God of bloodshed (warfare) • Well known for his affair with Aphrodite • Iconographic symbols- armor, weapons

Ares (Mars)

Demeter • Iconographic Symbols. Wheat/Grain/Agriculture • Realms of power- Agriculture and fertility

Demeter (Ceres)

Hermes (Mercury)

Hermes • Messenger of the Gods • God of travelers, thieves, trickery, orators, and heralds. • Iconographic symbols- Winged cap and shoes and the caduceus. • Pyschopompos

Hestia • Iconographic symbols- Vestal Virgins, Modestly dressed, fire. • Realms of Power- The Roman Hearth

Hestia (Vesta)

Vestal Virgins

Aphrodite • Iconographic Symbols- Nude, Wears Red, Cupid, Ideal body • Realms of power- Lustful love (falling in and out of). • Venereal • Aphrodisiac

Aphrodite (Venus)

Athena • Iconographic Symbols- Armor, weapons, the owl. • Realms of Power- Wisdom, Skillful warfare • Athens

Athena (Minerva)

Artemis • Iconographic Symbols- Bow and arrow, deer, the crescent moon. • Realms of Power- The hunt, fertility.

Artemis (Diana)

Bacchus (Dionysis, Liber) • Realms of Power- Wine, parties, orgies, etc. • Iconographic symbols- Wine, leopard, grape branch. • Epicurean (yolo!) • Married to Ariadne

Bacchus