Introduction to Greek Mythology

The Creation The Ancient Greek religion tried to explain how the world began like this…

Chaos Dark nothingness called Chaos Mother Earth (Gaia) emerged and formed Earth

Mother Earth’s children Uranus was Mother Earth’s son, who was the sky ◦They than had children together ◦Titans (12) – Became the first gods and goddesses ◦Cyclopses (3) - “wheel-eyed” ◦Hekatonchires (3) - one hundred arms and fifty heads each Uranus banned children to the Underworld Mother Earth gave birth to Golden Race, who lived without troubles ◦Had no children, so race died

The Revolt of the Titans Mother Earth couldn’t forgive Uranus for his treatment for her first children ◦Encouraged Titans, led by Cronos, to rebel ◦He attacked Uranus with a sickle and took power 3 drops of Uranus’s blood fell on earth and formed the Erinyes, or Furies ◦These were spirts of revenge, with dog head’s and bat wings ◦Hounded murders, especially those who killed relatives Another fell in the sea, creating the goddess Aphrodite

The birth of Zeus Cronus married his sister Rhea and became king of Titans Had five children, but swallowed each because he was told one would kill him Rhea saved her sixth child by tricking Cronus ◦Gave him a stone to swallow ◦Hid the real child with lesser goddess called Nymphs - This child was Zeus

Zeus’s revenge Zeus returned home in disguise and slipped a potion into Cronos’s drink, making him choke The children Cronos swallowed were coughed out whole and safe ◦His daughters, Hestia, Demeter and Hera ◦His sons, Hades (Pluto), and Poseidon Fierce battle occurred where Zeus freed the Cyclopes, who made thunderbolts for him ◦They also made a forked trident for Poseidon and a helmet for Hades (Pluto) Most Titans and giants sided with Cronos - younger gods became victorious Titans were banished and Atlas was punished to hold the heavens Zeus became ruler of sky and all gods ◦Poseidon made king of the Ocean ◦Pluto made king of the Underworld

WHAT WAS THE WORLD LIKE The victorious gods divided the world amongst themselves. Here is what the Ancient Greeks believed their world was like…

Earth Where humans lived. Weird and dangerous creatures supposedly lived there too in mythical times Greek heroes fought these monsters Gods visited Earth ◦Became friends, came in disguise, rewarding or punishing people according to how they treated the gods Gods fell in love with humans and had kids ◦Many gods were born half-human and half-god

The Underworld Ruled by Zeus’s brother, Hades (Pluto) Everyone went there when they died Three parts to where everyone went after death: ◦Ordinary people wandered Asphodel Fields as “shades” ◦Tartarus was the place of punishment for really evil people ◦Elysian Fields were reserved for good or heroic people ◦Was a golden, blissful place of rest ◦could return to Earth, but after three return to Elysian Fields you were sent to the Isles of the Blessed permanently

Olympus Home of gods was Mount Olympics Became known as an imaginary place high above Earth Gods lived there with their families ◦Zeus married his sister Hera-King and Queen No one, but Gods could visit Olympus ◦Expect by special invitation

Ocean Earth was thought of being surrounded by water, called Ocean Poseidon’s Kingdom He controlled winds and waves ◦Important to sailors, who made sacrifices to appease him Very powerful, but still had to obey Zeus Poseidon’s wife was Amphitrite ◦She was a nereid, which was a sea- nymph

The Styx Styx name of the river you had to cross to enter Underworld Had to pay the Boatman, Charon, one obol (Ancient Greek coin)

Demeter, Persephone, and Pluto Demeter is goddess of plants and harvests; Persephone was Demeter’s daughter Hades (Pluto) admired Persephone; Pluto asked Zeus for permission, but there was no firm answer Pluto seized Persephone and carried her to Hades - Demeter gave up the plants to look for Persephone Zeus demanded for Persephone to be released ◦As long as she did not eat any food from the dead ◦Persephone had though, a pomegranate from Pluto’s garden She had to spend part of each year in Hades ◦When Persephone was gone the plants died, but when she returned they blossomed as Demeter was happy