Greek Mythology
Family Tree
Hermes Trickster Guides soles to underworld Stole Apollo’s cattle Zeus rewarded him due to the cunning and speed needed to accomplish this Messenger god Guides soles to underworld
Sisyphus Cunning Condemned to rolling a rock uphill for eternity Tricked Hades into handcuffing himself Locked in his closet for days Nobody could die Escaped death “Improper burial” Wife never gave him coin Condemned to rolling a rock uphill for eternity Rolls back down “Sisyphean Task”
Tantalus Son of Zeus Stole divine beverage of the gods Boasted it to friends Gave away divine secrets to the mortals Overheard Zeus Stole or hid Zeus’s favorite pet Gold dog Tries to feed murdered son to the Gods Condemned to underworld Can never quench thirst or hunger “Tantalize” or “Taunt”
Hades Brother of Zeus and Poseidon Fell in love with Persephone Divided world between them Drew sticks Fell in love with Persephone Daughter of Zeus and Demeter Abducted her Tricked Persephone into eating his food Can return to land of living for half the year
Demeter Agriculture and Harvest Daughter kidnapped by Hades Growth Daughter kidnapped by Hades Fell in love and wanted bride Grieves when daughter goes down to Hades No plants may grow Celebrates when she returns Gives the world blooming flowers
Ekho Beautiful mountain Nymph May never speak first Zeus desires her Distracted Hera from spying on Zeus with too much chatter May never speak first Only repeat others “Echo” Fell in love with Narcissus Watched him until nothing was left but her voice
Narcissus Fell in love with his own image Rejected all who loved him Family Echo Lead to a pool with his reflection and never left Nemesis (God of Revenge) “Narcissism” or “Narcissistic” Selfish, egocentric
Sirens Half woman, half bird Lures sailors in with their beautiful singing Sailors jump in to the water and swim to them Cause ships to crash on rocks Myth acknowledges men's weakness to desires
Medusa
Hercules
Minotaur