Greek Mythology WHI.5

Greek Mythology Based on polytheistic religion Offered explanations of natural phenomena, human qualities and life events

Olympian Gods Zeus Hera Apollo Artemis Aphrodite Poseidon Hades Hermes Ares Hephaestus Hestia Demeter Dionysus

Zeus (Jupiter) King of the Gods Ruler of Mount Olympus Maintained balance and order Represented by the eagle, a throne, and lightening bolts

Hera (Juno) Zeus’ Significant other Goddess of Marriage and Motherhood Fairest and most jealous of all the gods

Apollo God of the Sun, music, and prophecy Represented by the lyre (musical instrument), wolf, and raven Could tell the future, thus is the patron god of Delphi

Artemis (Diana) Goddess of the Hunt Sister to Apollo Never married not had a relationship with any of the gods, always carried a bow Represented by a bow, and usually represented by a bear or deer

Aphrodite (Venus) Goddess of Beauty Born from the foam of the Sea near Cyprus Married Hephaestus but had an affair with Ares Most beautiful of the gods

Athena (Minerva) Goddess of Wisdom Patron god of Athens Taught man to sew and weave, protected the heroes during war Represented by the spear and the owl

Poseidon (Neptune) Brother to Zeus God of the water, supernatural events, and savior of ships Strong, bad-tempered and vengeful Represented by a mighty trident

Hades (Pluto) Brother of Zeus God of the Underworld Lived in silence underground with Charos and his dog Cerebus Kidnapped Persephone

Hermes (Mercury) Messenger god and god of thieves Represented by shoes with wings

Ares (Mars) God of War Son of Hera and Zeus Very brutal and bully of the gods, throne was covered with human skin

Hephaestus (Vulcan) Blacksmith of the gods Very nice and lovable Physically lame and thrown from Mt. Olympus due to his ugliness Represented by fire and the hammer

Hestia (Vestia) Goddess of the Home and Hearth Loved by all Greeks and gods alike Never meddled in other’s business

Demeter (Ceres) Goddess of the Seasons Mother of Persephone Provided grains and a good harvest Winter = Sad Summer = Happy

Dionysus (Bacchus) God of Wine Known for his lightheartedness and kindness Popular god with many festivals Cult of Dionysus

Essential Understanding Greek mythology was based on a polytheistic religion that was integral to culture, politics, and art in ancient Greece. Many of Western civilization’s symbols, metaphors, words, and idealized images come from ancient Greek mythology.

Greek Gods and Goddesses Symbols and images in Western literature, art, and architecture

Mythology in the West Impacted music, art, movies, and literature especially during the Italian Renaissance

Greek Language and the West an Achilles heel (a single fatal vulnerability) having the Midas touch (everything turns to gold) lying in the arms of Morpheus (sleeping) Morpheus is god of sleep opening Pandora's Box (unlocking a world of trouble) rich as Croesus (Croesus was known for his wealth) the face that launched a thousand ships (a woman worth going to war for).