Greek Gods and Goddesses Mrs. Cutler 2016

Characteristics of a Myth Stories that are passed down from generation to generation May explain natural phenomena EX: seasonal changes, fire, floods, sun in the sky Involve gods/goddess Mythology: a collection of myths

Greek Mythology Used in Ancient Greece to explain human behavior and things that happened in the natural world. (1100 b.c.) It was (and is) Religion Multiple gods and goddesses 12 main gods and goddesses With ‘stories’ Live on Mt. Olympus

Zeus King of the Gods, ruler of Earth and Mount Olympus Married to Hera, but constantly cheats on her Son of Cronus and Rhea Zeus locked his father away under the mountains Symbol: Lightning Bolt

Poseidon God of the Sea Brother of Zeus and Hades Son of Cronus and Rhea Battled against Odysseus in The Odyssey Ability to shift shapes, sometimes changed into a horse Symbols: horse and trident

Hades Hades (refers to the god and name of the underworld) God of the Underworld Brother of Zeus and Poseidon Parents – Rhea and Cronus Symbol – Cerberus (3 headed dog) Abducted Persephone and made her his queen because the girl had tasted of the food of Hades--a handful of pomegranate seeds--she was forced to forever spend a part of the year with her husband in the underworld. Her annual return to the earth in spring was marked by the flowering of the meadows and the sudden growth of the new grain. Her return to the underworld in winter, conversely, saw the dying down of plants and the halting of growth.

Hades

Aphrodite Goddess of love, fertility and beauty Born from the sea foam in the ocean Most beautiful of all the goddesses Daughter of Zeus Married to Hephaestus but cheats on him with Ares Symbol: dove

Ares God of war and violence Son of Zeus and Hera Handsome and cruel Usually wearing armor Symbol: bloodstained spear and armor Sat on a throne made of human skin

Hephaestus God of crafts – Blacksmith God The only lame and ugly god Son of Zeus and Hera His mother threw him out of heaven because he was ugly Married Aphrodite Created Pandora’s box Symbols: Crab, anvil

Apollo God of truth, light prophesy and music Son of Zeus and Leto Brother of Artemis Portrayed as a young man (beardless) Symbols: lyre (musical instrument), bow and arrow

Artemis Virgin goddess of the hunt and the moon Daughter of Zeus and Leto – Sister of Apollo She was born first and helped her mother deliver Apollo Usually depicted wearing buckskins and carrying a bow and arrow

Athena Goddess of wisdom, battle and the city Athens was named for her Born from the head of Zeus Usually portrayed as a young woman with a shield and helmet Helped many heroes, including Odysseus in their adventures Symbols: owl, armor

Dionysus God of wine and parties Son of Zeus and Semele (mortal woman) Out of jealousy, Hera kills Semele and Zeus saves Dionysus Symbol – grapes and wine

Hermes Messenger of the Gods Son of Zeus and a nymph Aided Odysseus on his journey Guided souls to the Underworld Hermes wore magic sandals and a helmet of darkness Symbol: staff made of willow and snakes

Hera Sister and wife of Zeus Daughter of Cronus and Rhea Goddess of marriage Beautiful goddess Often portrayed as petty and unforgiving Symbols: peacock and pomegranate

The Humans

Odysseus Also called Ulysses King of Ithaca Called to war against Troy which lasted 10 years Brains over brawn; very clever and sneaky Athena and Hermes http://Troy video

Penelope Odysseus’ wife She waits and waits for Odysseus to return Puts off marrying again but making a tapestry

Telemachus Odysseus’ son Born shortly before Odysseus leaves for war Leaves to try to find father when he is a teenager

https://youtu.be/9RYGQQ_qybY