Greek Mythology: Gods & Goddesses

Mythology Ancient cultures used mythological belief systems much the same way that people use modern religion. 1. to explain the world 2. to instruct or guide proper behavior 3. to give a sense of community

Origins of Mythology Ancient mythology belongs to the oral tradition (folklore, legends, etc.) 1. stories passed orally appealed to the non-literate 2. these stories were a form of entertainment 3. the stories enabled the passing of history and culture from one group to the next

An Introduction to Greek Mythology We do not know when the first Greek myths were told The myths as we have them are the creation of great poets Greek myths begin with Homer, who lived 1,000 years B.C. He is thought to have written The Iliad, which was the first written record of Greece

Mankind was the center of the universe for the Greeks, so they created their gods in their own image Greek mythology should not be viewed as a type of Bible for the Greeks There are religious aspects in the myths, but they have many other functions as well

Greek Mythology 1. The Greeks were the earliest people to give their gods human forms 2. The Greeks also gave the gods human qualities and emotions 3. Greeks were able to determine proper behavior based on what would “anger the gods” or “please the gods.”

Remember the Titans? Gaea: Earth Goddess; made the rest of the Titans by mating with her son, Uranus. Uranus: Sky god; first ruler. Dethroned by Cronus. Cronus: Fathered the first of the Olympians. Swallowed his children except for Zeus. Prometheus: “Forethought” ; Protector of man; inventor of fire. Atlas: Punished by having to hold the world on his back.

Who Were the Olympians? The offspring of the Titans Overthrew the Titans in a war to control the universe Led by Zeus, the god of the other gods Zeus and his brothers split territory (Zeus- earth/sky, Poseidon- the seas, Hades- the underworld)

The Twelve Olympians Aphrodite: goddess of love and beauty. Her symbols were the dove, and myrtle, a type of evergreen shrub. Her Roman name was Venus. Apollo: god of the sun and of music. His symbols were the lyre, the chariot, and the laurel tree. His Roman name was Apollo. Ares: god of war. His symbols were armor, dogs, and vultures. His Roman name was Mars.

Artemis: goddess of the hunt and of the moon Artemis: goddess of the hunt and of the moon. Her symbols were hunting, weapons, stags, and the crescent moon. Her Roman name was Diana. Athena: goddess of wisdom and war. Her symbols were the owl, the olive tree, and two types of armor—the breastplate and the aegis, a shield. Her Roman name was Minerva. Demeter: goddess of agriculture. Her symbols were sheaves of wheat, and the poppy. Her Roman name was Ceres.

Dionysus: god of wine and revelry Dionysus: god of wine and revelry. His symbols were grapes and other crops. His Roman name was Bacchus. Hephaestus: god of fire and of the forge. His symbols were the anvil and the hammer. His Roman name was Vulcan. Hera: queen of the gods. Goddess of marriage and the family. Her symbols were the peacock and the pomegranate. Her Roman name was Juno.

Hermes: messenger of the gods Hermes: messenger of the gods. His symbols were a winged cap and sandals. His Roman name was Mercury.   Poseidon: god of the sea. His symbols were the trident, a three pronged spear, and dolphins. His Roman name was Neptune. Zeus: king of the gods. His symbols were the thunderbolt, the eagle, and the oak tree. His Roman name was Jupiter.

Family Tree

Other Gods, Goddesses, & Heroes Eris - Goddess of Discord. Eros - God of Love. Helios - Personification of the Sun. Heracles - Greatest hero of the Greek myths. Iris - Personification of the Rainbow, also the messenger of Olympus along with Hermes. Morpheus - God of Dreams. Muses - Nine ladies of science and arts. Nemesis - Greek goddess of retribution. Nike - Goddess of victory.

Can you label the Gods and Goddesses on Mount Olympus?