Greek Mythology: Creation Theory English Ms. Mendoza All photos: Deviant Art

Why study Greek Mythology? It’s all around us… Used in literature a lot… Many English words are derived from Greek mythology

Why these stories were born The Greeks wondered certain things… They wanted explanations to natural phenomena….

Creation Theory In the beginning there was Chaos… there was nothing but confusion, void, craziness…

Out of Chaos…LOVE was born Light Day = GAEA (earth)

Gaea and Uranus (ruler of the heavens) The two “combine” ….and have offspring… Gaea + Uranus Hecatoncheires CYCLOPS TITANS

EVIL FATHER! The father imprisons one group of his children, the Hecatoncheires…places them in Gaea’s womb (earth). This made her CRAZY angry! *Devises a PLOT to overthrow him *makes sickle *asks children to do it….only CRONUS agrees.

Ambush One night, when Gaea and Uranus were lying in bed, Cronus sneaks up with sickle *cuts flesh off of father *falls into the ocean below… Aphrodite is born from the foam and bloody flesh CRONUS becomes ruler…but is warned by father.

Cronus Marries Rhea The two produce offspring. However, Chronus was HAUNTED by a prophesy… ONE his children will overthrow HIM. So…Cronus MUST do something to prevent this! So… he …forces wife to hand over kids Rhea is upset that she has to hand over her children to Chronus

Rhea Decides to TRICK husband! She is forced to give up children…Cronus swallows each. She gives birth to Zeus…sends him off to be raised by Nymphs… and hands Cronus a BOULDER wrapped in a blanket.

Zeus grows up in Crete…and starts plotting He turns to Metis to see how he can defeat Cronus. Metis preps drink…that will cause Chronus purge contents of stomach. Rhea convinces Chronus to let Zeus (now a young man) to return and become cupbearer. Zeus then slips concoction into Chronus’s cup. He throws up siblings…Chronus is overthrown by them…but it’s Zeus who delivers final hit.

The Brothers Draw Lots Zeus gathers two of his brothers: Poseidon and Hades…and draws LOTS. Zeus ended up with sky Poseideon: sea

All artwork taken from Deviant Art The OLYMPIANS All artwork taken from Deviant Art

Zeus (Jupiter) Zeus is the main deity. He rules the sky and all of the Olympians. LOVES women (despite being married) Ruler of the sky Symbol: thunder bolt Supreme ruler!

Zeus’s lovers actually gathered every year for a CONVENTION!

Poseidon (Neptune) Realm: the sea… *was often called the “earth shaker” VERY powerful…next to Zeus A symbol: trident Is responsible for unleashing many sea monsters into the sea

Hades (Pluto) Not happy about the realm given to him…vows to obtain as many subjects as possible! *Ruler of the Underworld and of wealth Is accompanied by three headed dog

Hera (Juno) Protector of marriage Marriage to Zeus (brother) began in strife…and continued in strife IS JEALOUS Symbol includes peacock… Jealous…but do you blame her?

Apollo Realm: the sun Archery and music are his main domains…is a master at archery *healer god *truth god Drags sun across sky Apollo with his famous lyre.

Artemis (Diana) Twin sister of Apollo…is “goddess” of the forest and wild things *main symbol: moon *protects children and sucking animals

Athena (Minerva) Born from the head of her father Zeus *is WISE *is fierce in battle *fights mainly to defend Her tree is the Olive tree…her bird is the OWL

Aphrodite (Venus) Married to the ugliest god ever Is the most beautiful Born from the foam and flesh of the sea Goddess of love Aphrodite …the most beautiful of them all…

Ares (Mars) God of War *is murderous and hateful yet cowardly as well *was once caught with Aphrodite …was ridiculed in front of others Bird: vulture

Hestia Sister of Zeus She does not have a distinct personality. She plays no part in myths. She is the Goddess of the Hearth, the symbol of the house around which a new born child is carried before it is received into the family. Each city had a public hearth sacred to Hestia, where the fire was never allowed to go out.

Hermes (Mercury) God of thieves and god of commerce IS messenger to the gods *wears winged shoes *invented the lyre, pipe,

Hephaestus (Vulcan) God of the forge and of fire *is the smith of the gods *ugliest ever *married to unfaithful wife