Greek Gods and Goddesses A Mirror to a culture

The Myth and Religion and the Ancient Greeks Myth: Stories that began centuries ago that offer explanations of natural phenomena or a culture’s customs and beliefs It is what the culture at the time believed to be true Psychologist Karl Jung believed that in order for us to understand who we are today, we must understand those who came before us. We can do that by reading myths.

How the Greeks Saw their Gods Their gods were very human, possessing traits such as love, loyalty, jealousy, pettiness, or anger Different from humans because they are ageless, immortal, and more powerful They did not control human being. Everyone controlled his/her own fate and destiny Gods may help or hinder depending on your relationship, character or talents, or whether you gave proper respect through rituals and offerings

Gods, Goddesses, and Monsters of the Odyssey

Also called Erinyes, usually seen as three sisters Also called Erinyes, usually seen as three sisters. In Greek mythology, they pursued sinners on earth. They were cruel, but also known for being fair. Furies

Greek goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences Greek goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences. They were believed to inspire all artists, especially poets, philosophers and musicians. They were daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, goddess of memory. The Muses

Son of Zeus and Leto and brother to Artemis, he is the god of music, the archer god, the god of healing, and the god of truth who cannot tell a lie. He was often seen with a laurel branch. Apollo

The daughter of Zeus alone, she sprang from his head in full armor and full grown. Fierce and brave in battle, she wars only to defend state and home from enemies. Goddess of the city, agriculture, and handicrafts, she invented the bridle, trumpet and flute, to name a few. She was the embodiment of wisdom, reason, and purity. Athena

Daughter of Atlas, she inhabits the island of Ogygia, on the coast of which Odysseus was thrown when shipwrecked. She fell in love with him and promised immortality and eternal youth if he stayed with her. She detained him for seven years. Calypso

From a race of minor gods, he is the son of Poseidon, a semi-human monster with a single eye in the center of his forehead. He had dreadful features and liked to eat human beings. He lived in a cave where he kept sheep and goats. Cyclops/Polyphemus

A sea monster, daughter of Poseidon and Gaia, who swallowed huge amounts of water three times each day, then belched them back out again, destroying all the ships around her. It took the form of a huge vortex that lived on one side of a narrow channel. Charybdis

A beautiful witch who lived on the island Aeaea, near Italy A beautiful witch who lived on the island Aeaea, near Italy. Her father was the sun god Helios and her mother the sea nymph Perse. When Odysseus lands on her island, she turns his men into swine, but he is not effected by the potion. Circe

The Greek sun god, he was the personification of the sun The Greek sun god, he was the personification of the sun. He was overshadowed by Apollo, the lord of the sun, so he didn’t play a major role in Greek myths. Helios

A group of people who lived in a state of “languorous forgetfulness” induced by eating the fruit of the lotus plant. Lotus Eaters

God of the sea, earthquakes and horses, he was one of the supreme gods on Mount Olympus. He was brother to Zeus and Hades. These three gods divided up creation: Zeus became ruler of the sky and ruler of all gods; Hades got dominion of the Underworld; Poseidon was given all water, both fresh and salt. Poseidon

A sea monster that lived underneath a dangerous rock of the strait of Messia, opposite the whirlpool Charybdis. Below her waist her body was made up of hideous monsters. She had twelve feet and six heads, each with three rows of teeth. Any time a ship passed, she would eat members of the crew. Scylla

Seductive female creatures in Greek mythology Seductive female creatures in Greek mythology. Their enchanting voices and singing lured sailors to their deaths. It is not known what they looked like, for no one who saw them ever returned. Sirens

God of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods, he overthrew his father Cronus. His weapon was the thunderbolt which he hurled at those who displeased him. He was married to Hera but was famous for his many affairs. He was also known to punish those who lied or broke oaths. Represented as the god of justice and mercy, protector of the weak, and punisher of the wicked. Zeus

Hermes (called Mercury in Roman mythology) was considered the messenger of the Olympic gods. According to legend, he was the son of Zeus (king of Mount Olympus) and Maia, a nymph. As time went on, he was also identified with luck, shepherds, athletes, thieves, and merchants. Hermes