Greek and Roman Mythology A Review of The Principal Gods and Goddesses

What is a myth? A traditional story rooted in primitive folk beliefs of cultures A traditional story rooted in primitive folk beliefs of cultures Uses the supernatural to interpret natural events Uses the supernatural to interpret natural events Explains the culture’s view of the universe and the nature of humanity Explains the culture’s view of the universe and the nature of humanity

In the beginning... …was Chaos (shapeless nothingness)‏ …was Chaos (shapeless nothingness)‏ Chaos had two children: Chaos had two children: –Night (darkness)‏ –Erebus (death)‏ “All was black, empty, silent, endless.” “All was black, empty, silent, endless.” Mysteriously, Love was born of darkness and death. Mysteriously, Love was born of darkness and death.

And then... When Love was born, order and beauty began to flourish. When Love was born, order and beauty began to flourish. Love created Light and Day. Love created Light and Day. Earth was created. Earth was created. –She was the solid ground, but also a personality. The Earth bore Heaven to cover her and be a home for the gods. The Earth bore Heaven to cover her and be a home for the gods.

The First Parents Mother Earth = Gaea (Gaia)‏ Mother Earth = Gaea (Gaia)‏ Father Heaven = Ouranos (Uranus)‏ Father Heaven = Ouranos (Uranus)‏ They had three kinds of children: They had three kinds of children: –Three monsters with 100 hands and 50 heads –Three cyclopes –The titans These were the first characters that had the appearance of life, although it was unlike any life known to man. These were the first characters that had the appearance of life, although it was unlike any life known to man.

The Titans (The Elder Gods)‏ There were many of them. There were many of them. Enormous size, incredible strength Enormous size, incredible strength Cronos (Saturn): Ruler of the titans Cronos (Saturn): Ruler of the titans Rhea: Wife of Cronos Rhea: Wife of Cronos Ocean: River that encircled the world Ocean: River that encircled the world Iapetus: Father of Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Atlas (also titans)‏ Iapetus: Father of Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Atlas (also titans)‏

The Principal Gods Cronos and Rhea were parents of Cronos and Rhea were parents of –Zeus (Jupiter, Jove)‏ –Poseidon (Neptune)‏ –Hades (Pluto)‏ –Hera (Juno)‏ –Hestia (Vesta)‏ –Demeter (Ceres)‏ Other Olympians include Other Olympians include –Athena (Minerva)‏ –Ares (Mars)‏ –Hebe (Juventas)‏ –Hephaestus (Vulcan)‏ –Apollo (Apollo)‏ –Artemis (Diana)‏ –Hermes (Mercury)‏ –Aphrodite (Venus)‏ –Dionysus (Bacchus)‏ –Persephone

The Olympians

Zeus Roman Name: Jupiter (also Jove)‏ Roman Name: Jupiter (also Jove)‏ Supreme god of the Olympians, Mt. Olympus, sky, and Earth Supreme god of the Olympians, Mt. Olympus, sky, and Earth Fathered many characters in mythology: Dionysus, Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Persephone, Ares, Hermes, Aphrodite (in some myths), Hercules, Perseus, and many more. Fathered many characters in mythology: Dionysus, Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Persephone, Ares, Hermes, Aphrodite (in some myths), Hercules, Perseus, and many more.

Zeus, cont. Zeus is married to his sister, Hera. Their marriage is horrible—Zeus cheats on her with practically every female: goddess and human alike. In fact, with a nod to symbolism, Zeus and Hera's only child is Ares: War: Their union could only have created something as despicable and unlovable as war.

Zeus, cont. Zeus is powerful, but even he can't outsmart fate. Get the message for us lowly mortals? Some famous stories where Zeus plays a staring role:  Birth of Athena: from out of the top of his head.  Father of Persephone: He approves of Hades' actions  Bauchis and Philemon: rewards selfless hospitality  Pushes the Judgement of the beauty contest on Paris  Io, Europa, Danae, Semele, Alcmene, Leda, sister Demeter (among others) were all victims of Zeus' love

Zeus, cont. Zeus's weapon was the thunderbolt Zeus's weapon was the thunderbolt He valued the idea of Xenia, or hospitality for those in need He valued the idea of Xenia, or hospitality for those in need He, ironically, punished oath breakers He, ironically, punished oath breakers His bird was the eagle (which he used to punish poor Prometheus)‏ His bird was the eagle (which he used to punish poor Prometheus)‏

Hera Roman Name: Juno Roman Name: Juno Zeus’s sister and wife Zeus’s sister and wife Jealous protector of marriage Jealous protector of marriage Punished the women Zeus fell in love with Punished the women Zeus fell in love with

Poseidon Roman Name: Neptune Roman Name: Neptune God of the Seas and Waters God of the Seas and Waters “The Earthshaker” “The Earthshaker” His weapon is the trident His weapon is the trident Fathered the cyclops Polyphemus Fathered the cyclops Polyphemus Thought of as a selfish god by the Greeks Thought of as a selfish god by the Greeks Punished Odysseus' arrogance for 10 years Punished Odysseus' arrogance for 10 years

Hades Roman Name: Pluto Roman Name: Pluto God of the Underworld/ Dead God of the Underworld/ Dead Not welcomed in Olympus Not welcomed in Olympus Kidnapped and married his niece, Persephone Kidnapped and married his niece, Persephone Thought of as wealthy god because of the precious metals and gems in the center of the earth and because he takes the precious resource of our loved ones away from us (Plutocracy comes from his name)‏ Thought of as wealthy god because of the precious metals and gems in the center of the earth and because he takes the precious resource of our loved ones away from us (Plutocracy comes from his name)‏

Hestia Roman Name: Vesta Roman Name: Vesta Virgin Goddess of Home and Hearth: all things warm and wonderful about family life Virgin Goddess of Home and Hearth: all things warm and wonderful about family life She's one of the most important dieties in everyday Greek life She's one of the most important dieties in everyday Greek life No exciting stories about her weird antics No exciting stories about her weird antics Powerful Protector Powerful Protector

Demeter Roman Name: Ceres Roman Name: Ceres Goddess of the Harvest Goddess of the Harvest A Goddess of the Earth A Goddess of the Earth Mother of Persephone Mother of Persephone When daughter is taken away to underworld she suffers so much that she neglects her duties and no crops will grow on earth: Autumn and Winter When daughter is taken away to underworld she suffers so much that she neglects her duties and no crops will grow on earth: Autumn and Winter When she comes back up in Spring: all is right again. When she comes back up in Spring: all is right again.

Athena Roman Name: Minerva Roman Name: Minerva Virgin Goddess of Wisdom and War Virgin Goddess of Wisdom and War Sprang from Zeus’s head because he had swallowed her mother for fear that she would give birth to a son who would overthrow him. Sprang from Zeus’s head because he had swallowed her mother for fear that she would give birth to a son who would overthrow him. Her symbol is her aegis Her symbol is her aegis She loves all things Athens and Odysseus She loves all things Athens and Odysseus

Ares Roman Name: Mars Roman Name: Mars God of War God of War Only son of Zeus and Hera Only son of Zeus and Hera Bloodthirsty and merciless Bloodthirsty and merciless Nobody except Aphrodite can stand him (interpret symbolism here)‏ Nobody except Aphrodite can stand him (interpret symbolism here)‏ Only companions are terror and fear—go figure! Only companions are terror and fear—go figure!

Hephaestus Roman Name: Vulcan (Mulciber)‏ Roman Name: Vulcan (Mulciber)‏ God of Fire/Forge God of Fire/Forge Son of Hera alone Son of Hera alone Only lame god, read symbolism here: Woman's attempt at creation without a man: lame. Get it? Only lame god, read symbolism here: Woman's attempt at creation without a man: lame. Get it? Kind, unlike his half-brother Kind, unlike his half-brother Ironically, marries Aphrodite in some myths Ironically, marries Aphrodite in some myths Creator of Achille's famous armor Creator of Achille's famous armor

Apollo Roman Name: Apollo Roman Name: Apollo God of Light/Sun and Music (lyre is his instrument)‏ God of Light/Sun and Music (lyre is his instrument)‏ The Light thing is big, read symbolism, light, vision, knowledge, understanding, enlightenment. He was the boss of the oracles at Delphi and elsewhere. The Light thing is big, read symbolism, light, vision, knowledge, understanding, enlightenment. He was the boss of the oracles at Delphi and elsewhere. Brother of Artemis (Twins)‏ Brother of Artemis (Twins)‏ “Blessed” Cassandra (Paris' sister) with the “vision,” but when she wouldn't “play ball,” he added the curse that she wouldn't be believed. “Blessed” Cassandra (Paris' sister) with the “vision,” but when she wouldn't “play ball,” he added the curse that she wouldn't be believed.

Artemis Roman Name: Diana Roman Name: Diana Virgin Goddess of the Moon/ Hunt Virgin Goddess of the Moon/ Hunt Sister to Apollo (Twins)‏ Sister to Apollo (Twins)‏ Patron Goddess for women who were pursued by men they didn't desire—she usually helped them turn into trees or lakes or something Patron Goddess for women who were pursued by men they didn't desire—she usually helped them turn into trees or lakes or something Held up the Greeks on their way to Troy over some bunnies Held up the Greeks on their way to Troy over some bunnies

Hermes Roman Name: Mercury Roman Name: Mercury Messenger of the Gods (especially Zeus—news he doesn't want to deliver himself)‏ Messenger of the Gods (especially Zeus—news he doesn't want to deliver himself)‏ Appears in more myths than any other character Appears in more myths than any other character Famous for his winged sandals, hat, and wand Famous for his winged sandals, hat, and wand Helps Odysseus w/Circe, Jason w/Medusa, etc. Helps Odysseus w/Circe, Jason w/Medusa, etc. Also likes to make messes—analogy-- the “Jack” of “Jack and Karen” from Will and Grace. Also likes to make messes—analogy-- the “Jack” of “Jack and Karen” from Will and Grace.

Aphrodite Roman Name: Venus Roman Name: Venus Goddess of Passionate Love and Beauty Goddess of Passionate Love and Beauty Sprang from the ocean foam, in some myths Sprang from the ocean foam, in some myths Magic Girdle that makes her irresistable Magic Girdle that makes her irresistable Won the Judgment of Paris: Golden Apple for the fairest Won the Judgment of Paris: Golden Apple for the fairest Trouble, jealousy, revenge, excitement, (read symbolism) follow her wherever she goes. She is the “Karen” of the “Jack and Karen” of Will and Grace. Trouble, jealousy, revenge, excitement, (read symbolism) follow her wherever she goes. She is the “Karen” of the “Jack and Karen” of Will and Grace.

Dionysus Roman Name: Bacchus Roman Name: Bacchus God of Wine God of Wine Patron god of the Greek stage Patron god of the Greek stage A God of the Earth A God of the Earth

Persephone Roman Name: Proserpina Roman Name: Proserpina Goddess of the Underworld Goddess of the Underworld Daughter of Zeus and Demeter Daughter of Zeus and Demeter Abducted by Hades Abducted by Hades

Hebe Roman Name: Juventas Roman Name: Juventas Goddess of Youth Goddess of Youth Cupbearer to the Gods Cupbearer to the Gods Restored youth to the aged Restored youth to the aged

Eros Roman Name: Cupid Roman Name: Cupid Young God of Love Young God of Love Son of Aphrodite and Hephaestus Son of Aphrodite and Hephaestus

Iris Goddess of the Rainbow Goddess of the Rainbow Messenger for Zeus and Hera Messenger for Zeus and Hera Daughter of the titan Thaumus and the nymph Electra Daughter of the titan Thaumus and the nymph Electra

The Muses Nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne Nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne Inspired artists of all kinds Inspired artists of all kinds Goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences Goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences “He is happy whom the muses love.” “He is happy whom the muses love.” Clio, Urania, Thalia, Melpomene, Erato, Calliope, Euterpe, Terpsichore, Polyhymnia

The Graces Three Goddesses of Grace and Beauty Three Goddesses of Grace and Beauty “They give life its bloom.” “They give life its bloom.” Aglaia (Splendor)‏ Aglaia (Splendor)‏ Euphrosyne (Mirth)‏ Euphrosyne (Mirth)‏ Thalia (Good Cheer)‏ Thalia (Good Cheer)‏

The Erinnyes (The Furies)‏ Roman Name: Furiae or Dirae (The Furies)‏ Roman Name: Furiae or Dirae (The Furies)‏ Three Goddesses of Vengeance Three Goddesses of Vengeance –Tisiphone (Avenger)‏ –Alecto (Unresting)‏ –Megaera (Jealous)‏ They punish evildoers. They punish evildoers.

The Fates Roman Name: Parcae Roman Name: Parcae Three sisters Three sisters –Clotho (“The Spinner”)‏ –Lachesis (“The disposer of lots”)‏ –Atropos (“The cutter”)‏ They weave, measure, and cut the thread of life for humans. They weave, measure, and cut the thread of life for humans.

The Satyrs Gods of the woods and mountains Gods of the woods and mountains “Shepherd gods” “Shepherd gods” Goat men (like Pan)‏ Goat men (like Pan)‏ Companions of Dionysus Companions of Dionysus They like to drink, dance, and chase nymphs. They like to drink, dance, and chase nymphs.

The Gorgons Three snake- haired monsters Three snake- haired monsters Medusa is most well-known Medusa is most well-known Their look turns men to stone. Their look turns men to stone.

The Centaurs Half man, half horse Half man, half horse Savage creatures (except Chiron)‏ Savage creatures (except Chiron)‏ Followers of Dionysus Followers of Dionysus

Sources Graphics in this presentation were taken from the following web sites: Graphics in this presentation were taken from the following web sites: – – – – – – –