OH MY GODS!! AN INTRODUCTION TO GREEK MYTHOLOGY

WHAT IS MYTHOLOGY? “Mythology” is a word used to describe all myths of a particular society. Every culture has its own myths that help us understand its customs and ways of viewing the world. Mythopedia: Oh My Gods! by Megan E. Bryant

WHAT IS A MYTH? A myth is a kind of story. Most myths have one or more of these characteristics: Myths are usually about gods or supernatural beings with greater powers and abilities than ordinary humans. Myths explain the origins of the world and how humans came to be. Myths take place a long time ago, usually in the earliest days of humanity (or just before humans showed up on Earth). Myths were usually thought to be true by their original tellers--no matter how wild or strange they seem to be. Mythopedia: Oh My Gods! by Megan E. Bryant A myth is a kind of story. Most myths have one or more of these characteristics: Myths are usually about gods or supernatural beings with greater powers and abilities than ordinary humans. Myths explain the origins of the world and how humans came to be. Myths take place a long time ago, usually in the earliest days of humanity (or just before humans showed up on Earth). Myths were usually thought to be true by their original tellers--no matter how wild or strange they seem to be. Mythopedia: Oh My Gods! by Megan E. Bryant

TWO NAMES, POWERS THE SAME Many gods and goddesses have both Greek and Roman names. That is because the ancient Romans adopted a great deal of Greek mythology and made it their own. Often, they changed the names of the particular gods and goddesses.

TWO NAMES, POWERS THE SAME Generally, the deity’s powers and myths stayed the same--even though they had a new name. As a result, the study of Greek and Roman mythology is often grouped together under the same name-- classical mythology. Generally, the deity’s powers and myths stayed the same--even though they had a new name. As a result, the study of Greek and Roman mythology is often grouped together under the same name-- classical mythology.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MYTHS? Myths can… Explain how things came to be--like the origin of the universe or the creation of humans. Teach people about the values and beliefs that are important in their society. Contain deep religious significance to the people who tell and believe them. Studying myths can teach us about people around the world -- their cultures and what is (or was) important to them. Mythopedia: Oh My Gods! by Megan E. Bryant Myths can… Explain how things came to be--like the origin of the universe or the creation of humans. Teach people about the values and beliefs that are important in their society. Contain deep religious significance to the people who tell and believe them. Studying myths can teach us about people around the world -- their cultures and what is (or was) important to them. Mythopedia: Oh My Gods! by Megan E. Bryant

HOW DID WE LEARN THESE STORIES? Myths were first passed down through storytelling, songs, and poetry. We learned the stories from written versions, mainly Homer’s epic poems The Illiad and The Odyssey, which tell of the great deeds of heroes. Other sources were Hesiod’s Theogony, which describes the origins of the world and the gods, and Homeric Hymns, as collection of poems addressed to different gods. Mythopedia: Oh My Gods! by Megan E. Bryant Myths were first passed down through storytelling, songs, and poetry. We learned the stories from written versions, mainly Homer’s epic poems The Illiad and The Odyssey, which tell of the great deeds of heroes. Other sources were Hesiod’s Theogony, which describes the origins of the world and the gods, and Homeric Hymns, as collection of poems addressed to different gods. Mythopedia: Oh My Gods! by Megan E. Bryant

DO MYTHS REALLY MATTER TODAY? YES!!! References to Greek mythology are all around us: Ever heard of Nike athletic gear? Nike was actually a goddess of personification and victory. What would Valentine’s Day be without Cupid? Cupid, or Eros, is the god of love as the Greeks called him. Does Apollo 13 ring a bell? The first crewed US space missions were named for Apollo, the god of archery and prophecy. YES!!! References to Greek mythology are all around us: Ever heard of Nike athletic gear? Nike was actually a goddess of personification and victory. What would Valentine’s Day be without Cupid? Cupid, or Eros, is the god of love as the Greeks called him. Does Apollo 13 ring a bell? The first crewed US space missions were named for Apollo, the god of archery and prophecy.

BOTTOM LINE References to ancient myths are everywhere, from science to pop culture, and knowing about them will help you understand more about the world we live in.

Before existence there was a vast nothingness called Chaos. Out of Chaos came Gaea, Tartarus, and Eros.

Gaia and Uranus gave birth to the Giants, Cyclops, and Titans, who looked just like humans but were huge. They were the first gods and goddesses. Uranus banished some of them to the Underworld, which made Gaea upset. She encouraged them to rise up against him. They were led by Cronus who attacked and overthrew his father. Gaia

Cronus married his sister Rhea and they had six children. Before they were born, Cronus was warned that they would overthrow him, the same way he had overthrown his father. When each child was born, he swallowed them whole. When Rhea gave birth to Zeus she wrapped a rock in blankets and pretended it was her son. Cronus swallowed the rock, and Zeus grew up hidden. Zeus

Zeus grew up and visited his parents in disguise. He gave Cronus a drink that made him throw up all the babies he had swallowed. Zeus led his siblings in a revolt against Cronus and the other titans. The younger gods won and divided the world among themselves. Poseidon took the sea, Hades took the Underworld, and Zeus became King. Hades

The new gods were known as the Olympians. They lived on Mount Olympus, high above the clouds. No humans could visit Olympus unless by special invitation. The gods did visit the earth and some married humans. Their children, who were half-god and half-mortal often became heroes.

IT’S ALL RELATIVE!

Greek Mythology: The Gods and Goddesses

The Olympian Gods

OMG-WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE ON MT. OLYMPUS… IT WAS WILD!!! A certain god turned a nymph into a tree. A grumpy dad swallowed his kids one- by-one. A winged-cherub was accused of fly-by- shootings. IT WAS LIKE A REALITY SHOW!!

Zeus/Jupiter Title: King of the Gods o Wife: Hera o Ruler of weather; keeper of laws; protector of Greek kings; guardian of morality o Had over 115 girlfriends and wives and over 140 children!!

WHO’S YOUR DADDY?

POSEIDON/Neptune Title: God of the Sea o Zeus’s brother and second most powerful god o Creator of earthquakes o Maker of horses

HADES/Pluto Title: God of the Underworld Ruler of the dead Underground wealth Brother of Zeus and Poseidon Married to Persephone

APOLLO Title: God of Light and Sun o Twin of Artemis o Oracle of Delphi o If you were “struck by Apollo’s arrow,” it meant you died suddenly. o Killer of the dragon o Roman name: Apollo

HERMES/Mercury Title: Messenger of the Gods o The god of secrets and tricks o Often portrayed with wings on his feet o Guided souls to the underworld o Patron of thieves and liars

HEPHAESTUS/Vulcan Title: God of Fire o Craftsman/Lives in a volcano with the Cyclopes o Maker of fire o Mom, Hera, thought he was so ugly that she threw him off Mt. Olympus o Created the first woman, Pandora

ARES/Mars Title: God of War Disliked by gods and mortals for being bloodthirsty and a coward Had an affair with the goddess of love, Aphrodite

DIONYSUS/Bacchus Title: God of drama, fertility, poetry, dance, song, wine Was born twice--cut out of his dead mom’s body and then sewn into Zeus’s thigh until ready to be born Brought his mom back from the Underworld

The Olympian Goddesses

HERA/Juno Title: Queen of the Gods o Wife of Zeus o Goddess of women and marriage o Known for her jealousy o Associated with peacocks

Athena/Minerva Title: Goddess of Wisdom, War, and Crafts o Daughter of Zeus o Born from Zues’s head and came fully formed wearing armor o Inventor of Math o Patron of Athens

HESTIA/Vesta TITLE-Goddess of houses; home; family; domestic life Hestia was wooed by the gods Apollo and Poseidon, but spurning both, petitioned Zeus to let her remain forever a virgin. Modern words for virginity come from her Roman name.

ARTEMIS/ Diana TITLE-Goddess of hunting, wilderness and wild animals. Only Greek/Roman deity to demand human sacrifices Twin sister of Apollo Artemis expects her followers to stay away from boys, just like she does. TITLE-Goddess of hunting, wilderness and wild animals. Only Greek/Roman deity to demand human sacrifices Twin sister of Apollo Artemis expects her followers to stay away from boys, just like she does.

APHRODITE/Venus Title: Great Olympian goddess of beauty, love, pleasure and procreation. o Married to Hephaestus, the crippled god of fire. o Caused the Trojan War (sort of) o Born of Uranus’ goop floating on the ocean

Demeter/Ceres Goddess of Agriculture Mother of Persephone o She cares for the earth and makes things grow. o “Cereal” comes from her roman name, Ceres