Kennedy, Nykila, and Karen Mythology Kennedy, Nykila, and Karen

What is Greek Mythology? Greek mythology is the composition of myths ands legends. All of their legends and myths are according to their gods and heroes, their point of view about earth’s nature, and the birth and impact of their culture and tradition.

Myths A myth is a traditional story about gods, ancestors, or heroes, told to explain the natural world or the customs and beliefs in society. Myths were the way that the Greeks wanted to comprehend the mysteries of nature and the power of human passions. The Greeks developed a rich set of myths. Until today, the Zeus--http://www.thanasis.com/zmadmb.jpg Greek myths are known primarily  from Greek literature. Myths also characterize most of the Greek culture. There are an abundant number of myths, all describing the different powers of the earth’s nature and their gods and heroes. Greek mythology has laid a wide influence on the culture, the arts, and the literature of Western civilization and remains part of Western heritage and language.

Heroes The top 3 are: Odysseus, Achilles and Theseus Numerous heroes have myths or legends. Some Greek heroes are: Perseus, Bellerophon, Meleager, and Atalanta. The top 3 are: Odysseus, Achilles and Theseus Perseus-http://www.mccarter.org/education/perseus/images/perseus-medusa.jpg Meleager- http://www.libขart.com/imgpainting/9/7/3379-meleager-antico.jpg Bellerophon- http://www.francois-baranger.com/_images/illustrations/fantasy/bellerophon.jpg

Creation of the World In the begining there was only chaos. Then out of the void appeared Erebus, the unknowable place where death dwells, and Night. All else was empty, silent, endless, darkness. Then somehow Love was born bringing a start of order. From Love came Light and Day. Once there was Light and Day, Gaea, the earth appeared. Then Erebus slept with Night, who gave birth to Ether, the heavenly light, and to Day the earthly light. Then Night alone produced Doom, Fate, Death, Sleep, Dreams, Nemesis, and others that come to man out of darkness… …This is the beginning to one of their several myths. As you can see, this myth trying to explain the world’s creation.

The Creation of Man by Prometheus Prometheus and Epimetheus were given the task of creating man. Prometheus shaped man out of mud, and Athena breathed life into his clay figure. Prometheus had assigned Epimetheus the task of giving the creatures of the earth thier various qualities, such as swiftness, cunning, strength, fur, wings. by the time he got to man Epimetheus had given all the good qualities out and there were none left for man. Zeus said that man must present a portion of each animal they scarified to the gods Prometheus decided to trick Zeus. He created two piles, one with the bones wrapped in juicy fat, the other with the good meat hidden in the hide. He then bade Zeus to pick. Zeus picked the bones . . . …This is another short beginning on a different myth, which talks about how humans were created.

The Creation of Man by Prometheus This is an image of how the creation pretty much went like.

The Gods of Mythology There were 12 major Gods of olympus Zeus Apollo Poseidon Aphrodite Hades Hermes Hestia Artemis Hera Hephaestus Ares Athena 8

Zeus Zeus was the god of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods. His weapon is a thunderbolt which he hurls at those who displease him. He is married to Hera but, is famous for his many affairs. He is also known to punish those that lie or break oaths. 9

Poseidon Hestia Hera Poseidon was the god of the sea, protector of all waters. ___________________________ Hestia was the goddess of the Hearth Hera was the the goddess of youth. Hestia Hera 10

Hades Hades was the god of wealth, due to the precious metals mined from the earth. Hades is the brother of Zeus. After the overthow of their Father Cronus  he drew lots with Zeus and Poseidon, another brother, for shares of the world. He had the worst draw and was made lord of theunderworld, ruling over the dead. 11

Ares Ares was the god of war. Ares is the son of Zeus and Hera. He was disliked by both parents. He is considered murderous and bloodstained but, also a coward. When caught in an act of adultery with Aphrodite her husband Hephaestus  is able publically ridicule him. His bird is the vulture. His animal is the dog. 12

Athena Apollo Hermes Athena was the goddess of reason, intelligent activity, arts and literature. _____________________________ Apollo was the god of music. Hermes was the god of thieves and god of commerce. Apollo Hermes 13

Aphrodite Aphrodite was the goddess of love, desire and beauty.  There are two accounts of her birth. One says she is the daughter of Zeus  And Dione. The other is that when  Cronus castrated Uranus and tossed his severed genitles into the sea, Aphrodite then arose from the sea foam on a giant scallop and walked to shore in Cyprus. She is the wife of Hephaestus. But, her favorite lover is the god of war, Ares. She represented sex, affection, and the attraction that binds people together. 14

Artemis Artemis was the goddess of chastity, virginity, the hunt, the moon, and the natural environment. ________________________________ Hephaestus was the god of craftman. He was also the ugliest out of all the gods and goddess’s. Hephaestus 15

Websites http://www.greekmythology.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_mythology http://www.mythweb.com/