Background of Greek Mythology

Why study mythology?

Myths symbolize human experience and embody the spiritual values of a culture.

Myths are an important way to understand ourselves and our connection to other people at a time when the welfare of each culture depends on the attitudes and actions of other cultures.

Although most of the myths were created by people who lived in societies that were much less complex than our own, they address fundamental questions that each thinking person continues to ask:

Who am I? What is the nature of the universe in which I live? How much control do I have over my own life? What must I do in order to survive? How can I lead a satisfying life? How can I balance my own desires with my responsibilities to my family and my community? How can I reconcile myself to the inevitability of death?

To explain the nature of the universe; To instruct the members of the community in the attitudes and behavior necessary to function successfully in that particular culture.

On the other hand, some cultures are interested in the creation The Heroic myths and epics of a society teach its members the appropriate attitudes, behavior and values of that culture.

Myths usually originate in an ancient oral tradition. Some explain origins, natural phenomena, and death.

Others describe the nature and function of divinities; while still others provide models of virtuous behavior by relating the adventures of heroes or the misfortunes of arrogant humans.

Many myths believe in one or more divine powers who create life and control the direction of the universe.

The hero myths examine the relationship between the individual’s desires and his responsibilities to the society. Often the choice is crucial but uncomplicated: whether or not to risk death to save the community. In spite of their extraordinary abilities no hero is perfect.

The Greeks are recognized as an exceptional people because of their attainments in literature, sculpture, architecture and philosophy. No epic poet to compare with Homer, no lyric poet to equal Pindar; no prose aside from the Bible, more poetic than that Plato.

Of the 4 great tragic poets the world has produced, 3 are Greek; the fourth is Shakespeare. The history of Greek literature is divided into three periods: Pre- Homeric Age and Homeric Age, Athenian Period and the Period of Decline.

The Greeks made their gods in their own image. The Greeks made their gods in their own image. Greek artists and poets realized how splendid a man could be, straight and swift and strong.

Man was the fulfillment of their search for beauty. The Greeks had no wish to create some fantasy shaped in their own minds.

Between deities and humans there were many differences. The first was that the deities never suffered from old age or death. The deities was based not so much on their goodness as on the feeling of deep respect for their incorruptible beauty and unfailing strength.

The Greeks asked their deities for help in routine prayers and they asked advice and counsel through omens. The Greeks had shrines, called oracles, where the priests and priestesses interpreted the words of the deities to the people who came to pray for help.

Titans and Olympians

The First Generation Gaea Uranus

Briares Hecatonchieres Cyclops Titans Cronus Rhea Hyperion Themis Iapetus Atlas Epimetheus Prometheus Coeus Phoebe Ocean Tethys Mnemosyne

Zeus Poseidon Hades Hera Demeter Hestia Apollo Artemis Athena Aphrodite Ares Hephaestus Hermes Dionysus

Uranus = Gaea (Heaven) (Earth) Cronus = Rhea HestiaPluto Hera = Zeus Hephaestus (Hera’s son alone) Ares & Hebe Zeus Athena Demeter = Zeus persephone Poseidon Coeus = Phoebe Leto = Zeus Apollo & Artemis Ocean = Tethys Iapetus PrometheusAtlas Maia = Zeus Hermes Epimetheus Dione = Zeus Aprhodite

The Greek gods are ageless & immortal, can possess great knowledge of the future, and are influenced by the pleas of one another & prayer of mortals.

They do not give nor have any moral codes. They are not all-powerful; thus, mortals can be dignified, morally responsible, and important.

The Greeks believed that their gods and goddesses played an active role in the affairs of human beings. Although people are the actual combatants of the war, the gods take sides in the conflict and have a profound effect on its outcome.

The Greek gods are not all powerful. However, the gods may participate in their lives by giving advice, by supplying thoughts and ideas, strength, skill, courage and determination, by causing weapons to hit or miss their mark. They may appear as their divine selves or they may disguise themselves, depending on the purpose they have in mind.

The Greek gods clearly have their favorites among mortals and make an effort to help them. However, a mortal must earn divine esteem and goodwill by the way he treats both the gods and other mortals. Their help enhances the heroic stature of those warriors who receive it. The Greek gods do not change a mortals personality or fate.

…there was chaos

Gaea, Mother Earth, was created

And plants, animals, and rivers appeared

Their first born were the twelve Giant Titans, six boys and six girls.

Three were the mighty Cyclops, one-eyed giants And three were the Hecatoncheires, monsters with a hundred arms and fifty heads

And he threw them into Tartarus – the deepest pit of the underworld.

He attacked Uranus with a sickle and banished him from earth. Cronus replaced his father as Lord of the Universe. But he was cruel and did not free his brothers from Tartarus. Cronus married his sister, Rhea, and they had many children.

So as each child was born, he swallowed it whole. (Remember he was a giant Titan and his children were much smaller. ) Also the children were gods (immortals) so they could not die. They remained alive and grew inside his stomach. (Imagine the indigestion.)

Zeus was raised on the island of Crete by gentle woodland nymphs who fed him honeyed milk. When the baby would cry, the Curettes – Zeus’s guards – clashed their weapons to hide the sound from Cronus.

Zeus lived there with his brothers, sisters, six of his children, and Aphrodite (goddess of love) forever. The gods dined on nectar and ambrosia, the food and drink of the gods and they could change shape or form to mingle and control the mortals on earth.

The magical kingdom of all of the Gods and Goddess. Ruled by Zeus!

Greek Name Roman Name Description ZeusJupiterKing of the Gods (Player) HeraJunoQueen of the Gods Goddess of family (Jealous)

Zeus, Jupiter King of the gods Women loved him and he loved them. Symbol: Symbol: Lightning bolt

Hera, Juno Queen of the gods Goddess of the family Symbol: Symbol: pomegranate (symbol of fertility) Hera, queen of the gods

Greek Name Roman Name Description PoseidonNeptuneRuler of the seas, brother of Zeus HadesPlutoBrother of Zeus, ruler of the Underworld.

Poseidon, Neptune Ruler of the sea Responsible for natural and supernatural events Symbol: TridentSymbol: Trident

Hades, Pluto Supreme ruler of the underworld God of the dead Symbol: Helmet (helped him stay invincible)Symbol: Helmet (helped him stay invincible)

Greek Name Roman Name Description AphroditeVenus Goddess of love, romance, and beauty Apollo God of sun, music, and poetry. Twin of Artemis AresMars God of War ArtemisDiana Goddess of the hunt and moon. Twin of Apollo AthenaMinerva Goddess of wisdom and war DemeterCeres Goddess of agriculture HephaestusVulcan God of fire and forge HermesMercury Messenger of the gods HestiaVesta Calm goddess of home and homelife. DyonysusBacchus Joyful god of wine

Aphrodite, Venus Goddess of love and beauty Mother of Eros Wife of Hephaestus Lover to Ares Symbol: DoveSymbol: Dove

Apollo, Apollo God of sun, music, poetry Twin to Artemis Gift of prophecy Symbol: LyreSymbol: Lyre

Ares, Mars God of War Not well liked by the other gods Ares and Aphrodite had a daughter-- Harmony Symbol: Spear and dogsSymbol: Spear and dogs

Artemis, Diana Goddess of moon and hunt Twin to Apollo Absolute power over nature Symbol: BowSymbol: Bow

Athena, Minerva Goddess of wisdom and war Approached war in terms of Justice Symbol: Staff and OwlSymbol: Staff and Owl

Demeter, Ceres Goddess of agriculture (grain) Mother of Persephone Taught mortals harvest Symbol: WheatSymbol: Wheat

Dionysus, Bacchus God of wine and festivities Party Guy Symbol: GrapesSymbol: Grapes

Hephaestus, Vulcan God of metal working Only physically ugly god Husband to Aphrodite Symbol: Fire, ax, and hammerSymbol: Fire, ax, and hammer

Hermes, Mercury Messenger God Fastest because of his winged shoes Only god who could visit heaven, earth, and underworld Symbol: WingsSymbol: Wings

Hestia, Vesta Goddess of the hearth Kind and forgiving Symbol: FlameSymbol: Flame

NameDescription Persephone Queen of the Underworld; Daughter of Demeter Cerberus Three headed dog off the Underworld. Eros God of love; son of Aphrodite The Fates Three fates: spin measure, and cut life The Muses Nine beautiful deities

Persephone Persephone Hades loved her and stole her from her mother, DemeterHades loved her and stole her from her mother, Demeter She spends 6 months with Mom and 6 months with husbandShe spends 6 months with Mom and 6 months with husband

Cerberus Watch dog of the underworld Prevent the dead from exiting Three heads, very scary

Eros, Cupid Eros, Cupid Son of AphroditeSon of Aphrodite Falls in love with beautiful, mortal PsycheFalls in love with beautiful, mortal Psyche Convinces Zeus to make her immortalConvinces Zeus to make her immortal

The Fates Clotho-spins the thread of destiny Lacesis- measures Atropos-cuts Determined every mortal’s life No other god could alter their decision

Muses Muses 9 beautiful, intelligent deities9 beautiful, intelligent deities Each Muse was in charge over an intelligenceEach Muse was in charge over an intelligence Required to praise them in epic poetry Required to praise them in epic poetry