1. Introduction to Greek Mythology

2. Mythology:
The study of “Myths”—and myths are stories about supernatural beings in early times, which were handed down orally from one generation to another
Myths attempt to explain such things as:
Nature- Where did Earth come from? Heavens? Seasons? Geography?
Man- Where did we come from?
Gods- Where do the gods come from?

3. The Greeks and Romans believed in polytheism…
Poly=many
Theism=God
Polytheism=many gods

4. Why do we study Greek Mythology?
Interesting and Entertaining
Shows how ancient people viewed the world and gives us an account of their history
It is constantly referenced to in everyday life

5. Some references you may have seen…

6. The creation of the world (according to Greek Mythology)
First there was Chaos
Out of Chaos emerged two beings: Gaea (Mother Earth) and Uranus (Heavens)

7. Gaea and Uranus had several children
Titans
Monsters
Oceanus and Tethys
Hyperion and Thea
Coeus and Phoebe
Cronus and Rhea
Mnemosyne
Themis
Crius
Lapetus
3 of each:
Hecatonchires (hundred hands
Cyclopes (one-eyed)

8. Uranus hated all his children but especially the monsters…
Locked the monsters in Tartarus
Gaea was upset and asked the Titans to help
Cronus, the youngest and strongest, overthrew is father, Uranus, and seized the rule of the Universe.
Cronus took Rhea for a wife and divided the Earth among his fellow Titans
Cronus and Rhea had 6 children: The Olympians

9. Cronus feared that his children would overthrow him the way he overthrew his father…
Cronus swallowed all of his children…except the last one.
Rhea replaced the infant with a stone to prevent Cronus from swallowing Zeus. He grew up in hiding (Crete)
When Zeus was grown he made his dad regurgitate his siblings
Zeus and his siblings raged war against their father, Cronus

10. Titanomochy , or War of the Titans
Cronus VS
Zeus
Titans
Mount Othrys
His siblings
Hecatonchires & Cyclopes
Mount Olympus
Zeus, with the use of his lightning bolt given to him by the Cyclopes, defeated Cronus and his army. Most of the Titans were confined to Tartarus. Zeus divided the world among his sibling gods…

11. Zeus is the king of the gods,
the ruler of Mount Olympus and the god of the sky and thunder.
His symbols are the thunderbolt, eagle, bull, and oak.
His siblings: Posiedon, Hades, Hestia, Demeter, and Hera
Had many affairs and many offspring

12. Hera Wife and older sister to Zeus Queen of Olympians
Goddess of childbirth and marriage
Symbols: pomegranate
She took many forms, among them that of a bird.
Vindictive, jealous of Zeus’s affairs

13. Poseidon God of the sea, horses, and earthquakes
One of the supreme Gods of Mount Olympus, but he spent most of his time in his watery domain.
Symbols: Trident, dolphins, horses

14. Hestia Goddess of Hearth and Home Honored at meal times
She was thought of as the kindest and mildest of the kindest and mildest of the goddesses.
She represented personal and communal security and happiness.

15. Demeter Goddess of Agriculture Symbols: wheat, poppies, cornucopia
Often shown carrying a bundle of grain
Symbols: wheat, poppies, cornucopia

16. Aphrodite Goddess of love, beauty and fertility
One legend states that she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. Another legend says that she was born from sea- foam
She is associated with the dove

17. Athena Protector of the city Goddess of wisdom and war
She was the patron goddess of Athens
Her symbol is the owl
She is the favorite daughter of Zeus
Protector of the city

18. Hades “King of the Dead” God of the underworld
Symbols: Cerberus, Bident, and Cypress

19. The Hero Many mythological stories feature Heroes
Heroes have specific traits:
Unusual circumstance of birth; danger or royalty
Leaves family or land and lives with others
An event leads to an adventure or quest
Hero has special weapon only he can wield
Hero has supernatural help
The hero must prove himself many times while on the adventure
Hero experiences atonement with his father

20. Some heroes you may know…

21. An Epic Poem
A long narrative poem originally told (and later written) in a dignified style and presenting characters of high position engaged in a series of adventures (episodes) that are important to the history of a nation or race.

22. Characteristics of the Epic:
The hero is a figure of imposing stature, of national importance, and of great historical or legendary significance
The setting is vast in scope
The action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring superhuman courage
Supernatural forces interests themselves in the action
The epic poet recounts the deeds of the heroes with objectivity

23. Example of an epic poem: