1. Greek Mythology
WHI.5

2. Greek Mythology Based on polytheistic religion Offered explanations of
natural phenomena,
human qualities
and life events

3. Olympian Gods Zeus Hera Apollo Artemis Aphrodite Poseidon Hades Hermes
Ares
Hephaestus
Hestia
Demeter
Dionysus

4. Zeus (Jupiter) King of the Gods Ruler of Mount Olympus
Maintained balance and order
Represented by the eagle, a throne, and lightening bolts

5. Hera (Juno) Zeus’ Significant other Goddess of Marriage and Motherhood
Fairest and most jealous of all the gods

6. Apollo God of the Sun, music, and prophecy
Represented by the lyre (musical instrument), wolf, and raven
Could tell the future, thus is the patron god of Delphi

7. Artemis (Diana) Goddess of the Hunt Sister to Apollo
Never married not had a relationship with any of the gods, always carried a bow
Represented by a bow, and usually represented by a bear or deer

8. Aphrodite (Venus) Goddess of Beauty
Born from the foam of the Sea near Cyprus
Married Hephaestus but had an affair with Ares
Most beautiful of the gods

9. Athena (Minerva) Goddess of Wisdom Patron god of Athens
Taught man to sew and weave, protected the heroes during war
Represented by the spear and the owl

10. Poseidon (Neptune) Brother to Zeus
God of the water, supernatural events, and savior of ships
Strong, bad-tempered and vengeful
Represented by a mighty trident

11. Hades (Pluto) Brother of Zeus God of the Underworld
Lived in silence underground with Charos and his dog Cerebus
Kidnapped Persephone

12. Hermes (Mercury) Messenger god and god of thieves
Represented by shoes with wings

13. Ares (Mars) God of War Son of Hera and Zeus
Very brutal and bully of the gods, throne was covered with human skin

14. Hephaestus (Vulcan) Blacksmith of the gods Very nice and lovable
Physically lame and thrown from Mt. Olympus due to his ugliness
Represented by fire and the hammer

15. Hestia (Vestia) Goddess of the Home and Hearth
Loved by all Greeks and gods alike
Never meddled in other’s business

16. Demeter (Ceres) Goddess of the Seasons Mother of Persephone
Provided grains and a good harvest
Winter = Sad
Summer = Happy

17. Dionysus (Bacchus) God of Wine
Known for his lightheartedness and kindness
Popular god with many festivals
Cult of Dionysus

18. Essential Understanding
Greek mythology was based on a polytheistic religion that was integral to culture, politics, and art in ancient Greece.
Many of Western civilization’s symbols, metaphors, words, and idealized images come from ancient Greek mythology.

19. Greek Gods and Goddesses
Symbols and images in Western literature, art, and architecture

20. Mythology in the West
Impacted music, art, movies, and literature especially during the Italian Renaissance

21. Greek Language and the West
an Achilles heel (a single fatal vulnerability)
having the Midas touch (everything turns to gold)
lying in the arms of Morpheus (sleeping)
Morpheus is god of sleep
opening Pandora's Box (unlocking a world of trouble)
rich as Croesus (Croesus was known for his wealth)
the face that launched a thousand ships (a woman worth going to war for).