1. The Greek Pantheon
Mr. O’Connor
English 9

2. Important questions….
Why do cultures have gods? What do the gods do or explain?
Why does this stuff matter? Do we have gods today?
What do gods say about a culture?

3. Pantheon
All of the gods of a people/religion

4. Greek Creation Myth
Gaea (Earth) and Uranus (Sky) give birth to the 12 Titans:
Cronus
Rhea
Cronus kills Uranus, becomes king
Blood spills into the sea
Marries Rhea, give birth to five gods:
Demeter
Hestia
Hera
Hades
Poseidon
Prophecy: Cronus would be killed by one of his children…

5. Greek Creation Myth
…so he eats all of them

6. Greek Creation Myth Child six: Zeus Zeus kills Cronus Rhea hides him
Raises him in secret
Zeus kills Cronus
Frees siblings
Marries Hera
King of the gods

7. Zeus and his siblings

8. Zeus Roman name: Jupiter
God of:
Thunder
Sky
Law, order, and justice
“Father of the Gods”.
Rules over earth, heavens
Symbols:
Thunderbolt
Eagle

9. Hera Roman name: Juno Goddess of: Zeus’ wife Known for vengeful and
Women
Marriage
Zeus’ wife
Known for vengeful and
jealous nature
Symbols:
Pomegranate
Cow

10. Poseidon Roman name: Neptune
God of:
The Sea
Rules over the ocean
Symbols:
Trident
Fish

11. Hades Roman name: Pluto
God of:
the Underworld
Rules over the underworld
Symbols:
Cerberus
Scepter

12. Demeter Roman name: Ceres
Goddess of:
Harvest
Grain
Associated with cycle of life and
death
Symbols:
Wheat
Corn

13. Zeus’ children

14. Apollo Roman name: Apollo
God of:
the sun and light
poetry and music
Youthful ideal
Twin sister: Artemis
Symbols:
lyre
laurel wreath

15. Ares Roman name: Mars God of: Physical, violent, unrestrained Symbols:
War (fighting)
Physical, violent, unrestrained
Symbols:
Spear
Helmet

16. Artemis Roman name: Diana
Goddess of:
the hunt
wilderness
childbirth
Protector of young women
Twin brother: Apollo
Symbols:
Bow
Stag

17. Dionysus Roman name: Bacchus
God of:
wine
partying
Associated with plays, festivals
Symbols:
grapevine

18. Hephaestus Roman name: Vulcan
God of:
blacksmiths, craftsmen
metals
fire
“Armorer of the gods”
Symbols:
Hammer
Anvil

19. Hermes Roman name: Mercury
God of:
transitions, boundaries
“Messenger of the gods”
Moved freely between worlds
Brought souls to the afterlife
Trickster
Symbols:
Winged sandals and hat
Caduceus

20. Others

21. Aphrodite Roman name: Venus
Goddess of:
Love
Beauty
Fertility
Born from Uranus’ blood in the ocean
Also a protector of sailors
Symbols:
Shell

22. Athena Roman name: Minerva
Goddess of:
War (strategy, courage, justice)
Wisdom
Crafts and domestic arts
Sprang from Zeus’ head, fully grown
Patron goddess of Athens
Symbols:
Owl
Aegis

23. Important questions….
Why do cultures have gods? What do the gods do or explain?
Why does this stuff matter? Do we have gods today?
What do gods say about a culture?