1. WHI.5 Ancient Greek Mythology Notes (religious tradition of the ancient Greeks)

2. Greek Mythology
Greek mythology was based on a polytheistic religion (which means a worship of many gods) that played a very large role in ancient Greek society.

3. Greek Mythology
Greek mythology provided explanations of natural phenomena, human qualities, and life events.

4. Greek Mythology
Greek gods and goddesses were thought to be a lot like humans, with human emotions and weaknesses. The Greeks believed that the gods often interfered in human affairs.

5. Greek Mythology
Unlike other ancient religions, Greek religion did not have a holy book that gave them a moral code to follow.
What epic poems did Greek students read to learn about their history?
The Iliad and Odyssey by Homer.

6. The Iliad is about the Trojan Wars in which the Greeks fought the Trojans. This war started because of the beautiful woman, Helen of Troy. This ten year war ended when the Greeks tricked the Trojans into opening their gate for the “Trojan horse”.

7. The Odyssey is about the ten year homeward journey of Odysseus (a Greek soldier) after the Trojan War. He is both helped and deterred by different Greek gods and goddesses as he tries to get home to his family in Ithaca.

8. Greek Mythology
Each polis had a god or goddess who protected it. The Greeks built temples to honor the gods such as the one below. The Parthenon was built in Athens to honor the goddess Athena.

9. Greek Mythology
Parthenon on top of the acropolis (hill) in Athens.

10. Greek Mythology Statue of Athena inside the Parthenon
(the original no longer stands)

11. Greek Mythology
Many of Western civilization’s symbols, metaphors, words, and idealized images come from ancient Greek mythology.
Nike- winged goddess of victory

12. Greek Gods and Goddesses
The Greeks believed in 12 main gods and goddesses and many lesser gods and goddesses.
In Greek Mythology, 12 gods and goddesses ruled the universe from atop Greece’s Mount Olympus. These Olympian deities had come to power after their leader, Zeus, overthrew his father, Kronos, leader of the Titans. All the Olympians are related to one another. The Romans later adopted most of the Greek gods and goddesses, but with new names.

13. Zeus
The most powerful of all gods, Zeus was god of the sky and the king of Olympus. His temper affected the weather, and he threw thunderbolts when he was unhappy. He was married to his sister Hera but had many other lovers. His symbols include the oak and the thunderbolt.

14. Hera
Hera was the goddess of marriage and the queen of Olympus. She was Zeus’s wife and sister. Many myths tell of how she sought revenge when Zeus betrayed her with his lovers. Her symbols include the peacock and the cow.

15. Apollo
Apollo was the god of music, prophecy, healing, and light. He was also an archer, and hunted with a silver bow. Apollo was the son of Zeus and the Titan Leto, and the twin of Artemis. His symbols include the laurel tree, the crow, and the dolphin.

16. Artemis
Artemis was the goddess of the hunt and the protector of women in childbirth. She hunted with silver arrows and loved all wild animals. Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin of Apollo. Her symbols include the cypress tree and the deer.

17. Athena
Athena was the goddess of wisdom, war craft, and the arts. She was skilled in the art of war, and helped such heroes as Odysseus and Hercules. Athena sprang full-grown from the forehead of Zeus, and became his favorite child. Her symbols include the owl and the olive tree.

18. Aphrodite
Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty, and the protector of sailors. She may have been the daughter of Zeus and the Titan Dione, or she may have risen from the sea on a shell. Her symbols include the myrtle tree and the dove.

19. Poseidon
Poseidon was the god of the sea. He was the most powerful god except for his brother, Zeus. He lived in a beautiful place under the sea and caused earthquakes when he was in a temper. His symbols include the horse and the trident (a three-pronged pitchfork).

20. Ares
Ares was the god of war. He was both cruel and a coward, and was not well-liked by the other gods. Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera, but neither of his parents liked him. His symbols include the vulture and the dog, and he often carried a bloody spear.

21. Hermes
Hermes was the messenger god, protector of travelers, a trickster, and a friend to thieves. He was said to have invented boxing and gymnastics. He was the son of Zeus and the constellation Maia. The speediest of all, he wore winged sandals and a winged hat and carried a magic wand.

22. Pick another deity (god)
Choose two additional deities from the following slides. There are five to choose from, so pick the two you like the most.

23. Hades
Hades was the king of the dead and the underworld. He lived in the underworld, the heavily guarded land where he ruled over the dead. He was the brother of Zeus and the husband (and uncle) of Persephone, Demeter’s daughter, whom he kidnapped. His symbols include a helmet (which helped him be invisible) and the three-headed dog Cerberus.

24. Demeter
Demeter was the goddess of the harvest and the earth goddess. The word “cereal” comes from her Roman name (Ceres). She was the sister of Zeus. Her daughter, Persephone, was forced to live with Hades each winter; at this time Demeter let no crops grow. Her symbols include wheat.

25. Dionysus
Dionysus was the god of wine, which he invented. In ancient Greece, Dionysus was honored with springtime festivals that centered on theater. Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Semele, a mortal. His symbols include ivy, the snake, and grapes.

26. Hephaestus
Hephaestus was the god of fire and the forge ( a furnace in which metal is heated). Although he made armor and weapons for the gods, he loved peace. He was the son of Zeus and Hera and married Aphrodite. His symbols include the anvil and the forge. The word “volcano” comes from his Roman name (Vulcan).

27. Hestia
Hestia was the goddess of the hearth (a fireplace at the center of the home). She was the most gentle of the gods, and does not play a role in many myths. Hestia was the sister of Zeus and the oldest of the Olympians. Fire is among her symbols.

28. Create a Greek God or Goddess “Poster”
Poster (color paper) must include the following:
Name of god or goddess (10 Points)
What they were the god or goddess of (15 Points)
Their relationship to other gods and goddesses (15 Points)
Their Symbol (10 Points)
3 Interesting Facts (10 Points for each fact)
Picture to represent (20 Points)
This is a Quiz Grade!