1. Greek Mythology Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.”
And there’s a good reason for that!!

2. God One true God – “I am” – Exodus 3:14 Creator – Genesis 1:1
Provider – Psalm 54:4
Protector – Psalm 91
Savior – Acts 13:23
Counselor – John 14:26
Alpha and Omega – Revelation 22:13

3. Greek Mythology Ancient Greece was a pagan culture
Ancient Greece was a polytheistic culture
For thousands of years it was the dominant culture as the Greeks conquered and spread across the world
This culture’s ideas and traditions still influence our culture today

4. Greek Mythology Origins of the gods
Uranus and Gaea – father and mother of the titans
Cronos – King of the titans; wife was Rhea
Prophecy
Ate his children one at a time, Rhea caught on after five, gave him a stone and hid her sixth child – Zeus

5. Origins of the gods
Zeus was raised by nymphs (water humanoids) and a magic goat in a cave
When he grew up, he married Metis, the goddess of prudence (wisdom or common sense)
Two different versions
Metis gave Cronos an herb to cause his to throw up the other five children and together they defeated Cronos
Zeus cut open Cronos in a fight and released the other children

6. Origins of the gods
Either way, Cronos was defeated and Zeus became most powerful of the gods
His brothers and sisters ruled with him becoming the Olympians

7. The Olympians
There are six gods and goddesses that make up the major Greek gods
They are all the children of the titans Cronos and Rhea
They are the goddesses Hestia, Demeter, and Hera, and the gods Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus
All but Hades are called Olympians because they lived on Mount Olympus with seven other gods

8. Zeus
Zeus and his brothers drew lots for who would control the sea, underworld and sky
Zeus got the sky
He remained the king and most powerful
Symbols for Zeus
Lightning bolt
Eagle

9. Zeus He chose Hera, his sister, as his wife
They had at least 4 children
Ares – god of war
Hebe – goddess of youth and cupbearer of the gods
Eileithyia – goddess of child birth
Hephaestus – god of fire and the forge – only ugly god

10. Hera Sister and wife of Zeus
Goddess of marriage and considered the queen of the gods
Spent most of her time trying to keep Zeus from being unfaithful, and being jealous and vengeful
Her symbols are the peacock and cow

11. Poseidon
Zeus’ brother and god of the sea; second only in power to Zeus
Created horses to impress Demeter
His wife is Amphitrite
His weapon and symbol is a trident
Many children, including Triton

12. Demeter Goddess of the harvest
Only daughter was Persephone (Zeus was probably her father)
Symbols were corn, grain, bread, cornucopia

13. Hades God of the underworld (not of the dead or death)
Not welcomed on Mt. Olympus – not an Olympian
Always looking to increase the population in Hades (obviously named after him)
Greedy – god of wealth
Symbols – helmet, metal and jewels; often appears with Cerebus

14. Hestia Zeus’ sister Goddess of the hearth
Ancient Greek cities each had a public fire dedicated to her (not allowed to go out)
No husband or children

15. Other Olympians
Apollo – son of Zeus and Leto; god of music, healing, light, and truth
Artemis – daughter of Zeus and Leto; goddess of the hunt, childbirth, wild things
Ares – son of Zeus and Hera; god of war; symbols are vulture and dog
Athena – daughter of Zeus, no mother; goddess of wisdom and civil defense; inventor of bridle, trumpet, flute, pot and all kinds of things useful to man; symbols are owl, olive and city of Athens

16. Other Olympians
Aphrodite – goddess of romantic love; daughter of Zeus and Dione; symbols are myrtle tree, dove, swan, and sparrow – her famous son is Eros (Cupid in Roman mythology)
Hermes – son of Zeus and Maia; messenger of the gods; he wears winged sandals and hat and carries a wand; he is also the god of thieves and commerce; guide for the dead to the underworld; invented lyre, pipes, astronomy, weights and measures
Hephaestus – son of Zeus and Hera; the only ugly god; god of the fire, the forge and metal works; makes tools, weapons and useful and beautiful things for the gods and goddesses; his wife is Aphrodite but she is unfaithful

17. Personification Giving non-human things human characteristics
Has its roots in pantheism; paganism
god or goddess assigned to everything
Dawn, Sun, Moon, Harvest, Music, etc.

18. Hubris Excessive human pride Human characteristic
Caused the most trouble