1. Mythological Background in Literature
Religion and Greek society

2. Origins
Originally Greeks viewed their gods as elemental forces:
Zeus- God of the sky
Hera – God of the earth

3. Later on
As Greek culture developed, Greeks viewed their gods as more human by taking on human character traits or emotions: Athena – Stands for wisdom and moderation Aphrodite - Goddess of love

4. Later on
As Greek culture developed, Greeks viewed their gods as more human by taking on human character traits or emotions: Athena – Stands for wisdom and moderation Aphrodite - Goddess of love

5. On a side note
In the most famous version of her myth, Aphrodite’s birth was the consequence of a castration: “Cronus severed Uranus' genitals and threw them behind him into the sea. The foam from his genitals gave rise to Aphrodite (hence her name, meaning "foam-arisen")”

6. Contrasting character traits
Gods did not always have positive moral traits…they were often mischievous and sexual:
Zeus - the womaniser
Poseidon - the rapist

7. View of the gods
Gods were viewed out of fear of divine retribution. That meant to displease them or ignore them would result in their wrath.
Can you think of an example from the myths we have studied so far?