1. Greek Mythology A Review of Gods and Heroes

2. What is a myth? Traditional story Uses supernatural to explain natural events Explains the culture’s view of the universe and how man behaves

3. Why Study Greek Mythology? Provides information about ancient Greek life, culture, and values Many allusions to Greek mythology today Midas Muffler FTD Ford Mercury Apollo spacecraft Exciting, fun stories to read

4. Cronus Cronus hears prophecy that his son will overthrow him Cronus swallows every child his wife has His wife gives him a rock in a blanket and takes baby Zeus away to grow up somewhere else Zeus comes back and overthrows Cronus

5. The Olympians

6. Zeus Supreme god of the Olympians Fathered many characters in mythology Symbol: lightning bolt

7. Zeus

8. Hera Zeus’s sister and wife Jealous protector of marriage Punishes the women Zeus falls in love with

9. Poseidon God of the Seas and Waters “The Earthshaker” Symbol: trident

10. Hades God of the Underworld/ Dead Cerberus – 3- headed dog Kidnaps Persephone

11. Demeter Goddess of the Harvest A Goddess of the Earth When Persephone gone, the earth dies

12. Athena Goddess of Wisdom and War Sprang from Zeus’s head Symbol: owl

13. Ares God of War Son of Zeus and Hera Bloodthirsty and merciless

14. Apollo God of Light/Sun and Music Brother of Artemis Symbol: lyre

15. Artemis Goddess of the Moon/ Hunt Tells Zeus she wants to be a maiden for ever Sister to Apollo Symbol: silver bow and arrows

16. Hermes Messenger of the Gods Appears in more myths than any other character Symbols: caduceus, winged sandals and hat

17. Persephone Goddess of the Underworld Abducted by Hades – her mother, Demeter, is heartbroken Persephone must stay in Underworld for half the year because she ate pomegranate seeds – one month for every year

18. Perseus and Medusa If you look Medusa in the face, you turn to stone Perseus kills her by cutting her head off while looking at her reflection in his shield

19. Hercules Demi-god – son of Zeus Kills his family while crazed by Hera Completes 12 labors (difficult assignments)

20. Theseus and the Minotaur Theseus is a Prince Every year, 14 youth sent to and killed by Minotaur Volunteers to be one of 14 Helped by Adriane (princess) – ball of thread – helps him get out of maze Kills the Minotaur Becomes king after father throws himself off cliff

21. Orpheus and Eurydice Orpheus - musician His wife Eurydice killed by snake  Underworld Hades agrees Eurydice can leave and follow Orpheus out Orpheus looks back  she is gone forever He is sad – eventually ripped apart by forest nymphs  to Hades  joins Eurydice

22. King Midas and the Golden Touch King Midas get in trouble by ruling against Apollo in music contest  gets donkey ears Then granted one wish  wants everything he touches to turn to gold He hugs his daughter  she turns to gold  horrified Magic ability removed

23. Pandora’s Box Curious Pandora created as punishment to man – for stealing fire Given box of gifts from god Pandora opens box All world ills come out and go throughout world Hope is left

24. Jason and the Golden Fleece Jason seeks his proper throne King tells him that Jason can be king if he gets the golden fleece Jason and Argonauts get the fleece Jason becomes king