2. Greek history can be traced back over 40,000 years Land that is now called Greece and Turkey At the time of the myths, the area was divided into many small states –States are in all Caps, cities are in normal print

3. Greek Mythology is a collection of myths and legends that Greeks used to explain their world. Although we now view these stories as fiction, the Greeks believed them to be true. Scientific: explanations of things in nature Literary: entertainment; good storytelling Religious: give meaning to things in life; explain the role of the gods in everyday life

4. Polytheistic & Pantheon. Gods interact with humans, take sides in wars, etc. Humans worship the Gods (often a particular one most of all) and give them offerings of burnt meat. Gods were very human/had flaws/were often comical Myths changed over time

5. The Greeks had many gods. The Olympian gods resembled the Greeks need to be grandiose. Because the Olympian gods mirrored the Greeks, they were heavily flawed. They were quarrelsome, unforgiving, jealous, vengeful, spiteful, sinful deities. Because the Greeks focused on being grandiose, the Olympian gods were mostly portrayed as physically strong, beautiful and intelligent. The same applies to the heroes in their legends and myths.

6. The gods did many strange things in the myths Greeks accepted this because the gods were supernatural beings Ordinary people would not have been allowed to do these strange things Examples Gods often married very close members of their family such as siblings or parents Grew up instantly Able to do miraculous things right away

7. From Chaos emerged… Gaea: Mother Earth In Greek culture, more emphasis was placed on Gaea then on Ouranos, reflecting the Greeks’ reliance on the land and the Earth itself. Ouranos: Father Heaven Gaea and Ouranos had three types of children, all monsters, the most important of which were the Titans. Cronos and Rhea.

8. One Titan, Cronus, rebelled against Uranus as a result of Uranus’ treatment of some of his children. For some time, Cronus (Saturn) and his wife/sister Rhea ruled the universe until their son, Zeus, overthrew his father and conquered the Titans, becoming supreme ruler of the universe. It was only after Zeus took control and the Olympians and other immortals took their places that humans entered the picture.

10. 1.Zeus (Jupiter) 2.Poseidon (Neptune) 3.Hades (Pluto) 4.Hestia (Vesta) 5.Hera (Juno) 6.Ares (Mars) 7. Athena (Minerva) 8. Apollo (Apollo) 9. Aphrodite (Venus) 10. Hermes (Mercury) 11. Artemis (Diana) 12. Hephaestus (Vulcan)

11. Chief god Lord of sky God of thunder & lightening Married his sister Hera Populated the heavens and the Earth “promiscuous liaisons”.

12. Wife and sister of Zeus Goddess of marriage, protector of childbirth & heroes Portrayed as extremely jealous and vindictive Tries to kill Hercules.

13. God of the sea, horses and earthquakes Lives in a palace beneath the ocean Carries a three-pronged trident Gave people the horse Married a sea nymph named Amphitrite Like his brother, he fathered many children. Very fond of his sister Demeter

15. god of the underworld and the dead god of wealth Owned all of the precious metal on Earth Wore a cap that made him invisible Kidnapped his niece (Persephone) and made her his wife

16. Is not the same thing as HELL. All people went to the Underworld when they died. Hades is NOT the devil. He’s as noble as the other gods. Charon: the boatman who would ferry people/spirits across the river Styx so they could make it to the Underworld. He wanted to get a tip, so people were buried with coins on their eyes so they could pay him. Cerberus: 3-headed dog who guards the gate. 3 Levels: Tartarus: Place of pain and suffering. Asphodel Fields: Where spirits roam like shadows. Elysian Fields: Where Heroes go – paradise.

17. Demeter means “Barley- mother” Another name for her is Ceres, from the word cereal Goddess of the cornfield, mistress of planting and harvesting, lady of growing things She had a son and a daughter. Her daughter’s name was Persephone. Her daughter was kidnapped by Hades. (reasons for the seasons)

18. Zeus’ third sister goddess of hearth family and home her only job was to keep the fire lit in the hearth on Mt. Olympus

19. Zeus had eight children on Olympus The twins: Apollo and Artimis Athena (born fully armored out of Zeus’s head when he had a bad headache) Hephaestus Hermes Ares Dionysus Aphrodite (not really Zeus child, but he took her in)

20. god of light, music and poetry most beautiful god also the god of medicine taught people the art of healing fine marksman could predict the future

21. goddess of hunting, wild things, unmarried girls and the moon She decided never to marry Once when she was bathing under the moonlight a human was watching her. She threw rain drops on him and changed him into a stag. Then she had him killed by his own dogs.

22. Zeus’ favorite goddess of wisdom, strategy, protector of cities and civilizations goddess of handicrafts and art She sprang from her father’s head fully clothed and in armor. Hephaestus, Zeus’ son, had to release Athena by cutting his head open with an axe.

23. god of fire The only ugly god, but he was peaceful, loving and popular. He walks with a limp because Zeus threw over the palace walls one day when he took his mother’s side over Zeus’. Made all the Olympians’ thrones, armor, furniture and weapons Married Aphrodite

24. god of war Boastful, cruel and had no manners Son of Zeus and Hera Loved to fight, but was a coward once he got hurt Wherever he went there was violence and bloodshed the curse of mortals

25. Goddess of love and beauty Goddess of desire Wherever she walked flowers sprang up beneath her feet she appeared from the foam of the sea Her son is Eros (Cupid)

26. Zeus’ graceful, happy son by the goddess, Maia God of shepherds, merchants, travelers and thieves Very mischievous and tricky Stole Apollo’s cows the day he was born Guided the newly dead to the underworld Invented the alphabet, astronomy, scales, playing cards and card games Zeus’ messenger Wore winged sandals and a winged cap Had a son named Pan. He was half goat.

27. god of wine Zeus’ youngest son His mother, Semele, was a princess and a mortal woman His mother was consumed by fire when she was tricked by Hera He was saved by Hermes. Taught people the art of wine making & the consequences of too much wine