1. Greek Gods and Goddesses
Mrs. Cutler
2016

2. Characteristics of a Myth
Stories that are passed down from generation to generation
May explain natural phenomena
EX: seasonal changes, fire, floods, sun in the sky
Involve gods/goddess
Mythology: a collection of myths

3. Greek Mythology
Used in Ancient Greece to explain human behavior and things that happened in the natural world. (1100 b.c.)
It was (and is) Religion
Multiple gods and goddesses
12 main gods and goddesses
With ‘stories’
Live on Mt. Olympus

4. Zeus King of the Gods, ruler of Earth and Mount Olympus
Married to Hera, but constantly cheats on her
Son of Cronus and Rhea
Zeus locked his father away under the mountains
Symbol: Lightning Bolt

5. Poseidon God of the Sea Brother of Zeus and Hades
Son of Cronus and Rhea
Battled against Odysseus in The Odyssey
Ability to shift shapes, sometimes changed into a horse
Symbols: horse and trident

6. Hades Hades (refers to the god and name of the underworld)
God of the Underworld
Brother of Zeus and Poseidon
Parents – Rhea and Cronus
Symbol – Cerberus (3 headed dog)
Abducted Persephone and made her his queen
because the girl had tasted of the food of Hades--a handful of pomegranate seeds--she was forced to forever spend a part of the year with her husband in the underworld. Her annual return to the earth in spring was marked by the flowering of the meadows and the sudden growth of the new grain. Her return to the underworld in winter, conversely, saw the dying down of plants and the halting of growth.

7. Hades

8. Aphrodite Goddess of love, fertility and beauty
Born from the sea foam in the ocean
Most beautiful of all the goddesses
Daughter of Zeus
Married to Hephaestus but cheats on him with Ares
Symbol: dove

9. Ares God of war and violence Son of Zeus and Hera Handsome and cruel
Usually wearing armor
Symbol: bloodstained spear and armor
Sat on a throne made of human skin

10. Hephaestus God of crafts – Blacksmith God The only lame and ugly god
Son of Zeus and Hera
His mother threw him out of heaven because he was ugly
Married Aphrodite
Created Pandora’s box
Symbols: Crab, anvil

11. Apollo God of truth, light prophesy and music Son of Zeus and Leto
Brother of Artemis
Portrayed as a young man (beardless)
Symbols: lyre (musical instrument), bow and arrow

12. Artemis Virgin goddess of the hunt and the moon
Daughter of Zeus and Leto – Sister of Apollo
She was born first and helped her mother deliver Apollo
Usually depicted wearing buckskins and carrying a bow and arrow

13. Athena Goddess of wisdom, battle and the city Athens was named for her
Born from the head of Zeus
Usually portrayed as a young woman with a shield and helmet
Helped many heroes, including Odysseus in their adventures
Symbols: owl, armor

14. Dionysus God of wine and parties Son of Zeus and Semele (mortal woman)
Out of jealousy, Hera kills Semele and Zeus saves Dionysus
Symbol – grapes and wine

15. Hermes Messenger of the Gods Son of Zeus and a nymph
Aided Odysseus on his journey
Guided souls to the Underworld
Hermes wore magic sandals and a helmet of darkness
Symbol: staff made of willow and snakes

16. Hera Sister and wife of Zeus Daughter of Cronus and Rhea
Goddess of marriage
Beautiful goddess
Often portrayed as petty and unforgiving
Symbols: peacock and pomegranate

18. The Humans

19. Odysseus Also called Ulysses King of Ithaca
Called to war against Troy which lasted 10 years
Brains over brawn; very clever and sneaky
Athena and Hermes
video

20. Penelope Odysseus’ wife She waits and waits for Odysseus to return
Puts off marrying again but making a tapestry

21. Telemachus Odysseus’ son Born shortly before Odysseus leaves for war
Leaves to try to find father when he is a teenager

22. https://youtu.be/9RYGQQ_qybY