The L ightning T hief Author: Rick Riordan An Introduction to Greek Mythology

Characters You’ll Meet Percy Jackson The Olympians The Olympians Titans & Other Gods Titans & Other Gods Monsters & Creatures Monsters & Creatures

The 12 Olympian Gods Zeus Hera Poseidon Demeter Ares Athena Apollo Artemis Hephaestus Aphrodite Hermes Dionysus They are called Olympians because they made their home on Mount Olympus. The gods are immortal, so they cannot be killed.

ZEUS Pronounced: ZOOSEPronounced: ZOOSE Lord of the sky, chief god of the OlympiansLord of the sky, chief god of the Olympians Led a revolt against his father, the Titan (giant), Kronos (CROW-NUS)Led a revolt against his father, the Titan (giant), Kronos (CROW-NUS) Weapon: lightning boltWeapon: lightning bolt Symbol: eagleSymbol: eagle Wife: Hera ( HERE-UH or HARE-UH ; had many other goddess and mortal women girlfriends)Wife: Hera ( HERE-UH or HARE-UH ; had many other goddess and mortal women girlfriends) Demigod (half-god) Children: Perseus (PER- SEE-US) and Heracles (HERE-UH-CLEES or HARE-UH-CLEES)Demigod (half-god) Children: Perseus (PER- SEE-US) and Heracles (HERE-UH-CLEES or HARE-UH-CLEES)

HERA Pronounced: HERE-UH or HARE-UHPronounced: HERE-UH or HARE-UH Goddess of marriage and motherhoodGoddess of marriage and motherhood Very jealous of Zeus’s girlfriendsVery jealous of Zeus’s girlfriends Symbols: cow (the most motherly animal) and colorful peacockSymbols: cow (the most motherly animal) and colorful peacock Husband: Zeus (he’s also her brother…ew!)Husband: Zeus (he’s also her brother…ew!)

POSEIDON Pronounced: POE-SY-DUNPronounced: POE-SY-DUN God of the seaGod of the sea Zeus’s brotherZeus’s brother Had many goddess and mortal women girlfriends, like ZeusHad many goddess and mortal women girlfriends, like Zeus Symbol: tridentSymbol: trident Temperament: sometimes violent, sometimes calm (just like the sea)Temperament: sometimes violent, sometimes calm (just like the sea)

DEMETER Pronounced: DUH-MEE-TERPronounced: DUH-MEE-TER Goddess of agricultureGoddess of agriculture Sister of Hera and ZeusSister of Hera and Zeus Daughter, Persephone (PER-SEF-UH-NEE), was captured by Hades (HAY-DEES) and taken to the Underworld. Persephone married Hades and spent half the year with him and the other half with her mother. Demeter would only allow crops to grow while Persephone was with her, and thus the seasons were created.Daughter, Persephone (PER-SEF-UH-NEE), was captured by Hades (HAY-DEES) and taken to the Underworld. Persephone married Hades and spent half the year with him and the other half with her mother. Demeter would only allow crops to grow while Persephone was with her, and thus the seasons were created.

ARES Pronounced: AIR-EESPronounced: AIR-EES God of warGod of war Cruel son of Hera and ZeusCruel son of Hera and Zeus Loved battle, but was not smart about itLoved battle, but was not smart about it Was a coward at heart like most bulliesWas a coward at heart like most bullies Weapon: spearWeapon: spear Symbol: wild boarSymbol: wild boar

ATHENA Pronounced: UH-THEE-NUHPronounced: UH-THEE-NUH Goddess of war and wisdomGoddess of war and wisdom Sprang from Zeus’s head when another god split open his head to relieve a headacheSprang from Zeus’s head when another god split open his head to relieve a headache Invented many things (chariot, loom)Invented many things (chariot, loom) Symbols: owl, olive tree, aegis (ee-jis, which is a special shield mounted with Medusa’s head)Symbols: owl, olive tree, aegis (ee-jis, which is a special shield mounted with Medusa’s head)

APOLLO Pronounced: UH-PAH-LOWPronounced: UH-PAH-LOW God of archery, divination, the arts, and the sunGod of archery, divination, the arts, and the sun Handsome and talented twin brother of ArtemisHandsome and talented twin brother of Artemis Created musicCreated music Symbols: lyre, laurel tree, mouse (animal that runs everywhere and overhears many secrets)Symbols: lyre, laurel tree, mouse (animal that runs everywhere and overhears many secrets)

ARTEMIS Pronounced: AR-TUH-MISSPronounced: AR-TUH-MISS Goddess of the hunt and the moonGoddess of the hunt and the moon Apollo’s twin sisterApollo’s twin sister Great archer and hunterGreat archer and hunter Symbols: deer and bowSymbols: deer and bow

HEPHAESTUS Pronounced: HUH-FES-TUSPronounced: HUH-FES-TUS God of fire and blacksmithingGod of fire and blacksmithing Son of ZeusSon of Zeus Zeus threw him from Mount Olympus, so he grew up ugly and crippledZeus threw him from Mount Olympus, so he grew up ugly and crippled Wife: Aphrodite (A-FRO-DIE-TEE) (Hera gave him Aphrodite, hoping it would calm Aphrodite down)Wife: Aphrodite (A-FRO-DIE-TEE) (Hera gave him Aphrodite, hoping it would calm Aphrodite down)

APHRODITE Pronounced: A-FRO-DIE-TEEPronounced: A-FRO-DIE-TEE Goddess of loveGoddess of love Most beautiful goddess, but very vainMost beautiful goddess, but very vain Magic belt could cause anyone to fall in love with herMagic belt could cause anyone to fall in love with her Husband: HephaestusHusband: Hephaestus Given to Hephaestus, but was in love with AresGiven to Hephaestus, but was in love with Ares Symbol: doveSymbol: dove

HERMES Pronounced: HER-MEESPronounced: HER-MEES God of merchants, travelers, thieves, and medicineGod of merchants, travelers, thieves, and medicine Son of ZeusSon of Zeus Used speedy winged sandals to deliver messages to the godsUsed speedy winged sandals to deliver messages to the gods Symbol: caduceus (winged staff entwined with serpents)Symbol: caduceus (winged staff entwined with serpents)

DIONYSUS Pronounced: DIE-UH-NY-SUSPronounced: DIE-UH-NY-SUS God of wineGod of wine Born a mortal, but Zeus granted him immortality when he invented wineBorn a mortal, but Zeus granted him immortality when he invented wine Gave Midas his golden touchGave Midas his golden touch

Titans & Other Gods HADES Kronos Rhea Hestia Prometheus The Titans were a family of Giants who wanted to rule the heavens, but were overthrown by Zeus and his family.

Hades Pronounced: HAY-DEESPronounced: HAY-DEES God of the UnderworldGod of the Underworld Zeus’s brotherZeus’s brother Became lord of the Underworld when Zeus took over the worldBecame lord of the Underworld when Zeus took over the world Oversaw the souls of the dead and guarded the pit of Tartarus, where the Titans and monsters were imprisoned after the great war.Oversaw the souls of the dead and guarded the pit of Tartarus, where the Titans and monsters were imprisoned after the great war. Servants: three Furies, Charon, and Cerberus.Servants: three Furies, Charon, and Cerberus.

KRONOs Pronounced: CROW-NUSPronounced: CROW-NUS Lord of the Titans, ruled before the OlympiansLord of the Titans, ruled before the Olympians Called “The Twisted One” after he sliced his own father, Uranus (YER-UH-NUS), to piecesCalled “The Twisted One” after he sliced his own father, Uranus (YER-UH-NUS), to pieces Feared his own children (the Olympian gods) would do the same to him, so he ate them, but his wife hid their 6 th child, Zeus, from himFeared his own children (the Olympian gods) would do the same to him, so he ate them, but his wife hid their 6 th child, Zeus, from him When Zeus was older, he tricked Kronos into throwing up the children, who waged war against him, and Kronos was cast into TartarusWhen Zeus was older, he tricked Kronos into throwing up the children, who waged war against him, and Kronos was cast into Tartarus

RHEA Pronounced: RAY-UHPronounced: RAY-UH Wife of KronosWife of Kronos Mother of the first 6 gods: Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia (HES-TEE-UH)Mother of the first 6 gods: Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia (HES-TEE-UH)

HESTIA Pronounced: HES-TEE-UHPronounced: HES-TEE-UH Goddess of the home and domestic harmonyGoddess of the home and domestic harmony Gentle, humble goddessGentle, humble goddess Gave up her seat on the Olympian council to Dionysus in order to keep peace among the godsGave up her seat on the Olympian council to Dionysus in order to keep peace among the gods

Prometheus Pronounced: PRO-MEE-THEE-USPronounced: PRO-MEE-THEE-US Titan who did not fight against the godsTitan who did not fight against the gods Brought man the secret of fireBrought man the secret of fire Zeus punished him by chaining him to a rock where birds of prey would eat his liver each dayZeus punished him by chaining him to a rock where birds of prey would eat his liver each day Some say he was finally freed by Heracles (a.k.a. Hercules)Some say he was finally freed by Heracles (a.k.a. Hercules)

MONSTERS & CREATURES Furies Fates Harpies Dryads Naiads Nereids Charon Minotaur Echidna Medusa Cerberus Chimera Centaurs Satyrs Chiron

FURIES & FATES FURIES The three furies were avenging female spirits controlled by HadesThe three furies were avenging female spirits controlled by Hades They had bat wings, fiery whips, bleeding eyes, and snake hairThey had bat wings, fiery whips, bleeding eyes, and snake hairFATES The three fates were mysterious old hags who controlled the destiny of all living things from birth until deathThe three fates were mysterious old hags who controlled the destiny of all living things from birth until death They spun out each life as a thread, and then cut it at the moment of deathThey spun out each life as a thread, and then cut it at the moment of death

HARPIES & DRYADS HARPIES Wild, unruly, bird-winged maidens, sometimes pictured as ugly hagsWild, unruly, bird-winged maidens, sometimes pictured as ugly hags They sometimes carried people off to the UnderworldThey sometimes carried people off to the UnderworldDRYADS Pronounced: DRY-ADSPronounced: DRY-ADS Female spirits of nature that lived in trees or forestsFemale spirits of nature that lived in trees or forests

NAIADS & NEREIDS NAIADS Pronounced: NAY-ADSPronounced: NAY-ADS Female spirits that lived in bodies of fresh water such as rivers and lakesFemale spirits that lived in bodies of fresh water such as rivers and lakesNEREIDS Pronounced: NEER-EE-IDSPronounced: NEER-EE-IDS Female spirits that lived in bodies of salt water such as seas and oceansFemale spirits that lived in bodies of salt water such as seas and oceans

ECHIDNA & MEDUSA ECHIDNA Pronounced: UH-KID-NUHPronounced: UH-KID-NUH Half woman, half serpentHalf woman, half serpent Children: Cerberus (SER-BER-US) and Chimera (KY- MARE-UH)Children: Cerberus (SER-BER-US) and Chimera (KY- MARE-UH)MEDUSA Pronounced: MUH-DOO-SUHPronounced: MUH-DOO-SUH One of the 3 Gorgon sistersOne of the 3 Gorgon sisters Once was a lovely maiden, but had an affair with Poseidon, which angered Athena, who turned her into a monster with hair of snakes and a gaze that turns anyone who sees it to stoneOnce was a lovely maiden, but had an affair with Poseidon, which angered Athena, who turned her into a monster with hair of snakes and a gaze that turns anyone who sees it to stone Perseus cut off her head and mounted it on Athena’s shieldPerseus cut off her head and mounted it on Athena’s shield

CERBERUS & CHIMERA CERBERUS Pronounced: SER-BER-USPronounced: SER-BER-US 3-headed dog who guarded the gates of the Underworld; permitted new spirits to enter, but allowed no one to leave3-headed dog who guarded the gates of the Underworld; permitted new spirits to enter, but allowed no one to leave Son of the monster, Echidna, brother of ChimeraSon of the monster, Echidna, brother of ChimeraCHIMERA Pronounced: KY-MARE-UHPronounced: KY-MARE-UH Body of a goat, head of a lion, tail of a serpentBody of a goat, head of a lion, tail of a serpent Son of Echidna, brother of CerberusSon of Echidna, brother of Cerberus

Charon & MINOTAUR CHARON Pronounced: CARE-ONPronounced: CARE-ON Ferryman of the dead; carried them over the River Styx to the Underworld; Greeks would leave a coin under the tongues of the dead to pay the toll to cross the riverFerryman of the dead; carried them over the River Styx to the Underworld; Greeks would leave a coin under the tongues of the dead to pay the toll to cross the river Those who couldn’t pay the toll were doomed to wander the earth until they found another way into the UnderworldThose who couldn’t pay the toll were doomed to wander the earth until they found another way into the UnderworldMINOTAUR Pronounced: MIN-OH-TARPronounced: MIN-OH-TAR Half man, half bullHalf man, half bull Caused so much destruction that King Minos had Daedalus build a maze called the Labyrinth to imprison himCaused so much destruction that King Minos had Daedalus build a maze called the Labyrinth to imprison him

Centaurs & SATYRS CENTAURS Pronounced: SEN-TARSPronounced: SEN-TARS Human from the waist up, horse from the waist downHuman from the waist up, horse from the waist downSATYR Pronounced: SAY-TERPronounced: SAY-TER Human from the waist up, goat from the waist downHuman from the waist up, goat from the waist down Companions of DionysusCompanions of Dionysus

CHIRON Pronounced: KY-RONPronounced: KY-RON Kind and wise centaur who trained many Olympian heroes, including Heracles (Hercules)Kind and wise centaur who trained many Olympian heroes, including Heracles (Hercules) He was not only a trainer, but a healerHe was not only a trainer, but a healer