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Myth: Is a story that helps to explain some unexplainable event. For example: how the universe was created, how evil started, or how fire came about. As people became more rational, many of these could be explained scientifically. Mythology= the study of myths
Greek Mythology: The beliefs and ritual observances of the ancient Greeks, who became the first Western civilization about 2000 b.c. It consists mainly of a body of diverse legends about a variety of gods.
Who we have to thank: Theogony by Greek poet Hesiod The Iliad and the Odyssey by Greek poet Homer These two poets gave us many of the myths that we remember and study today.
Greek Mythology: Focuses on… the weakness of humans in contrast to the great and terrifying power of nature The Greeks believed that the gods controlled all aspects of nature, and that these gods were immortal.
Why we still care: Greek mythology can be seen in many aspects of your daily life Advertisements Words / language Television and Movies “Hercules” “Clash of the Titans” Modern day gods superman- Hercules batman Flash and Quicksilver- Hermes Video Games “God of War”
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In Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of powerful deities, descendants of Gaia (earth) and Uranus (sky). The first generation of 12 Titans included Cronus and Rhea. Cronus overthrew Uranus (his father) The Titans were overthrown by a race of younger gods, the Olympians. First there were the Titans 9
Cronus sired several children by Rhea: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Poseidon, but swallowed them all as soon as they were born, since he had learned that he was destined to be overcome by his own son as he had overthrown his own father When Zeus was about to be born, Rhea devised a plan to save him. Rhea gave birth to Zeus and handed Cronus a rock wrapped in swaddling clothes, which he promptly swallowed. Zeus grew up and fought Cronus – He either gave Cronus a substance which induced vomiting or he cut his stomach open. Either way, Zeus’ siblings were released. First there were the Titans 10
The Olympians Next we have 11
King of the gods and ruler of Mount Olympus; god of the sky and thunder. Symbols include the thunderbolt, eagle, oak tree, scepter and scales. Youngest child of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. Brother and husband of Hera, although he had many lovers. Zeus 12
Queen of the gods and the goddess of marriage and family. Symbols include the peacock, pomegranate, crown, cuckoo, lion and cow. Youngest daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Wife and sister of Zeus. Being the goddess of marriage, she frequently tried to get revenge on Zeus' lovers and their children. Hera 13
Lord of the seas, earthquakes and horses. Symbols include the horse, bull, dolphin and trident. Middle son of Cronus and Rhea. Brother of Zeus and Hades. Poseidon 14
God of wine. Patron god of the art of theatre. Symbols include the grapevine, ivy, cup, tiger, panther, leopard, dolphin and goat. Son of Zeus and the mortal Theban princess Semele. Dionysus 15
God of light, knowledge, music, poetry, prophecy and archery. Son of Zeus and Leto. Twin brother of Artemis. Symbols include the sun, lyre, bow and arrow, raven, dolphin, wolf, swan and mouse. Apollo 16
Goddess of the hunt, archery and all animals. She also helped women in childbirth. Symbols include the moon, deer, hound, she-bear, snake, cypress tree and bow and arrow. Daughter of Zeus and Leto and twin sister of Apollo. Artemis 17
Messenger of the gods; god of commerce and thieves. He helped guide souls to the underworld Symbols include the caduceus (staff entwined with two snakes), winged sandals and cap, stork and tortoise (whose shell he used to invent the lyre). Son of Zeus and the nymph Maia. Hermes 18
Goddess of wisdom, handicrafts, defense and strategic warfare. Symbols include the owl and the olive tree. Daughter of Zeus and the Oceanid Metis, she rose from her father's head fully grown and in full battle armor after he swallowed her mother. Athena 19
God of war, violence and bloodshed. Symbols include the boar, serpent, dog, vulture, spear and shield. Son of Zeus and Hera, all the other gods (except Aphrodite) despised him. His Latin name, Mars, gave us the word "martial." Ares 20
Goddess of love, beauty, and desire. Symbols include the dove, bird, apple, bee, swan, myrtle and rose. Daughter of Zeus and the Oceanid Dione, or perhaps born from the sea foam after Uranus' blood dripped onto the earth and into the sea after being defeated by his youngest son Cronus. Married to Hephaestus, although she had many adulterous affairs, most notably with Ares. Aphrodite 21
Master blacksmith and craftsman of the gods; god of fire and the forge. Symbols include fire, anvil, ax, donkey, hammer, tongs and quail. Son of Hera, either by Zeus or alone. Married to Aphrodite. Hephaestus 22
Goddess of fertility, agriculture, nature, and the seasons. Symbols include the poppy, wheat, torch, and pig. Middle daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Demeter 23
24 Hades God of the Underworld He was born into the first Olympian generation, but he lives in the Underworld rather than on Mount Olympus. He is typically not included amongst the twelve Olympians. Brother of Zeus and Poseidon
Queen of the Underworld and a daughter of Demeter and Zeus. She is also the goddess of spring time. She was kidnapped by Hades. The winter season was created when Demeter was mourning the disappearance of her daughter, and in her distraction, neglected the earth, creating its cycles. Zeus struck a deal with Hades allowing Persephone to leave the underworld and rejoin her mother for seven months each year (spring/summer). Persephone 25
God of the sun handsome god crowned with the shining aureole of the Sun, who drove the chariot of the sun across the sky each day to earth-circling Oceanus and through the world-ocean returned to the East at night. A Titan Helios 26
Create a poster of one of the gods or goddesses we have studied over the past two days. Must include: A description of the god or goddess Two images related to the god or goddess One image must be of a symbol related to them 27 God/Goddess Poster: Extra Credit Due Monday