By: Garrett Hancock For Mrs. Oblas’ 2 nd period class

Myths The word "myth" comes from the Greek word mythos, which means a spoken or written story. The purpose of a myth is to explain human experience. Many events in a myth are not realistic or based on fact, since the message communicated by the story is more important than telling about an actual event. Because all groups of people have myths, and often myths are associated with religion, the stories have been passed down through the ages to become the basis a of society. A collection of myths is called "mythology." People study mythology because the stories provide a way of understanding ancient cultures.

Myths Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Aztecs, and Mayas, created myths to explain many aspects of life: how they came into existence as a people; the reasons for good and evil; the seasons; the weather; and the movements of the sun, moon, and stars. Purposes: Explain Natural occurrences, entertain, religion, teach lessons. Remember that myths where passed down by word of mouth.

Greek gods: Zeus ZEUS (Roman name Jupiter) was the supreme god of the Olympians. He was the father of the heroes Perseus and Heracles. Note you don’t need to know the roman names for the test.

Hera HERA (Roman name Juno) was the goddess of marriage. Hera was the wife of Zeus and Queen of the Olympians. Note you don’t need to know the roman names for the test.

Aphrodite APHRODITE (Roman name Venus) was the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. She was also a protector of sailors. Note you don’t need to know the roman names for the test.

Apollo APOLLO (Roman name Apollo) was the god of prophesy, music and healing. Note you don’t need to know the roman names for the test.

Ares ARES (Roman name Mars) was the god of war. Note you don’t need to know the roman names for the test.

Artemis ARTEMIS (Roman name Diana) was the virgin goddess of the hunt. She helped women in childbirth. Note you don’t need to know the roman names for the test.

Athena ATHENA (Roman name Minerva) was the goddess of crafts and the domestic arts and also those of war. She was the patron goddess of Athens. Her symbol was the owl. She is also known as the goddess of wisdom. Note you don’t need to know the roman names for the test.

Demeter DEMETER (Roman name Ceres) was the goddess of agriculture. Demeter is the sister of Zeus and the mother of Persephone. Note you don’t need to know the roman names for the test.

Dionysus DIONYSUS (Roman name Bacchus) was the god of wine. Dionysus was the son of Zeus. Note you don’t need to know the roman names for the test.

Hephaestus HEPHAESTUS (he-FESS- tus; Roman name Vulcan) was the lame god of fire, crafts, and blacksmiths. Hephaestus was the son of Zeus and Hera. He limped because he was born lame, which caused his mother to throw him off Mount Olympus. Note you don’t need to know the roman names for the test.

Hermes HERMES (Roman name Mercury) was the messenger of the gods and guide of dead souls to the Underworld. A prankster and inventive genius from birth, Hermes aided the heroes Odysseus and Perseus in their quests. Note you don’t need to know the roman names for the test.

Zeus POSEIDON (Roman name Neptune) was the god of the sea, earthquakes and horses. Although he was officially one of the supreme gods of Mount Olympus, he spent most of his time in his watery domain. Note you don’t need to know the roman names for the test.

Hades Hades (Roman name was Pluto)-For a while Hades ruled the underworld together with Persephone, whom he had abducted from the upperworld (Mt. Olympus), but Zeus ordered him to release Persephone back into the care of her mother Demeter. However, before she left he gave her a pomegranate and when she ate of it, it bound her to the underworld forever. Note you don’t need to know the roman names for the test.

Finished