1. What is Mythology?
Long ago, the Greeks and the Romans believed in stories we now call myths.
These stories featured gods and goddesses who the Greeks worshipped and prayed to; they also featured great heroes.
From these myths, we can learn about the beliefs of these ancient people.

2. Purposes of Myths Scientific – explained events in nature
Literary – entertained with good storytelling
Religious – gave meaning to life; explained the role of gods in everyday life

3. TWO NAMES, POWERS THE SAME
Many gods and goddesses have both Greek and Roman names. That is because the ancient Romans adopted a great deal of Greek mythology and made it their own.
Often, they changed the names of the particular gods and goddesses.

4. The 12 Olympians
The 12 great gods (who defeated the Titans) were ruled by Zeus and lived on Mt. Olympus
These 12 were known as the Olympians (Olympic games were in their honor)
Mt. Olympus was a great mountain in Greece (not heaven).

5. Qualities of Greek Gods
They had human emotions and weaknesses
They were immortal with supernatural powers
However, they were also vulnerable and could be hurt

6. Zeus (Jupiter) God of Gods
Lord of the Sky and the leader of all the gods, the rain god, and cloud gatherer.
Thunderbolt, Eagle
Wore an aegis: used to represent a protective shield
He was the most powerful, but was not all knowing. He could be outwitted or deceived.
His wife was the Goddess Hera, but he had various lovers and affairs.
Some say that this can be explained by his worship at many towns, where the people would merge the town’s god with Zeus, making that god’s wife a lover of Zeus’ as well.

7. Zeus’ Children

8. Poseidon (Neptune) God of the Sea
Trident
Powerful, secretive
Vengeful, usually argumentative with other gods
Controlled the seas and its waves and storms with his trident.
Introduced horses to mankind and had a special connection with bulls and horses.
Was sometimes called the “Earth Shaker.”

9. Hades (Pluto) God of the Underworld
dark bearded, crown, scepter, key, helmet of invisibility, chariot
Was in charge of the Underworld (the realm of the dead) and the dead themselves (but not of Death).
God of wealth and precious metals in the Earth.
Barely ventured out of the underworld and onto Earth or Olympus (was not welcome there).

10. Hera (Juno) Goddess of Marriage Protector of Married Women
Zeus’ wife and sister
Daughter of Cronus & Rhea
Peacock, cow, pomegranate
Powerful, bold, jealous
The beautiful protector of marriage and married women.
Avenged infidelity often

11. Hestia (Vesta) Goddess of Home and Hearth
Hearth fire
Good-natured, loving
Does not appear in many myths
Daughter of Cronus & Rhea
Seven Vestal Virgins oversee her fire
Virgin Goddess

12. Ares (Mars) God of War Spear, vulture, dog Boastful, loud, cruel
Terrorized mortals
Son of Zeus and Hera, but neither parent liked him.
Thought to have been a bloodstained, murderous coward.

13. Athena (Minerva) Goddess of War & Wisdom
Owl, olive, wisdom, crafts
Wise, even-tempered, fierce in battle—strategic war
Sprung from Zeus’ skull fully armed
The Battle Goddess/Goddess of the City, the protector of civilized life, handicrafts, and agriculture
Was fierce, ruthless, and defensive of state.
Zeus’ favorite child and was trusted with his most valuable possessions, such as the thunderbolt.
Virgin Goddess

14. Hermes (Mercury) God of Travelers, Thieves, & Shepherds
Son of Zeus & Maia
Winged sandals and hat, caduceus
Witty, happy, clever, friendly, helpful
Chief messenger, not the most honest god
The messenger of the gods, famously known for his winged shoes and winged hat.
Was said to be the most shrewd and cunning, and a master thief and a guide of the dead.

15. Apollo God of Light & Purity
Son of Zeus and Leto
Twin brother of Artemis
Healing arts, music
Played beautiful music on his lyre.
The God of Light and Truth (and always told the truth.)
Lord of the Silver Bow/Archer God

16. Artemis (Diana) Goddess of the Hunt & Moon
Daughter of Zeus & Leto
Twin of Apollo
Virgin goddess
Cypress tree, wild animals, deer
Aloof, majestic, nature-loving, quick to anger, athletic
Skilled archer, lived among virgin nymphs
“Lady of Wild Things”

17. Hephaestus (Vulcan) God of Fire & Forge
Sometimes told as the son of Zeus and Hera, and other times to only Hera.
Fire, quail, hammer, forge
Ugly and lame
Helped by Cyclopes in underground forges
Wife is Aphrodite

18. Aphrodite/Venus Goddess of Love
Dove, rose, apple
Seductive, irresistible, sometimes treacherous
The foam-risen goddess
Hephaestus won her hand, not heart, she’s in love with Ares
Led Paris to Helen

19. Why Study Greek Mythology?
Mythology has influenced our modern world.
FTE- Hermes (delivered messages from god to god)
Artemis Research – Artemis was the goddess of the hunt (they hunt for informaiton)
Nike- goddess of victory (Check is the shape of the wing)
Midas- King Midas (Everything they touch turns to “gold”)
Pandora- First woman in Greek Mythology (name means “all beautifiul”
Odyssey Minivan- The Odyssey is a story of a long journey
              
                             

20. Mythology in the Movies
Troy
Hercules
Clash of the Titans
Harry Potter
The Lightning Thief
Pirates of the Caribbean
All of these movies either are an interpretation of a myth or contain elements of greek mythology
Troy- based on The Illiad
Hercules- a very loose interpretation of Hercules
Clash of the Titans- features the famous hero Perseus
The Lightning Thief- Modern movie with characters from Greek Mythology
Harry Potter- dog is Cerberus
Pirates of the Caribbean- Calypso

21. Cultural Influences Psychology- Names- Oedipus Complex
Narcissus (Narcissism-excessive love for yourself)
Names-
Planets (Saturn, Mars, Mercury, Venus) and constellations (Pisces, Orion)
Words- “atlas,” “titanic,” “midas touch,” “panic”
I tell the story of Oedipus and Naricissus and have them summarize one.
When the Romans conquered the Greeks, they changed the names of the gods to Roman names. The planets are named after the Roman names.