1. Greek and Roman Mythology
Background
The Olympians
The Earthbound Gods and Goddesses

2. Definitions
Mythology – the telling of stories that usually explain natural events, describe tales of heroes or gods, or impart a moral or lesson
Pantheon – the officially recognized gods of a particular culture

3. Greek and Roman Mythology
Greek mythology (and Roman mythology which is a derivative of Greek mythology) is the most widely known of the ancient groups of tales.

4. Main Gods and Goddesses
The main gods and goddesses of Greek and Roman mythology were said to live on top of Mount Olympus in the area of Greece.
The twelve gods and goddesses are referred to as “the Twelve Olympians.”

5. Zeus Roman name: Jupiter Chief of the Olympians god of. . .
-. . .the sky
-. . .justice, law and order
-. . .strangers and travelers

6. Hera Roman name: Juno Wife of Zeus Terribly jealous goddess of. . .
-. . .motherhood
-. . .wives

7. Poseidon Roman name: Neptune Zeus’s brother Cranky and ill tempered
god of. . .
-. . .the sea
-. . .earthquakes
-. . .represents bulls and horses

8. Hades Roman name: Pluto god of. . . -. . .the underworld
He is not death. He does not kill anyone. He simply watches over the dead.

9. Athena Roman name: Minerva Zeus’s daughter (but not Hera’s)
goddess of. . .
-. . .wisdom
-. . .intelligent warfare

10. Apollo Roman name: Phoebus Apollo Twin brother of Artemis god of. . .
-. . .light
-. . .prophecy
-. . .music
-. . .medicine
-. . .archery

11. Artemis Roman name: Diana Twin sister of Apollo goddess of. . .
-. . .the hunt
-. . .chastity

12. Hephaestus Roman name: Vulcan Hera’s crippled son Married to Aphrodite
Blacksmith of the gods

13. Aphrodite Roman name: Venus Married to Hephaestus goddess of. . .
-. . .love
-. . .desire

14. Ares Roman name: Mars Son of Zeus and Hera god of. . .
-. . .mindless war

15. Hermes Roman name: Mercury Tricky and sneaky Messenger of the gods
god of. . .
-. . .thieves and deceivers

16. Eros Roman name: Cupid Son of Aphrodite
Helps people fall in love with each other

17. Four Earthbound Gods
The Greeks and Romans also had four other gods not counted among the Olympians.
These 4 gods were heavily associated with the earth, planting, and the seasons.

18. Demeter Roman name: Ceres Sister of Zeus Mother of Persephone
goddess of. . .
-. . .earth (soil)
-. . .grain

19. Persephone Roman name: Proserpine Daughter of Zeus and Demeter
Becomes the queen of the underworld
goddess of. . .
-. . .Spring

20. Dionysus Roman name: Bacchus Son of Zeus god of. . . -. . .vines
-. . .wine
-. . .fertility

21. Pan Roman name: Pan Associated with Dionysus Has goat ears and legs
god of. . .
-. . .shepherds and flocks

22. Assignment
The following links will take you to handouts that accompany this presentation. . .
Worksheet #1
Worksheet #2
Please copy the pages into your mail program and fill in the blanks with the correct letter.