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MYTHOLOGY
WHAT IS MYTHOLOGY?
• “Mythology” is a word used to
describe all myths of a
particular society.
• Every culture has its own
myths that help us
understand its customs and
ways of viewing the world.
WHAT IS A MYTH?
• A myth is a kind of story.
• Most myths have one or more of these characteristics:
• Myths are usually about gods or supernatural beings with greater
powers and abilities than ordinary humans.
• Myths explain the origins of the world and how humans came to
be.
• Myths take place a long time ago, usually in the earliest days of
humanity (or just before humans showed up on Earth).
• Myths were usually thought to be true by their original tellers--no
matter how wild or strange they seem to be.
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. Many kept
the same powers.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MYTHS?
• Myths can…
• Explain how things came to be--like the origin of the universe or the creation
of humans.
• Teach people about the values and beliefs that are important in their society.
• Contain deep religious significance to the people who tell and believe them.
• To unify a group, or to define a groups identity.
• To entertain.
Studying myths can teach us about people around the world -- their
cultures and what is (or was) important to them.
DO MYTHS REALLY MATTER TODAY?
• YES!!!
• References to Greek mythology are all around us:
• Ever heard of Nike athletic gear? Nike was actually the goddess of
victory.
• What would Valentine’s Day be without Cupid? Cupid, or Eros, is the god
of love as the Greeks called him.
• Does Apollo 13 ring a bell? The first crewed US space missions were
named for Apollo, the god of archery and prophecy.
The Birth of the Titans
Gaia and Uranus gave birth to the
Titans, who looked just like humans but
were huge. They were the first gods and
goddesses. Uranus banished some of
them to the Underworld, which made
Gaia upset. She encouraged them to
rise up against him. They were led by
Cronus who attacked and overthrew his
father.
Gaia
The Birth of Zeus
Zeus
Cronus married his sister Rhea and they
had five children. Before they were born,
Cronus was warned that they would
overthrow him, the same way he had
overthrown his father. When each child
was born, he swallowed them whole.
When Rhea gave birth to Zeus she
wrapped a rock in blankets and pretended
it was her son. Cronus swallowed the
rock, and Zeus grew up hidden.
Cronus is Overthrown
Zeus grew up and visited his parents in
disguise. He gave Cronus a drink that
made him throw up all the babies he had
swallowed. Zeus led his siblings in a
revolt against Cronus and the other
titans.
The younger gods won and
divided the world among themselves.
Poseidon took the sea, Hades took the
Underworld, and Zeus became King of
all the gods.
Hades
The New Gods
The new gods were known as the
Olympians. They lived on Mount
Olympus, high above the clouds.
No humans could visit Olympus
unless by special invitation. The
gods did visit the earth and some
married humans. Their children,
who were half-god and half-mortal
often became heroes.
The Olympian
Gods
Zeus
Title: King of the Gods
o
o
o
Wife: Hera
Ruler of weather; keeper of
laws; protector of Greek
kings; guardian of morality
Had over 115 girlfriends and
wives and over 140 children!!
WHO’S YOUR DADDY?
APOLLO
Title: God of Light and Sun
o Twin of Artemis
o Oracle of Delphi
o If you were “struck by
Apollo’s arrow,” it meant
you died suddenly.
o Killer of the cyclops
POSEIDON
Title:God of the Sea
o Zeus’s brother and
second most powerful
god
o Creator of earthquakes
o Maker of horses
HERMES
Title: Messenger of the
Gods
o The god of secrets and
tricks
o Often portrayed with
wings on his feet
o Guided souls to the
underworld
o Patron of thieves and
liars
HADES
Title: God of the Underworld
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Ruler of the dead
Underground wealth
Brother of Zeus and Poseidon
Original “he who must not be
named”
ARES
Title: God of War
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Disliked by gods and
mortals for being
bloodthirsty and a coward
Married the goddess of
love, Aphrodite
HEPHAESTUS
Title: God of Fire
o Craftsman for the
gods
o Maker of fire
o Mom, Hera, thought
he was so ugly that
she threw his off of
Mt. Olympus
o Created the first
woman
DIONYSUS
Title: God of drama,
fertility, poetry, dance,
song, wine
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Was born twice--cut out
of his dead mom’s body
and then sewn into
Zues’s thigh until ready
to be born
Brought his mom back
from the Underworld
The Olympian
Goddesses
HERA
Title: Queen of the Gods
o Wife of Zeus
o Goddess of women and
marriage
o Known for her jealousy
Athena
Title: Goddess of
Wisdom, War, and
Crafts
o Daughter of Zeus and
Metis
o Born from Zues’s head
and came fully formed
wearing armor
HESTIA
• TITLE-Goddess of houses;
home; family; domestic life
• Hestia was wooed by the
gods Apollo and Poseidon,
but spurning both, petitioned
Zeus to let her remain
forever a virgin.
ARTEMIS
• TITLE-Goddess of hunting,
wilderness and wild animals.
• She was also a goddess of
childbirth, and the protectress of
the girl child up to the age of
marriage
• Twin sister of Apollo
• Artemis expects her followers to
stay away from boys, just like she
does.
HEBE
• TITLE- goddess of youth and
the cupbearer of the gods
who served ambrosia at the
heavenly feast.
• She was also the patron
goddess of the young bride
and an attendant of the
goddess Aphrodite.
• Personification of youth, is
described as a daughter of
Zeus and Hera
APHRODITE
Title: Great Olympian
goddess of beauty, love,
pleasure and and
procreation.
o Mother of Cupid
o Caused the Trojan War
Demeter
Title: Goddess of
Agriculture, the
earth, and corn.
o Her daughter,
Persephone was
kidnapped by
Hades.
o She cares for the
earth and makes
things grow.