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GREEK GODS
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GREEK MYTHOLOGY
• Greek mythology is the body of
myths and teachings that belong
to the ancient Greeks, concerning
their gods and heroes, the nature
of the world, and the origin and
significance of their own cult and
ritual practices. It was a part of the
religion in ancient Greece.
ZEUS
• Overthrew his father, Cronus, and drew lots
with his brother Poseidon and Hades. Zeus
won the draw and became the supreme
ruler of the gods.
• Lord of the sky and rain
• Weapon and symbol = the thunderbolt,
which he hurls at those who displease him
• Married to Hera, but is famous for his many
affairs
• Known as the god that punishes
those that lie or break oaths
HERA
• Zeus’ wife and sister
• The protector of marriage and
takes special care of women
• She led an unsuccessful revolt
against Zeus
• Sacred animals = the cow and
the peacock
• Favorite city = Argos
POSEIDON
• Brother of Zeus and lord of the sea
• Married to Amphitrite, even though he
desired Demeter
• Created the first horse in order to
impress Demeter
• Weapon = trident, which can shake the
earth and shatter any object
• Most powerful Olympian god, after Zeus
• Symbol = trident
• Sacred Animal Symbol = dolphin and
the horse.
HADES
• Brother of Zeus and Poseidon
• Lord of the underworld – rules over the
dead
• He is greedy – he wants to increase his
subjects and doesn’t allow any of his
subjects to leave
• Also the god of wrath
• Has a helmet that makes him invisible and
rarely leaves the underworld
• His wife is Persephone, whom he abducted
• Symbol = Cerebus (a three-headed) dog
and scepter
APHRODITE
• Goddess of love, beauty, and
desire
• Has a magical girdle that
compels anyone she wishes to
admire her
• Wife of Hephaestus
• Tree symbol = myrtle tree
• Bird symbol = the dove, swan,
and sparrow
ATHENA
• Daughter of Zeus and is his favorite
child (allowed to use his weapons,
including his thunderbolt)
• She is brave but only fights to protect
the state and home from outside
enemies
• Goddess of the city (Athens) and
agriculture
• Embodiment of wisdom, reason, and
purity
• Symbol = owl
APOLLO
• Son of Zeus, twin of Artemis
• God of music, light, and truth
• plays a golden lyre and cannot tell
a lie
• One of his daily task is to harness his
chariot with horses and drive the
sun across the sky
• Tree symbol = laurel
• Bird symbol = crow
• Animal symbol = dolphin
ARES
• Son of Zeus and Hera
• Disliked by both his parents
• God of war and is
considered murderous, but
also a coward
• Bird symbol = vulture
• Animal symbol = dog
HERMES
• Son of Zeus and Mia
• Zeus’ messenger and is
the fastest of the gods
• Wears winged sandals,
a winged hat, and
carries a magic wand
• Guide for the dead to
go to the underworld