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Lesson 1 (pp. 5-7)
The Gods of Greece, sections 1-2
Facts to Know
Cronos
first king of the gods; swallowed his own children
Rhea
wife of Cronos
Zeus (Jupiter)
son of Cronos and Rhea; saved by Rhea; name means “brightness”; known by the Romans as
Jupiter; became king of the gods by defeating Cronos
Titans
giants who aided Cronos in his battle against Zeus;
hurledmountains
Cyclops
“round-eye”; giants who made thunder and
lightning for Zeus
Hera (Juno)
sister of Zeus; queen of the gods; goddess of the clouds
Poseidon (Neptune)
brother of Zeus; god of the ocean
Hades (Pluto)
brother of Zeus; god of the underworld
Demeter (Ceres)
sister of Zeus; goddess of the grains, fruits, flowers
Hestia (Vesta)
sister of Zeus; goddess of fire and the hearth
Styx
river around the underworld; “hateful”
Charon
ferryman of the Styx
Cerberus
watchdog of the underworld
Persephone (Proserpine)
goddess of the underworld; daughter of Demeter
nymphs
maidens; helpers of Demeter
Vocabulary
1. constellation
a group of stars
___________________________________
2. blood-red coral
rocklike skeletal remains of a small marine animal ___________________________________
3. shining mother-of-pearl
the pearly internal layer of certain mollusk shells ___________________________________
4. with his trident in his hand
a three-pronged fork or spear
___________________________________
5. brazen hoofs of the horses
resembling brass
___________________________________
6. world of Pluto was a dreary region.
dismal; bleak; dull
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The Gods of Greece, sections 1-2
Comprehension Questions
1. Why was Zeus at risk and how was he saved?
Cronos’ mother told him that one of his children would take his kingdom. So he swallowed each of
his children as soon as they were born. His wife Rhea saved his son Zeus by tricking Cronos into
swallowing a rock wrapped in baby clothes in Zeus’ place. She then hid the child in a cave, which he
filled with light.
2. Describe the battle between Cronos and Zeus.
When Zeus grew up, he went to war against Cronos. Cronos had the help of the mountain-throwing
giants called Titans, and Zeus had the help of the Cyclops, who made the thunder and lightning that
Zeus used as weapons. When the Titans hurled mountains, Zeus hurled back thunder and lightning.
3. What did Zeus do after his victory?
Zeus made Cronos restore to life the children he had swallowed. He divided Cronos’ kingdom among
them, so they became the gods and goddesses of the world. He made himself king of the gods and his
sister Hera queen of the gods.
4. What is the Greek story of the seasons?
No goddess was willing to live with Hades, so he abducted Persephone and took her to the underworld
with him. Zeus took pity on her and allowed her to return to the earth for a part of each year. When she
comes to the earth, it is Spring and Summer, and the flowers bloom. When she leaves, it is Fall and
Winter.
5. What is the story of the fruits, grains, and flowers?
In the Spring, Demeter causes the fruits, grains, and flowers to grow. She does this with the help of the
tree nymphs who make the leaves green and the water nymphs who water the plants.
Activities
1. Draw a family tree including Cronos, Rhea, Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Demeter,
Persephone, and Hestia. Start this on a large sheet of paper and keep it, as you will be
adding to it.
2.
Look at the maps in the back of this guide. Familiarize yourself with the shape of Greece, the Ægean Sea, and Asia Minor. Familiarize yourself with the main regions: Peloponnesus, Attica, Epirus, Thessaly, Macedonia, Thrace, Crete, the Ægean Sea, Asia Minor.
3.
Make a list in two columns. Put the names of the Greek gods from this lesson in the left column. Put their corresponding Roman names in the right column. Leave plenty of room at the bottom of your list for additions.
(See Appendix “Greek Gods and Their Roman Names”)
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