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Why were Myths Created? Early Greeks did not understand everyday events that happened in nature so they attributed them to divine spirits Myths (stories) were created over the years about unseen beings that seemed to rule the natural word Ancient Greek Worldview- 5th century BCE The Myths are Recorded Myths were passed down orally from generation to generation until the Greeks began writing Homer, the blind Greek poet from the 9th century BCE, was the first person to actually describe the physical characteristics and personalities of the gods and goddesses Hesiod, Greek poet from the 8th century BCE, presented a family tree of the gods and goddesses CHAOS Uranus Rhea Gaea Cronus (one of 12 Titans) Demeter Hera Zeus Apollo Artemis Cyclops Hestia Poseidon Hades Ares Athena Hephaestus Zeus Cronus as king Uranus, Cronus’ father, had said that he would be overthrown by one of his own children, just as Cronus had banished Uranus To prevent this, Cronus swallowed all of his children, except for the sixth child, Zeus Rhea, Cronus’ wife, could not bear the thought of her husband swallowing another child so she tricked Cronus into swallowing a stone, which he thought was Zeus and had Baby Zeus taken to the island of Crete to be raised by nymphs & a magical goat Mount Ida in Crete today Painting of Magical Goat Zeus Assumes Power When Zeus was grown, he returned to the gods’ palace at Mount Olympus and became a royal cup-bearer He served Cronus a poisonous drink that made him vomit the other 5 children (now full grown) that he had swallowed •Hestia •Demeter •Hera •Poseidon •Hades Zeus Assumes Power (continued)… The brothers (Zeus, Poseidon, Hades) drive their father away They also free the Cyclops (their uncles/aunts) from the Underworld, where they had been banished by their father (Uranus) because of their monster-like qualities The Cyclops were grateful so they gave the brothers gifts Lightningbolt for Zeus Forked Trident for Poseidon Magical Helmet for Hades The Kingdom is Divided Poseidon- god of the sea Hades- god of the Underworld Zeus- supreme god, commands the heavens, and head of all the gods & goddesses Demeter- goddess of the harvest Hestia- goddess of the hearth Hera- goddess of women & childbirth Mount Olympus Zeus & his siblings lived in a palace on Mount Olympus. Mount Olympus is the tallest mountain in Greece, with an elevation of 9,577 feet Zeus’ Most Important Children Apollo- god of music, health, prophecy Artemis- goddess of the hunt Ares- god of war Hephaestus- god of metalworking Athena- goddess of wisdom Heracles- not a god because his mother was a mortal (regular human); better known by his Roman name, Hercules Aphrodite- (goddess of love) came from the sea The Olympians Mirror Greek Royalty Ancient Greeks imagined that the family of Olympic gods resembled those of their leaders 1. 2. 3. 4. Thought of Zeus as a powerful monarch (king), just like early Greek gov’t Zeus had many wives, just like powerful leaders could have many women Most Olympic gods & goddesses were thought to be handsome or beautiful Gods ate nectar & drank ambrosia Gods Play an Active Role in Human Events Greeks believed that the gods would help humans who pleased them or caused them pain and suffering to those who angered them Greeks were always trying to please the gods 1. Offered prayers & sacrifices to them before they did something important 2. animal sacrifices to gods Local Traditions Each city had its own patron gods & local gods besides the Olympian gods Each town had a hearth to honor Hestia Annual festivals held to honor the gods 1. Olympic Games 2. Greek theater Religion as a Civic Activity Few priests Greek temples 1. 2. considered the home of a god rectangular, stone structures Lack of moral code in ancient Greek religion 1. 2. gods & goddesses sometimes acted in an immoral way Greeks cared about the sin of Hubris (excessive pride or arrogance) Greek Concept of Death Greeks believed that after death a person’s body went to the Underworld Peoples’ souls could end up in 1 of 3 places Tartatus- gloomy place for wicked people Asphodel Fields- most people ended up in this grey, boring region Elysian Fields- really good people ended up here, where they’d live in sunlight forever Compatibility of Religion & Science Most ancient Greeks did not question religion when they learned about science It wasn’t until later in Greek civilization that lots of people began to question the existence of the Olympians