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MYTHOLOGY!
English I
What are MYTHS?
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Stories about how the world and the people in it were
created.
 The Greeks wanted explanations for what happened in
nature (the sun rising, death, lightening, etc.)
• Stories dealing with issues of “good and bad.”
–Later myths were written to show how good deeds
were rewarded and bad actions were punished.
•
Stories about Heroes and their adventures.
Why Study the greek myths?
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Greek myths, though ancient, have had a
great impact on history and culture. They
are EVERYWHERE!
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Art, Literature, Movies, and Music
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Symbols and Icons
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Modern Words, Allusions and Idioms

Advertising and Marketing
The Gods and
Goddesses
The Olympian Gods and Goddesses
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The Olympian gods and goddesses were the 12 main
rulers in the Greek myths.
They ruled over the earth and would help OR hinder
humans when they wanted.
These gods and goddesses had magical powers, but
they were not always good. They made bad choices
and showed bad emotions (hate, envy, etc.)
These gods and goddesses were all related in some
way and came into power after they defeated the
Titans (who previously had been in control).
Olympus
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Mount Olympus is the highest mountain peak in
Greece; it reaches 9,570 feet above sea level.
In mythology, Mount Olympus is the home of the
Olympian gods and goddesses. They believed the top
of the Olympus, which is covered in snow and hidden
in the clouds, reaches all the way into the heavens.
The Greeks thought of it as built with crystal
mansions wherein the gods, such as Zeus, dwelt.
It is here that the gods assemble to consume nectar
and ambrosia, the substances which reinforces their
immortality.
Zeus
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King of Heaven & God
of Fate
Married to Hera
Known for being a
womanizer!
Icon: Thunderbolts and
eagles
Hera
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Queen of Heaven &
Goddess of Impregnation
Married to Zeus
Known for being
incredibly jealous!
Icon: Crown and Lion
Poseidon
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God of the Seas and
Earthquakes
Icon: Trident and Fish
Demeter
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Goddess of Agriculture &
Grain
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Icon: Grain and
Cornucopia
Apollo
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God of Music &
Education
Icon: Lyre and Laurel
Wreath
Artemis
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Goddess of Hunting &
Wild Animals
Known as one of the
Virgin Goddesses
Icon: Bow and Arrows,
and Deer
Athena
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Goddess of Warcraft
Known as one of the
Virgin Goddesses
Icon: Greek Helmet and
Spear
Ares
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God of War and
Manliness
Icon: Helmet and Spear
Aphrodite
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Goddess of Love and
Beauty
Known for being
BEAUTIFUL (and vain)
and falling in love.
Icon: Cupid (her son) and
Apples
Hermes
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God of Travel and the
Guide for the Dead
Icon: Herald’s Rod and
Winged Boots or Cap
Hephaistos
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God of Metal-working
and Fire
Hera gave birth to him
WITHOUT needing a
man!
Icon: Hammer & Tongs
Hestia
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Goddess of Home &
Family
Known as one of the
Virgin Goddesses
Icon: Chaste Tree Branch
and Veil
The Underworld
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The Underworld was the place that mortals passed
onto after they died.
Once there, the spirits awaited judgment.
Their fate depended on their bravery and justice in
life. Those who had offended the gods might
anticipate suffering, but a person's goodness was
rewarded with an afterlife of happiness.
Hades and Persephone were the rulers of the
Underworld.
Hades
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King of the Underworld,
God of the Dead
Married to Persephone
Known for having
kidnapped his wife.
Icon: Cornucopia & a
Bird-Tipped Staff
Persephone
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Queen of the Underworld;
Goddess of Spring
Icon: Eleusian Torch &
Wheat
M N s e rs
Of Mythology
ARGUS PANOPTES
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A strange man-like
creature whose body was
covered from head to toe
with eyes. He was set by
Hera to watch over Zeus'
mistress, Io (after Hera,
in a jealous rage,
transformed her into a
heifer).
CERBERUS
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Guarded the gates of
Hades.
Posted to prevent ghosts
of the dead from
leaving the underworld.
Described as a threeheaded dog with a
serpent's tail, a mane of
snakes, and a lion's
claws.
One of Heracles labors
was to fetch him from
the underworld.
CYCLOPES
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Three one-eyed (immortal)
giants.
They were imprisoned by
The Titans.
Zeus released them during
the Titan-War and they
crafted the thunderbolts for
him, a helmet of invisibility
for Hades, and an earthquake inducing trident for
Poseidon.
GRAEAE
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3 Demons associated with the sea.
Born old, and became older as time went on, so that they
have remaining to them only one eye and one tooth, which
they took turns in using.
MEDUSA
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A female monster with:
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Golden wings,
snakes for hair,
a broad (wide) nose,
wide eyes,
protruding tusks,
a lolling tongue,
a short coarse beard.
claws of bronze,
deadly gaze that could turn man or
beast to stone.
Medusa was mortal, meaning
she could be killed.
MINOTAUR
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Bull-headed monster born
to Queen Pasiphae of Krete
after she had coupled with a
bull.
Resided in King Minos’
labyrinth, where he was
offered a regular sacrifice
of youths and maids.
Destroyed by the hero
Theseus.