Download Aim: How was religion influential for Ancient Greek society?

Do Now: What conclusions can you
make about Ancient Greek religion
based on this image?

Ancient Greek Religion

Many gods (polytheistic)
Both men and women
King of the gods = Zeus
Lived in the heavens (Mount
Olympus)
Had specific roles or purposes
Affected/interacted with human lives
Which god should be
called on?

Complete the “Which god should be called on?”
activity to learn more about the gods’ roles and
how they interacted with humans!
Gods and Goddesses
The Greeks believed in many gods
and had hundred of stories about
them. There were local gods and
gods to look after all aspects of
life and death. According to
legend, Mother Earth gave birth
to all living things. The first gods
were called the Titans. Zeus, the
son of two Titans called Chronos
and Rhaa, seized power for
himself and his brothers and
sisters. In Classical times they
were the most important gods.
They were called Olympians, as
they were said to live on Mount
Olympus.
Zeus, god of the sky
and thunder, ruled
the gods on Mount
Olympus. Hera, his
wife and sister, was
goddess of all
women.
Demeter, a sister of
Zeus, was goddess
of the earth and
corn.
Dionysus was
god of wine.
Artemis
was
goddess of
the moon,
hunting,
and women
Athena,
daughter of
Zeus, was
goddess of
wisdom
and
Athens.
Apollo was
god of the
sun and
patron of
music,
poetry, and
healing.
Hermes was messenger
of the gods and patron
of merchants and
travelers. He took the
dead to the
Underworld.
Poseidon,
brother of
Zeus, was god
of the sea.
Aphrodite was
goddess of love and
beauty. Her son, Eros,
made people fall in
love by shooting them
with arrows.
Hephaestos, her
husband, was the god
of craftsmen.
Ares was god of
war. He loved
Aphrodite.
Pan, god of the
countryside, was
half-goat. He played
the pan-pipes.
Asclepius, son of
Apollo, was god
of medicine. His
symbol was
snakes.
Why was religion important to
the Ancient Greeks?

Read the
“Pluto and
Persephone”
handout
and answer
the
questions.
Why was religion important
to the Ancient Greeks?

The Greeks used religion to help explain
their world
They didn’t understand nature’s forces, so
they used myths/religion to explain it
Greek stories portray the gods as
accountable for their own actions, just as
humans should be, to help teach morality
Make a comparison: Why was religion important
to the Mesopotamians/Egyptians/Chinese?
How is Greek mythology still
present in today’s society?

Olympics??
Highest mountain in
Greece where the gods
(“Olympians”) believed to
live
The “Titans” were
powerful deities
who were
overthrown by the
Olympian gods
Titans??
“Atlas” was a Titan
doomed to hold the
weight of the world on
his shoulders.
Atlas??
“Iris” took messages
from the the gods – the
“eye of heaven” – to
earth, via a rainbow
Iris??
Nike??
“Nike” was the
winged goddess of
victory – can you
find the swoop in
the statue?
“Apollo” was a god of
music and intellectual
pursuits
Apollo??
Pandora??
“Pandora” was the
first woman created;
received the gift of
music from Apollo.
“Pandora’s box” = a box she
opened against instructions that
let all evil out into the world.
Trident??
“Trident” was the 3pronged spear of the
sea god Poseidon.
In Greek:
Tria = three
Donti = tooth
Trident = 3 tooth