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Mythology
Mythology
•The body of myths (sacred
stories) of a particular culture;
the study and interpretation of
such myths
•Examines a people’s origin,
history, deities, ancestors, and
heroes
The Greeks
• Made their Gods in
their own image
• The Gods were to be
feared (powerful and
dangerous when
angry)
• Did not believe that
the gods created the
universe. Instead,
the universe created
the gods.
The Romans
• Adopted the Greek Gods and
gave them new names
– Example: Zeus is named
Jupiter
Origin
• There was originally only Chaos and
darkness
• Heaven and Earth arose (first
parents)
• The Titans were their children
• The gods were their grandchildren
The Titans
• Often called the Elder Gods
• Enormous size and incredible strength
• There were many, but the most important was
Cronus (Saturn)
– Ruler of the Titans until he is overthrown by
his son Zeus
– Swallows his children after his wife Rhea
gives birth to them.
– Rhea saves Zeus, who forces Cronus to vomit
up his siblings.
Other Notable Titans:
-
-
Ocean (river was supposed to encircle the
Earth)
Ocean’s wife Tethys
Hyperion (the father of the sun, moon, and
dawn)
Mnemosyne (means memory)
Themis (translated by Justice)
- Iapetus (father of Atlas and Prometheus)
- Atlas (bore the world on his shoulders)
- Prometheus (savior of mankind)
The Olympians:
• Twelve gods and goddesses who
succeeded the Titans
• Lived and reigned from Mt. Olympus
• Olympus is a perfect home (no rain, wind,
or snow)