Download Greek Mythology

Greek Mythology
Olympian Outline
Purpose
• Myths grant continuity and
stability to a culture.
• Myths present guidelines for
living.
– Arachne learns not to boast
– Heroes acheive their goals
through honorable qualities
• Myths justify a culture's
activities.
– If crops failed, Demeter was
unhappy
– If their businesses prospered,
Athena favored them
• Myths give meaning to life.
Purpose continued
• Myths explain the
unexplainable.
– Frightened by lightning
– Puzzled by echoes
– Awed by the rising sun
• Myths offer role models.
• Explain historical events
– Jason’s Golden Fleece may
be all the cumulative riches
that explorers acquired
Characteristics of the Deities
•Possessed human
qualities
•Immortal
•Vulnerable
•Powerful
•Have man’s welfare
•Sanctify human beauty
and strength
•Morality Police
Family Tree
Qualities Valued by the Greek
Culture, According to Mythology
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Beauty
Fame
Adventure
Intelligence
Strength
Pleasure
Cleverness
Loyalty
Zeus
Roman Name: Jupiter
Parents: Cronus
& Rhea
King of the gods,
god of the sky
Symbolic of:
•Leadership
•Justice
Associated With:
•Thunderbolts
•Aegis
•Sceptre
Personality Traits:
•Wise
•Strong
•Promiscuous
•Tricky
•Authoritative
Some Stories:
•Overthrew Cronus
•Freed 110-armed
ones and cyclops
•Dried the
river Inachos
Hera
Roman Name: Juno
Parents: Cronus &
Rhea
Queen of the gods,
goddess of marriage
and childbirth
Symbolic of:
•Marriage
•Motherhood
Associated with:
•Golden apples
of immortality
•Peacock
•White Cow
Personality Traits:
•Jealous
•Possessive
•Protective
•Nurturing
Some Stories:
•Changed Io to a cow
•Argus
•Kept Leto from
giving birth
Hephaestus
Roman Name:Vulcan
Parents: Zeus & Hera
god of smiths
and fire
Symbolic of:
•Work
•Mechanics
Associated with:
•Robots
•Hammers
•Jewelry
•Armor
Personality Traits:
•Hard-working
•Peace-loving
•Fond of mother
•Lame
•Skillful & Creative
•Steady
Some Stories:
•Lame from
being flung
•Cyclops helped make
jewels and weapons
•Helped Athena
from Zeus’ head
Aphrodite
Roman Name: Venus
Parents: None
goddess of love
And beauty
Symbolic of:
•Desire
•Physical Attraction
•Love & Beauty
Associated with:
•White doves
•Golden Girdle
•Three Graces
Personality Traits:
•Beautiful
•Irresistible
•unsatisfied
Some Stories:
•Born from sea
•Wife of Hephaestus
•Son named Eros
Ares
Roman Name: Mars
Parents: Zeus &
Hera
God of offensive war
Symbolic of:
•Senseless war
that results in Pain,
Panic, Famine
and Oblivion
•Bullies
Associated with:
•Weapons
•Armor
•Vulture
•Dogs
Personality Traits:
•Tall & handsome
•Vain
•Wanted bloodshed
•Big old crybaby
•boastful
Some Stories:
•Went joyously to
the war Eris started
with the apple
of discord
Athena
Roman Name:
Minerva
Parents:
Metis & Zeus
Goddess of Wisdom
Symbolic of:
•Arts & Crafts
•Protection
Associated with:
•Olive Tree
•Owl
•Breastplate
& Aegis
•Nike
•Helmet & Spear
Personality Traits:
•Stern
•Fair
•Prudent Courage
•Merciful
•Protective
Some Stories:
•Born from
Zeus’ head
•Arachne
Poseidon
Roman Name:
Neptune
Parents: Rhea
& Cronus
Lord of the sea
Symbolic of:
•Wrath of nature
Associated with:
•Trident
•White horses
Personality Traits:
•Moody & violent
•restless
Some Stories:
•Amphitrite as queen
Apollo
Roman Name: Apollo
Parents: Zeus & Leto
god of music, light ,
medicine
& reason
Symbolic of:
•Healing
•Vision
Associated with:
•Golden bow
& arrows
•Chariot
•Lyre
•Delphi
Personality Traits:
•Vain
•Bold
•Light & Clear
•Beautiful
Some Stories:
•Killed the Python
•Turned Marsyas
into a river
•Orion
Artemis
Roman Name: Diana
Parents: Zues & Leto
goddess of the hunt &
all newborn creatures
Symbolic of:
•Painless death
•The hunt
•Chastity
•Nature
Associated with:
•Bow and arrows
•Moonbeams
•Antlers
•Silver chariot
•Hounds
Personality Traits:
•Wild, young & free
•Cold & pitiless
•Beautiful
•Impatient
Some Stories:
•Turned Actaeon
into a stag
•Niobe into a rock
that wept
•Tricked Otus & Ephialtes
•Orion
Hermes
Roman Name: Mercury
Parents: Zeus & Maia
god of sheperds,
travelers, merchants
& thieves
Messenger god
Symbolic of:
•The journey of life
•Playful games
Associated with:
•Winged cap
& sandals
•Cape
•Magic wand
(caduceus)
Personality Traits:
•Merry
•Precocious
•Mischevious
•swift
Some Stories:
•Bored Argus
to death
•Stole Apollo’s herd
then gave him lyre
•Cairns
Hades
Roman Name:Hades
Parents: Rhea
& Cronus
Lord of the
Underworld
Symbolic of:
•Death
•Unknown
Associated with:
•Cerberus
•Black Horses
Personality Traits:
•Greedy
•Passionate
Some Stories:
•Persephone
Demeter
Roman Name: Ceres
Parents: Rhea
& Cronus
goddess of
the harvest
Symbolic of:
•Agriculture
•Seasons
Associated with:
•Sheaf of wheat
Personality Traits:
•Kind
•Maternal
•Protective
Some Stories:
•Daughter
Persephone
Dionysus
Roman Name:
Parents:
Symbolic of:
Associated with:
Personality Traits:
Some Stories: