Download Greek Gods and Goddesses

Essential Questions
1. Who were the Greek gods and what were they each known for?
2. What was the moral of the Pandora’s Box myth?
3. What happened in Jason and the Golden Fleece?
Greek Gods and Goddesses
The Greek gods were created by man to explain the world around them, act as a means of exploration, provide
legitimacy and authority to ancient Greek aristocracy, and provide entertainment for the masses. The religion of
the ancient Greeks did not have a single source of written scripture such as the Bible or the Qur'an.
Furthermore, the ancient Greeks did not believe in absolute truth as practiced by modern faiths such as
Christianity and Judaism. Generally, a Greek city-state would devote itself to a particular god or a set of gods,
and depending on the location of the city-state, the characteristics of the gods could vary widely. Many citystates erected temples to their particular gods, and these gods were honored in festivals and animal sacrifices.
The ancient Greek gods normally took on human form and lived in a society similar to human society. They
exhibited all the emotions of human beings and frequently intervened in human history. The most significant
difference between the Greek gods and humans was that the gods were immortal and human beings were not.
Greek Name
Zeus
Description
- God of the Sky and Thunder
- Chief ruler of the Gods
Roman Name
Jupiter
Apollo
- God of Sun
- God of Truth, Music, Healing
- Artemis’ twin brother
Apollo
Hera
Aphrodite
-Goddess of Marriage
- Wife of Zeus
Juno
- Goddess of Love and Feminine Beauty
Venus
Hades
- God of the Underworld
- God of Precious Metals
Pluto
Athena
- Goddess of War
- Goddess of City, Wisdom, and Law
Artemis
- Goddess of the Hunt
- Apollo’s twin sister
Poseidon
- God of the Sea
Minerva
Diana
Neptune
Athena
Poseidon
Zeus
Artemis
Hades
Aphrodite
Apollo
Hera