GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Where is Greece? Greece is a country located in southern europe It is on the southern edge of the Balkan Peninsula It is surrounded by the ionian, aegean, and mediterranean seas
What is Greek Mythology The people of ancient Greece shared and passed on stories about the Gods, goddesses, and heroes in which they believed These exciting stories -- that we now call myths -- explained natural phenomenon that could not be explained by science in the ancient world Ancient Greeks believed Zeus threw his lightning bolt when angry, thus causing lightning to appear in the sky
Why Should we Study Greek Mythology Today? Modern plays, novels, television programs, movies, and advertisements refer to Greek gods, goddesses, and heroes These adventurous and exciting stories entertain us The novel, The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan involves Greek Gods & Heroes
Who Were the Gods & Goddesess of Greek Mythology? A family of Twelve gods and goddesses lived in cloud-palace above mount olympus, the highest mountain in Greece The Gods looked down to watch what people were doing from time to time they interfered with what went on with mortals on earth the Gods did not always behave well
The Twelve Gods that Lived on Mt. Olympus
Zeus ruled the olympians god of the sky, lightning and thunder symbol was the thunderbolt married Hera fathered many children with various goddesses and mortals
Hera Protector of marriage and the home symbols were the peacock and the crow associated with the peacock because of her great beauty she was jealous of zeus s dalliances with other women
Poseidon God of the sea symbol was the trident built an underwater palace with a great pearl and oral throne created the horse for his sister Demeter
Demeter Goddess of the Harvest Symbols include wheat Mother of Persephone who was the daughter of zeus Persephone was kidnapped by Hades and taken to live in the underworld for six months of the year
Athena Goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts symbols include the owl, shield and spear born full grown out of the head of Zeus the Greek city of Athens is named for her
Apollo God of music, poetry, light, and medicine Symbols include lyre, dolphin, sun was the twin brother of artemis considered the most handsome god Drove his chariot
Artemis Goddess of the woods, moon, and the hunt Symbols are a silver bow and arrow ruled the untame places of the earth Twin sister of Apollo Mother was leto and father was Zeus
Dionysus God of wine and revelry said to be the only god on Olympus with a mortal parent Much of the ancient world s greatest poetry was created in his honor
Ares God of war, violence, and bloodshed symbols include the spear and shield, boar, vulture, serpent ruthless and murderous god who displayed the worst of humanity s traits
Hephaestus God of fire, Volcanoes, and the forge Symbols include fire, anvil, and axe Least attractive of the gods Married to Aprodite, goddess of love Fashioned the armor
Aphrodite Goddess of love and Beauty The most beautiful of goddesses Symbols include the dove, bird, apple, rose Born from sea foam Parents were Zeus and Dione
God of mischief, thieves, and games and messenger of the gods Hermes Symbols include winged sandals and cap, the caduceus (staff entwined with two snakes), Precocious son of Zeus and Maia, a titaness
Other gods
Hestia Goddess of the hearth sister of Zeus and daughter of Cronus and Rhea Was one of the original twelve Olympians until she gave her throne to Dionysus considered the mildest and kindest goddess
Hades God of the underworld Brother of zeus and poseidon Rarely left his underworld domain Made Persephone his wife
Heroes
Heracles Hercules was the Roman name for the Greek god Heracles Son of Zeus and a mortal woman Greatest hero of Greek mythology Hera was jealous of Heracles
Twelve Labors of Heracles Was driven mad by Hera and killed his children To make up for killing his children he agreed to perform twelve labors: 1. Nemean Lion 2. The Hydra 3. The Cerynitian Hind 4. The Erymanthian Boar 5. The Augean stables 6. The Stymphalian Birds 7. The Cretan Bull 8. The Mares of Diomedes 9. Hippolyte s Belt 10. The Cattle of Geryon 11. The apples of Hersperides 12. The Capture of Cerberus