greek and roman gods

Greek and Roman Gods

Did not believe that the gods created the universe, but that the universe created the Gods

Before gods heaven and earth were created ◦ Their children were called the Titans◦ Their grandchildren were called the gods

Creation

Often called the Elder Gods There were many, but few were mentioned

in mythology Cronus-King of the Titans Ocean-River that encircled the earth Hyperion-Father of the moon and sun Iapetus-Father of Atlas (bore the world on

his shoulders)

Titans

Zeus overthrew his dad Cronus and took over and banished most of the Titans

Called Olympians because their home was in Olympus

There were twelve great Olympians which made up a great family

Zeus and his “family” drew lots for what they would rule over

Romans named many of these Gods for planets

Twelve Gods

King of the Gods Not omnipotent or all powerful because he

is tricked many times in many stories Loved mortal women had many children

that were half God and half mortal Controlled and fought with lightning Animal: Eagle

Zeus (Jupiter)

Protector of married women Hated the mortal women that Zeus fell in

love with and punished them Very vain individual Animals: Cows and Peacocks

Hera (Juno)

Ruler of the Sea Gave the first horse to man Commonly called Earth-shaker and always

carried a trident Animals: Bulls, Horses

Poseidon (Neptune)

Ruled the underworld and precious metals of the earth

Had a helmet that made whoever wore it invisible

Not “welcome” in Olympus or the mortal world

Animals: None

Hades (Pluto)

Had no mother, just a father Sprang from the head of Zeus in full armor Zeus’s favorite child Embodiment of wisdom, reason, and purity Animal: Owl

Athena (Minerva)

God of light and archers and truth Had a silver bow Could not tell a lie Played a golden lyre for the rest of the Gods

in Olympus Animals: Dolphin and Crow

Apollo

Apollo’s twin sister Huntsman of Olympus Called the Lady of the Wild Things Animal: Deer

Artemis (Diana)

Goddess of love and beauty Most beautiful god or mortal in the world Liked to trick men with her beauty to do

what she wanted Married to Vulcan (God of the Forge) Animal: Dove

Aphrodite (Venus)

Zeus’s messenger; God of Commerce and the Market

Had winged sandals that allowed him to fly Master thief Guide to the dead Animals: None

Hermes (Mercury)

God of War Zeus and Hera detested him Ruthless Vengeful god that caused mortals

many problems Represented the idea of war Animals: Dog and Vulture

Ares (Mars)

God of the Forge Only “ugly” God Kind, peace loving god that was loved by

mortals and Olympians When children were accepted into a city, he

was the god over the proceedings Animals: None

Hephaestus (Vulcan)

Goddess of the Hearth Newborn children must be carried before

her before she allowed them to be a family Every meal began and ended with a prayer

to her

Hestia (Vesta)