Greek MythologyGreek Mythology

By: Sean Bancod By: Sean Bancod

Titans Titans

Sons of the goddess of Earth, who Sons of the goddess of Earth, who ruled the cosmos before the ruled the cosmos before the Olympians. Kronos, king of the Olympians. Kronos, king of the Titans, was deposed by his son Titans, was deposed by his son Zeus. The Giants, also sons of the Zeus. The Giants, also sons of the Earth goddess, stormed Mount Earth goddess, stormed Mount Olympus in revenge. But they were Olympus in revenge. But they were repulsed by the Olympian gods, repulsed by the Olympian gods, with the help of the hero, Heracles.with the help of the hero, Heracles.

DaedalusDaedalus Builder of the Labyrinth for King Minos of Crete. Daedalus Builder of the Labyrinth for King Minos of Crete. Daedalus

was a renowned craftsman and inventor. Before his time was a renowned craftsman and inventor. Before his time statues had their arms fixed stiffly to their sides - statues had their arms fixed stiffly to their sides - Daedalus gave them naturalistic poses and, some say, Daedalus gave them naturalistic poses and, some say, the power of movement. Daedalus claimed to have the power of movement. Daedalus claimed to have invented the saw, but credit instead went to his nephew, invented the saw, but credit instead went to his nephew, whom Daedalus consequently murdered in a fit of whom Daedalus consequently murdered in a fit of professional jealousy. Because of this homicide, he fled professional jealousy. Because of this homicide, he fled his native Athens for the court of King Minos on the island his native Athens for the court of King Minos on the island of Crete. King Minos was a notorious ingrate. One day of Crete. King Minos was a notorious ingrate. One day when his son Glaucus turned up missing, he sought the when his son Glaucus turned up missing, he sought the aid of the seer Polyeidus, hoping to draw on the latter's aid of the seer Polyeidus, hoping to draw on the latter's powers of prophesy and inner vision. Polyeidus was the powers of prophesy and inner vision. Polyeidus was the same seer who had advised Bellerophon on how to tame same seer who had advised Bellerophon on how to tame the flying horse Pegasus. True to his reputation, he soon the flying horse Pegasus. True to his reputation, he soon found the boy, smothered headfirst in a huge jar of found the boy, smothered headfirst in a huge jar of honey. In thanks for this service, Minos locked Polyeidus honey. In thanks for this service, Minos locked Polyeidus in a room with the dead boy, telling him that he'd be in a room with the dead boy, telling him that he'd be released when he had returned Glaucus to life.released when he had returned Glaucus to life.

GorgonsGorgons

Monstrous sisters with snakes for hair, Monstrous sisters with snakes for hair, tusks like boars and lolling tongues. The tusks like boars and lolling tongues. The only mortal one of the three was only mortal one of the three was Medusa. She had the power of turning Medusa. She had the power of turning to stone whoever looked at her, or to stone whoever looked at her, or whomever she looked at (the myth can whomever she looked at (the myth can be interpreted both ways). The hero be interpreted both ways). The hero Perseus, defending his mother from the Perseus, defending his mother from the unwanted advances of King Polydectes unwanted advances of King Polydectes of Seriphos, swore to bring him of Seriphos, swore to bring him Medusa's head.Medusa's head.

Polyphemus Polyphemus CyclopesCyclopes Cyclops who captured and Cyclops who captured and

almost devoured Odysseus. almost devoured Odysseus. Polyphemus was prevailed Polyphemus was prevailed upon by his father Poseidon to upon by his father Poseidon to delay the hero's return home delay the hero's return home from the Trojan War. He from the Trojan War. He imprisoned Odysseus and his imprisoned Odysseus and his shipmates in his cave and shipmates in his cave and dined on Greeks for several dined on Greeks for several nights running. Finally nights running. Finally Odysseus put a sharp point on Odysseus put a sharp point on the end of a pole, hardened it the end of a pole, hardened it in the fire and used it to in the fire and used it to gouge out the Cyclops' single gouge out the Cyclops' single eye. The blinded Polyphemus eye. The blinded Polyphemus was unable to detect the was unable to detect the escaping Greeks clinging to escaping Greeks clinging to the underbellies his goats the underbellies his goats when he let the flock out into when he let the flock out into the yard the next morning the yard the next morning

One-eyed giants of the One-eyed giants of the race that built Olympus race that built Olympus for the gods; plural of for the gods; plural of Cyclops. The Cyclopes, Cyclops. The Cyclopes, together with the Titans together with the Titans and Giants, were sons of and Giants, were sons of the goddess Earth the goddess Earth

Poseidon Poseidon

Roman name Neptune. See Roman name Neptune. See The Olympians for another for another picture. Poseidon was the god of the sea, earthquakes picture. Poseidon was the god of the sea, earthquakes and horses. Although he was officially one of the and horses. Although he was officially one of the supreme gods of Mount Olympus, he spent most of his supreme gods of Mount Olympus, he spent most of his time in his watery domain. Poseidon was brother to time in his watery domain. Poseidon was brother to Zeus and Hades. These three gods divided up Zeus and Hades. These three gods divided up creation. Zeus became ruler of the sky, Hades got creation. Zeus became ruler of the sky, Hades got dominion of the Underworld and Poseidon was given dominion of the Underworld and Poseidon was given all water, both fresh and salt. all water, both fresh and salt.

Although there were various rivers personified as Although there were various rivers personified as gods, these would have been technically under gods, these would have been technically under Poseidon's sway. Similarly, Nereus, the Old Man of the Poseidon's sway. Similarly, Nereus, the Old Man of the Sea, wasn't really considered on a par with Poseidon, Sea, wasn't really considered on a par with Poseidon, who was known to drive his chariot through the waves who was known to drive his chariot through the waves in unquestioned dominance. Poseidon had married in unquestioned dominance. Poseidon had married Nereus's daughter, the sea-nymph Amphitrite. Nereus's daughter, the sea-nymph Amphitrite.

MinosMinos King of Crete whose insult to the gods eventuated in King of Crete whose insult to the gods eventuated in

the birth of the Minotaur. The Greek gods (or the the birth of the Minotaur. The Greek gods (or the ancients who made up myths about them) sometimes ancients who made up myths about them) sometimes showed a strange sense of justice. King Minos did a showed a strange sense of justice. King Minos did a number of things which - one would have thought - number of things which - one would have thought - disqualified him for a distinguished career in the disqualified him for a distinguished career in the afterlife. When challenged to prove his right to the afterlife. When challenged to prove his right to the Cretan throne, Minos asked the gods to send him a Cretan throne, Minos asked the gods to send him a sign. The deities instantly obliged, causing a beautiful sign. The deities instantly obliged, causing a beautiful white bull to emerge from the sea. Minos was so white bull to emerge from the sea. Minos was so delighted that he decided not to offer the bull for delighted that he decided not to offer the bull for sacrifice as was expected. Instead he substituted sacrifice as was expected. Instead he substituted another bull from his herd. This displeased the sea another bull from his herd. This displeased the sea god Poseidon so much that he made Minos' wife fall in god Poseidon so much that he made Minos' wife fall in love with the bull from the sea. The Minotaur was born love with the bull from the sea. The Minotaur was born as a result. as a result.

SisyphusSisyphus

Sinner condemned in Tartarus to an eternity of rolling a boulder uphill Sinner condemned in Tartarus to an eternity of rolling a boulder uphill then watching it roll back down again. Sisyphus was founder and king of then watching it roll back down again. Sisyphus was founder and king of Corinth, or Ephyra as it was called in those days. He was notorious as the Corinth, or Ephyra as it was called in those days. He was notorious as the most cunning knave on earth. His greatest triumph came at the end of most cunning knave on earth. His greatest triumph came at the end of his life, when the god Hades came to claim him personally for the his life, when the god Hades came to claim him personally for the kingdom of the dead. Hades had brought along a pair of handcuffs, a kingdom of the dead. Hades had brought along a pair of handcuffs, a comparative novelty, and Sisyphus expressed such an interest that comparative novelty, and Sisyphus expressed such an interest that Hades was persuaded to demonstrate their use - on himself. And so it Hades was persuaded to demonstrate their use - on himself. And so it came about that the high lord of the Underworld was kept locked up in a came about that the high lord of the Underworld was kept locked up in a closet at Sisyphus's house for many a day, a circumstance which put the closet at Sisyphus's house for many a day, a circumstance which put the great chain of being seriously out of whack. Nobody could die. A soldier great chain of being seriously out of whack. Nobody could die. A soldier might be chopped to bits in battle and still show up at camp for dinner. might be chopped to bits in battle and still show up at camp for dinner. Finally Hades was released and Sisyphus was ordered summarily to Finally Hades was released and Sisyphus was ordered summarily to report to the Underworld for his eternal assignment. But the wily one had report to the Underworld for his eternal assignment. But the wily one had another trick up his sleeve. another trick up his sleeve.

He simply told his wife not to bury him and then complained to He simply told his wife not to bury him and then complained to Persephone, Queen of the Dead, that he had not been accorded the Persephone, Queen of the Dead, that he had not been accorded the proper funeral honors. What's more, as an unburied corpse he had no proper funeral honors. What's more, as an unburied corpse he had no business on the far side of the river Styx at all - his wife hadn't placed a business on the far side of the river Styx at all - his wife hadn't placed a coin under his tongue to secure passage with Charon the ferryman. coin under his tongue to secure passage with Charon the ferryman. Surely her highness could see that Sisyphus must be given leave to Surely her highness could see that Sisyphus must be given leave to journey back topside and put things right.journey back topside and put things right.

HephaestusHephaestus

Roman name Vulcan. See Roman name Vulcan. See The Olympians for for more information and another picture; also more information and another picture; also this picture. Lame god of fire and crafts or . Lame god of fire and crafts or the two together, hence of blacksmiths, the two together, hence of blacksmiths, Hephaestus was the son of Zeus and Hera or, Hephaestus was the son of Zeus and Hera or, in some accounts, of Hera alone. He limped in some accounts, of Hera alone. He limped because he was born lame, which caused his because he was born lame, which caused his mother to throw him off Mount Olympus. Or mother to throw him off Mount Olympus. Or in other accounts he interceded in a fight in other accounts he interceded in a fight between Zeus and Hera, and Zeus took him between Zeus and Hera, and Zeus took him by the foot and threw him from Olympus to by the foot and threw him from Olympus to the earth far below. the earth far below.

AchaiaAchaia

Achaia is a region of Greece. The name goes Achaia is a region of Greece. The name goes back to the Heroic Age, as do the local back to the Heroic Age, as do the local legends. It was in Achaia's "Cave of the legends. It was in Achaia's "Cave of the Lakes" that the daughters of the king of Lakes" that the daughters of the king of Tiryns took refuge when driven mad by the Tiryns took refuge when driven mad by the goddess Hera. They had been roaming the goddess Hera. They had been roaming the countryside thinking they were cows when countryside thinking they were cows when the seer Melampus cured them of their the seer Melampus cured them of their mania. It was only in 1964 that the people of mania. It was only in 1964 that the people of Kastria discovered the inner recess of the Kastria discovered the inner recess of the cave, which is unique for its string of cave, which is unique for its string of cascading pools. cascading pools.

Acheron Acheron

The Acheron was one of the rivers of The Acheron was one of the rivers of the Underworld. It was at the the Underworld. It was at the confluence of the Acheron and the confluence of the Acheron and the river Styx that the hero Odysseus dug river Styx that the hero Odysseus dug a pit and poured sacrificial blood into it a pit and poured sacrificial blood into it to summon the ghosts of the dead. to summon the ghosts of the dead. Odysseus needed to question the Odysseus needed to question the shade of the blind prophet Teiresias in shade of the blind prophet Teiresias in order to find his way home again after order to find his way home again after the Trojan War. Acheron is also the the Trojan War. Acheron is also the name of a river in modern Greece, still name of a river in modern Greece, still reputed to give access to Hades. reputed to give access to Hades.

AchillesAchilles

Achilles was the best fighter of the Greeks besieging Troy in Achilles was the best fighter of the Greeks besieging Troy in the Trojan War. When the hero Odysseus journeyed to the the Trojan War. When the hero Odysseus journeyed to the Underworld to seek the advice of the dead prophet Underworld to seek the advice of the dead prophet Teiresias, he encountered the shade of Achilles. This hero Teiresias, he encountered the shade of Achilles. This hero had slain the Trojan hero Hector in single combat and had had slain the Trojan hero Hector in single combat and had himself been brought down only by the connivance of himself been brought down only by the connivance of Apollo. The god guided the arrow of Hector's brother Paris to Apollo. The god guided the arrow of Hector's brother Paris to the only vulnerable spot on Achilles' body - his heel. Achilles the only vulnerable spot on Achilles' body - his heel. Achilles would not have been vulnerable even in this part of his body would not have been vulnerable even in this part of his body had his mother, the sea-goddess Thetis, been allowed to had his mother, the sea-goddess Thetis, been allowed to protect him as she intended. When he was an infant, she protect him as she intended. When he was an infant, she rubbed him each day with godly ambrosia, and each night rubbed him each day with godly ambrosia, and each night she laid him upon the hearth fire. Unfortunately, Achilles' she laid him upon the hearth fire. Unfortunately, Achilles' father was unaware that this procedure would make his son father was unaware that this procedure would make his son immortal. And when he unexpectedly came home one night immortal. And when he unexpectedly came home one night to find his wife holding their baby in the flames, he cried out to find his wife holding their baby in the flames, he cried out in alarm. Thetis was offended and went home to her father, in alarm. Thetis was offended and went home to her father, the Old Man of the Sea, leaving Achilles to his mortal fate.the Old Man of the Sea, leaving Achilles to his mortal fate.

Acrisius Acrisius

Acrisius was the king of Argos and Acrisius was the king of Argos and the brother of King Proetus of Tiryns. the brother of King Proetus of Tiryns. Acrisius was warned by an oracle Acrisius was warned by an oracle that he would be killed in time by a that he would be killed in time by a son born to his daughter Danae. So son born to his daughter Danae. So he promptly locked her up in a tower he promptly locked her up in a tower and threw away the key. But the god and threw away the key. But the god Zeus got in, disguised as a shower of Zeus got in, disguised as a shower of gold, and became the father of gold, and became the father of Perseus. Perseus.

AcropolisAcropolis

The Acropolis was the citadel of Athens. The Acropolis was the citadel of Athens. According to one version of the myth, it was According to one version of the myth, it was from the Acropolis that King Aegeus hurled from the Acropolis that King Aegeus hurled himself to his death believing that his son himself to his death believing that his son Theseus had been killed by the Minotaur. The Theseus had been killed by the Minotaur. The Acropolis was still serving as a defensive Acropolis was still serving as a defensive stronghold in 1687, when the Venetians, stronghold in 1687, when the Venetians, bombarding the Turks, inadvertently bombarding the Turks, inadvertently exploded a store of gunpowder inside the exploded a store of gunpowder inside the Parthenon. Also see an online video Parthenon. Also see an online video documentary about the Acropolis at documentary about the Acropolis at archaeologychannel.org

Aeetes Aeetes

King Aeetes was the brother of Circe, the King Aeetes was the brother of Circe, the father of Medea and the taskmaster of Jason. father of Medea and the taskmaster of Jason. Aeetes was king of Colchis, a barbarian Aeetes was king of Colchis, a barbarian kingdom on the far edge of the heroic world. kingdom on the far edge of the heroic world. Here, in the sacred grove of the war god Ares, Here, in the sacred grove of the war god Ares, hung the golden fleece of a magical flying hung the golden fleece of a magical flying ram, object of a quest by the hero Jason and ram, object of a quest by the hero Jason and the Argonauts. Aeetes did not take kindly to the Argonauts. Aeetes did not take kindly to Jason's request for the fleece and set the hero Jason's request for the fleece and set the hero a daunting series of tasks before he would a daunting series of tasks before he would hand it over. He secretly had no intention of hand it over. He secretly had no intention of doing so, and it was only because his daughter doing so, and it was only because his daughter Medea fell in love with Jason and came to his Medea fell in love with Jason and came to his aid that the hero's quest was achieved. aid that the hero's quest was achieved.

Aegean Sea   Aegean Sea  

The sea between the Greek mainland The sea between the Greek mainland and Asia Minor (the Asian portion of and Asia Minor (the Asian portion of modern Turkey). Some derive the name modern Turkey). Some derive the name from King Aegeus, who in one version from King Aegeus, who in one version of the myth flung himself from a of the myth flung himself from a promontory into its depths. The king promontory into its depths. The king had arranged that his son Theseus had arranged that his son Theseus should hoist a white sail on his return should hoist a white sail on his return from Crete if he survived the terrors of from Crete if he survived the terrors of the Labyrinth. Theseus survived but the Labyrinth. Theseus survived but forgot to hoist the sail. forgot to hoist the sail.

Aegeus Aegeus

King of Athens, father of the hero King of Athens, father of the hero Theseus. When young Theseus arrived Theseus. When young Theseus arrived in Athens after proving himself a hero by in Athens after proving himself a hero by clearing the coast road of bandits, clearing the coast road of bandits, Aegeus did not recognize him. The Aegeus did not recognize him. The king's wife, Medea, persuaded him to king's wife, Medea, persuaded him to serve Theseus poison wine at a banquet. serve Theseus poison wine at a banquet. The hero might have died had his father The hero might have died had his father not noticed the distinctive pattern on his not noticed the distinctive pattern on his sword. It was the very sword that sword. It was the very sword that Aegeus had hidden beneath a boulder Aegeus had hidden beneath a boulder years previously for his son to find. years previously for his son to find.

Aethra Aethra

Princess of Troezen and mother of the Princess of Troezen and mother of the hero Theseus. When Theseus came of hero Theseus. When Theseus came of age, Aethra took him to a forest age, Aethra took him to a forest clearing and challenged him to prove clearing and challenged him to prove himself by lifting a boulder. Aethra himself by lifting a boulder. Aethra knew that beneath it he would find the knew that beneath it he would find the sword and sandals of his father, King sword and sandals of his father, King Aegeus of Athens. Aegeus had left Aegeus of Athens. Aegeus had left Troezen for Athens before Theseus was Troezen for Athens before Theseus was born, but he left these tokens for his born, but he left these tokens for his son to find if he was worthy. son to find if he was worthy.

Alcmene Alcmene

Mother of Heracles and Iphicles. Although Mother of Heracles and Iphicles. Although Heracles and Iphicles were twins, only Heracles and Iphicles were twins, only Heracles was an immortal hero. It was Heracles was an immortal hero. It was understood that Iphicles was the son of understood that Iphicles was the son of Alcmene's mortal husband, Amphitryon, Alcmene's mortal husband, Amphitryon, while Heracles was the son of Zeus, who had while Heracles was the son of Zeus, who had tricked Alcmene by impersonating her tricked Alcmene by impersonating her husband. The goddess Hera, jealous of her husband. The goddess Hera, jealous of her husband Zeus's infidelity, delayed Alcmene's husband Zeus's infidelity, delayed Alcmene's delivery of Heracles so that his cousin delivery of Heracles so that his cousin Eurystheus became king of Mycenae and Eurystheus became king of Mycenae and Tiryns in his stead. Tiryns in his stead.

Alcyonian Lake   Alcyonian Lake  

Bottomless lake. In the vicinity, or Bottomless lake. In the vicinity, or perhaps even part of the swamps of perhaps even part of the swamps of Lerna in which Heracles fought the Lerna in which Heracles fought the Hydra. The wine-god Dionysus used the Hydra. The wine-god Dionysus used the Alcyonian Lake as a portal to Hades Alcyonian Lake as a portal to Hades when he rescued his mother Semele when he rescued his mother Semele from the Underworld. The heroine had from the Underworld. The heroine had died in a bolt of lightning when she died in a bolt of lightning when she asked Zeus to reveal to her his true asked Zeus to reveal to her his true nature as storm god. To retrieve her nature as storm god. To retrieve her from the Underworld, Dionysus went to from the Underworld, Dionysus went to Lerna and dove into the fathomless lake. Lerna and dove into the fathomless lake.

Amazons  Amazons  

The Amazons were mythological warrior The Amazons were mythological warrior women, renowned as hunters and fighters. women, renowned as hunters and fighters. They only met with men on occasion to They only met with men on occasion to produce offspring for their tribe. Heracles was produce offspring for their tribe. Heracles was once challenged to bring back the belt of the once challenged to bring back the belt of the Amazon queen. Despite the Amazons' Amazon queen. Despite the Amazons' reputation for man-hating, the queen willingly reputation for man-hating, the queen willingly gave it to him. But the goddess Hera, who gave it to him. But the goddess Hera, who despised Heracles, stirred up trouble. A great despised Heracles, stirred up trouble. A great battle ensued in which many Amazons were battle ensued in which many Amazons were killed. The hero Theseus also visited the killed. The hero Theseus also visited the Amazons, kidnapping one who came aboard Amazons, kidnapping one who came aboard his ship with a gift. his ship with a gift.

Ambrosia Ambrosia

A delicacy of the gods, said to have A delicacy of the gods, said to have been made of honey, water, fruit, been made of honey, water, fruit, cheese, olive oil and barley. Tantalus, cheese, olive oil and barley. Tantalus, a son of Zeus, was given the great a son of Zeus, was given the great honor of dining on Mount Olympus. He honor of dining on Mount Olympus. He proved himself unworthy of the proved himself unworthy of the invitation. The exact nature of his invitation. The exact nature of his transgression is variously reported, but transgression is variously reported, but according to one version of the myth, according to one version of the myth, he stole the gods' ambrosia. Tantalus he stole the gods' ambrosia. Tantalus was condemned to an eternity of was condemned to an eternity of punishment for this crime. punishment for this crime.

AmphitriteAmphitrite

A daughter of Nereus, the Old Man of A daughter of Nereus, the Old Man of the Sea. King Minos once challenged the Sea. King Minos once challenged Theseus to prove that he was a son of Theseus to prove that he was a son of the god Poseidon, supreme ruler of the the god Poseidon, supreme ruler of the watery depths. Minos took a ring from watery depths. Minos took a ring from his finger and threw into the sea, his finger and threw into the sea, daring Theseus to dive down and daring Theseus to dive down and retrieve it. Not only did the hero retrieve it. Not only did the hero succeed in this task, but while he was succeed in this task, but while he was underwater he came upon a palace underwater he came upon a palace where Amphitrite (or her sister Thetis) where Amphitrite (or her sister Thetis) presented him with a jeweled crown. presented him with a jeweled crown.

AornumAornum

A location in western Greece in or near A location in western Greece in or near the valley of the river Acheron. When the valley of the river Acheron. When Orpheus descended into Hades to Orpheus descended into Hades to restore his dead wife to the land of the restore his dead wife to the land of the living, he entered the Underworld by living, he entered the Underworld by means of a cavern or fissure in the means of a cavern or fissure in the earth. Some say that the entrance he earth. Some say that the entrance he chose was Taenarum in Laconia, but chose was Taenarum in Laconia, but others claim it was Aornum. others claim it was Aornum.

Aphrodite Aphrodite

Roman name Venus. See Roman name Venus. See The Olympians for for more information and another picture; also more information and another picture; also this picture. Aphrodite was the goddess of . Aphrodite was the goddess of love. The Romans called her Venus (hence love. The Romans called her Venus (hence the famous armless statue known as the the famous armless statue known as the Venus de Milo). Aphrodite lived on Mount Venus de Milo). Aphrodite lived on Mount Olympus with the other supreme deities and Olympus with the other supreme deities and was married to the homely craftsman-god, was married to the homely craftsman-god, Hephaestus. She was said to have been born Hephaestus. She was said to have been born from the foam of the sea (hence Botticelli's from the foam of the sea (hence Botticelli's much-reproduced painting of the goddess much-reproduced painting of the goddess floating on a seashell). floating on a seashell).

Apollo Apollo

Roman name also Apollo. See Roman name also Apollo. See The Olympians for more information and another picture. for more information and another picture. Apollo was the god of prophesy, music and Apollo was the god of prophesy, music and healing. Like most of his fellow Olympians, healing. Like most of his fellow Olympians, Apollo did not hesitate to intervene in human Apollo did not hesitate to intervene in human affairs. It was he who brought about the affairs. It was he who brought about the demise of the mighty Achilles. Of all the demise of the mighty Achilles. Of all the heroes besieging the city of Troy in the Trojan heroes besieging the city of Troy in the Trojan War, Achilles was the best fighter by far. He War, Achilles was the best fighter by far. He had easily defeated the Trojan captain Hector had easily defeated the Trojan captain Hector in single combat. But Apollo helped Hector's in single combat. But Apollo helped Hector's brother Paris slay Achilles with an arrow. brother Paris slay Achilles with an arrow.

Arcadia Arcadia

. A mountainous region in central Greece; in . A mountainous region in central Greece; in romantic poetry, a pastoral idyll of shepherds romantic poetry, a pastoral idyll of shepherds and nymphs. Arcadia was appropriately the and nymphs. Arcadia was appropriately the birthplace of the shepherd god Pan, whose birthplace of the shepherd god Pan, whose mother was a nymph. It was also the location mother was a nymph. It was also the location of the Stymphalian marsh, which was infested of the Stymphalian marsh, which was infested with man-eating birds that killed their prey with man-eating birds that killed their prey with metallic feathers. Heracles dealt with with metallic feathers. Heracles dealt with these in the course of one of his Labors. The these in the course of one of his Labors. The hero used noisemakers given him by Athena to hero used noisemakers given him by Athena to make them take flight and his bow and arrows make them take flight and his bow and arrows to bring them down. to bring them down.

Zeus Zeus

Zeus was the god of the sky and ruler of the Olympian Zeus was the god of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods. Zeus overthrew his Father Kgods. Zeus overthrew his Father Kronos. He then drew He then drew lots with his brothers lots with his brothers Poseidon and and Hades. Zeus won . Zeus won the draw and became the supreme ruler of the gods. the draw and became the supreme ruler of the gods. He is lord of the sky, the rain god. His weapon is a He is lord of the sky, the rain god. His weapon is a thunderbolt which he hurls at those who displease thunderbolt which he hurls at those who displease him. He is married to him. He is married to Hera but, is famous for his many but, is famous for his many affairs. He is also known to punish those that lie or . He is also known to punish those that lie or break oaths. He was the rain god, and the cloud break oaths. He was the rain god, and the cloud gatherer, who wielded the terrible thunderbolt. His gatherer, who wielded the terrible thunderbolt. His breastplate was the aegis, his bird the eagle, his tree breastplate was the aegis, his bird the eagle, his tree the oak. He is represented as the god of justice and the oak. He is represented as the god of justice and mercy, the protector of the weak, and the punisher of mercy, the protector of the weak, and the punisher of the the

Hades Hades

Hades is the brother of Hades is the brother of Zeus. After the overthrow of . After the overthrow of their Father their Father Cronus he drew lots with Zeus and he drew lots with Zeus and Poseidon, another brother, for shares of the world. He Poseidon, another brother, for shares of the world. He had the worst draw and was made lord of the had the worst draw and was made lord of the underworld, ruling over the dead. He is a greedy god underworld, ruling over the dead. He is a greedy god who is greatly concerned with increasing his subjects. who is greatly concerned with increasing his subjects. Those whose calling increase the number of dead are Those whose calling increase the number of dead are seen favorably. The Erinnyes are welcomed guests. He seen favorably. The Erinnyes are welcomed guests. He is exceedingly disinclined to allow any of his subjects is exceedingly disinclined to allow any of his subjects leave. leave.

He is also the god of wealth, due to the precious He is also the god of wealth, due to the precious metals mined from the earth. He has a helmet that metals mined from the earth. He has a helmet that makes him invisible. He rarely leaves the underworld. makes him invisible. He rarely leaves the underworld. He is unpitying and terrible, but not capricious. His He is unpitying and terrible, but not capricious. His wife is Persephone whom Hades abducted. He is the wife is Persephone whom Hades abducted. He is the King of the dead but, death itself is another god, King of the dead but, death itself is another god, Thanatos. Thanatos.

Tartarus Tartarus

The Underworld zone of eternal torment, where the greatest sinners were punished for The Underworld zone of eternal torment, where the greatest sinners were punished for their transgressions. The worst of these offenders were deemed to be those who had their transgressions. The worst of these offenders were deemed to be those who had sinned against the gods themselves. The greatest crime of all was to abuse the gods' sinned against the gods themselves. The greatest crime of all was to abuse the gods' hospitality. All the more so since to be on familiar terms with the great deities was a hospitality. All the more so since to be on familiar terms with the great deities was a particular favor, reserved for the elect. Thus the hero Bellerophon was guilty of the particular favor, reserved for the elect. Thus the hero Bellerophon was guilty of the greatest presumption when, in his later years, he dared to ride the winged horse Pegasus greatest presumption when, in his later years, he dared to ride the winged horse Pegasus to the very gates of Olympus. Apparently he imagined that his heroic conquest of the to the very gates of Olympus. Apparently he imagined that his heroic conquest of the Chimaera qualified him automatically for admission to the company of the gods. Zeus Chimaera qualified him automatically for admission to the company of the gods. Zeus repaid this arrogance by sending a horsefly to sting Pegasus. The flying horse reared and repaid this arrogance by sending a horsefly to sting Pegasus. The flying horse reared and Bellerophon was flung from its back, falling so far and landing so hard that he was crippled Bellerophon was flung from its back, falling so far and landing so hard that he was crippled for life. He spent the remainder of his days a miserable, wandering outcast. for life. He spent the remainder of his days a miserable, wandering outcast.

Tantalus, on the other hand, was invited to share not just Zeus's table but the great god's Tantalus, on the other hand, was invited to share not just Zeus's table but the great god's secrets. But Tantalus dared to tell these secrets to his fellow mortals. Or, some say, he secrets. But Tantalus dared to tell these secrets to his fellow mortals. Or, some say, he stole Zeus's ambrosia. (Nectar and ambrosia were the special treats of the gods. Nectar stole Zeus's ambrosia. (Nectar and ambrosia were the special treats of the gods. Nectar was fermented honey, or mead. Ambrosia may have been a concoction of honey, water, was fermented honey, or mead. Ambrosia may have been a concoction of honey, water, fruit, cheese, olive oil and barley.) For either or both of his transgressions, Tantalus was fruit, cheese, olive oil and barley.) For either or both of his transgressions, Tantalus was consigned to Tartarus - as far beneath Hades as Hades is beneath the sky.consigned to Tartarus - as far beneath Hades as Hades is beneath the sky.

HydraHydra

The Hydra was a many-headed monster slain by The Hydra was a many-headed monster slain by Heracles. It was related to the Chimaera and Heracles. It was related to the Chimaera and Cerberus. As one of his Labors, Heracles sought the Cerberus. As one of his Labors, Heracles sought the Hydra's lair in the swamps of Lerna and forced it out Hydra's lair in the swamps of Lerna and forced it out into the open with flaming arrows. Wading bravely into the open with flaming arrows. Wading bravely into the fray, he began to hack at the monster with his into the fray, he began to hack at the monster with his sword. But every time he cut off one head, two grew sword. But every time he cut off one head, two grew in its place. Eventually, Heracles called on his in its place. Eventually, Heracles called on his charioteer to bring a torch to cauterize the Hydra's charioteer to bring a torch to cauterize the Hydra's severed neck each time a head was lopped. This severed neck each time a head was lopped. This prevented new heads from sprouting. And when the prevented new heads from sprouting. And when the final head was chopped off and buried beneath a rock, final head was chopped off and buried beneath a rock, the monster died. the monster died.