greek mythology - scarsdale public schools€¦ · what is greek mythology the people of ancient...

GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Sunday, February 9, 14

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


Zeusruled the olympians

god of the sky, lightning and thunder

symbol was the thunderbolt

married Hera

fathered many children with various goddesses and mortals


HeraProtector 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


DemeterGoddess 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


ApolloGod 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


ArtemisGoddess 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


HephaestusGod 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


AphroditeGoddess 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


HermesGod of mischief, thieves, and games

and messenger of the gods

Symbols include winged sandals and cap, the caduceus (staff entwined with two snakes),

Precocious son of Zeus and Maia, a titaness


Other gods


HestiaGoddess 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 Lion2. The Hydra3. The Cerynitian Hind4. The Erymanthian Boar5. The Augean stables6. The Stymphalian Birds

7. The Cretan Bull 8. The Mares of Diomedes9. Hippolyte’s Belt10. The Cattle of Geryon11. The apples of Hersperides12. The Capture of Cerberus


greek mythology - scarsdale public schools€¦ · what is greek mythology the people of ancient...

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