Greek & Roman

Mythology

An Introduction to a major religion of early Mediterranean

history

• Polytheistic religion• Spread through Greek

Colonies & Roman Empire– Traces of Greek myths

found in Modern Italy, Bulgaria and Turkey

– The Gods honored depended on economic and culture needs within that society

Example of Myth Themes

1. Provide heroes, examples of people who demonstrate admirable qualities

2. Stories of how things came to be

3. Consequences of undesirable behavior.

Zeus- Chief God,

presided, with 12 other Gods on thrones at Mt. Olympus

- God of Thunder & Lightening-Olympic Games in honor of him

Hera

Was of the “Great Goddess” religions, many spectacular temples were built to honor her

After Homer’s Iliad, always portrayed as jealous shrew

Goddess of Marriage

Poseidon• God of Sea, Earthquakes,

Horses• Shape

Shifting• Lost

patronage of Athens to Athena

Hades• God of the Underworld• Stern, Cruel and

Unpitying but just

• Feared by men• Statue Represents

the kidnapping of Persephone

Demeter• Goddess of Agriculture• Symbolized by sheaf of

grain

• Goddess of Hearth, Domesticity & Family

• Gave up her throne on Olympus to Dionysus

Hestia

Athena• Goddess of

Wisdom, Crafts and Cunning Warfare, Symbolized by the Owl

• Born from Zeus’ head

• Athens named for her, she gave them the olive tree

Apollo• God of Prophecy, Music &

Healing• Egoistic• Associated with the sun

Artemis• Goddess of the Hunt• Helped women in

childbirth• Associated with the

moon

The Twins

Aphrodite• Goddess of Love, Beauty

& Fertility• Symbolized by dolphins,

doves & swans• Vain & ill-tempered

Ares• God of War, or at least

war-like frenzy• Handsome & cruel, had

affairs with Aphrodite• Father of Romulus &

Remus, Founders of Rome

Hephaestus• Blacksmith God, very

skilled craftsman• Long suffering

husband of Aphrodite

Hermes• Messenger God with winged

sandals• Guides dead souls, prankster

who is helpful to humans