AN INTRODUCTION TO GREEK MYTHOLOGY

WHAT IS MYTHOLOGY?

“Mythology” is a word used to describe all myths of a particular society.

Every culture has its own myths that help us understand its customs and ways of viewing the world.

Mythopedia: Oh My Gods! by Megan E. Bryant

WHAT IS A MYTH?

A myth is a kind of story. Most myths have one or more of these characteristics:

Myths are usually about gods or supernatural beings with greater powers and abilities than ordinary humans.

Myths explain the origins of the world and how humans came to be.

Myths take place a long time ago, usually in the earliest days of humanity (or just before humans showed up on Earth).

Myths were usually thought to be true by their original tellers--no matter how wild or strange they seem to be.

Mythopedia: Oh My Gods! by Megan E. Bryant

TWO NAMES, POWERS THE SAME

Many gods and goddesses have both Greek and Roman names. That is because the ancient Romans adopted a great deal of Greek mythology and made it their own.

Often, they changed the names of the particular gods and goddesses.

TWO NAMES, POWERS THE SAME

Generally, the deity’s powers and myths stayed the same--even though they had a new name.

As a result, the study of Greek and Roman mythology is often grouped together under the same name-- classical mythology.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MYTHS?

Myths can… Explain how things came to be--like the origin of the universe or

the creation of humans. Teach people about the values and beliefs that are important in

their society. Contain deep religious significance to the people who tell and

believe them.

Studying myths can teach us about people around the world -- their cultures and what is (or was) important to them.

Mythopedia: Oh My Gods! by Megan E. Bryant

HOW DID WE LEARN THESE STORIES?

Myths were first passed down through storytelling, songs, and poetry.

We learned the stories from written versions, mainly Homer’s epic poems The Illiad and The Odyssey, which tell of the great deeds of heroes.

Other sources were Hesiod’s Theogony, which describes the origins of the world and the gods, and Homeric Hymns, as collection of poems addressed to different gods.

Mythopedia: Oh My Gods! by Megan E. Bryant

DO MYTHS REALLY MATTER TODAY?YES!!!References to Greek mythology are all around us:

Ever heard of Nike athletic gear? Nike was actually a goddess of personification and victory.

What would Valentine’s Day be without Cupid? Cupid, or Eros, is the god of love as the Greeks called him.

Does Apollo 13 ring a bell? The first crewed US space missions were named for Apollo, the god of archery and prophecy.

BOTTOM LINE

References to ancient myths are everywhere, from science to

pop culture, and knowing about them will help you understand

more about the world we live in.

Before existence there was a vast nothingness called Chaos. Out of Chaos came Gaia, the earth, and Uranus, heaven or the sky.

Gaia and Uranus gave birth to the Titans, who looked just like humans but were huge. They were the first gods and goddesses. Uranus banished some of them to the Underworld, which made Gaia upset. She encouraged them to rise up against him. They were led by Cronus who attacked and overthrew his father.

Gaia

Cronus married his sister Rhea and they had five children. Before they were born, Cronus was warned that they would overthrow him, the same way he had overthrown his father. When each child was born, he swallowed them whole. When Rhea gave birth to Zeus she wrapped a rock in blankets and pretended it was her son. Cronus swallowed the rock, and Zeus grew up hidden.

Zeus

Zeus grew up and visited his parents in disguise. He gave Cronus a drink that made him throw up all the babies he had swallowed. Zeus led his siblings in a revolt against Cronus and the other titans. The younger gods won and divided the world among themselves. Poseidon took the sea, Hades took the Underworld, and Zeus became King of all the gods.

Hades

The new gods were known as the Olympians. They lived on Mount Olympus, high above the clouds. No humans could visit Olympus unless by special invitation. The gods did visit the earth and some married humans. Their children, who were half-god and half-mortal often became heroes.

IT’S ALL RELATIVE!

Greek Mythology: The Gods and

Goddesses

The Olympian Gods

OMG-WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE ON MT. OLYMPUS…

IT WAS WILD!!! A certain god turned a

nymph into a tree. A grumpy dad swallowed

his kids one-by-one. A winged-cherub was

accused of fly-by-shootings.

IT WAS LIKE A REALITY SHOW!!

Zeus

Title: King of the Gods

o Wife: Herao Ruler of weather; keeper of

laws; protector of Greek kings; guardian of morality

o Had over 115 girlfriends and wives and over 140 children!!

WHO’S YOUR DADDY?

APOLLOTitle: God of Light and Suno Twin of Artemiso Oracle of Delphio If you were “struck by

Apollo’s arrow,” it meant you died suddenly.

o Killer of the cyclops

POSEIDON

Title:God of the Seao Zeus’s brother and

second most powerful god

o Creator of earthquakeso Maker of horses

HERMESTitle: Messenger of the

Godso The god of secrets and

trickso Often portrayed with

wings on his feeto Guided souls to the

underworldo Patron of thieves and

liars

HADES

Title: God of the Underworld

Ruler of the dead Underground wealth Brother of Zeus and Poseidon Original “he who must not be

named”

ARES

Title: God of War Disliked by gods and

mortals for being bloodthirsty and a coward

Married the goddess of love, Aphrodite

HEPHAESTUS

Title: God of Fireo Craftsman for the

godso Maker of fireo Mom, Hera, thought

he was so ugly that she threw his off of Mt. Olympus

o Created the first woman

DIONYSUS

Title: God of drama, fertility, poetry, dance, song, wine

Was born twice--cut out of his dead mom’s body and then sewn into Zues’s thigh until ready to be born

Brought his mom back from the Underworld

The Olympian

Goddesses

HERA

Title: Queen of the Godso Wife of Zeuso Goddess of women and

marriageo Known for her jealousy

Athena

Title: Goddess of Wisdom, War, and Crafts

o Daughter of Zeus and Metis

o Born from Zues’s head and came fully formed wearing armor

HESTIA

TITLE-Goddess of houses; home; family; domestic life

Hestia was wooed by the gods Apollo and Poseidon, but spurning both, petitioned Zeus to let her remain forever a virgin.

ARTEMIS

TITLE-Goddess of hunting, wilderness and wild animals.

She was also a goddess of childbirth, and the protectress of the girl child up to the age of marriage

Twin sister of Apollo

Artemis expects her followers to stay away from boys, just like she does.

HEBE

TITLE- goddess of youth and the cupbearer of the gods who served ambrosia at the heavenly feast.

She was also the patron goddess of the young bride and an attendant of the goddess Aphrodite.

Personification of youth, is described as a daughter of Zeus and Hera

APHRODITE

Title: Great Olympian goddess of beauty, love, pleasure and and procreation.

o Mother of Cupido Caused the Trojan War

Demeter

Title: Goddess of Agriculture, the earth, and corn.

o Her daughter, Persephone was kidnapped by Hades.

o She cares for the earth and makes things grow.