Definitions
• Mythology – the telling of stories that usually explain natural events, describe tales of heroes or gods, or impart a moral or lesson
• Pantheon – the officially recognized gods of a particular culture
Greek and Roman Mythology
• Greek mythology (and Roman mythology which is a derivative of Greek mythology) is the most widely known of the ancient groups of tales.
Main Gods and Goddesses
• The main gods and goddesses of Greek and Roman mythology were said to live on top of Mount Olympus in the area of Greece.
• The twelve gods and goddesses are referred to as “the Twelve Olympians.”
Zeus
• Roman name: Jupiter• Chief of the Olympians• god of. . .
-. . .the sky
-. . .justice, law and order
-. . .strangers and travelers
Hera
• Roman name: Juno• Wife of Zeus• Terribly jealous• goddess of. . .
-. . .motherhood
-. . .wives
Poseidon
• Roman name: Neptune• Zeus’s brother• Cranky and ill tempered• god of. . .
-. . .the sea
-. . .earthquakes
-. . .represents bulls and horses
Hades
• Roman name: Pluto• god of. . .
-. . .the underworld• He is not death. He does not kill anyone.
He simply watches over the dead.
Athena
• Roman name: Minerva• Zeus’s daughter (but not Hera’s)• goddess of. . .
-. . .wisdom
-. . .intelligent warfare
Apollo
• Roman name: Phoebus Apollo• Twin brother of Artemis• god of. . . -. . .light -. . .prophecy -. . .music -. . .medicine -. . .archery
Hermes
• Roman name: Mercury• Tricky and sneaky• Messenger of the gods • god of. . .
-. . .thieves and deceivers
Four Earthbound Gods
• The Greeks and Romans also had four other gods not counted among the Olympians.
• These 4 gods were heavily associated with the earth, planting, and the seasons.
Demeter
• Roman name: Ceres• Sister of Zeus• Mother of Persephone• goddess of. . .
-. . .earth (soil)
-. . .grain
Persephone
• Roman name: Proserpine• Daughter of Zeus and Demeter• Becomes the queen of the underworld• goddess of. . .
-. . .Spring
Pan
• Roman name: Pan• Associated with Dionysus• Has goat ears and legs• god of. . .
-. . .shepherds and flocks
Assignment
• The following links will take you to handouts that accompany this presentation. . .
-. . . Worksheet #1
-. . . Worksheet #2• Please copy the pages into your mail
program and fill in the blanks with the correct letter.