Greek Mythology

What is a myth?

• A story which explains the history, rituals, or beliefs of a society

• A story by which ancient people attempted to account for things which they experienced

A myth is entirely imaginative

Apollo pulling the sun

What is the difference between a Myth and a Legend?

• Both deal with the same supernatural figures, but a myth is purely imaginative while a legend is based on historical truth

Creation Myth

I. Chaos: unending nothingnessA. Gaia: the earthB. Eros: loveC. Gaia gave birth to Uranus: the sky

Gaia (mother earth)

Eros

Uranus

D. Gaia + Uranus1. Hecatoncheires 2. Cyclops3. Titans:

E. Uranus hated his children – banished them to the

center of the earth (Tartarus)F. Gaia encouraged the Titans to rebel – sickle –

Cronus agreed to help get rid of his father

Atlas

II. Cronus

A. Youngest titan – made his siblings pledge he could rule

B. Ambushed Uranus and slashed him with sickle (Furies, Aphrodite)

C. Released the titans - became rulerD. Marries Rhea (his sister)E. Swallowed his children

Cronus

Aphrodite

III. Zeus

A. Sixth child of Rhea and CronusB. Rhea tricked Cronus – he swallowed a rockC. Became Cronus’ cup bearer D. Declared war on Titans E. Zeus released the cyclops and hundred-

handed giants

Rhea gives Cronus a rock

Zeus with lightning bolt

F. ThunderboltG. Titans flee toH. AtlasI. TyphonK. Pan M. Prometheus (forethought) and Epimetheus (afterthought)

Typhon

IV. Prometheus and Epimetheus

A. Mortal creatures B. ManC. Stolen fire D. Pro’s punishmentE. Which child will overthrow Zeus?

Prometheus’ punishment

V. Pandora’s Box

A. Evils of the world B. Zeus created Pandora C. Pandora was curiousD. Hope

Pandora opening the box

Release of evil into the world

VI. Division of the universe

• Zeus: lord of the sky; ruled from Mt. Olympus• Hades: king of Tartarus (the underworld)• Poseidon: ruler of the sea

Poseidon

Hades

VII. The Olympian Family

A. Hera: queen of the gods; married to Zeus1. beautiful2. tree of golden apples3. unfaithful husband4. protector of honourable marriage

Hera

B. Athena

1. Daughter of Zeus and Metis2. Goddess of war, wisdom, and justice3. Invented the plough, the ship, the pot and

the yoke4. Very masculine appearance5. Athens is named after her

Athena

Athena gives the olive tree

Parthenon

Hephaestus

• Ugliest of the gods• God of the forge – beautiful metalwork• Married to Aphrodite

Apollo & Artemis

• Zeus and Leto• Twins• Apollo: god of the sun• Cruel to women who rejected him• Artemis: goddess of the hunt, moon• Insisted on chastity from her huntresses

Ares

• God of war• Blood-thirsty• Loved by Aphrodite

Hestia

• Vow of chastity• Goddess of the hearth (protector of the home)

Hermes

• Patron god of thieves, merchants and traders, and messenger to the gods

• Winged sandals & helmet

Demeter & Persephone

• Demeter: goddess of fields and crops• Persephone: queen of the underworld

Dionysus

• Zeus and Semele• Name means twice-born• God of wine