Olympian Gods and Goddesses

GREEK

MYTHOLOGY

Mythology

noun A body or collection of myths

belonging to a people and addressing their origin, history, deities, ancestors, and heroes.

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What is a myth, exactly?

A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or outlining the psychology, customs, or ideals of society

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What is a myth, exactly?

A fiction or half-truth, especially one that forms part of an ideology.

ideology- a body of ideas that reflects the beliefs and interests of a nation, political system, etc and underlies political action…a philosophy of life.

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Zeus

King of the godsRuler of Mt. OlympusGod of weatherDominating and powerful with a

soft spot for pretty womenHurls thunderbolts when irritated

Aphrodite

Goddess of love and beautyNo formal duties besides being

lovelyMarried to Hephaestus

(unwillingly); was unfaithful to him

Apollo

God of the sunIn charge of moving the sun

across the skyHunter; patron of archeryPatron of the arts, especially

music, and medicine (had healing powers)

Ares

God of warInvolvement with all warlike

activities and will intervene in warViolent and eager to fight, is

indifferent to “right and wrong” in battle

Artemis

Goddess of the moonIn charge of movement of moon

across the skyTwin of ApolloMighty huntress; protector of

small children and animals

Athena

Goddess of wisdom and warPreferred reason to violence,

except when pushedOverseer of household craftsVery competitive

Demeter

Goddess of the earth and harvest

Responsible growth of crops and fruits

Strong motherly instincts

Dionysus

God of wine and theaterWild and fun-loving

personalityHas undesirable friends

Hephaestus

God of fire and artisansSkilled craftsman and metal workerMarried to Aphrodite (against her

will)Only crippled god/thrown down

Olympus by his mother HeraAdmired for his work

Hera

Queen of gods and protector of women

Associated with marriage; spent much time pursuing Zeus’ other women

Jealous and vain; beautiful

Hermes

Messenger of the godsMischievous and a trouble-

makerProtector of thievesWinged helmet and sandals

PoseidonGod of the sea and

earthquakesGiver of horses to mortalsHis weapon in the Triton

(three-pronged fork)Controlled the waves