Greek Greek MythologyMythology

What is What is MythologyMythology??o Long ago, people had a hard time Long ago, people had a hard time

explaining what was happening explaining what was happening around them.around them.

o There were no scientists or teachers to There were no scientists or teachers to explain why things happened - like explain why things happened - like why we have 4 seasons, for example. why we have 4 seasons, for example.

o They made up their own stories to They made up their own stories to explain why and how things worked. explain why and how things worked.

o These stories are called These stories are called MYTHS.MYTHS.

Types of MythsTypes of Myths Explanatory Myths: Explanatory Myths: Myths that answer natural questions Myths that answer natural questions

about natural objects.about natural objects. Aesthetic Myths: Aesthetic Myths: Myths that have no purpose except Myths that have no purpose except

to entertain.to entertain.

Why Study Mythology?Why Study Mythology? We study We study

mythology mythology because it is the because it is the religion, the religion, the science, and the science, and the literature of literature of people from the people from the past.past.

A Creation MythA Creation Myth

Greek gods - Family TreeGreek gods - Family Tree

ZEUSZEUS: : King of the gods and the skyKing of the gods and the sky Roman name: Roman name:

JupiterJupiter

Symbol:Symbol: Thunder boltsThunder bolts

PoseidonPoseidon:: god of the god of the oceansoceans

Zeus’ brotherZeus’ brother Roman Name: Roman Name:

NeptuneNeptune Symbol:Symbol: Trident Trident

HADESHADES: god of the : god of the underworldunderworld

Brother of Zeus Brother of Zeus and Poseidonand Poseidon

Roman Name: Roman Name: PlutoPluto

Symbol:Symbol: Invisible HelmetInvisible Helmet

HERAHERA:: Queen of the gods Queen of the gods Wife of ZeusWife of Zeus Roman Name: Roman Name:

JunoJuno Symbol:Symbol: Golden Golden

CrownCrown

HESTIA:HESTIA: goddess of home and goddess of home and hearthhearth

Zeus’ virgin Zeus’ virgin sistersister

Roman Name: Roman Name: Vesta Vesta

Symbol:Symbol: Hearth, Sacred Hearth, Sacred FireFire

DEMETERDEMETER:: goddess of grain and goddess of grain and harvestharvest

Responsible for Responsible for the creation of the creation of seasonsseasons

Also known for Also known for fertilityfertility

Roman Name: Roman Name: CeresCeres

Symbol:Symbol: Rake, Rake, wheatwheat

ATHENAATHENA:: goddess of wisdom and goddess of wisdom and lawlaw

Daughter of Zeus Daughter of Zeus Roman Name: Roman Name:

MinervaMinerva Symbol:Symbol: Armor Armor

and an Owland an Owl

APOLLOAPOLLO:: god of the sun god of the sun

Son of Zeus, twin brother of ArtemisSon of Zeus, twin brother of Artemis Roman Name: HeliosRoman Name: Helios Symbol:Symbol: Golden Chariot and Harp Golden Chariot and Harp

ARTEMISARTEMIS:: goddess of the hunt and goddess of the hunt and moonmoon

Daughter of Zeus Daughter of Zeus and twin sister of and twin sister of ApolloApollo

Roman Name: Roman Name: DianaDiana

Symbol:Symbol: Silver Silver bow and arrowbow and arrow

APHRODITEAPHRODITE:: goddess of Beauty and goddess of Beauty and LoveLove

Married Married HEPHAESTUSHEPHAESTUS Roman Name: Roman Name:

VenusVenus Symbol:Symbol: Roses Roses

and Doves, and Doves, clamshellsclamshells

ARES:ARES: god of War god of War Son of Zeus and Son of Zeus and

HeraHera Roman Name: Roman Name:

MarsMars Symbol:Symbol: Sword Sword

and Spearand Spear

HEPHAESTUSHEPHAESTUS:: god of fire and god of fire and forgeforge

Son of HeraSon of Hera FatherlessFatherless Roman Name: VulcanRoman Name: Vulcan SymbolSymbol: Anvil and Hammer: Anvil and Hammer

HERMESHERMES:: Messenger of the godsMessenger of the gods Son of ZeusSon of Zeus Responsible for Responsible for

guiding souls to the guiding souls to the underworldunderworld

Roman Name: Roman Name: MercuryMercury

Symbol:Symbol: Winged Winged Sandals & HelmetSandals & Helmet