greek mythology: the titans vs. the olympians february 8, 2010
TRANSCRIPT
• Greek mythology– Started in Greek Empire– Included in Roman Empire too
• Why create Gods & Myths?– Need reason to explain things in the world
• Sun/ weather/ plagues/ etc.
– Fear of the unknown– No modern science/ technology like today
• Gods– Titans– Olympians– Lesser Gods
• Creatures– Cyclopes– Giants
• Myths– Creation of World– Creation of Man
Titans• Known as “elder Gods”• Ruled Earth before Olympians
overthrew themGaea• Earth Goddess• SON: Uranus– Mated with son to produce
more Titans
Uranus• Sky God/ First Ruler• Married Gaea (mother)– 12 kids (including Cronus)
• Killed by Cronus– Encouraged by Gaea
Cronus• Came to power by killing
father (Uranus)• Wife: Rhea– Offspring: first of Olympian
• Ensure safety: ate each of his children– Upset Rhea– Tricked Cronus into swallowing
a rock (instead of Zeus)• When Zeus grows up…– Revolt against Cronus & Titans
& defeat them– Banish them to underworld
Children of Cronus & RheaZeusOceanus• Controls ocean that surrounds worldPrometheus• Wisest Titan/ TELL THE FUTURE• Deserted Titans & fought on Zeus’ side• Delegated by Zeus to create man
– Gave mankind gifts (fire)• Tricked Zeus
– Man best parts/ gods worst parts– Punishment: chained to rock with eagle tearing at liver
• For eternity or till tell which of Zeus children replace him
– Did NOT give in to Zeus/ rescued by Hercules
Epimetheus– Stupid Titan– Accepted gift of Pandora from Zeus
• Evil into world
Atlas• Fought against Zeus with
Titans• Punishment: hold up world on
back Metis• Goddess of wisdom &
knowledge• Child with Zeus: Athena• Prophecy: 2nd child will replace
(ate)– Source of Zeus wisdom
Olympians• 12 gods ruled after Titans• Related in some way• Home: Mt. OlympusZeus• Overthrew father Cronus• Lord of sky & rain• Weapon: thunderbolt• Wife: HeraPoseidon• Brother of Zeus• Lord of Sea• Weapon: Trident (shake Earth)• Wife: Aphrodite
Hades• Brother of Zeus• Lord of Underworld (dead)• God of wealth • Weapon: Helmet (invisible)Hera• Zeus wife• Tricked into marriage• Rebel against him/ outwit himAres• Son of Zeus & Hera/ disliked• God of war– Murderous, coward