Introd uction For 7 Grade Langua to ge Arts Greek 20172018 Myth th Places to Know:
The majority of the Greek gods and goddesses live on Mt. Olympus. Initially, Mt. Olympus was considered a high mountain on Earth, but eventually it came to be known as a floating place in the heavens. A mortal could only visit Mt. Olympus if they had an invitation. The Earth is where humans lived. The gods and goddesses ruled over realms on the earth and often visited. Occasionally, gods and goddesses would fall in love with mortals. Their offspring would become
demigods half human, half god. The Earth was inhabited by many strange and dangerous creatures that would often need to be killed by heroes and demigods. Minor mythological creatures and monsters, such as nymphs, cyclops, and satyrs dwelled on Earth. Then there is the Underworld. This is the world of the dead. The underworld was a place inside the earth that was made up of three places; Tartarus, The Asphodel Fields, and The Elysian Fields.
Normal commoners went to the Asphodel Fields. This was a gray, shadowy, misty, and ghostly place. Here their souls wandered around like shadows. Tartarus is where the worst humans and gods went. They suffered horrendous punishments such as eternal hunger and thirst, being tied to a wheel of fire, being hit with
thunderbolts, climbing a mountain endlessly, and shameful donkeys ears. These people had to suffer for eternity. Heroic, kind, and noble people went to the Elysian Fields. Here they rested and enjoyed lives of luxury and bliss. You could be sent to Earth to live another life after you died. If you went to the Elysian Field three times you could
go to the Isles of the Blessed and never leave. In the beginning there was no earth, sky or sea. There was only confusion and darkness, called Chaos. Chaos gave birth to Mother Earth. She eventually gave birth to a son, Uranus, also known as Father Heaven. Mother Earth and Father Heaven had many children. First, they had three monstrous sons. Each had fifty heads and one hundred hands. Then, they had three more sons. They were just as big and just as ugly. They were called Cyclops. They had one eye in the middle of their foreheads. They were as strong as
Earthquakes and Tornadoes combined. Finally, they had the first gods, six sons and six daughters called the Titans. Cronus, a Titan, overthrew his father. He married his sister, Rhea, and they had six children. Unfortunately, Cronus was afraid he would be overthrown, so he swallowed each of his first five children after they were born. Rhea decided to hid her sixth child from him, giving Cronus a rock to swallow instead. Eventually, this six child grew up to rescue his
siblings (who were now full grown in their The Olympians Zeus (Jupiter) Lord of the Sky & Thunder Father of all the Gods Symbols: Thunderbolt, Eagle, Bull, and Oak Upholder of the law, justice, morals, and civilized conduct Married to Hera but has MANY affairs.
{zoos} Hera (Juno) Wife of Zeus Goddess of women & marriage Symbols: Peacock & Cow Known for her jealousy and vengeful nature {hir'-uh} Poseidon (Neptune) God of the Sea, Storms and Earthquakes
Symbols: Trident, Fish, Dolphin and Horse Brother to Zeus Married a sea nymph, but also had lots of affairs. {puh-sy'-duhn} Hades (Pluto) Lord of the Underworld & Afterlife Symbols: Cerberus, Cap of Invisibility, Cypress
Spent nearly ALL his time in the Underworld Married to his neice, Persephone (whom he kidnapped) Owns all the precious metal on Earth Brother to Zeus and Poseidon {hay'-deez} Persephone and Hestia Persephone (Proserpine) Daughter of Demeter
Goddess of Spring Queen of the Underworld Spends half her time on Earth and half in the Underworld. Symbols: Pomegranate, Ram, Monkeys Hestia (Vesta) Goddess of the Hearth, the symbol of home and domestic life
A virgin goddess, wooed by Poseidon and Apollo but swore by Zeus to remain a virgin Every hearth on Earth was her altar New colonies took fire from the hearth of the mother-city Symbol: The hearth Demeter (Ceres) Goddess of the harvest, fertility of the earth Also represented sanctity of
marriage and life/death cycle Symbols: Torch, Lion, Cornucopia, Sheaves of Wheat Her moods determine the seasons Mother of Persephone {dih-mee'-tur} Athena (Minerva) Goddess of Wisdom, Strategy, Civilization,
crafts, justice, and war Owl, Olive tree, Snake, Spider Sprung forth from Zeuss head fully grown Zeuss favorite child Often counselor to heroes Patron Goddess of Athens {a-thee'na} Ares (Mars) God of War & Bloodshed Symbols: Vulture, Spear, Boar
Prone to Unpredictable Violence Continual Affair with Aphrodite Handsome but vain, cruel and murderous; detested by gods and men {air'-eez} Apollo God of music, poetry, plague, oracles, medicine, light and knowledge, truth (can never tell a lie), and archery.
Master musician, he directed the choir of Muses. The Archer-god, the Healer. Twin brother of Artemis Symbols: Lyre, Laurel Wreath, Python, Raven {a-pol'-lo} Artemis (Diana) Goddess of the Hunt, Forests and Hills, the Moon Symbols: Bow & Arrows,
Stags, Hunting Dogs, the Moon Twin Sister of Apollo Virgin Goddess {ahr'-tuh-mis} Aphrodite (Venus) Goddess of Love and Beauty Symbols: Dolphin, Rose, Dove, Mirror, Swan Mother of Eros (Cupid) Married to Hephaestus
but commits adultery Considered irresistible {af-roh-dy'-tee} Dionysus (Bacchus) God of Wine, Theatre, and Ecstasy Zeus youngest son His mother, Semele, was a princess and a mortal woman Taught people the art of wine making & the consequences of too much wine Symbols: Grapevine, leopard skin,
panther, tiger, leopard Satyrs are associated with him as well {dy-uh-ny'-suhs} Hermes (Mercury) God of commerce, thieves, travelers, sports, and border crossings Messenger of the Gods Symbols: Caduceus, Tortoise, Lyre, Rooster Recognized by his winged cap and sandals
Appears the most often of all the gods {hur'-meez} Hephaestus (Vulcan) God of Technology, Blacksmiths, Craftsmen and Volcanoes Symbols: Hammer, Anvil and Tongs Married to Aphrodite Was born of Heras jealousy The only ugly god
Crippled from Birth and Zeus cast him out of Olympus {huh-fes'-tuhs} Cronus + Rhea Hestia Hades Poseidon ZEUSS IMMORTAL OFFSPRING
Metis -- Athena Themis -- Hours, Order, Justice, Peace, Fates Demeter -- Persephone Mnemosyne -- The Nine Muses Leto -- Artemis & Apollo Dione -- Aphrodite Semele -- Dionysus Maia -- Hermes Hera -- Hebe, Ares, Hephaestus Demeter Hera
Zeus Other notable offspring of Zeus Perseus Kastor and Polydeukes Helen of Troy Hercules Knowing a little about these Gods and goddesses will help You as we read Greek mythology.
Hope you enjoyed the slideshow.
