Greek and Roman Gods: Olympians (and minor gods) Mr. Upchurch’s Mythology 101 Lectures 9 Also known as Classical Mythology
Feb 25, 2016
Greek and Roman Gods:
Olympians (and minor gods)
Mr. Upchurch’s Mythology 101
Lectures 9
Also known as Classical
Mythology
Original Creators (from Choas)
The Titans
The Olympians
The Olympians1. Zeus
(Jove/Juptier)2. Hera (Juno)3. Poseidon
(Neptune)4. Hades (Pluto)5. Aphrodite
(Venus)6. Apollo (Apollo)7. Ares (Mars)
8. Artemis (Diana)9. Athena
(Minerva)10. Hephaestus
(Vulcan)11. Hestia (Vesta)12. Hermes
(Mercury)Sometimes:• Demeter (Ceres)• Dionysus
(Bacchus)
The Olympians1. Zeus
(Jove/Juptier)2. Hera (Juno)3. Poseidon
(Neptune)4. Hades (Pluto)5. Aphrodite
(Venus)6. Apollo (Apollo)7. Ares (Mars)
8. Artemis (Diana)9. Athena
(Minerva)10. Hephaestus
(Vulcan)11. Hestia (Vesta)12. Hermes
(Mercury)Sometimes:• Demeter (Ceres)• Dionysus
(Bacchus)
Zeus Hera Apollo
Pan
Aphrodite
Ares
Artemis
DionysusPoseidon
Hermes
Athena
DemeterHephaestus
Zeus (Jupiter, Jove)Domain:
King of the Gods/ Lord of the SkyRelationships:
Cronus & Rhea – parents; Hera – wife & sister; Poseidon & Hades – brothers
Symbols: Lightening bolt; Eagle; Oak Tree
• Important Information:King of OlympiansZeus’ shield contained Medusa.
Shield called aegis (protection)Olympics started in honor of ZeusOverthrew Cronus (was the one to
cast the death blow) to become king of the gods
Pegasus, once in Olympus, was know to retrieve Zeus’ thunderbolts
Extramarital Affairs: Approximately 60 (Including Primary Deities, Nymphs, and Mortals)
Hera (Juno)Domain:
Queen of Olympia; Goddess of Marriage
Relationships: Cronus & Rhea – parents; Zeus –
husband & brother; Poseidon & Hades – brothers
Symbols: Bird – peacock; Cow – is sacred
• Could ease childbirth• Punished unfaithful women• Fall of Troy – revenge against the
Trojans because of the Judgment of Prince Paris
• Sacred city – Argos• Very beautiful woman• Milky Way – milk from Hera from
when she fed Hercules• Heraia – athletic competitions for
women only• Iris, the goddess of the rainbow,
was her attendant and messenger
Poseidon (Neptune)Domain:
SeaRelationships:
Zeus & Hades- brothers; Amphitrite – wife
Symbols: Trident (three-pronged pitchfork)
• Gave horses to man• “Earth-Shaker”• House was under the sea, but he was at Mt. Olympus• Odyssey - delayed Odysseus’ return home
• Contrary to Percy Jackson, Poseidon did not have as many lovers as his brother. Though there were numerous affairs, they were nearly all with mortal women, and only recorded in genealogies without accompanying stories.
Hades (Pluto, Dis meaning rich)
Domain: Underworld
Relationships: Zeus & Poseidon – brothers;
Cronus & Rhea – parents; Persephone- wife
Symbols: Helmet of Invisibility (or
darkness)
• God of the dead, but not “death”• 3rd in power, under Zeus and Poseidon• Kidnapped Persephone, daughter of Demeter, thus creating the four seasons
Aphrodite (Venus)Domain:
Goddess of Love and BeautyRelationships:
Parents-Zeus & Dione or “Foam of Sea” Husband- Hephaestos
Symbols: Bird – dove, swan, sparrowTree – myrtle(heart – modern)
• Queen of laughter, Mistress of grace and pleasures
• Notoriously unfaithful to her husband
• Wife of Hephaestus (ugly, lame god)• Easily fooled/beguiled others (used
her sexuality to get her way)• Winner of the golden apple in the
Judgement of Paris – she had promised Paris the most beautiful woman in the world (Helen)
• Famous with Ares (god of war --- Love & War)
• Mother of Cupid (Eros)
Apollo (Apollo)Domain:
God of Archery, Prophecy, Medicine, and Music (also associated with all other sun gods)
Relationships: Parents- Zeus and Leto (Latona) Twin- Artemis
Symbols: Sun – sometimes; Lyre – small harp; Bird
– crow; Tree – Laurel
• Python –Killed large snake• Oracle (priestess) was at Delphi• Widely worshipped • Gave man the healing arts (medicine) • Created caduceus (ca-du-ceus)– staff wrapped with 2 snakes• Traded the caduceus to Hermes for the lyre
Ares (Mars)Domain:
God of WarRelationships:
Parents- Zeus and Hera Sister- Eris (Discordia); Lover- Aphrodite
Symbols: Shield with bloody spear , Vulture,
Dog
• Favored Trojans in Trojan War• Liked by Romans (warriors), but
not by Greeks (philosophers)• Coward – ran away when in pain• Wears armor (all the time) • Associated with Amazons
(women warriors) They came from the daughter he had with Aphrodite: Harmonia
• Planet – red, blood red• More important in Roman
Mythology—the father of Romulus and Remus
Artemis (Diana, Hecate, Cynthia, Selene)
Domain: Goddess of the Hunt, Wild
Thing, and the Moon (after her Grandmother Phoebe)
Relationships: Parents- Zeus and Leto (Latona) Twin- Apollo
Symbols: Silver arrows, deer, cyprus
Huntsman-in-Chief of Olympus
One of three virgin goddesses
(along with Athena and Hestia)Almost married the giant Orion (ended up being tricked into killing him)
Protector of Youth3 forms – (Ultimate picture of the
good and evil in the gods—opposite of her Twin)
1.Artemis – earth2. Selene/Cynthia –bright, light-side
moon (sky)3. Hecate – dark moon (underworld)
Athena (Minerva)Domain:
Goddess of Wisdom & Civilized Life (arts and agriculture)
(and sometimes war… but she preferred to talk things out)
Relationships: Parent- Zeus (sprung from his
head)Symbols:
Owl, Olive Tree, and the City of ATHENS
Born full-grown, in full armor, from Zeus’ head
Carried Zeus’ shield (aegis) and lightening bolt
Zeus’ favorite childParthenon was her temple“Grey-eyed or flashing-eyed Athena”
One of three virgin goddesses
Hephaestus (Vulcan)Domain:
God of the Fire and ForgeRelationships:
Parents- Zeus and Hera (or Hera only)
Wife- AphroditeSymbols:
Anvil/Hammer
Lived in a volcano – when volcano erupts, Vulcan is working at his forge
Considered very ugly, and lame (from being thrown out of Olympus by one of his parents)
Peace-loving and very popular with both humans and Olympians
Blacksmith to the gods (made their armor)
Famously crafted the armor of Achilles at the request of his mother Thetis.
Once had a thing for Athena
Hestia (Vesta)Domain:
Goddess of the Hearth and Home
Relationships: Parents- Chronus and Rhea Siblings- Zeus (always referred to as his
sister… which means Poseidon, Hades, and Hera, and Demeter would also be in this list).
Symbols: Hearth and Fire Within
First child born to Chronos and 1st swallowed—last spit out (thus oldest and youngest)
One of the 3 virgin goddessesConcerns with newborn children
being dedicatedEvery meal began and ended with an
offering to herNo distinct personality/storiesWas pursued by both Poseidon and
Apollo—and rejected bothHester of Scarlet Letter is an allusion
to Hestia
Hermes (Mercury)Domain:
God of Commerce and Market (Patron God of travelers, traders, merchants and thieves). Also
the god of animal husbandry, roads, travel, hospitality, heralds, diplomacy, trade, thievery, language, writing, persuasion, cunning wiles, athletic contests, gymnasiums, astronomy, andastrology.
Relationships: Parents- Zeus and Maia
Symbols: Winged Sandals and shoes, Caduceus
• Messenger of the Gods• Trickster, master thief• Inventive and wise from birth• Created the lyre for Apollo, traded for caduceus• Guide to Underworld• Always youthful
Demeter (Ceres)—sometimes included
Domain: Goddess of agriculture, grain, bread, and theharvest (the primary substance for mankind)
Relationships: Parents- Chronos and Rhea Siblings-Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, and Hera, and Hestia Daughter- Persephone
Symbols: Sheaves of wheat
Though a primary and significant
goddess, there are relatively few
myths about herFamous primarily for her daughter—Persephone.
-Stolen by Hades, she became the queen of the Underworld.
-Demeter’s search for her cause the earth to become barren.
-Hades was forced to surrender Persephone for half the year… thus creating the seasons. When she is on earth and Demeter is happy= Spring and Summer. When she is in the Underworld=Fall and Winter.
Dionysus (Bacchus)—sometimes included
Domain: God of Wine and Festivity
Relationships: Parents- Zeus and Semele (the only mortal to parent a god)
Wife- Ariadne (a-rē-ˈad-nē)Symbols:
Wine, leopard, pine-cone tip staff
Sometimes depicted as a trickster because of his unruly nature and connection with intoxication
Married Ariadne, after she had been abandoned by Theseus. Gave her a crown that later become a constellation
Some say he gave Midas his gold-touching powers
Rescued his mother from the Underworld
Eros (Cupid)Domain:
Mischievous God of Love (romantic)Relationships:
Parents: Choas or Aphrodite & AresSiblings: Anteros (avenger of unrequited love)Wife: Psyche (we’ll read this myth)
Symbols:Bow and arrow… sometimes the blindfold (love
is blind)Few Facts:
1. One of the Primary Greek Tricksters2. Was always portrayed as a child, until
Anteros was born
PsycheDomain:
Goddess of the Human SoulRelationships:
Husband: Eros/Cupid (we’ll read this myth)
Few Facts:1. Was once a mortal princess
with such beauty that men turned from worshiping the
gods to worshiping her
Hebe (Juventas)Domain:
Goddess of Youth and Cupbearer to the Olympians
Relationships:Parents: Zeus and HeraSiblings: AresHusband: Heracles (Hercules) –once he was
immortalFew Facts:
1. Her marriage reconciled Hera to Heracles
2. She was replaced as cupbearer by Ganymedes
IrisDomain:
Goddess of the Rainbow Relationships:
Parents: Titan Thaumas & the nymph ElectraSiblings: The Harpies (Monster Bird Women)
Symbols:Herald’s Staff and Water Pitcher
Few Facts:1. Portrayed as a young woman with wings2. Messenger of the gods to mankind, and
particularly of the goddess Hera3. Would take the form of a known individual
when sending messages to mortals
Pan (Faunus)Domain:
God of the shepherd, flock, and fertilityRelationships:
Parents: Zeus and Hybris or Hermes and ???Symbols:
Reed Pipe (Instrument)Few Facts:
1. Disliked by most (with the exception of those from Arcadia)
2. Portrayed as an unattractive goat-man3. Other in the company of Dionysus4. The word “panic” springs from his
tendency to frighten travelers
Thanatos (Mor)Domain:
Greek Personification of DeathRelationships:
Parents: Nyx (Night) and Erebus (Choas)Siblings: Hypnos (twin brother) and the Keres
(sisters)
Few Facts:1. Two large wings and a sword2. Very small role in mythology
3. Sometimes he is associated only with non-violent death, while his sisters are associated with violent and diseased
death
The Nine MusesDomain:
Goddesses of The ArtsRelationships:
Parents: Zeus and the Titan Mnemosyne (Memory)
Few Facts:1. Apollo, in later mythology,
became their leaderList on next page
• Clio (History)• Urania (Astronomy)• Melpomene (Tragedy)• Thalia (Comedy)
• Terpsichore (Dance)• Calliope (Epic Poetry)• Erato (Love Poetry)
• Polyhymnia (Songs to the Gods)
• Euterpe (Lyric Poetry)
The Three Graces/Charites (Gratiae)Domain:
Personifications of charm, beauty and grace Relationships:
Parents: Zeus and (titan) Eurynome or Dionysus & ???Few Facts:
1. Sources of inspiration in poetry and the arts
2. Originally, they were goddesses of fertility and nature, closely associated with the
underworld and the Eleusinian mysteries/fields
3. Personal attendants of Aphrodite and Hera (possible mothers of The Graces)
List on next
•Aglaia (Splendor)- Youngest and, according to Homer, the wife of Hephaestus (rather than Aphrodite)
• Euphrosyne (Mirth)- Wife of Hypnos (sleep)
• Thalia (Good Cheer)
The Three Erinnyes (The Furies)Domain:
Goddesses of vengeance Relationships:
Parents: Gaia and Uranus (from the blood of Uranus)
Few Facts:1. Pursued evil doers and tormented the
wicked in the Underworld2. Also known as “the angry ones”, “the
kindly ones” or “the solemn ones”3. Alecto, Tisiphone and Megaera
4. Very beautiful
The Fates or MoiraeDomain:
Controlled the destinies of mankindRelationships:
Parents: Choas (though some stories say Zeus and Themis, this is unlikely as they were more powerful than Zeus)
Few Facts:1. Portrayed as ugly and old and
unmerciful2. Honored among the gods for being
just3. Associated with Themis (Law)—
mother of Achilles
1. Clotho- “the spinner” spun the thread of life
2. Lachesis- “the measurer” chooses the lot in life one will have and measures off how long it is to be
3. Atropos- “the inevitable” at death, her shears cuts the thread of life. (Smallest and most feared)
The Three GorgonsDomain:
Monstrous women who turned anyone who looked upon them to stone
Relationships:Parents: Phorcys and Ceto (minor
titans)Few Facts:
1. Euryale ("far-roaming")2. Sthenno ("forceful")
3. Medusa ("ruler")—most famousMore on Medusa
Medusa• She is the only mortal. Early
myths do not account for this, as they claim she was born a gorgon sister. The later myth, however, that tells that she was a maiden cursed by Athena makes more sense.
• She was killed by Perseus • Out of her decapitated head
sprung Pegasus
NymphsDomain:
Spirits of NatureDryads (forests)
Naiads (springs and rivers)Nereid (the Mediterranean)
Oceanids (the sea)—sometimes still Nereids
Oreads (mountains)Limoniads (meadows)
Limniads (lakes, marshes and swamps) Napaea (valleys)
Few Facts:1. Always represented as young pretty girls
Satyrs [say-turs ] (Faun)Domain:
Minor gods of the woods and mountians
Few Facts:1. Half-human/Half-beast (usually either
just a goat-man like pan or a man with donkey ears, unturned noses and horse tails)
2. Often associated with Dionysus, Hermes, and Pan (sometimes
with Gaia and Rhea)3. Married Nymphs