Greek Mythology

Greek MythologyGreek Mythology

Olympian Outline Olympian Outline

Purpose

• Myths grant continuity and stability to a culture.

• Myths present guidelines for living. – Arachne learns not to boast– Heroes acheive their goals

through honorable qualities

• Myths justify a culture's activities. – If crops failed, Demeter was

unhappy– If their businesses prospered,

Athena favored them

• Myths give meaning to life.

Purpose continued

• Myths explain the unexplainable. – Frightened by lightning– Puzzled by echoes– Awed by the rising sun

• Myths offer role models. • Explain historical events

– Jason’s Golden Fleece may be all the cumulative riches that explorers acquired

Characteristics of the Deities

•Possessed human qualities•Immortal•Vulnerable•Powerful•Have man’s welfare•Sanctify human beauty and strength•Morality Police

Family Tree

Qualities Valued by the Greek Culture, According to Mythology

• Beauty• Fame• Adventure• Intelligence• Strength• Pleasure• Cleverness• Loyalty

Zeus

Roman Name: JupiterParents: Cronus

& RheaKing of the gods,

god of the sky

Symbolic of:•Leadership

•Justice

Associated With:•Thunderbolts

•Aegis•Sceptre

Personality Traits:•Wise

•Strong•Promiscuous

•Tricky•Authoritative

Some Stories:•Overthrew Cronus•Freed 110-armed ones and cyclops

•Dried the river Inachos

Hera

Roman Name: JunoParents: Cronus &

RheaQueen of the gods,

goddess of marriage and childbirth

Symbolic of:•Marriage

•Motherhood

Associated with:•Golden apples

of immortality•Peacock

•White Cow

Personality Traits:•Jealous

•Possessive•Protective•Nurturing

Some Stories:•Changed Io to a cow

•Argus•Kept Leto from

giving birth

Hephaestus

Roman Name:VulcanParents: Zeus & Hera

god of smiths and fire

Symbolic of:•Work

•Mechanics

Associated with:•Robots

•Hammers•Jewelry•Armor

Personality Traits:•Hard-working•Peace-loving

•Fond of mother•Lame

•Skillful & Creative•Steady

Some Stories:•Lame from being flung

•Cyclops helped make jewels and weapons

•Helped Athena from Zeus’ head

Aphrodite

Roman Name: VenusParents: None

goddess of loveAnd beauty

Symbolic of:•Desire

•Physical Attraction•Love & Beauty

Associated with:•White doves

•Golden Girdle•Three Graces

Personality Traits:•Beautiful

•Irresistible•unsatisfied

Some Stories:•Born from sea

•Wife of Hephaestus•Son named Eros

Ares

Roman Name: MarsParents: Zeus &

HeraGod of offensive war

Symbolic of:•Senseless war

that results in Pain, Panic, Famine

and Oblivion•Bullies

Associated with:•Weapons

•Armor•Vulture•Dogs

Personality Traits:•Tall & handsome

•Vain•Wanted bloodshed

•Big old crybaby•boastful

Some Stories:•Went joyously to

the war Eris started with the apple

of discord

Athena

Roman Name: MinervaParents:

Metis & ZeusGoddess of Wisdom

Symbolic of:•Arts & Crafts

•Protection

Associated with:•Olive Tree

•Owl•Breastplate

& Aegis•Nike

•Helmet & Spear

Personality Traits:•Stern•Fair

•Prudent Courage•Merciful

•Protective

Some Stories:•Born from Zeus’ head•Arachne

Poseidon

Roman Name: Neptune

Parents: Rhea & Cronus

Lord of the sea

Symbolic of:•Wrath of nature

Associated with:•Trident

•White horses

Personality Traits:•Moody & violent

•restless

Some Stories:•Amphitrite as queen

Apollo

Roman Name: ApolloParents: Zeus & Letogod of music, light ,

medicine& reason

Symbolic of:•Healing•Vision

Associated with:•Golden bow

& arrows•Chariot

•Lyre•Delphi

Personality Traits:•Vain•Bold

•Light & Clear•Beautiful

Some Stories:•Killed the Python•Turned Marsyas

into a river•Orion

Artemis

Roman Name: DianaParents: Zues & Leto

goddess of the hunt & all newborn creatures

Symbolic of:•Painless death

•The hunt•Chastity•Nature

Associated with:•Bow and arrows

•Moonbeams•Antlers

•Silver chariot•Hounds

Personality Traits:•Wild, young & free

•Cold & pitiless•Beautiful•Impatient

Some Stories:•Turned Actaeon

into a stag•Niobe into a rock

that wept•Tricked Otus & Ephialtes

•Orion

Hermes

Roman Name: MercuryParents: Zeus & Maia

god of sheperds, travelers, merchants

& thievesMessenger god

Symbolic of:•The journey of life

•Playful games

Associated with:•Winged cap

& sandals•Cape

•Magic wand (caduceus)

Personality Traits:•Merry

•Precocious•Mischevious

•swift

Some Stories:•Bored Argus

to death•Stole Apollo’s herd then gave him lyre

•Cairns

Hades

Roman Name:HadesParents: Rhea

& CronusLord of the Underworld

Symbolic of:•Death

•Unknown

Associated with:•Cerberus

•Black Horses

Personality Traits:•Greedy

•Passionate

Some Stories:•Persephone

Demeter

Roman Name: CeresParents: Rhea

& Cronusgoddess of the harvest

Symbolic of:•Agriculture•Seasons

Associated with:•Sheaf of wheat

Personality Traits:•Kind

•Maternal•Protective

Some Stories:•Daughter

Persephone

Dionysus

Roman Name:Parents:

Symbolic of: Associated with: Personality Traits: Some Stories: