An Introduction to
Greek Mythology
By Ms. Carey and
Mrs. Efpatridis – Campion
English Department – 20092010
What is Mythology?

Mythology is the study of
stories, associated with a
particular culture, that were
used to explain the world and
other human experiences.

Unlike a legend, which may or
may not be true, a myth is
completely made up.

These exciting stories
explained natural phenomena
that could not be explained by
science in the ancient world.
What is Mythology?

Myths were used to explain:
 the creation of the earth
 death and the afterlife
 human experiences (love,
jealousy and revenge)
 a custom or belief

They were also used as
entertainment and were only
told and passed down orally
because most people could not
read or write.
What is Greek Mythology?

The Greek word for
“story” is “mythos” and
from this word comes our
English word Myth.
Gods and Goddesses

Greek Myths include gods and
goddesses.

The Greeks worshipped their
gods and regularly prayed,
gave offerings and built
temples to please the gods.
How were the Greeks unique?

Unlike the Egyptians!
The Greeks were
distinctly different
from all previous
civilizations because
they were the first to
create gods in their
own image.
The Unique Greeks

Unlike religious gods today, the
Greek gods looked and acted
human.

They married, loved and
quarrelled; they had love affairs
(and children) with both gods and
mortals; they also loved games,
challenges and trickery.

But the gods were immortal and
would never die because ichor,
not blood, ran in their veins.
Mount Olympus

The gods and goddesses lived
at the top of Mt. Olympus in
Greece behind a gate of
clouds.

There they ate only ambrosia
and drank only nectar.

They also kept an eye on the
mortals down on earth, which
they could visit at any time.
Greek Mythology Today

The Ancient Greek culture has
been kept alive by oral tradition
and later written stories handed
down through thousands of years.

Modern plays, novels, television
programs, movies and even
advertisements refer to Greek
gods, goddesses, heroes and their
stories.

Adventurous and exciting stories
delight and entertain us.
Why should we study Greek Mythology?

They provide insight into Greek culture
and different time periods.

They present us with alternative ways
of looking at our world.

They have become an integral part of
our current cultural landscape from
Atlas Moving Company to Project
Prometheus.

They remind us, through the common
elements we see in the myths of
various cultures, that despite our
differences, such as language, we are
much more alike than different.
Reviewing Mythology

Where does the English word “myth” come from?
Answer: the Greek word for “story” is “mythos” and from this word
comes our English word Myth.

Why were myths used in ancient times?
Answer: to explain the creation of the earth, death and the afterlife,
human experiences, customs or beliefs and to entertain.

How were the Greeks different from other civilizations?
Answer: they were the first to create gods in their own image.

Explain the difference between immortal and mortal. What category
do humans and gods/goddesses fall under?
Answer: Immortal means you cannot die (gods/goddesses), mortal
means you can die (humans).
Reviewing Mythology

Where do the gods and goddesses
live?
Answer: Mount Olympus

What do the gods and goddesses
eat and drink?
Answer: they ate only ambrosia and
drank only nectar.

Why should we study Greek
mythology?
Answer: learn about Greek culture,
provides us with alternative ways of
looking at our world, for
entertainment, shows humans are
more alike than different.

Greek Creation Story …

To understand the most
famous Greek gods, it’s
important to know where
they came from…

Their story begins at the
beginning of time.

At first there was only
darkness also known as
Chaos.
How it all began…

Then Gaea, the Earth, grew
out of this dark space - Chaos.

Gaea gave birth to Uranus, the
sky. When rain fell on Gaea,
plants, animals and rivers were
created.

Gaea became Mother Earth,
mother off all living things and
mother off the first gods.

Uranus became the sky god.
How it all began…

Uranus became the
husband of Gaea.

Gaea and Uranus
gave birth to 12
Titans, all powerful
giants – 6 boys and 6
girls.
How it all began…

Gaea gave birth to more
children.

Three huge one-eyed giants
called Cyclopes.

Three Hecatoncheires –
each of these monsters had
50 heads and 100 arms.
How it all began…

Uranus hated these ugly
children and threw them
away into the
Underworld.

This greatly angered
Gaea and she convinced
Cronus, the youngest of
the Titans, to overthrow
Uranus, his father.
How it all began…
 Cronus succeeded in


overthrowing Uranus and
became the new Lord of
the Universe, but would
not free his relatives.
Cronus married his sister
Rhea and had many
children.
But Cronus worried that
one of his sons would
overthrow him just as he
had overthrown his own
father… so he swallowed
each child as it was born.
Reviewing how it all began…

Who emerged from darkness/chaos?
Answer: Gaea

Gaea is the ______ goddess.
Answer: Earth

Who did Gaea first give birth to and latter marry?
Answer: Uranus

Why did Uranus disown his children?
Answer: Uranus hated the ugly children (Cyclopes and
Hecatoncheires) and threw them away into the Underworld.
How it all began…

This made Cronus’
wife, Rhea, very
angry.

Finally, she hid the
youngest child, Zeus,
who became the
Supreme God, and
tricked Cronus with a
rock wrapped in a
blanket.
How it all began…

When Zeus grew up…

He overthrew Cronus and
freed his brothers and
sisters, and the monsters
from the Underworld

Then together they fought
the Titans for 10 years.
How it all began…

The war between the old gods and the
new gods lasted 10 years – but finally
Cronus and the Titans were defeated.

When Mother Earth was finally
peaceful, the rule of the Universe was
divided between the 3 brothers:

Zeus became the king of gods and
god of heaven and earth.

Poseidon became god of the sea.

Hades became god of the Underworld.
The Great Olympians

The Cyclopes built a
palace on Mt. Olympus
for Zeus with 12 thrones:
one for each of Zeus’
brothers, sisters, children
and Aphrodite, the
goddess of Love.

The 12 great Olympians
ruled from the top of Mt.
Olympus forever after.
Reviewing how it all began…

What did Cronus do to his own children out of fear?
Answer: he ate them because he thought one of them would defeat him like
he did his own father.

How did Cronus’ wife Rhea trick him into not eating their youngest child,
Zeus?
Answer: by wrapping a rock in a blanket.

After Zeus overthrew Cronus and the Titans, what did he become ruler of?
Answer: Zeus became the king of gods and god of heaven and earth.

What realms did his two brothers, Poseidon and Hades, rule over?
Answer: Poseidon became god of the sea and Hades became god of the
underworld.