The Titanomachy:
Rise of the Olympians
Teachers
Students
Navigating the Module
Next Button
This button will take you to the next slide in each
lesson.
Back Button
This button will take you back a slide in each lesson.
Text Boxes
Type your answer to the provided questions in each box.
Home Button
This button will take you to your Home Page at any
Click
the
Home
Button
to
get
started!
time.
Teacher’s Information
Audience
This module is intended as an introductory activity in the Greek
mythology unit for English 9 students with a basic understanding of
reading, writing, and Greek mythology.
Learning Environment
Students will participate in this learning module in a computer lab with
access to headphones and the Internet.
Objectives
• Given a major Titan or Greek god/goddess, students will recognize
how he/she was involved in the Titanomachy and the events leading
up to the Titanomachy with 100% accuracy.
• Given a major Titan or Greek god/goddess, students will identify
his/her origins with 100% accuracy
• Given a specific event of the Titanomachy or leading up to the
Titanomachy, students will recall how this event relates to another
event with 100% accuracy.
Which will be your home page…
Mount Othrys or
Mount Olympus?
Mount Othrys:
Headquarters of the Titans
Introduction
Lesson One: The Protogenoi
Lesson Two: The Titans
Lesson Three: The Olympians
Lesson Four: The Titanomachy
Quiz
Mount Olympus:
Headquarters of the Gods
Introduction
Lesson One: The Protogenoi
Lesson Two: The Titans
Lesson Three: The Olympians
Lesson Four: The Titanomachy
Quiz
Introduction
Greek mythology is a many-faced monster, each
story of the gods and goddesses differing
somehow from the next. This learning module
focuses on the most common aspects of one
particular story—the Titanomachy. Click the
Next Button for a short introductory video to
start the module!
Introduction
Greek mythology is a many-faced monster, each
story of the gods and goddesses differing
somehow from the next. This learning module
focuses on the most common aspects of one
particular story—the Titanomachy. Click the
Next Button for a short introductory video to
start the module!
Protogenoi
You may or may not have heard of the
Protogenoi, also called the primeval gods of the
universe. They are not nearly as known as their
famous grandchildren, the Olympians, though
they are much older. These gods emerged around
creation.
Protogenoi
You may or may not have heard of the
Protogenoi, also called the primeval gods of the
universe. They are not nearly as known as their
famous grandchildren, the Olympians, though
they are much older. These gods emerged around
creation.
Protogenoi
The Protogenoi make up the most basic
components of the universe, though the most
important to our story are Gaia and Ouranos.
Gaia was the Earth. Ouranos was the Sky.
Protogenoi
The Protogenoi make up the most basic
components of the universe, though the most
important to our story are Gaia and Ouranos.
Gaia was the Earth. Ouranos was the Sky.
Protogenoi
Though unusual to us, Gaia gave birth to
Ouranos through a process called
parthenogenesis. She created him to be her
equal, and together they had many children.
Protogenoi
Though unusual to us, Gaia gave birth to
Ouranos through a process called
parthenogenesis. She created him to be her
equal, and together they had many children.
Protogenoi
The first of their children were the Cyclopes
Brontes, Steropes, and Arges. All three of them
were exceptionally strong and capable with their
hands. As you can see, the Cyclopes only has
one eye.
Protogenoi
The first of their children were the Cyclopes
Brontes, Steropes, and Arges. All three of them
were exceptionally strong and capable with their
hands. As you can see, the Cyclopes only has
one eye.
Protogenoi
Next, Gaia and Ouranos gave birth to three
creatures called the Hundred-Handed Ones:
Cottus, Briareos, and Gyges. These creatures, per
their namesake, each had one hundred protruding
from various parts of their bodies.
Protogenoi
Next, Gaia and Ouranos gave birth to three
creatures called the Hundred-Handed Ones:
Cottus, Briareos, and Gyges. These creatures, per
their namesake, each had one hundred protruding
from various parts of their bodies.
Protogenoi
Unfortunately, Ouranos was terrified and
disgusted by his first and second rounds of
children, and he shoved them back inside Gaia’s
womb, or Tartarus, upon their births. This caused
Gaia horrible pain, and she grew angry at
Ouranos for her and her children’s suffering. She
soon devised a plot against him that involved her
youngest children—the Titans.
Protogenoi
Unfortunately, Ouranos was terrified and
disgusted by his first and second rounds of
children, and he shoved them back inside Gaia’s
womb, or Tartarus, upon their births. This caused
Gaia horrible pain, and she grew angry at
Ouranos for her and her children’s suffering. She
soon devised a plot against him that involved her
youngest children—the Titans.
Which of the
following elements
do you feel most connected to?
Earth
Water
Air
Sky
Which of the
following elements
do you feel most connected to?
Earth
Water
Air
Sky
Air
Chaos was the very first Protogenus, and she
embodied the lower air of the universe. She was,
in essence, the bridge between the heavens and
Gaia. The other airs ascended from Chaos,
including Erebus (darkness), Nyx (night), Aether
(day), and Hemera (light).
Air
Chaos was the very first Protogenus, and she
embodied the lower air of the universe. She was,
in essence, the bridge between the heavens and
Gaia. The other airs ascended from Chaos,
including Erebus (darkness), Nyx (night), Aether
(day), and Hemera (light).
Earth
Gaia was the Protogenus who embodied Earth.
She was the first Protogenus to come into being
from Chaos. She is usually depicted as a woman
half-rising from the Earth, trapped by her native
form. She had many children apart from the
Cyclopes, Hundred-Handed Ones, and Titans. As
mentioned earlier in the lesson, she created
Ouranos by herself, as well as several other
Protogenoi.
Earth
Gaia was the Protogenus who embodied Earth.
She was the first Protogenus to come into being
from Chaos. She is usually depicted as a woman
half-rising from the Earth, trapped by her native
form. She had many children apart from the
Cyclopes, Hundred-Handed Ones, and Titans. As
mentioned earlier in the lesson, she created
Ouranos by herself, as well as several other
Protogenoi.
Water
Though there are many Protogenoi who embody
water, Oceanus is the embodiment of freshwater. Rivers, streams, springs, and rain were his
domain, as was their cycle. Interestingly enough,
he took the shape of a horned man with the tail
of a snakelike fish in place of legs.
Water
Though there are many Protogenoi who embody
water, Oceanus is the embodiment of freshwater. Rivers, streams, springs, and rain were his
domain, as was their cycle. Interestingly enough,
he took the shape of a horned man with the tail
of a snakelike fish in place of legs.
Sky
Oceanus was the Protogenus who embodied the
heavens and the horizon. He acted as both Gaia’s
son and consort, and he met a rather unruly fate,
as you will soon discover in the next lesson.
Sky
Oceanus was the Protogenus who embodied the
heavens and the horizon. He acted as both Gaia’s
son and consort, and he met a rather unruly fate,
as you will soon discover in the next lesson.
Titans
The youngest and wiliest of Gaia and Ouranos’s
Titan children was Cronos. He is almost the most
important Titan to our story. When Gaia revealed
her plan to dethrone Ouranos to him, he
immediately agreed to help her.
Titans
The youngest and wiliest of Gaia and Ouranos’s
Titan children was Cronos. He is almost the most
important Titan to our story. When Gaia revealed
her plan to dethrone Ouranos to him, he
immediately agreed to help her.
Titans
Gaia hid Cronos in her bedchamber in order to
ambush Ouranos, equipping him with a silver
sickle. When Ouranos came to embrace Gaia that
night, Cronos lept from the shadows and
castrated him, throwing his gentials in the sea.
Aphrodite, the goddess of love, rose from the sea
foam where it landed.
Titans
Gaia hid Cronos in her bedchamber in order to
ambush Ouranos, equipping him with a silver
sickle. When Ouranos came to embrace Gaia that
night, Cronos lept from the shadows and
castrated him, throwing his gentials in the sea.
Aphrodite, the goddess of love, rose from the sea
foam where it landed.
Titans
After defeating his father, Cronos chose his
sister, Rhea, as his wife. The two ruled over a
period called the Golden Age, and eventually,
they gave birth to the original six Olympians.
Titans
After defeating his father, Cronos chose his
sister, Rhea, as his wife. The two ruled over a
period called the Golden Age, and eventually,
they gave birth to the original six Olympians.
In the past two lessons,
you’ve seen how the gods have
manipulated and betrayed family
members in their quests for power. How
are your family relationships
different than those of the gods?
Show this completed screen to Miss Davies before continuing!
In the past two lessons,
you’ve seen how the gods have
manipulated and betrayed family
members in their quests for power. How
are your family relationships
different than those of the gods?
Show this completed screen to Miss Davies before continuing!
Olympians
The Olympians born of Cronos and Rhea are as
follows: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades,
Poseidon, and Zeus. Gaia—angry that Cronos
kept the Cyclopes and Hundred-Handed Ones
imprisoned in Tartarus—warned Cronos that he
too would meet his father’s fate and suffer defeat
by one of his sons.
Olympians
The Olympians born of Cronos and Rhea are as
follows: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades,
Poseidon, and Zeus. Gaia—angry that Cronos
kept the Cyclopes and Hundred-Handed Ones
imprisoned in Tartarus—warned Cronos that he
too would meet his father’s fate and suffer defeat
by one of his sons.
Olympians
Terrified of Gaia’s prophecy, Cronos promptly
ate each of his children as soon as they were
born. This devastated Rhea, and she devised a
plan to save her youngest son, Zeus, from
Cronos. When Zeus was born, Rhea hid him
away and gave Cronos a rock wrapped in cloths
to eat in his place.
Olympians
Terrified of Gaia’s prophecy, Cronos promptly
ate each of his children as soon as they were
born. This devastated Rhea, and she devised a
plan to save her youngest son, Zeus, from
Cronos. When Zeus was born, Rhea hid him
away and gave Cronos a rock wrapped in cloths
to eat in his place.
Olympians
Zeus, meanwhile, grew up on the island of Crete
with a goat named Amaltheia, who nursed him to
adulthood in a year. His brothers and sisters
continued to mature to adulthood in Cronos’s
stomach also.
Olympians
Zeus, meanwhile, grew up on the island of Crete
with a goat named Amaltheia, who nursed him to
adulthood in a year. His brothers and sisters
continued to mature to adulthood in Cronos’s
stomach also.
Olympians
After the year, Zeus left Crete and befriended
Metis, a young Titan, who tricked Cronos into
drinking an emetic that forced him to disgorge
Zeus’s brothers and sisters, who emerged fully
mature and ready to fight. Let the Titanomachy
begin!
Olympians
After the year, Zeus left Crete and befriended
Metis, a young Titan, who tricked Cronos into
drinking an emetic that forced him to disgorge
Zeus’s brothers and sisters, who emerged fully
mature and ready to fight. Let the Titanomachy
begin!
Can you match
each Olympian to their everyday
symbol and domain?
Click the correct symbol and domain on the right for the colored name on the left.
Hestia
hell
Helm of darkness,
Hades
Fire, hearth
Poseidon
Try
again!
Trident, sea
Try again!
Can you match
each Olympian to their everyday
symbol and domain?
Click the correct symbol and domain on the right for the colored name on the left.
Hestia
hell
Helm of darkness,
Hades
Fire, hearth
Poseidon
Try
again!
Trident, sea
Try again!
Can you match
each Olympian to their everyday
symbol and domain?
Click the correct symbol and domain on the right for the colored name on the left.
Hestia
hell
Helm of darkness,
Hades
Fire, hearth
Poseidon
Try
again!
Trident,
Good job!
sea
Try again!
Can you match
each Olympian to their everyday
symbol and domain?
Click the correct symbol and domain on the right for the colored name on the left.
Demeter
Lightning bolt, sky
Hera
Cornucopia, harvest
Zeus
Peacock, marriage
Try again!
Try again!
Can you match
each Olympian to their everyday
symbol and domain?
Click the correct symbol and domain on the right for the colored name on the left.
Demeter
Lightning bolt, sky
Hera
Cornucopia, harvest
Zeus
Peacock, marriage
Try again!
Try again!
Can you match
each Olympian to their everyday
symbol and domain?
Click the correct symbol and domain on the right for the colored name on the left.
Demeter
Lightning bolt, sky
Hera
Cornucopia, harvest
Zeus
Peacock, marriage
Try again!
Good job!
Try again!
Titanomachy
There is little known about the ten-year-long
battle between the Titans and the Olympians.
What we can gather, however, is that Zeus and
his siblings defeated the Titans with the help of
Ouranos and Gaia’s eldest children, the Cyclopes
and Hundred-Handed Ones, whom they released
from Gaia’s womb.
Titanomachy
There is little known about the ten-year-long
battle between the Titans and the Olympians.
What we can gather, however, is that Zeus and
his siblings defeated the Titans with the help of
Ouranos and Gaia’s eldest children, the Cyclopes
and Hundred-Handed Ones, whom they released
from Gaia’s womb.
Titanomachy
The Cyclopes gifted Zeus with his lightning bolt
for their freedom, and they are also accredited
for crafting Poseidon’s trident and Hades’s helm
of darkness.
Titanomachy
The Cyclopes gifted Zeus with his lightning bolt
for their freedom, and they are also accredited
for crafting Poseidon’s trident and Hades’s helm
of darkness.
Titanomachy
The Hundred-Handed Ones assisted also,
throwing hundreds of thousands of rocks at the
Titans during the battle. Together, the
Olympians, Cyclopes, and Hundred-Handed
Ones overpowered the Titans and imprisoned
them in Tartarus. The Hundred-Handed Ones
remained their eternal guard there.
For an informative (and rather funny) account of the
Titanomachy, click here.
Titanomachy
The Hundred-Handed Ones assisted also,
throwing hundreds of thousands of rocks at the
Titans during the battle. Together, the
Olympians, Cyclopes, and Hundred-Handed
Ones overpowered the Titans and imprisoned
them in Tartarus. The Hundred-Handed Ones
remained their eternal guard there.
For an informative (and rather funny) account of the
Titanomachy, click here.
YouTube’s
Version of the
Titanomachy
YouTube’s
Version of the
Titanomachy
The Cyclopes and
Hundred-Handed Ones were critical in
the Olympians’ defeat of the Titans.
Have you ever received help from an
unexpected source? Perhaps made a
friend outside your social circle?
Show this completed screen to Miss Davies before continuing!
The Cyclopes and
Hundred-Handed Ones were critical in
the Olympians’ defeat of the Titans.
Have you ever received help from an
unexpected source? Perhaps made a
friend outside your social circle?
Show this completed screen to Miss Davies before continuing!
Quiz: For questions 1-3, click
the correct answer to each
multiple choice question.
1. Gaia’s plan to usurp Ouranos involved which
of her children?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Rhea
Hyperion
Oceanus
Cronos
Correct!
Cronos was the youngest and wiliest, after all.
Click the Next Button to go on to the next question!
Try Again!
Here’s a hint: this child was male.
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Try Again!
Remember, this particular child was the youngest
and wiliest of all Gaia’s children.
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Try Again!
Hint: Oceanus was a Protogenus, not a Titan.
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Quiz
2. Cronos castrated Ouranos with what weapon?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Knife
Sickle
Shovel
Rock
Correct!
Gaia crafted Cronos a silver sickle.
Click the Next Button to go on to the next question!
Try Again!
Hint: Cronos’s weapon started with the letter
“s”.
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Try Again!
Remember, the weapon Cronos used was much
more unusual than a shovel.
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Quiz
3. Who was Metis?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Goat who nursed Zeus to maturity
One of the Olympians
Embodiment of the Earth
Young Titan who poisoned Cronos
Correct!
Metis tricked Cronos into drinking an emetic,
which forced him to disgorge Zeus’s brothers and
sisters.
Click the Next Button to go on to the next question!
Try Again!
Zeus’s goat nursemaid was named Amaltheia,
not Metis.
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Try Again!
The only Olympians you know so far are Hestia,
Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus. No
Metis!
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Try Again!
The embodiment of Earth was Gaia, not Metis.
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Quiz: For questions 4-5, match
the child on the right with the
parents on the left.
4. Ouranos
Cronos and Rhea
Gaia
No parents
Ouranos and Gaia
Correct!
Gaia is indeed the only parent of Ouranos. She
had him through parthenogenesis.
Click the Next Button to go on to the next question!
Try Again!
Cronos and Rhea were Ouranos’s children, not
his parents.
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Try Again!
Remember, Ouranos isn’t the Protogenus who
didn’t have parents. That was Gaia!
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Try Again!
Ouranos didn’t give birth to himself.
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Quiz
5. Zeus
Cronos and Rhea
Gaia
No parents
Ouranos and Gaia
Correct!
Cronos and Rhea are Zeus’s Titan parents.
Click the Next Button to go on to the next question!
Try Again!
Gaia is actually Zeus’s grandmother.
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Try Again!
Zeus has to have parents; he defeated them in the
Titanomachy!
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Try Again!
Ouranos and Gaia are Zeus’s grandparents, not
his parents.
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Quiz: For question 6, click the
event that caused the other.
6. Cronos imprisoned the Cyclopes and
Hundred-Handed Ones in Tartarus.
Gaia prophesized Cronos would end like his
father.
Correct!
Because Cronos imprisoned her children just like
his father had, Gaia knew he would end up just
like his father.
Click the Next Button to finish the quiz!
Try Again!
Gaia prophesized Cronos’s doom because he
imprisoned her children, not the other way
around.
Click the Back Button to retry the question!
Congratulations!
You’ve completed the quiz with a perfect score!
You now know about the Titanomachy and the
events leading up to the Titanomachy, as well as
the major characters involved. Good job!
Show this screen to Miss Davies to complete the learning
module.