The Twelve Great Olympians •  Greek mythology: 12 Olympian gods and goddesses. •  Most “lived” on Mount Olympus. •  Roman mythology had the same gods and goddesses (different names). •  The Greeks believed their gods and goddesses liked humans AND were like humans. •  Zeus – Ruler of all gods and man. •  Defeated his father Cronus & drew lots with his 3 brothers for their shares of the universe. •  Chosen as supreme ruler. •  Controls the lightning bolt •  Stronger than all other gods combined. The Twelve Great Olympians The Twelve Great Olympians •  Hera – Zeus’ wife and sister •  Queen of the gods. •  Special protector of marriage & married women. •  •  Zeus wasn’t a good husband to her. •  An angry goddess who never forgot or forgave an insult to herself. •  Poseidon – God of the seas. •  Zeus’ brother. •  Very important because Greeks relied on his kindness for their paychecks. •  In artwork, he always carries the Trident – a three-­‐pronged spear. The Twelve Great Olympians •  Hades – God of the land of the dead •  Unwanted and unwelcome at Olympus. •  Has no pity (sWll not considered an evil god). •  Had a helmet that made the wearer appear invisible. The Twelve Great Olympians •  Hes-a – Goddess of the Hearth and domesWc life. •  Usually pictured with a tea keXle •  Zeus’ sister •  One of the 3 virgin goddesses. The Twelve Great Olympians (The rest of the 12 Great Olympians are grandchildren of Cronus – mostly fathered by Zeus.) •  Athena – The goddess of wisdom (and war). •  Zeus’ favorite. (Athena sprang fully-­‐grown and dressed in armor from Zeus’ forehead.) •  Has a helmet, shield & owl. •  The second virgin goddess. •  OYen called the Maiden. The Twelve Great Olympians •  Apollo – A beauWful god and a master musician. •  Entertains the gods by playing on his golden lyre. •  He is god of archery, prophecy, and music. •  He is someWmes called god of the sun, but the actual Sun-­‐god is Helios. The Twelve Great Olympians •  Artemis – The last of the virgin goddesses •  Apollo’s twin •  The goddess of the moon & the hunt. •  She is known for having two faces: good and evil. The Twelve Great Olympians •  Aphrodite – Goddess of love and beauty •  Has a magical girdle •  Born from the sea •  Zeus made her marry the ugliest (and steadiest) of the gods, Hephaestus. The Twelve Great Olympians •  Hermes – The god of speed •  The messenger of the gods •  OYen pictured with winged sandals, a winged hat, and a magic wand. The Twelve Great Olympians •  Ares – Greek god of war •  Ruthless •  Both Zeus and Hera (his parents) hated him. •  Not important in Greek mythology (usually just a symbol of war). The Twelve Great Olympians •  Hephaestus – god of fire •  Popular on earth and on Olympus. •  Born so lame and ugly that his mom threw him off Mt. Olympus. •  Hephaestus forged the gods’ armor and built their houses The Twelve Great Olympians Hera
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