Zeus
Zeus was the god of the sky and
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ruler of the Olympian gods. Zeus
overthrew his father, Cronus. He
then drew lots with his brothers
Poseidon and Hades. Zeus won
the draw and became the
supreme ruler of the gods. He is
lord of the sky, the rain god.
 His symbol and weapon is a
thunderbolt which he hurls at
those who displease him. He is
married to Hera but, is famous
for his many affairs.
 Zeus is also the archetype for
many god-like figures today
(that’s his connection to
today).
http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/PT-AM465_GOD_co_DV_20090909211040.jpg
http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Zeus--greek-mythology-687267_1024_768.jpg
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http://www.greekmythology.com/Olympians/Zeus/zeus.html
http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/wp-content/uploads/the-architect.jpg
Athena
 Athena is the Greek virgin
goddess of reason, intelligent
activity, arts and literature.
Athena is the daughter of Zeus.
She sprang full grown in armor
from his forehead, thus has no
mother.
 She is fierce and brave in battle.
She is also the goddess of war,
the city, handicrafts, and
agriculture.
 She is the embodiment of
wisdom, reason, and purity. She
represents strong, confident
women everywhere.
 Some also say, that without
Athena, colleges and freedom
today would not exist.
http://www.vroma.org/images/flood_images/athena.jpg
http://wirednewyork.com/images/city-guide/liberty/liberty.jpg
Hera
 Hera is the queen of the Olympian deities. She is
wife and sister of Zeus. Hera was mainly
worshipped as a goddess of marriage and birth.
 The children of Hera and Zeus are the smith-god
Hephaestus, the goddess of youth Hebe, and the
god of war Ares. According to some sources,
however, her children were conceived by slapping
her hand on the ground - thus they were born, not
out of love but out of lust and hatred.
 Hera was known for being jealous of Zeus's
affairs. She punished her rivals and their children.
She placed two serpents in the cradle of Heracles;
she drove the foster-parents of Dionysus mad, and
tried to prevent the birth of Apollo and Artemis.
 Her symbol, the peacock (the symbol of pride;
her wagon was pulled by peacocks) and the cow
(she was also known as Bopis, meaning "coweyed", which was later translated as "with big
eyes") are her sacred animals. The crow and the
pomegranate (symbol of marriage) are also
http://www.tqnyc.org/2006/NYC063035//HeraDrawing.jpg
dedicated to her.
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hera.html
Poseidon
 Poseidon is a god of many names. He is
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most famous as the god of the sea, but is also
the god of earthquakes and the god of
horses.
His symbols include: dolphins, tridents,
and a three-pronged fish spear, .
Poseidon was relied upon by sailors for a
safe voyage on the sea. Poseidon was a very
moody deity. In a good mood, Poseidon
created new lands in the water and a calm
sea. In contrast, when he was in a bad mood,
Poseidon would strike the ground with a
trident and cause earthquakes, ship wrecks,
and drownings.
Poseidon was similar to his brother Zeus in
exerting his power on women and in
objectifying masculinity. He had many love
affairs and fathered numerous children.
Connection to today: Navy, Disney’s The
Little Mermaid, ?
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/poseidon.html
http://www.sandomenico.org/uploaded/photos/Library/Poseidon.jpg
http://content8.flixster.com/question/30/15/02/3015022_std.jpg
Hermes
 HERMES was the messenger of the gods and guide
of dead souls to the Underworld. A prankster and
inventive genius from birth, Hermes aided the
heroes Odysseus and Perseus in their quests.
Hermes was the son of Zeus and a mountain
nymph. Hermes was extremely inventive, and on
his very first day of life, he found the empty shell of
a tortoise created the first lyre (harp/guitar).
 Hermes' symbol of office as divine messenger was
his staff, or caduceus. This was originally a willow
wand with entwined ribbons, traditional badge of
the herald. It can be found on ambulances today!
 Unique fact: It was Hermes' job to convey dead
souls to the Underworld. And as patron of travelers,
he was often shown in a wide-brimmed sun hat of
straw.
 Hermes was arguably the most loved god of all,
due to his constant aide and support while sending
messages.
http://www.mythweb.com/gods/Hermes.html
Artemis
 Artemis - possesses an introverted and
independent temperament (opposite to Athena)-represents the goddess of Nature--concerned with
matters of the outdoors, animals, environmental
protection, women’s communities--she is
practical, adventurous, athletic and preferring
solitude. She symbolizes regenerative earth power
over all living things. She became known as the
patroness of childbirth.
 Artemis, armed with bow and arrow, (which is
also her symbol) possesses the power to inflict
plagues and death or to heal. She is known as the
protector of little children, baby animals and, yet,
she also loves the hunt. Her twin brother is
Apollo.
 Artemis is one of the ‘virgin’ goddesses. Due to
her well-integrated masculine energy and
independence, Artemis does not possess much
need for a man to complete her. Artemis, the
goddess, was known to shun men.
http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/goddess_symbols_Artemis.htm
Demeter
 DEMETER (dee-MEE-tur; Roman name: Ceres)
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was the goddess of agriculture, the Earth and
Harvest.
Symbol: Demeter is often shown carrying a sheaf
of wheat or grain.
Family / Background : Demeter was the sister of
Zeus and the mother of Persephone. Persephone
was gathering flowers one day when a huge crack
opened up in the earth and Hades, King of the
Dead, emerged from the Underworld. He seized
her and carried her off in his chariot, back down to
his realm, where she became his queen. Demeter
was heartbroken and wandered the earth in search
of her daughter.
Unique Fact: Hades was persuaded to surrender
Persephone for one half of every year, the spring
and summer seasons when flowers bloom and fruit
begins to grow. The half year that Persephone
spends in the Underworld as Hades' queen
coincides with the fall and winter.
Today’s Connection: The 4 Seasons!
Aphrodite
 APHRODITE (a-fro-DYE-tee; Roman name Venus)
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was the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. She
was also a protectress of sailors.
Symbols Dolphin, Goose, Rose, Scallop Shell,
Dove, Sparrow, Swan.
Family / Background Homer said that Aphrodite
was the daughter of Zeus and Dione, although it’s
written that she was born from sea-foam.
Unique Fact Aphrodite's primary function was to
preside over reproduction, since this was essential
for the survival of the community
Today’s Connection Dove symbol used in many
products. Symbolizes beauty and sexuality
(attraction).
Hephaestus
 HEPHAESTUS (he-FEE-stus or he-FESS-tus; Roman
name Vulcan) was the lame god of fire and crafts .
 Symbols Fire, Hammer, Anvil and Tongs.
 Family / Background He was the son of Zeus and
Hera or, in some accounts, of Hera alone. He limped
because he was born lame, which caused his mother to
throw him off Mount Olympus. In other accounts,
Zeus took him by the foot and threw him from
Olympus to the earth far below.
 Unique Facts Hephaestus accomplished numerous
prodigies of craftsmanship, such as the marvelous
palaces that he built for the gods atop Mount Olympus,
or the armor that he made for Achilles during the siege
of Troy. Hephaestus, being the most unfaltering of the
gods, was given Aphrodite’s hand in marriage by Zeus.
Hephaestus and Aphrodite had an arranged marriage
and Aphrodite, disliking the idea of being married to
unsightly Hephaestus, began an affair with Ares, the
god of war.
 Today’s Connection Movie – Beauty and The Beast,
Arm and Hammer Baking Soda,
ares
 ARES (AIR-eez; Roman name Mars) was the
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god of war, warlike frenzy and instigator of
violence. He was bested by Heracles in battle
and was almost killed when stuffed into a jar by
two giants.
Symbols Spear, helmet, dog chariot and boar.
Family / Background He is the son of Zeus
and Hera. He was a companion to Aphrodite.
Unique Facts Because of his cruel and war-like
nature he was despised by all the gods, even his
own father disliked him. Ares could be bloody,
merciless, fearful and cowardly and possessed
no moral attributes. Ares was of giant stature
and had a loud voice, and surpassed the other
gods in speed.
Today’s Connection Ares is also the name of
NASA’s transport ship replacing the Space
Shuttle. He appears in video games and
movies.
Apollo
Apollo (Apollō) is the god of light, healing,
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music, poetry, prophecy and archery. Also, he
god of light and the god of truth, who can not
speak a lie.
Symbols the bow and arrow, the lyre, raven and
python.
Family / Background Son of Zeus and Leto.
Artemis is his twin sister.
Unique Facts One of Apollo's more important
daily tasks is to harness his chariot with four
horses an drive the Sun across the sky. He is
famous for his oracle at Delphi. People traveled
to it from all over the Greek world to divine the
future. His tree was the laurel. The crow his bird.
The dolphin his animal.
Today’s Connection Seventeen NASA
spaceships were named Apollo. 17 NASA
spaceships were named Apollo as the Apollo
Theatre in Harlem, New York.
Dionyses
 Dionysus (dy-ə-NY-səs ; Roman Names; Bacchus,
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Liber) He was the god of fertility and wine, later
considered a patron of the arts.
Symbols Grapevive, leopard, skin, panther, tiger and
leopard.
Family / Background He was the son of Zeus and
Semele.
Unique Facts He invented wine and spread the art of
tending grapes. He has a dual nature - bringing joy and
divine ecstasy as well as brutal, unthinking, rage.
Dionysus can drive a man mad. He is also one of the
very few that was able to bring a dead person out of the
underworld.
Today’s Connection Dionysus became one of the
most important gods in everyday life. He became
associated with several key concepts. One was rebirth
after death. The other is the idea that under the
influence of wine, one could feel possessed by a greater
power.
Hades
 HADES (Aides, Aidoneus, or Haides) was the
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King of the Underworld, the god of death and
the dead. He presided over funeral rites and
defended the right of the dead to due burial.
Hades was also the god of the hidden wealth of
the earth, from the fertile soil with nourished
the seed-grain, to the mined wealth of gold,
silver and other metals.
Symbols Sceptor (two-pointed staff),
Darkness, Cerberus and Cypress Tree.
Family / Background Son of Cronus and
Rhea. Brother to Poseidon, Demeter, Hestia,
Hera and Zeus.
Unique Facts Hades was devoured by Kronos
as soon as he was born, along with four of his
siblings. Hades received the dark dismal realm
of the underworld, as his domain.
Today’s Connection Evil, darkness and
underworld.