Greek Mythology
The Olympians
• The Olympians- The 12 Main Gods of
Ancient Greek Religion
• Greek religion was polytheistic
• They lived on Mt. Olympus, the highest
mountain in Greece
• The Greeks also believed in demigods
• Half god and half human
City-States
• Each city-state worshipped certain gods
that they believed protected their city
• Cities would build temples and hold festivals
to honor their god
City-State
God
Athens & Syracuse
Athena
Sparta
Ares and Artemis
Olympia
Zeus
Corinth
Poseidon
Thebes & Delphi
Apollo
Argos
Hera
Rhodes
Helios
Oracle
• Oracle- Someone that could speak
the messages of the gods
• Pythia, the Oracle at Delphi, was the
most well-known
• Pythia only gave prophecies the
seventh day of each month
• Other oracles include Dodona and
Trophonius
The Olympic Gods
Zeus (Jupiter in Roman Mythology)
• King of the gods and ruler of Mount Olympus
• God of the sky, lightning, thunder, law, order
and justice
• Symbols: Thunderbolt and eagle
• Married to Hera
Hera (Juno in Roman Mythology)
• Queen of the gods
• Goddess of marriage and family
• Symbols: Peacock, crown, and lion
• Wife of Zeus
Poseidon (Neptune in Roman Mythology)
• God of the seas, earthquakes, and tidal wave
• Symbols: Dolphin and trident
• Married to the Nereid Amphitrite
Demeter (Ceres in Roman Mythology)
• Goddess of fertility, agriculture, nature, and
the seasons
• Symbols: Wheat and torch
Athena (Minerva in Roman Mythology)
• Goddess of wisdom, defense, and strategic
warfare
• Symbols: Owl and olive tree
• The city of Athens is named for her
Apollo (same in Roman Mythology)
• God of light and dark, knowledge, healing, the
arts, music, poetry, archery, the sun, and
beauty
• Symbols: the sun, bow and arrow
• Twin brother of Artemis
• The NASA Apollo program was named after him
• Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first
humans to walk on the moon on Apollo 11
Artemis (Diana in Roman Mythology)
• Goddess of the hunt, archery, the
moon, and all animals
• Symbols: the moon, deer, snake,
cypress tree, and bow and arrow
• Twin sister of Apollo.
Ares (Mars in Roman Mythology)
• God of war, violence, and bloodshed
• Symbols: Dog, vulture, spear and
shield
• His Latin name, Mars, gave us the
word "martial”
Aphrodite (Venus in Roman Mythology)
• Goddess of love, beauty, and desire
• Symbols: Dove, apple, bee, swan,
and rose
• Married to Hephaestus
Hephaestus (Vulcan in Roman Mythology)
• God of fire
• Craftsman of the gods
• Symbols: fire, anvil, axe, and hammer
• Married to Aphrodite
• His Latin name, Vulcan, gave us the word
"volcano."
Hermes (Mercury in Roman Mythology)
• Messenger of the gods
• God of commerce, thieves, and
games
• Symbols: caduceus (staff entwined
with two snakes), winged sandals and
cap, stork, and tortoise
• The second-youngest Olympian, just
older than Dionysus
Hestia (Vesta in Roman Mythology)
• Goddess of the hearth, architecture, and
family
• She was born into the first Olympian
generation and was one of the original
twelve Olympians. Some lists of the Twelve
Olympians remove her in favor of Dionysus
• Oldest sister of Hades, Demeter, Poseidon,
Hera, and Zeus.
Dionysus (Bacchus in Roman Mythology)
• God of celebrations and theatre
• Symbols include the grapevine, ivy, cup,
tiger, and panther
• Married to the Cretan princess Ariadne
• The youngest Olympian god, as well as the
only one to have a mortal mother
Other Gods
• Hades (Orcus) - God of the Underworld
• Heracles (Hercules) - Symbolizes strength and courage
• Eros (Cupid) - God of love and beauty. He was the son of Aphrodite and.
He was depicted often as carrying bow and arrow
• Nike- Goddess of victory
• Phobos- God of fear
• The word “phobia” comes from this god
Trading Cards Assignment
• In social studies, you will create trading cards for at least 3 Ancient
Greek gods
• Grades will be based on creativity and accuracy of information
• This will be an informal grade
• Each card must include:
1) The name of the god or goddess
2) A picture or symbol that represents their job
3) A minimum of 5 facts about each god or goddess
Trading Cards Assignment
• In order for you to get the index card to begin making the final
product (the trading card you will turn in), you must complete a
rough draft
•Checkpoint on Tuesday 2/24!
• I will be checking to make sure you have started your rough drafts on at least
three cards
•Flash Cards due Thursday 2/26
Trading Cards Template
Front
Back
5 (or more) Facts:
1) Your name
1)
2) The name of your
2)
god/goddess
3)
4)
3) Picture of god or image
5)
that represents your god
6)
7)
Like a basketball card, you
have the name of the player,
the team the play on and
usually their # and position
On the back, you have
additional information: stats,
college attended, awards,
height, birthday, etc.
Front
Back