Greek and Roman Gods:
Olympians (and minor
gods)
Mr. Upchurch’s
Mythology 101
Lectures 9
Also known as
Classical
Mythology
Original Creators (from
Choas)
The Titans
The
Olympians
The Olympians
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Zeus (Jove/Juptier)
Hera (Juno)
Poseidon (Neptune)
Hades (Pluto)
Aphrodite (Venus)
Apollo (Apollo)
Ares (Mars)
8.
Artemis (Diana)
9.
Athena (Minerva)
10. Hephaestus (Vulcan)
11. Hestia (Vesta)
12. Hermes (Mercury)
Sometimes:
•
Demeter (Ceres)
•
Dionysus (Bacchus)
The Olympians
1.
2.
3.
4.
Ares
5.
6.
7.
Zeus
Zeus
(Jove/Juptier)
Aphrodite
Hera (Juno)
Pan
Poseidon
(Neptune)
Hades (Pluto)
Aphrodite (Venus)
Apollo (Apollo)
Hephaestus
Ares (Mars) Artemis
Hera
8.
Artemis
(Diana)Apollo
9.
Athena (Minerva)
Athena
10. Hephaestus
(Vulcan)
Hermes
11. Hestia (Vesta)
12. Hermes (Mercury)
Sometimes:
Demeter
•
Demeter (Ceres)
Poseidon
•
Dionysus (Bacchus)
Dionysus
Zeus (Jupiter, Jove)
Domain:
King of the Gods/ Lord of the Sky
Relationships:
Cronus & Rhea – parents; Hera – wife &
sister; Poseidon & Hades – brothers
Symbols:
Lightening bolt; Eagle; Oak Tree
• Important Information:
King of Olympians
Zeus’ shield contained Medusa. Shield
called aegis (protection)
Olympics started in honor of Zeus
Overthrew Cronus (was the one to cast the
death blow) to become king of the gods
Pegasus, once in Olympus, was know to
retrieve Zeus’ thunderbolts
Extramarital Affairs: Approximately 60
(Including Primary Deities, Nymphs,
and Mortals)
Hera (Juno)
Domain:
Queen of Olympia; Goddess of Marriage
Relationships:
Cronus & Rhea – parents; Zeus – husband
& brother; Poseidon & Hades – brothers
Symbols:
Bird – peacock; Cow – is sacred
• Could ease childbirth
• Punished unfaithful women
• Fall of Troy – revenge against the Trojans
because of the Judgment of Prince Paris
• Sacred city – Argos
• Very beautiful woman
• Milky Way – milk from Hera from when
she fed Hercules
• Heraia – athletic competitions for women
only
• Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, was her
Poseidon (Neptune)
Domain:
Sea
Relationships:
Zeus & Hades- brothers; Amphitrite – wife
Symbols:
Trident (three-pronged pitchfork)
• Gave horses to man
• “Earth-Shaker”
• House was under the sea, but he
was at Mt. Olympus
• Odyssey - delayed Odysseus’
return home
• Contrary to Percy Jackson, Poseidon did not have as
many lovers as his brother. Though there were
numerous affairs, they were nearly all with mortal
women, and only recorded in genealogies without
accompanying stories.
Hades (Pluto, Dis meaning rich)
Domain:
Underworld
Relationships:
Zeus & Poseidon – brothers; Cronus &
Rhea – parents; Persephone- wife
Symbols:
Helmet of Invisibility (or darkness)
• God of the dead, but not “death”
• 3rd in power, under Zeus and
Poseidon
• Kidnapped Persephone, daughter of
Demeter, thus creating the four
seasons
Aphrodite (Venus)
Domain:
Goddess of Love and Beauty
Relationships:
Parents-Zeus & Dione or “Foam of Sea”
Husband- Hephaestos
Symbols:
Bird – dove, swan, sparrow
Tree – myrtle
(heart – modern)
• Queen of laughter, Mistress of grace and
pleasures
• Notoriously unfaithful to her husband
• Wife of Hephaestus (ugly, lame god)
• Easily fooled/beguiled others (used her
sexuality to get her way)
• Winner of the golden apple in the Judgement
of Paris – she had promised Paris the most
beautiful woman in the world (Helen)
• Famous with Ares (god of war --- Love &
War)
• Mother of Cupid (Eros)
Apollo (Apollo)
Domain:
God of Archery, Prophecy, Medicine, and
Music (also associated with all other sun
gods)
Relationships:
Parents- Zeus and Leto (Latona)
Twin- Artemis
Symbols:
Sun – sometimes; Lyre – small harp; Bird –
crow; Tree – Laurel
Python –Killed large snake
Oracle (priestess) was at Delphi
Widely worshipped
Gave man the healing arts
(medicine)
• Created caduceus (ca-du-ceus)– staff
wrapped with 2 snakes
• Traded the caduceus to Hermes for
the lyre
•
•
•
•
Ares (Mars)
God of War
Domain:
Relationships:
Parents- Zeus and Hera
Sister- Eris (Discordia);
Lover- Aphrodite
Symbols:
Shield with bloody spear , Vulture, Dog
• Favored Trojans in Trojan War
• Liked by Romans (warriors), but not by
Greeks (philosophers)
• Coward – ran away when in pain
• Wears armor (all the time)
• Associated with Amazons (women
warriors) They came from the daughter
he had with Aphrodite: Harmonia
• Planet – red, blood red
• More important in Roman Mythology—
the father of Romulus and Remus
Artemis (Diana, Hecate, Cynthia, Selene)
Domain:
Goddess of the Hunt, Wild Thing, and
the Moon (after her Grandmother Phoebe)
Relationships:
Parents- Zeus and Leto (Latona)
Twin- Apollo
Symbols:
Silver arrows, deer, cyprus
Huntsman-in-Chief of Olympus
One of three virgin goddesses
(along with Athena and Hestia)
Almost married the giant Orion
(ended up being tricked into killing him)
Protector of Youth
3 forms – (Ultimate picture of the good and
evil in the gods—opposite of her Twin)
1.Artemis – earth
2. Selene/Cynthia –bright, light-side moon (sky)
3. Hecate – dark moon (underworld)
Athena (Minerva)
Domain:
Goddess of Wisdom & Civilized Life
(arts and agriculture)
(and sometimes war… but she preferred to talk things out)
Relationships:
Parent- Zeus (sprung from his head)
Symbols:
Owl, Olive Tree, and the City of
ATHENS
Born full-grown, in full armor,
from Zeus’ head
Carried Zeus’ shield (aegis) and
lightening bolt
Zeus’ favorite child
Parthenon was her temple
“Grey-eyed or flashing-eyed
Athena”
One of three virgin goddesses
Hephaestus (Vulcan)
Domain:
God of the Fire and Forge
Relationships:
Parents- Zeus and Hera (or Hera
only)
Wife- Aphrodite
Symbols:
Anvil/Hammer
Lived in a volcano – when volcano erupts,
Vulcan is working at his forge
Considered very ugly, and lame (from
being thrown out of Olympus by one of
his parents)
Peace-loving and very popular with both
humans and Olympians
Blacksmith to the gods (made their armor)
Famously crafted the armor of Achilles at
the request of his mother Thetis.
Once had a thing for Athena
Hestia (Vesta)
Domain:
Goddess of the Hearth and Home
Relationships:
Parents- Chronus and Rhea
Siblings- Zeus (always referred to as his sister… which
means Poseidon, Hades, and Hera, and Demeter would also be in
this list).
Symbols:
Hearth and Fire Within
First child born to Chronos and 1st
swallowed—last spit out (thus oldest and
youngest)
One of the 3 virgin goddesses
Concerns with newborn children being
dedicated
Every meal began and ended with an offering
to her
No distinct personality/stories
Was pursued by both Poseidon and Apollo—
and rejected both
Hester of Scarlet Letter is an allusion to Hestia
Hermes (Mercury)
Domain:
God of Commerce and Market (Patron God of
travelers, traders, merchants and thieves). Also the
god of animal husbandry, roads, travel, hospitality, heralds,
diplomacy, trade, thievery, language, writing, persuasion,
cunning wiles, athletic contests, gymnasiums, astronomy, and
astrology.
Relationships:
Parents- Zeus and Maia
Symbols:
Winged Sandals and shoes, Caduceus
Messenger of the Gods
Trickster, master thief
Inventive and wise from birth
Created the lyre for Apollo, traded
for caduceus
• Guide to Underworld
• Always youthful
•
•
•
•
Demeter (Ceres)—sometimes included
Domain:
Goddess of agriculture, grain, bread, and the
harvest (the primary substance for mankind)
Relationships:
Parents- Chronos and Rhea
Siblings-Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, and Hera,
and Hestia
Daughter- Persephone
Symbols:
Sheaves of wheat
Though a primary and significant
goddess, there are relatively few
myths about her
Famous primarily for her daughter—
Persephone.
-Stolen by Hades, she became the queen of the
Underworld.
-Demeter’s search for her cause the earth to become
barren.
-Hades was forced to surrender Persephone for half the
year… thus creating the seasons. When she is on earth and
Demeter is happy= Spring and Summer. When she is in the
Underworld=Fall and Winter.
Dionysus (Bacchus)—sometimes included
Domain:
God of Wine and Festivity
Relationships:
Parents- Zeus and Semele (the only
mortal to parent a god)
Wife- Ariadne (a-rē-ˈad-nē)
Symbols:
Wine, leopard, pine-cone tip staff
Sometimes depicted as a trickster
because of his unruly nature and
connection with intoxication
Married Ariadne, after she had been
abandoned by Theseus. Gave her a
crown that later become a
constellation
Some say he gave Midas his goldtouching powers
Rescued his mother from the
Underworld
Eros (Cupid)
Domain:
Mischievous God of Love (romantic)
Relationships:
Parents: Choas or Aphrodite & Ares
Siblings: Anteros (avenger of unrequited love)
Wife: Psyche (we’ll read this myth)
Symbols:
Bow and arrow… sometimes the blindfold (love is
blind)
Few Facts:
1.
2.
One of the Primary Greek Tricksters
Was always portrayed as a child, until
Anteros was born
Psyche
Domain:
Goddess of the Human Soul
Relationships:
Husband: Eros/Cupid (we’ll read this
myth)
Few Facts:
1.
Was once a mortal princess with
such beauty that men turned
from worshiping the gods to
worshiping her
Hebe (Juventas)
Domain:
Goddess of Youth and Cupbearer to the Olympians
Relationships:
Parents: Zeus and Hera
Siblings: Ares
Husband: Heracles (Hercules) –once he was immortal
Few Facts:
1.
Her marriage reconciled Hera to Heracles
2. She was replaced as cupbearer by
Ganymedes
Iris
Domain:
Goddess of the Rainbow
Relationships:
Parents: Titan Thaumas & the nymph Electra
Siblings: The Harpies (Monster Bird Women)
Symbols:
Herald’s Staff and Water Pitcher
Few Facts:
1.
2.
3.
Portrayed as a young woman with wings
Messenger of the gods to mankind, and
particularly of the goddess Hera
Would take the form of a known individual
when sending messages to mortals
Pan (Faunus)
Domain:
God of the shepherd, flock, and fertility
Relationships:
Parents: Zeus and Hybris or Hermes and ???
Symbols:
Reed Pipe (Instrument)
Few Facts:
1.
Disliked by most (with the exception of those
from Arcadia)
2.
Portrayed as an unattractive goat-man
3.
Other in the company of Dionysus
4.
The word “panic” springs from his tendency
to frighten travelers
Thanatos (Mor)
Domain:
Greek Personification of Death
Relationships:
Parents: Nyx (Night) and Erebus (Choas)
Siblings: Hypnos (twin brother) and the Keres (sisters)
Few Facts:
3.
1. Two large wings and a sword
2. Very small role in mythology
Sometimes he is associated only with nonviolent death, while his sisters are
associated with violent and diseased death
The Nine Muses
Domain:
Goddesses of The Arts
Relationships:
Parents: Zeus and the Titan
Mnemosyne (Memory)
Few Facts:
1. Apollo, in later mythology,
became their leader
List on next page
• Clio (History)
• Urania (Astronomy)
• Melpomene (Tragedy)
• Thalia (Comedy)
• Terpsichore (Dance)
• Calliope (Epic Poetry)
• Erato (Love Poetry)
• Polyhymnia (Songs to the Gods)
• Euterpe (Lyric Poetry)
The Three Graces/Charites (Gratiae)
Domain:
Personifications of charm, beauty and grace
Relationships:
Parents: Zeus and (titan) Eurynome or Dionysus & ???
Few Facts:
1. Sources of inspiration in poetry and the
arts
2. Originally, they were goddesses of fertility
and nature, closely associated with the
underworld and the Eleusinian
mysteries/fields
3. Personal attendants of Aphrodite and Hera
(possible mothers of The Graces)
List on next
• Aglaia (Splendor)- Youngest
and, according to Homer, the wife of
Hephaestus (rather than Aphrodite)
• Euphrosyne (Mirth)- Wife of
Hypnos (sleep)
• Thalia (Good Cheer)
The Three Erinnyes (The Furies)
Domain:
Goddesses of vengeance
Relationships:
Parents: Gaia and Uranus (from the blood of
Uranus)
Few Facts:
1. Pursued evil doers and tormented the
wicked in the Underworld
2. Also known as “the angry ones”, “the
kindly ones” or “the solemn ones”
3. Alecto, Tisiphone and Megaera
4. Very beautiful
The Fates or Moirae
Domain:
Controlled the destinies of mankind
Relationships:
Parents: Choas (though some stories say Zeus and
Themis, this is unlikely as they were more
powerful than Zeus)
Few Facts:
1.
Portrayed as ugly and old and
unmerciful
2.
Honored among the gods for being
just
3.
Associated with Themis (Law)—
mother of Achilles
1. Clotho- “the spinner” spun the thread of
life
2. Lachesis- “the measurer” chooses the
lot in life one will have and measures off
how long it is to be
3. Atropos- “the inevitable” at death, her
shears cuts the thread of life. (Smallest and
most feared)
The Three Gorgons
Domain:
Monstrous women who turned anyone
who looked upon them to stone
Relationships:
Parents: Phorcys and Ceto (minor titans)
Few Facts:
1.
3.
Euryale ("far-roaming")
2. Sthenno ("forceful")
Medusa ("ruler")—most famous
More on Medusa
Medusa
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•
•
She is the only mortal. Early
myths do not account for this, as
they claim she was born a gorgon
sister. The later myth, however,
that tells that she was a maiden
cursed by Athena makes more
sense.
She was killed by Perseus
Out of her decapitated head
sprung Pegasus
Nymphs
Domain:
Spirits of Nature
Dryads (forests)
Naiads (springs and rivers)
Nereid (the Mediterranean)
Oceanids (the sea)—sometimes still Nereids
Oreads (mountains)
Limoniads (meadows)
Limniads (lakes, marshes and swamps)
Napaea (valleys)
Few Facts:
1.
Always represented as young pretty girls
Satyrs [say-turs ] (Faun)
Domain:
Minor gods of the woods and
mountians
Few Facts:
1.
Half-human/Half-beast (usually either
2.
Often associated with Dionysus,
Hermes, and Pan (sometimes
with Gaia and Rhea)
3. Married Nymphs
just a goat-man like pan or a man with donkey ears,
unturned noses and horse tails)