Current Events: What Would Ancient Gods Do?
Hermes
He was the cleverest of the Olympian gods and messenger to all the other gods. Hermes is the
son of Zeus and Maia. He is Zeus’ messenger. He is the fastest of the gods. He wears winged
sandals, a winged hat, and carries a magic wand to lead people to the underworld. He is the god
of thieves and god of commerce (trade). He is the guide for the dead to go to the underworld
where he protected travelers, merchants, and thieves. He invented the lyre, the pipes, the musical
scale, astronomy, weights and measures, boxing, gymnastics, and the care of olive trees.
Hades
Hades is the brother of Zeus. After the overthrow of their Father Cronus, he drew lots with Zeus
and Poseidon, another brother, for shares of the world. He had the worst draw and was made lord
of the underworld, ruling over the dead. He is a greedy god who is greatly concerned with
increasing his subjects. He is exceedingly disinclined to allow any of his subjects to leave.
He is also the god of wealth, due to the precious metals mined from the earth. He has a helmet
that makes him invisible. He rarely leaves the underworld. He is unpitying and terrible, but not
capricious. He never breaks his word. He is not judgmental (all mortals were allowed to come to
him). He defended the rights of the dead and presided over funerals.
Artemis
ARTEMIS was the great Olympian goddess of hunting, wilderness, wild animals, and fertile soil.
She was also a goddess of childbirth, and the protector of girls up to the age of marriage. Her
twin brother Apollon was similarly the protector of boys. Together the two gods were also
bringers of sudden death and disease--Artemis targeted women and girls, and Apollon men and
boys. She asked Zeus to allow her to never marry and roam to woods wild and free as a
huntress. She is very private. She is protected by nymphs, and protective of family and privacy.
She can, however, be brutal when angered.
Strengths/Talents: Physically strong, able to defend herself, defender and guardian of women in
childbirth and of wildlife in general.
Current Events Graphic Organizer: What Would They Do?
1. Read the short biographies of ONE of the ancient Greek gods/goddesses
2. List the gods’/goddess’ strongest traits.
3. In your groups, discuss the following: How would the god/goddess handle
(solve) the world issues we face today? Jot down your ideas to share out
with the class.
4. If you finish early, you may read and think about ANOTHER god/goddess’
possible solutions.
God
Traits
World
Issue #1:
Drinking
and
Driving
World
Issue #2:
Poverty
World
Issue #3:
Obesity
World
Issue #4:
Pollution
Hermes
Hades
Artemis