GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Gods and Goddesses
Mythology
• Ancient cultures used mythology as a belief
system much the same way modern people use
religion.
• Myths explained their world and themselves.
– To explain the natural world (seasons, oceans)
– To explain the origins of good and evil (love, hate,
jealousy)
– To instruct or guide behavior (controlling anger or
overcoming greed)
– To give a sense of community
NORSE MYTHOLOGY
Origins of Mythology
• Ancient mythology belongs to the oral
tradition (like folklore, legends, etc)
• Found throughout the world
– Appeal to the non-literate
– Form of entertainment
– Passed history and culture from one
generation to the next
INDIAN MYTHOLOGY
Archetypal Myth Symbols
• Most myths focused on stories about the
gods/goddesses (but would also include
humans and fantastical creatures)
• Many cultures share myth symbols
– A great flood or fire
– A serpent
– Things organized into 3, 7, or 12
– A woman who brings evil into the world
– The family “romance”
Specifically Greek Myths
• Greeks were the earliest people to give
their gods human forms
• They also have the gods human qualities
and emotions
• Greek culture was able to determine
proper behavior based on what would
“anger the gods” or “please the gods”
Let’s Read One
• Is it to explain the natural world, to explain
good and evil to instruct behavior, or to
give a sense of community?
• Does it contain gods, humans and
creatures?
• What message do you think it relayed to
the Ancient Greeks?
Creation of the World
(Greek Mythology)
In the beginning there was only chaos. Then out of the void appeared
Erebus, the unknowable place where death dwells, and Night. All
else was empty, silent, endless, darkness. Then somehow Love was
born bringing a start of order. From Love came Light and Day. Once
there was Light and Day, Gaea, the earth appeared.
Then Erebus with Night gave birth to Ether, the heavenly light, and to
Day the earthly light. Then Night alone produced Doom, Fate,
Death, Sleep, Dreams, Nemesis, and others that come to man out of
darkness.
Meanwhile Gaea alone gave birth to Uranus, the heavens. Uranus
became Gaea's mate covering her on all sides. Together they
produced the three Cyclopes, the three Hecatoncheires, and twelve
Titans.
Answers
• The myth explained the natural world
• It contained Titans (?Who are they?) and
gods
• What did it relay?
Remember the Titans
• Gaea: Earth – made the rest of the titans
• Uranus: Sky – first ruler dethroned by son,
Cronus
• Cronus – father of the Olympian gods
• Rhea – mother of the Olympian gods
• Prometheus – protector of man and
inventor of fire
• Atlas – punished by having to hold the
world on his back
Family Tree
The Twelve Olympians
• Aphrodite: goddess of love and beauty. Her
symbols were the dove, and myrtle, a type of
evergreen shrub. Her Latin name was Venus.
• Apollo: god of the sun and of music. His
symbols were the lyre, the chariot, and the
laurel tree. His Latin name was Apollo.
• Ares: god of war. His symbols were armor,
dogs, and vultures. His Latin name was Mars.
• Artemis: goddess of the hunt and of the
moon. Her symbols were hunting, weapons,
stags, and the crescent moon. Her Latin name
was Diana.
• Athena: goddess of wisdom and war. Her
symbols were the owl, the olive tree, and two
types of armor—the breastplate and the
aegis, a shield. Her Latin name was Minerva.
• Demeter: goddess of agriculture. Her
symbols were sheaves of wheat, and the
poppy. Her Latin name was Ceres.
• Dionysus: god of wine and revelry. His
symbols were grapes and other crops.
His Latin name was Bacchus.
• Hephaestus: god of fire and of the
forge. His symbols were the anvil and
the hammer. His Latin name was Vulcan.
• Hera: queen of the gods. Her symbols
were the peacock and the pomegranate.
Her Latin name was Juno.
• Hermes: messenger of the gods. His symbols
were the caduceus, and a winged cap and
sandals. His Latin name was Mercury.
• Poseidon: god of the sea. His symbols were
the trident, a three pronged spear, and
dolphins. His Latin name was Neptune.
• Zeus: king of the gods. His symbols were the
thunderbolt, the eagle, and the oak tree. His
Latin name was Jupiter.
Can you label the Gods
and Goddesses?