Greek Mythology
A Video Introduction
In the Beginning
Why did the war between the Gods and Titans begin? What happened as a result of the war?
Cronos, Zeus’ father, is concerned his children will overthrow him. He decides to swallow his
children whole in order to avoid losing his power. His wife, Rhea, hides their last newborn, Zeus,
on Crete. Zeus returns as young man under the guise as a servant. He gives his father, Cronos, a
powerful drink forcing him to throw-up his siblings, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and
Hestia. The Olympian Gods and the Titans, Cronos is a Titan, battle in a war. Prometheus, the
son of the Titans Themis and Iapetus sides with the Olympians. The Olympians win thus paving
the way for mankind to inhabit the Earth.
Gallery of the Gods. Identify what each God or Goddess represents and one supporting detail.
Ares - God of War. Symbol or Attribute: The spear. He is also associated with vultures and dogs.
Strengths: Decisive, determined, and fearless. Weaknesses: Impulsive, bloodthirsty, and raring for a fight
regardless of the consequences
Hephaestus - God of fire. Strengths: Hephaestus is creative, cunning, and an able metal worker
Weaknesses: Can't handle his liquor; can be crafty, volatile, and vindictive. Zeus is said to have thrown
his to earth which left him crippled. Married to Aphrodite.
Dionsysus- God of wine, grapes, and the theatre. Strengths: Dionysus is the creator of wine. He also
shakes things up when it gets dull. Weaknesses: God of intoxication and drunkenness, states he pursues
frequently. Only God to have a mortal, parent.
Appolo- God of Prophecy. Taught mortals the healing elements and music. Associated with a bow and
arrow.
Poseidon- God of water and its wonders. Watches from below the depths of the sea. Associated with a
Titan. He is also believed to be the force behind earthquakes and tsunamis in Greece.
Zeus - God over other Gods and Mankind. Attributed with a Thunderbolt. Zeus's Strengths: Highly
powerful, strong, charming, persuasive. Zeus's Weaknesses: Gets in trouble over love affairs, can be
moody.
Hermes - God of Travel. Hermes' Symbol or Attribute: His staff, called kerykerion. This is the symbol
used by doctors, though Hermes' connection with healing is faint. Messenger for the Gods. Invented
foot racing.
Artemis -Goddess of the hunt. Artemis' Symbol or Attribute: Her bow. She often wears the lunar
crescent on her brow. Strengths/Talents: Physically strong, able to defend herself, defender and
guardian of women in childbirth and of wildlife in general.
Weaknesses/Flaws/Quirks: Dislikes men, whom she sometimes orders torn apart if they see her bathing.
Opposes the institution of marriage and the subsequent loss of freedom it entails for women.
Aphrodite - Goddess of love and beauty. Aphrodite's Appearance: Aphrodite is a gorgeous, perfect,
eternally young woman with a beautiful body. Aphrodite's Symbol or Attribute: Her Girdle, a decorated
belt, which has magical powers to compel love. Strengths: Potent attractiveness and dazzling beauty.
Demeter - Goddess of agriculture and fertility. Controls the Seasons. Demeter's Strengths: controls the
fertility of the earth as goddess of Agriculture; also gives life after death to those who learn her
Mysteries. Demeter's Weaknesses: Not one to cross lightly. After the kidnapping of her daughter
Persephone, Demeter blights the earth and won't let the plants grow.
Hera- Goddess of marriage and queen of Heaven. Hera's Symbol or Attribute: The peacock.
Hera's Strengths: Determined defender of the sanctity of marriage and monogamy.
Hera's Weaknesses: Determined defender of the sanctity of marriage and monogamy - but married
Zeus.