Greek Mythology Greek Mythology and Religionand Religion

Gods and Gods and Goddesses Goddesses

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Essential LearningEssential Learning

Religion - students will understand the Religion - students will understand the importance and influence of religion on importance and influence of religion on each civilization (i.e. monotheism, each civilization (i.e. monotheism, polytheism, mythology, Christianity).polytheism, mythology, Christianity).

Religious Beliefs and Religious Beliefs and PracticesPractices

Ancient Greeks practiced their Ancient Greeks practiced their religion individually often going to religion individually often going to a temple, saying a prayer and a temple, saying a prayer and leaving a gift. (no church service)leaving a gift. (no church service)

Sacrifices were made to please the Sacrifices were made to please the gods.gods.

Greek TemplesGreek Temples

They believed in oracles - a place gods They believed in oracles - a place gods spoke to people: spoke to people: the oracle of Apollo at the oracle of Apollo at Delphi.Delphi.

They believed in omens (signs) curses and They believed in omens (signs) curses and superstition (Illness, drought, plague or superstition (Illness, drought, plague or losing a battle were due to the gods not losing a battle were due to the gods not being happy.)being happy.)

Festivals were held to Honour the Gods. Festivals were held to Honour the Gods.

Their religion was seen in their art, Their religion was seen in their art, literature, buildings, paintings and statues.literature, buildings, paintings and statues.

Death and the AfterlifeDeath and the Afterlife Greeks believed that Hermes would lead the deceased to the River Styx (Purgatory). There was no heaven.Greeks believed that Hermes would lead the deceased to the River Styx (Purgatory). There was no heaven.

A three headed dog would prevent people from leaving the underworld.A three headed dog would prevent people from leaving the underworld.

The dead had two coins placed over The dead had two coins placed over their eyes or in the mouth to pay the their eyes or in the mouth to pay the boatman.boatman.

Women looked after the burial rites Women looked after the burial rites of family members.of family members. Body anointed with oilBody anointed with oil Body wrapped in a shroudBody wrapped in a shroud Coins placed over eyesCoins placed over eyes Wreath placed on head.Wreath placed on head.

The 12 main gods The 12 main gods and goddesses of and goddesses of Ancient Greece.Ancient Greece.

The GodsThe Gods The main gods were a group of 12 The main gods were a group of 12

called the Olympians.called the Olympians. Greek and Roman gods and Greek and Roman gods and

goddesses were anthropomorphic goddesses were anthropomorphic (took shape of humans)(took shape of humans)

All the Olympians are related to each All the Olympians are related to each other in some way.other in some way.

They lived at Mount Olympus.They lived at Mount Olympus. Who were the TITANS?Who were the TITANS?

12 Giants most popular was Atlas (held 12 Giants most popular was Atlas (held the world on his shoulders.) Children of the world on his shoulders.) Children of Gaea and Uranus.Gaea and Uranus.

AtlasAtlas

ZeusZeus Zeus is the King of the Zeus is the King of the

Gods.Gods. If he would have to If he would have to

bring order he would bring order he would hurl a thunderbolt.hurl a thunderbolt.

Zeus is also the sky Zeus is also the sky god. He controls the god. He controls the rain and weather.rain and weather.

HeraHera

Hera is the goddess of marriage Hera is the goddess of marriage and childbirth and the home.and childbirth and the home.

Hera is not only Zeus’ wife but Hera is not only Zeus’ wife but also his sister.also his sister.

PoseidonPoseidon

Poseidon is the God of the Poseidon is the God of the Sea and of the Earthquake.Sea and of the Earthquake.

Poseidon is Zeus’ brother.Poseidon is Zeus’ brother. He is second to Zeus only in He is second to Zeus only in

power among the gods.power among the gods.

ArtemisArtemis

Artemis is the goddess Artemis is the goddess of the Hunt and of the of the Hunt and of the Moon.Moon.

Daughter of ZeusDaughter of Zeus

She is a virgin She is a virgin goddess, the goddess goddess, the goddess of chastity.of chastity.

AthenaAthena

Goddess of Wisdom Goddess of Wisdom and Agriculture.and Agriculture.

She is the daughter She is the daughter of Zeus.of Zeus.

AphroditeAphroditeGoddess of Love and BeautyGoddess of Love and Beauty

HestiaHestia

AresAresAres is the god of war.Ares is the god of war.

HermesHermes

Son of Zeus.Son of Zeus. Zeus’ messenger.Zeus’ messenger. He is the guide for the He is the guide for the

dead to go to the dead to go to the underworld.underworld.

HadesHades

Hades is the god of Hades is the god of the underworld and the underworld and rules over the dead.rules over the dead.

A greedy god who is A greedy god who is always trying to always trying to increase his subjects.increase his subjects.

ApolloApollo

Apollo is the god of the Apollo is the god of the Sun, Truth, and Music.Sun, Truth, and Music.

His most important job His most important job is to drive the sun across is to drive the sun across the sky with his chariot.the sky with his chariot.

He is famous for his He is famous for his oracle at Delphi.oracle at Delphi.

Because he was the god Because he was the god of truth, he could not tell of truth, he could not tell a lie.a lie.

HephaestusHephaestus

Hephaestus is the god of Fire and Hephaestus is the god of Fire and the Forge.the Forge.

He is the son of ZeusHe is the son of Zeus Only god to be physically ugly and Only god to be physically ugly and

lame.lame.

Pictures of the Gods Pictures of the Gods and Goddessesand Goddesses

Zeus

Hestia

Hades

Poseidon

Athena

Lesser GodsLesser Gods(Don’t copy)(Don’t copy)

Demeter – Goddess of the Earth and of the Harvest.Demeter – Goddess of the Earth and of the Harvest. Persephone – Hades’ wife and Queen of the Persephone – Hades’ wife and Queen of the

Underworld.Underworld. Dionysus – God of the Arts and the Vine.Dionysus – God of the Arts and the Vine. Eros – Son of Aphrodite, God of Love. Called Cupid Eros – Son of Aphrodite, God of Love. Called Cupid

by the Romans.by the Romans. Hebe – Goddess of YouthHebe – Goddess of Youth Thanatos – God of DeathThanatos – God of Death Morpheus – God of DreamsMorpheus – God of Dreams Nemisis – God of VengenceNemisis – God of Vengence Pan – God of ShepardsPan – God of Shepards

MedusaMedusa Could turn men to stone when they looked at her.Could turn men to stone when they looked at her.

DisbelieversDisbelievers Some Greeks were not happy with the Some Greeks were not happy with the

Olympian gods because they thought they Olympian gods because they thought they were not personal.were not personal.

Therefore a new religion began – A mystery Therefore a new religion began – A mystery religion.religion.

Dionysus was the main God in this religion.Dionysus was the main God in this religion.

Christianity Brought to Christianity Brought to GreeceGreece

In 51 AD Saint Paul came to Greece In 51 AD Saint Paul came to Greece and brought the idea of Christianity and brought the idea of Christianity (About 20 years after Christ’s death.)(About 20 years after Christ’s death.)

In 529 AD a Roman Emperor – Justinian In 529 AD a Roman Emperor – Justinian –came to Greece and forced –came to Greece and forced Christianity on people.Christianity on people.

One major difference was Christianity One major difference was Christianity is monotheistic. (worshipped 1 God).is monotheistic. (worshipped 1 God).

Compare and Contrast

Think about the mainstream religions of today. (Christianity, Judaism, Hindu, Islam) How was Greek mythology different from these types of religion?

Were there similarities?

RefrencesRefrences

http://www.desy.de/gna/interpedia/greek_myth/olympian.html#Apollo

Pictures from Elfwood Productions Pictures from Elfwood Productions and Google Search.and Google Search.

Compton’s Encyclopedia 2000Compton’s Encyclopedia 2000 Prelude to the Present TextbookPrelude to the Present Textbook