Introduction to MythologyThe Gods and Goddesses of Mount Olympus

Warm up

•Complete the summaries of Greek, Hindu Egyptian creation myths.

•4mins

Vocab 1 for Mythology…Review 1. Embody (verb): To give a concrete form to something

abstract.

2. Odyssey (noun): a long journey. 3. Litany (noun): a ritual form of prayer consisting of a series

of chants or requests with responses that are repeated. 4. Incantation (noun): A spell or curse.

5. Stifled (verb): to end something by force.

6. Scourge (noun): A whip or lash intended for punsishment.

7. Polytheism (noun): The belief of the existence of more than one God.

8. Ramparts (noun): A large mass of earth raised above ground to form defense against attacks.

9. Supplication (noun): To pray meekly.

10. Enunciate (verb): to pronounce words clearly.

Review

•In your groups, answer this question.…3mins ▫What are the 3 functions of mythology in

culture? How natural phenomena came into existence.

Moral guide To appeal to the mystical wonder of the

natural world.

What stands out to you? Why?

What is the most disturbing part about this picture?

Essential question 1…

•What is a Mythology? ▫Any collection of beliefs held by a

particular culture.

Essential question 2…• What is the function of mythology in culture?

▫Give an image to the universe To explain things that are unexplainable. The scientific

method did not exist in the ancient world; therefore, myths were used to explain unexplainable occurrences.

▫The mystical function Myths were used to make people experience the

powerful feelings of awe, respect, and delight in their lives.

▫Sociology Used to teach the difference between right and wrong.

A myth also functions to establish rules of a particular culture. Mystery

Greek Mythology

Originated in Greece

Greek Mythology…

•Was a part of the Greek religion and explained how the world was created and also how and why many natural phenomena occurred.

In the beginning, there was only chaos…

From Chaos, came Gaia aka Mother Earth

Chaos and Mother Earth

•Have two “children”▫Uranus—Heaven▫Pontus--Sea

Uranus and Mother Earth• Hundred-hand Men

▫Three of them▫Had 50 heads and 100 hands

• Cyclopes ▫Three of them▫One giant eye in the middle of their head

• Titans ▫There are 12 of them▫Rhea—youngest female Titan▫Cronus—youngest male Titan▫Atlas is a Titan, too.

Rhea and Cronus

•Together they have the Olympian Gods▫Zeus▫Demeter▫Poseidon▫Hera▫Hades▫Hestia

Mount Olympus• Home of the Gods and Goddesses

Olympian Gods

Zeus with

women he was

not married

to

Athena

Apollo

Hermes

Hephaestus

Ares

Artemis

Dionysus

Aphrodite

Zeus

Hera

Children of Rhea and Cronus

Hades Zeus Hera DemeterPoseidonHestia

The main siblings:•Zeus: Supreme Ruler—Ruler of the Sky—

always has lightning rods.•Poseidon: Ruler of the Sea—carries his

trident•Hades: Ruler of the Underworld•Hestia: Goddess of the earth (Home)•Demeter (Da-meat-a): Goddess of the

Harvest (

Other Major Players in Mythology•Hera:

▫Zeus’s wife (and his sister…ewww…)▫She was the Protector of Marriage—this is

IRONIC because Zeus cheats on her constantly.

▫She is a very jealous woman and always sought revenge on the women with whom her husband had affairs (even if they didn’t WANT to have an affair with him)

Athena: daughter of Zeus…alone•Athena has no mother…she popped out

of Zeus’s head!•She is Zeus’s favorite child•She is the Goddess of Wisdom and Purity•She is depicted with an owl (wisdom)

The Twins: Apollo and Diana

• Children of Zeus and Leto• Apollo is God of the Sun• God of Light and Truth• He is a healer• Plays a lyre• Very handsome• God of Music and Poetry

• Diana is Protector of Youth• Goddess of the Moon• She is a Huntswoman

Aphrodite• Child of Zeus and Dione

(die-own-ee)—also said she has no parents and actually sprang from the foam of the sea.

• Goddess of Love and Beauty—she was most beautiful woman

• She loved laughter

• Mother of Eros—aka Cupid

• Married to Hephaestus (next slide)

Hephaestus• Child of Zeus and Hera (yes, he married

his half-sister)• Lame (crippled) and very ugly…IRONIC…

married to most beautiful woman!• God of Fire• Blacksmith

Hermes• Son of Zeus and Maia• Messenger of the Gods• Wings on his sandals and on his hat• Graceful, swift, shrewd and cunning• Carried a magic staff—the symbol is now the symbol for

medicine

Ares•Child of Zeus and Hera•God of War•Murderous and mean

Other Important People/Places/Things• The Nine Muses:• Daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (memory)

▫Clio: history▫Urania: astronomy▫Melpomene: tragedy▫Thalia: comedy▫Terpischore: dance▫Calliope: epic poetry▫Erato: love poetry▫Polyhymnia: songs▫Euterpe: lyric poetry

Cerberus: •guards the gates of Hades, to prevent

those who have crossed the river Styx from ever escaping. In other words, he helps the souls cross into hell, but prevents them from ever leaving.

Elysian Fields•Final resting place for the souls of the

virtuous and heroic.

The River Styx•Where land of living meets land of dead.•Gods swore by the River Styx (cross my

heart, hope to die) •Represented an unbreakable oath

Calypso: the sea nymph• Imprisons Odysseus for seven years because she is

madly in love with him! Won’t let him leave her island.• Goddess of Silence

Arachne questions

•What does this myth say about the Greek Gods?

•Why was Arachne punished by Athena? What does this say about how Greek people are supposed to act?

Cyclops• A race of giants Odysseus encounters on his trip—they

have only one huge eye!

Oracle at Delphi:Pythia, the priestess of Apollo

Atlas Images