LANGUAGE ARTSMIDDLE SCHOOL

MS. CORO

Greek Mythology

Where it takes place

The Greek territories, found in the Mediterranean.

8th century B.C. through 6th century B.C; modern countries include Greece, parts of Turkey, and parts of Italy.

Ancient Greece is not united; divided into various city-states, with own government structure.

The Greeks

Different groups of people: Spartans, Athenians, Macedonians, Arcadians, Trojans, and more.

Independent of each other, often went to war over territories; rarely united on anything.

Famous historical Greek leaders: King Phillip of Macedonia, and Alexander the Great.

Stories were passed by oral tradition; that’s why there are variations with certain myths.

The Illiad and The Odyssey are the oldest works in Western civilization; written down by the blind poet Homer.

Religion

Worshipped the gods/goddesses in temples; performed animal sacrifices to gain certain favors.

Cults, were the worship of one particular deity. i.e. the Cult of Hera, or the Cult of Apollo.

Used priests or priestesses to perform rituals.

Much of their rituals and deities were later adopted by the Romans.

Titans and Gods/Goddesses

ZeusHeraPoseidonHadesAphroditeHermesApolloDemeterArtemisDionysusAthenaHephaestusAres

Titans: predate the Greek deities; fought in a war against the gods. Guess what? Titans lost.

Gaia, the earth Titan; wife to the Titan Uranus.

Oceanus, the sea/ocean Titan.

Cronus, the leader of the Titans, husband to the Titan Rhea and father to many of the Greek gods.

The gods live on Mount Olympus, located in Macedonia.

Mythological creatures

Satyrs NaiadsCyclopsCentaursDragonsGiantsHarpiesSirens

Zeus/Jupiter

Zeus, is the leader of the Greek gods; husband/brother to Hera; brother to Hades and Poseidon.

Associated with thunder and lightning; had many children by other women, some goddesses other mortals.

Roman name: Jupiter.

Hera/Juno

Hera is the wife/sister to Zeus; youngest daughter to Cronus; sister to Hades and Poseidon.

Associated with marriage, fertility, and family.

Known for her jealousy and anger of her husband’s mistresses and affairs.

Roman name: Juno

Poseidon/Neptune

Poseidon is the god of the ocean/sea; brother to Zeus.

Associated with the ocean, fishing, earthquakes, tidal waves, and horses.

Created the dolphin to impress his wife Amphitrite.

His sons are Cyclopes. Roman name: Neptune

Athena/Minerva

Athena is the “daughter” of Zeus, depending the myth, she is “born” from a headache.

Associated with justice, wisdom, owls, just warfare, arts and crafts, and courage.

The city of Athens was named for her.

Roman name: Minerva

Hades/Pluto

Hades is the god of the Underworld; husband to Persephone; brother to Zeus.

Associated with gold, gems, death, and wealth.

Kidnapped his wife/niece Persephone.

NOTE: Not an “evil” god.

Roman name: Pluto

Videos to check out!

Alexander the Great: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jFU5Tu0LIQ

Athenians vs Spartans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLyW5UYPYYs

Spartan Bride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IInECJ0Utsc

Helen of Troy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1Z-zgyGJw0