Transcript Olympian Gods and Goddesses

Olympian Gods and Goddesses
GREEK
MYTHOLOGY
Mythology
 noun
 A body or collection of myths
belonging to a people and addressing
their origin, history, deities,
ancestors, and heroes.
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What is a myth, exactly?
 A traditional, typically ancient story
dealing with supernatural beings,
ancestors, or heroes that serves as a
fundamental type in the worldview
of a people, as by explaining aspects
of the natural world or outlining the
psychology, customs, or ideals of
society
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What is a myth, exactly?
A fiction or half-truth, especially one
that forms part of an ideology.
ideology- a body of ideas that reflects
the beliefs and interests of a nation,
political system, etc and underlies
political action…a philosophy of life.
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Zeus (Jupiter)
King of the gods
Ruler of Mt. Olympus
God of weather
Dominating and powerful with a
soft spot for pretty women
Hurls thunderbolts when irritated
Aphrodite (Venus)
Goddess of love and beauty
No formal duties besides being lovely
Married to Hephaestus (unwillingly);
was unfaithful to him
Apollo (Phoebus)
God of the sun
In charge of moving the sun across the sky
Hunter; patron of archery
Patron of the arts, especially music, and
medicine (had healing powers)
Ares (Mars)
God of war
Involvement with all warlike activities and
will intervene in war
Violent and eager to fight, is indifferent to
“right and wrong” in battle
Artemis (Diana)
Goddess of the moon
In charge of movement of moon
across the sky
Twin of Apollo
Mighty huntress; protector of small
children and animals
Athena (Minerva)
Goddess of wisdom and war
Preferred reason to violence, except
when pushed
Overseer of household crafts
Very competitive
Demeter (Ceres)
Goddess of the earth and harvest
Responsible growth of crops and fruits
Strong motherly instincts
Dionysus (Liber)
God of wine and theater
Wild and fun-loving personality
Has undesirable friends
Hephaestus (Vulcan)
 God of fire and artisans
 Skilled craftsman and metal worker
 Married to Aphrodite (against her will)
 Only crippled god/thrown down Olympus by his mother
Hera
 Admired for his work
Hera (Juno)
Queen of gods and protector of women
Associated with marriage; spent much time
pursuing Zeus’ other women
Jealous and vain; beautiful
Hermes (Mercury)
Messenger of the gods
Mischievous and a trouble-maker
Protector of thieves
Winged helmet and sandals
Poseidon (Neptune)
God of the sea and earthquakes
Giver of horses to mortals
His weapon in the Triton (three-pronged
fork)
Controlled the waves