Greek Gods and

Goddesses

The 12 Olympians and their legends

Learning Target• Standard 4.2.3 I can understand and analyze

how ideas have impacted world history.

• Learning Target: I can explain how religion and mythology shaped life for people in Ancient Greece.

Ancient Greek Religion• Greeks were Polytheistic• Polytheism- belief in more than one god.• Greeks believed the Olympians were real and

could/did intervene in the lives of mortals.• Gods could even marry/have children with

mortals.– Heracles (Hercules), Achilles, Perseus.

Uranus and Gaia• Uranus- the Sky

and the Heavens• Gaia- the Earth–Gave birth to

the Titans

The Titans• Ruled the universe

before the Gods were born

• Rhea- “Mother of the Gods”

• Cronus- Leader of the Titans, brother and consort to Rhea

The First Olympians• Children of Rhea and Cronus• Cronus feared his children would one day

overthrow him, so he ate them• Rhea hid away Zeus, replacing him with a

boulder wrapped in swaddling clothes.• Cronus ate the stone instead, Zeus overthrows

the Titans and frees his siblings.

The Gods

• Lived atop Mount Olympus• Immortal• Ate Ambrosia and Nectar– Helped keep the gods immortal

• Had the power to both help and hinder mortals.– Ex: Hephaestus made armor for Achilles during

the Trojan War.

Zeus• King of the Gods, Lord of

the Heavens• Youngest of the original 6• Wielded lightning bolts as

a weapon• Had many lovers, fathered

over 100 children– Ares, Hephaestus, Hermes,

Aphrodite, Heracles, Perseus,etc.

Zeus’ Children

Hades• Brother of Zeus• Lord of the Underworld– The Underworld was where

the souls of the dead went.• Not an evil god, but rather

a caretaker of the deceased• Underworld guarded by his

three-headed dog.

Poseidon• Brother of Zeus• Lord of the Ocean• Poseidon vs. Athena– Athena wins

• Partly responsible for Medusa becoming a monster

Hera• Sister/Wife of Zeus• Goddess of Women

and Marriage• Often depicted as

bitter, holding grudges

• Mother of Hephaestus and Ares

Demeter and Persephone• Demeter: Sister/Lover of Zeus• Goddess of the Harvest• Persephone: their daughter• Goddess of Vegetation,

Queen of the Underworld• Married to Hades– He tricks/kidnaps her

• Changing of the Seasons

Hestia• Sister to Zeus• Goddess of the Hearth

and Hospitality– Had to keep the fire

burning on Olympus• Chose to be celibate

Ares• Son of Zeus and Hera• God of War, Combat,

Violence• Fear and Terror (Phobos

and Deimos) pulled his Chariot

• Best known for love affair with Aphrodite

Hephaestus• Son of Zeus and Hera• God of smithing, fire,

metalwork• Married to Aphrodite• The only ugly god,

Hephaestus made up for it by crafting the most beautiful things.

Dionysus• Son of Zeus• God of wine,

celebrations, ritual madness.– Party-Hardy god.

• Unique god– Mother was mortal

Semele

Athena• Daughter of Zeus– Popped out of his head

• Goddess of Bravery, Wisdom, Military Tactics

• Patron Goddess of Athens

• Virgin

Apollo and Artemis• Twins• Children of Zeus and

Leto• Apollo: Sun God– Carried the sun across

the sky in his chariot• Artemis: Goddess of

the Hunt (Katniss ain’t got nothing on her)

Hermes• Son of Zeus and Maia• Messenger of the Gods• God of travelers,

herdsmen, athletics, sports, invention, and trade.

• Conducted souls to the Underworld as well

• “The intern”

Aphrodite• Goddess of Beauty, Love,

Pleasure, and Procreation.• Married to Hephaestus– Often cheated on him with

Ares• When Cronus cut off the

genitals of Uranus and threw them into the sea, she rose from the sea foam.