Greek and Roman Gods
Did not believe that the gods created the universe, but that the universe created the Gods
Before gods heaven and earth were created ◦ Their children were called the Titans◦ Their grandchildren were called the gods
Creation
Often called the Elder Gods There were many, but few were mentioned
in mythology Cronus-King of the Titans Ocean-River that encircled the earth Hyperion-Father of the moon and sun Iapetus-Father of Atlas (bore the world on
his shoulders)
Titans
Zeus overthrew his dad Cronus and took over and banished most of the Titans
Called Olympians because their home was in Olympus
There were twelve great Olympians which made up a great family
Zeus and his “family” drew lots for what they would rule over
Romans named many of these Gods for planets
Twelve Gods
King of the Gods Not omnipotent or all powerful because he
is tricked many times in many stories Loved mortal women had many children
that were half God and half mortal Controlled and fought with lightning Animal: Eagle
Zeus (Jupiter)
Protector of married women Hated the mortal women that Zeus fell in
love with and punished them Very vain individual Animals: Cows and Peacocks
Hera (Juno)
Ruler of the Sea Gave the first horse to man Commonly called Earth-shaker and always
carried a trident Animals: Bulls, Horses
Poseidon (Neptune)
Ruled the underworld and precious metals of the earth
Had a helmet that made whoever wore it invisible
Not “welcome” in Olympus or the mortal world
Animals: None
Hades (Pluto)
Had no mother, just a father Sprang from the head of Zeus in full armor Zeus’s favorite child Embodiment of wisdom, reason, and purity Animal: Owl
Athena (Minerva)
God of light and archers and truth Had a silver bow Could not tell a lie Played a golden lyre for the rest of the Gods
in Olympus Animals: Dolphin and Crow
Apollo
Apollo’s twin sister Huntsman of Olympus Called the Lady of the Wild Things Animal: Deer
Artemis (Diana)
Goddess of love and beauty Most beautiful god or mortal in the world Liked to trick men with her beauty to do
what she wanted Married to Vulcan (God of the Forge) Animal: Dove
Aphrodite (Venus)
Zeus’s messenger; God of Commerce and the Market
Had winged sandals that allowed him to fly Master thief Guide to the dead Animals: None
Hermes (Mercury)
God of War Zeus and Hera detested him Ruthless Vengeful god that caused mortals
many problems Represented the idea of war Animals: Dog and Vulture
Ares (Mars)
God of the Forge Only “ugly” God Kind, peace loving god that was loved by
mortals and Olympians When children were accepted into a city, he
was the god over the proceedings Animals: None
Hephaestus (Vulcan)
Goddess of the Hearth Newborn children must be carried before
her before she allowed them to be a family Every meal began and ended with a prayer
to her
Hestia (Vesta)