The gods of Ancient Greece
The gods of Ancient Greece
Ancient Greek religionAncient Greek religion Greek deities play a major role in the
development of Greek culture Polytheistic believed their gods existed and lived in
the real world Role of gods is to rule over all aspects
that humans would come across in their lives
Greek deities play a major role in the development of Greek culture
Polytheistic believed their gods existed and lived in
the real world Role of gods is to rule over all aspects
that humans would come across in their lives
Gods have limitations and weaknesses
Gods are neither omnipotent (all-powerful) or omniscient (all-knowing)
Very closely resemble humans except have super human abilities
immortal
Gods have limitations and weaknesses
Gods are neither omnipotent (all-powerful) or omniscient (all-knowing)
Very closely resemble humans except have super human abilities
immortal
Creation StoryCreation Story
First there was Chaos-unordered mass
Then Gaea (Earth) and Eros (Desire) who came to cancel any logical act
Gaea then brought Uranus (the Heaven), Pontus (the Sea) and the Mountains to the world.
Gaea and Uranus become first divine couple in the world
First there was Chaos-unordered mass
Then Gaea (Earth) and Eros (Desire) who came to cancel any logical act
Gaea then brought Uranus (the Heaven), Pontus (the Sea) and the Mountains to the world.
Gaea and Uranus become first divine couple in the world
Gaea and Uranus have 12 Titan children, 3 Cyclops, and 3 Hundred Handed creatures
Uranus was fearful of his children overthrowing him, so he pushed his children back one by one into the womb of Gaea. In the end Gaea handed a sickle to her son Cronus, the youngest of the Titans, in order to castrate his father.
Cronus then threw his father's genitals into the sea, and (one version) states the foam transformed into Aphrodite, the Olympian goddess of Love and Beauty.
Gaea and Uranus have 12 Titan children, 3 Cyclops, and 3 Hundred Handed creatures
Uranus was fearful of his children overthrowing him, so he pushed his children back one by one into the womb of Gaea. In the end Gaea handed a sickle to her son Cronus, the youngest of the Titans, in order to castrate his father.
Cronus then threw his father's genitals into the sea, and (one version) states the foam transformed into Aphrodite, the Olympian goddess of Love and Beauty.
Soon afterwards, Cronus marries Rhea and together they created children who later on would become the Olympian gods. But Cronus developed the same fear as his father so he started to swallow his own children as well.
Rhea attempts to save her youngest child, Zeus, by deceiving Cronus and giving him a huge stone to swallow. He then throws up his children and Rhea sends Zeus to Crete to protect him.
Soon afterwards, Cronus marries Rhea and together they created children who later on would become the Olympian gods. But Cronus developed the same fear as his father so he started to swallow his own children as well.
Rhea attempts to save her youngest child, Zeus, by deceiving Cronus and giving him a huge stone to swallow. He then throws up his children and Rhea sends Zeus to Crete to protect him.
When Zeus grows up, he rescues his brothers and sisters
Wages war on the Titans and Giants Olympic gods excel and win these battles Thus begins the rule of the Olympians, the gods of
classical Greece
When Zeus grows up, he rescues his brothers and sisters
Wages war on the Titans and Giants Olympic gods excel and win these battles Thus begins the rule of the Olympians, the gods of
classical Greece
ZeusZeus Most powerful- considered
just and fair Zeus married his own sister
Hera, but has numerous love affairs
Strong, imposing figure with long, curly hair
respected and awed by all gods and mortals
Unpredictable god- controlled weather based on moods
His animal is the eagle
Most powerful- considered just and fair
Zeus married his own sister Hera, but has numerous love affairs
Strong, imposing figure with long, curly hair
respected and awed by all gods and mortals
Unpredictable god- controlled weather based on moods
His animal is the eagle
HeraHera Zeus’ wife and sister Protector of married
women Usually stays in high
places so she can keep an eye on Zeus’s actions
Considered beautiful but not desirable
Sacred fruit is pomegranate and symbol is peacock
Zeus’ wife and sister Protector of married
women Usually stays in high
places so she can keep an eye on Zeus’s actions
Considered beautiful but not desirable
Sacred fruit is pomegranate and symbol is peacock
PoseidonPoseidon god of the seas considered to be the
bad-tempered, moody and greedy
Brother of Zeus and Hera
Strong and imposing with long, blue hair
His symbol was the trident and his sacred animals were the dolphin and the horse
god of the seas considered to be the
bad-tempered, moody and greedy
Brother of Zeus and Hera
Strong and imposing with long, blue hair
His symbol was the trident and his sacred animals were the dolphin and the horse
HephaestusHephaestus god of fire and the forge.
Symbols are axe and fire Hephaestus is the son of
Zeus and Hera. Sometimes it is said that
Hera alone produced him and that he has no father.
Hephaestus was a very kind and loveable god, but was the only deity who was physically ugly and lame.
Creates first woman- Pandora Married to Aphrodite
god of fire and the forge. Symbols are axe and fire
Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera.
Sometimes it is said that Hera alone produced him and that he has no father.
Hephaestus was a very kind and loveable god, but was the only deity who was physically ugly and lame.
Creates first woman- Pandora Married to Aphrodite
AphroditeAphrodite goddess of love, beauty,
and eternal youth Married to Hephaestus
but secret love affair with Ares
Can arose desire in gods, men, and beasts using magic girdle
Son is Eros- better known by the Roman title Cupid
Sacred bird is dove
goddess of love, beauty, and eternal youth
Married to Hephaestus but secret love affair with Ares
Can arose desire in gods, men, and beasts using magic girdle
Son is Eros- better known by the Roman title Cupid
Sacred bird is dove
AresAres Son of Zeus and Hera;
half brother to Athena god of War Difficult character to deal
with and not popular with gods or men
No city had him as patron Lover of Aphrodite and
child they produced is Armonia (Harmony)
Symbol is spear and dogs
Son of Zeus and Hera; half brother to Athena
god of War Difficult character to deal
with and not popular with gods or men
No city had him as patron Lover of Aphrodite and
child they produced is Armonia (Harmony)
Symbol is spear and dogs
ApolloApollo god of the Music Born of Zeus and
human, Leto Younger twin brother
of Artemis Had gift of prophecy
and temple at Delphi is dedicated to him
handsome, strong and youthful god with impressive golden hair
Symbols are the lyre and the laurel tree
god of the Music Born of Zeus and
human, Leto Younger twin brother
of Artemis Had gift of prophecy
and temple at Delphi is dedicated to him
handsome, strong and youthful god with impressive golden hair
Symbols are the lyre and the laurel tree
ArtemisArtemis Heritage same as Apollo Virgin goddess absolute sovereignty over
nature and was said to bring fertility to all places that worshipped her
Hunted with arrows dipped in poison
Killer and protector of wild animals
Symbol is bow and animal is deer
Heritage same as Apollo Virgin goddess absolute sovereignty over
nature and was said to bring fertility to all places that worshipped her
Hunted with arrows dipped in poison
Killer and protector of wild animals
Symbol is bow and animal is deer
AthenaAthena Child of Zeus and Metis Zeus, fearing that she would be
smarter than him, ate the mother before she could give birth
Athena emerged from Zeus’ forehead fully grown
Goddess of just War Beat Poseidon to become patron of
Athens A tall, slim woman wearing a suit of
armour, shield with Medusa’s head fastened and a golden helmet
Sacred animal was the owl
Child of Zeus and Metis Zeus, fearing that she would be
smarter than him, ate the mother before she could give birth
Athena emerged from Zeus’ forehead fully grown
Goddess of just War Beat Poseidon to become patron of
Athens A tall, slim woman wearing a suit of
armour, shield with Medusa’s head fastened and a golden helmet
Sacred animal was the owl