Greek Mythology: Gods and Titans PDF
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This document provides an overview of Greek mythology, focusing on the major gods and titans. It details their roles, relationships, and attributes in the ancient Greek world.
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Greek Gods GREEK MYTHOLOGY TITANS ( Elder Gods) — were for untold ages supreme in the universe. — were of enormous size and of incredible strength. — there were many of them, but only a few appear in the stories of mythology. CRONUS (SATURN) The most important titan. He ruled over the other t...
Greek Gods GREEK MYTHOLOGY TITANS ( Elder Gods) — were for untold ages supreme in the universe. — were of enormous size and of incredible strength. — there were many of them, but only a few appear in the stories of mythology. CRONUS (SATURN) The most important titan. He ruled over the other titans His wife is his sister Rhea. Son of Uranus (Father Sky) and Gaeia (Mother Earth) The father of Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Hestia, and Demeter Other Notable Titans OCEAN (the river that was supposed to encircle the earth. TETHYS (Ocean's wife) HYPERION (the father of the sun, moon and dawn) MNEMOSYNE (Memory) THEMIS (usually translated by Justice) IAPETUS ATLAS (who hore the world on his shoulders) PROMETHEUS (the saviour of mankind) Greek Gods The Olympian gods were the 12 principal gods and goddesses in Greek mythology. They resided atop Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece. The twelve Olympian gods were major deities in Ancient Greece. They included Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes, and Hestia. Zeus(Jupiter) Zeus is the god of the sky and thunder in ancient Greek mythology. He was commonly referred to as the "Father of the Gods" and was often shown holding a lightning bolt. Zeus(Jupiter) The supreme leader. Lord of the Sky, Rain-god and the Cloud-gatherer, who wielded the awful thunderbolt. His wife was Hera. He is represented as falling in love with one woman after another and descending to all manner of tricks to hide his infidelity from his wife. His breastplate was the aegis, his bird: the eagle, his tree: the oak. Hera (Juno) Hera is the queen of the gods and goddesses, as well as the goddess of marriage, childbirth, and family. She is married to Zeus. Hera is often shown wearing a crown and holding a scepter. Hera (Juno) Zeus’ wife and sister. The protector of marriage and married women were her peculiar care. The cow and the peacock were her sacred animals. Argos was her favorite city. Poseidon (Neptune) Poseidon is a god who is associated with the sea, and earthquakes. He is the brother of Zeus and Hades. Poseidon is often shown holding a trident, which was his signature weapon. Poseidon (Neptune) Zeus's brother and second only to him in eminence. His wife was Amphitrite (a granddaughter of the Titan, Ocean). He was commonly called Earth-shaker and was always shown carrying his trident. He had some connection with bulls as well as horses. Hades (Pluto) The third brother among the Olympians. Ruler of the Underworld and over the dead. The god of wealth. He had far-famed cap or helmet made whoever wore it invisible. He was not a welcome visitor. He was unpitying, inexorable, nut just; a terrible, not an evil god. Hades (Pluto) His wife was Persephone (Proserpine), Queen of the Lower World. He had three-headed dogs or hellhounds, Cerberus. King of the Dead - not Death himself, whom the Greeks called Thanatos (Orcus). Athena (Minerva) The daughter of Zeus (alone!). Athena is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. She is often depicted as a wise and powerful warrior, wearing a helmet and carrying a shield, spear, and an owl, which is a symbol of wisdom. Athena (Minerva) She was her father's favorite child. The word oftenest to describe her is gray-eyed or, as it sometimes translated mashing-eyed. Chief of the virgin goddess and was called Maiden, Parthenos, and her temple was the Parthenon. Athens, her special city: the olive created by her was her tree: the owl, her bird. She was the preminently the Goddess of the City, the protector of civilized life, of handicrafts and agriculture; the inventor of the bridle, who first tamed horses for men to use. Phoebus Apollo Apollo is the god of music, poetry, prophecy, and medicine, as well as the protector of young men and the sun. He is the son of Zeus. Apollo is often depicted with a lyre or bow and arrow, and his symbols include the sun and laurel wreaths. Many creatures were sacred to him, chief among them are the python, dolphin and the crow. Phoebus Apollo The son of Zeus and Leto (Latona), born in the little island of Delos. He has been called the most Greek of all gods. The master musician who delights Olympus as he plays on his golden lyre; the lord too of the silver bow, the Archer-god, far-shooting; the Healer. The God of Light and Truth. Phoebus means brilliant or shining. Artemis (Diana) Artemis is a Greek goddess with the hunt, wilderness and childbirth. She was the daughter of Zeus. , and the twin sister of Apollo. Artemis was known for her hunting skills and was often depicted carrying a bow and arrows. The cypress was sacred to her; and all wild animals, but especially the deer. Artemis (Diana) Apollo's twin sister, daughter of Zeus and Leto. One of the three maiden goddess of Olympus. She was the Lady of wild Things, Huntsman-in- chief to the gods, an odd office for a woman. The protectress of dewy youth. As Phoebus was the Sun, she was the Moon, called Phoebe and Selene (Luna). Aphrodite (Venus) Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation. She was believed to have been born from the foam of the sea and was often depicted as a beautiful woman. Aphrodite (Venus) She is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. Beautiful, golden goddess. She was the wife of Hephaestus. The myrtle was her tree; the dove her bird - sometimes, too the sparrow and the swan. Hermes (Mercury) Hermes is known for his speed and agility, and he is often seen as a messenger between the gods and mortals. Hermes is also often considered to be a protector of travelers and a guide to the underworld. He is often depicted as a youthful god with wings sandals and a winged hat and winged magic wand, the Caduceus. His sacred animals are the tortoise, the ram, and the hawk. Hermes (Mercury) The son of Zeus and Maia (daughter of the Titan, Atlas) He was graceful and swift of motion. He had winged sandals; winged low-crowned hat; and. Zeus's Messenger. He was the shrewdest and most cunning. He was the Master Thief. The God of Commerce and the Market, protector of traders. Ares (Mars) Ares is the Greek god of war and violence. He is often depicted as a fierce warrior with a helmet and armor, carrying a spear and shield. Ares was known for his love of battle and violence, and was considered a patron of soldiers and warriors. His bird was the vulture. Hephaestus (Vulcan) Hephaestus is a god of metalworking, craftsmanship, and fire. He created beautiful and intricate objects, such as weapons, armor, and jewelry. Despite his talent, Hephaestus was considered an outcast among the gods due to his physical deformities. He is typically represented as a bearded man who walks with a limp and uses a cane. Hephaestus (Vulcan) The God of Fire. Son of Hera (alone!). The lame and ugly god of the forge. He is highly honored in Olympus, the workman of the immortals. He was kindly, peace-loving god, popular on earth as in heaven. Hestia (Vesta) Hestia is the Greek goddess of the hearth, home, and architecture. Hestia is often associated with warmth, hospitality, and the family unit. She is also considered a protector of the home and was often called upon to bless and purify new homes. Hestia was also associated with the design and construction of temples and other public buildings. Hestia (Vesta) Zeus's sister One of the virgin or maiden goddess. She has no distinct personality and she plays no parts in the myths. Remember! The twelve Greek gods were a prominent part of ancient Greek mythology, and they were believed to reside on Mount Olympus. 1.Zeus: King of the gods, god of the sky and thunder. 2.Hera: Queen of the gods, goddess of marriage and childbirth. 3.Poseidon: God of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. 4.Demeter: Goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the harvest. 5.Athena: Goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts. 6.Apollo: God of music, poetry, prophecy, and archery. 7.Artemis: Goddess of the hunt, wild animals, childbirth, and virginity. 8.Ares: God of war and violence. 9.Aphrodite: Goddess of love, beauty, and sexuality. 10.Hephaestus: God of fire, metalworking, and crafts. 11.Hermes: God of commerce and is the messenger god. 12.Dionysus: God of hearth, home, and architecture. Great Gods of the Earth Demeter Sister of Zeus; Daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Demeter is the goddess of fertility, corn/agriculture, and the harvest. She is associated with the changing of the seasons, particularly the transition from summer to autumn. Mother of Persephone. Dionysus Son of Zeus and Theban princess Semele. Greek god of vegetation and fruitfulness, known especially as the god of wine and ecstasy. Lesser Gods of Olympus Eros (Cupid) God of Love. Fairest of the deathless gods. He is oftenest a beautiful serious youth who gives good gifts to men. He was often represented as blindfolded, because love is often blind. Hebe The Goddess of Youth. Daughter of Zeus and Hera. She appears as cupbearer to the gods. Her husband was Hercules. Iris She was the Goddess of the Rainbow and a messenger of the gods.