Greek Mythology Unit. The Origin of the Gods: Guided Notes

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1 1 Name: Date: Greek Mythology Unit Important Questions What human characteristics lead to failure? Success? How do myths shape our society s identity? Why do people always feel like they need to explain the world around them? The Origin of the Gods: Guided Notes First there was Chaos The first legend tells the creation of the universe and a war for over all of and. The Greeks believe that before time and the universe existed, there was. Chaos was a formless nothingness, a dark void of empty space. The end of Chaos Eventually Chaos gave birth to the Titan known as, the Earth. She then in turn gave birth to Uranus,, to be her equal and cover her. Joined together they then gave birth to more Titans: the Ocean, Intelligence, the Stars and the Wind, Rivers, the Sun, the Moon, the Dawn, Memory, Fate, and who was destined to become of the gods. Titans The youngest Titan was named.

2 2 He would one day overthrow his father and make himself ruler of gods. all things and father to the Uranus hated all of his children and when Gaia gave birth to a race of giants,. Cyclops, and monsters, he This made Gaia very sad, so she created a and gave it to Cronus to use against his father. Using the blade Cronus hurt Uranus and declared himself ruler over heaven and earth. He then took to be his wife. Uh-oh Cronus! However, all was not well, as it was prophesied that one day Cronus s children would in the way he had done to his own father. Needless to say he was not very happy when Rhea became pregnant. She gave birth to five children:,,,, and. After each was born, Cronus them whole. When Rhea gave birth to their sixth son, Zeus, she hid him away on the Island of Crete and wrapped a to look like the baby. Cronus swallowed the rock without knowing. Zeus was sent away to be raised by until he came of age, at which point he to free his siblings. Zeus Returns Zeus tricked Cronus into drinking an that made him all his children. When he threw them up, they fought.

3 3 They fought until the children won, vanquishing Cronus forever into, the Dark World the Earth. Following this, a massive war erupted between the Titans and gods for. Eventually the gods were able to subdue the Titans and them in the deepest darkest places of the universe. The final battle happened at where Zeus and Cronus met to battle. They wrestled for a great deal of time until Zeus was able to beat his father. With this the war was over and the gods declared themselves rulers of the universe. To celebrate and remember his victory, Zeus established the so all would remember his match with Cronus.

4 4 Greek Gods and Goddesses: Independent Work The 12 Olympians 1. Aphrodite: Appearance: gorgeous, eternally young woman with a beautiful body girdle which has magical powers to make people fall in love d.) e.) Strengths: Strong attractiveness & dazzling beauty Stuck on herself (but she has a perfect face, so who can blame her?) a.) born from sea foam daughter of Zeus and Dione Spouse: 2. Apollo: Appearance: a young man with curly blond hair d.) Strengths: creative and handsome often is charmed by beautiful women a.) son of Zeus and Leto Spouse: Never married but had many affairs a.) - a wonderful singer and demi-god - god of healing 3. Ares: Appearance: a bearded, good-looking warrior dressed for battle Strengths: Decisive, determined, fearless impulsive, bloodthirsty, wants to fight regardless of the consequences a.) son of Zeus and Hera Spouse: Never married but had many affairs, especially with Aphrodite a.) 4. Artemis: Appearance: eternally young woman, beautiful and vigorous, wearing a short dress which leave her legs free; sometimes her dress has fruits, honeycombs and sacrificed animals on it parts of

5 5 has a lunar crescent on her brow Strengths: Physically strong, able to defend herself, defender and guardian of women in childbirth and of wildlife in general a.) None 5. Athena: Appearance: a young woman wearing a helmet and holding a shield and a spear; had a snake-trimmed cloak with the head of Medusa on it Strengths: Rational, intelligent, a powerful defender in war but also a peacemaker Is not emotional or compassionate None 6. Demeter: Appearance: nice looking older woman, often with a veil over her face and carrying wheat or her horn Strengths: controls the fertility of the earth, gives life after death to those who learn her mysteries Cronus & Rhea 7. Dionysus: God of Wine, Vegetation, Pleasure and Festivity Appearance: Dark haired, bearded, young man. Strengths: Intoxication or drunkenness Zeus & Semele; Semele asked to see Zeus in his real form and when he did so, thunder and lightning consumed Semele s body. Zeus saved their child from the ashes of her body. Spouse: Several children by Ariadne, including Oenopion and Staphylos, both associated with grapes and winemaking.

6 6 8. Hephaestus: Appearance: dark haired man who has difficulty walking because he has malformed feet, holding a hammer and tongs, riding a donkey Strengths: creative, cunning, talented metalworker can be crafty and vindictive Spouse: Aphrodite 9. Hera: Goddess of Women, Marriage, the Starry Sky, the Heavens (Supreme Goddess) Appearance: young beautiful woman, said to be the most beautiful of all of the goddesses, even more beautiful than Aphrodite. She wears a crown and holds a royal, lotus-tipped staff Strengths: Determined defender of the sanctity of marriage and monogamy Rhea and Cronus Spouse: Zeus With Zeus- Ares and sometimes Hephaestus, Hebe, Eileithyia By Herself- Typhon 10. Hermes: God of Travel, animal husbandry, roads, travel, hospitality, heralds, diplomacy, trade, thievery, language, writing, persuasion, cunning wiles, athletic contests, gymnasiums, astronomy, and astrology. He was also the personal agent and herald of Zeus. Appearance: A handsome young man with a winged hat, winged sandals, and a golden staff twined with serpents. Strengths: Clever, bold, determined, athletic, a powerful magician. Can charm monsters with his flute or lyre music. No major weakness 11. Poseidon: God of the Sea also, rivers, floods, droughts, earthquakes and horses After Cronus threw him up, Zeus, Hades, and he drew straws to see who would rule over the different parts of the Universe. Poseidon got the Sea. Appearance: bearded, older man, surrounded by seashells and other sea life, holding a trident Strengths: A creative God, designing all the creatures in the sea Warlike (not as much as Ares though); moody and unpredictable Cronus and Rhea Spouse:

7 7 Has many children due to his numerous affairs. With his wife he has a half-fish son, Triton. He fathered the flying horse Pegasus with Medusa. He fathered the horse Arion with Demeter. 12. Zeus: Appearance: Older, bearded, strong man Strengths: Highly powerful, strong, charming, persuasive Gets in trouble over love affairs, can be moody Spouse: Hera, but MANY love affairs 13. Hades: Not considered an Olympian because he doesn t live on Mt. Olympus Appearance: bearded, regal, physically fit man Strengths: Rich with the wealth of the Earth, especially precious metals. Persistent & determined. Spouse: Persephone