Greek & Roman Mythology

Transcription

1 Greek & Roman Mythology Titans - The Elder Gods Cronus (Saturn) - Ruler of the Titans, father of Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter and Hestia. Ocean - The river that was supposed to encircle the earth. Hyperion - Father of the sun, moon, and the dawn. Mnemosyne - means memory. Themis - justice. Iapetus - father of Atlas and Prometheus. Cronus devouring one of his children.

2 The 12 Great Olympians Zeus (Jupiter) - Ruler of the Gods, Lord of the Sky, the rain god and cloud gatherer. His weapon was the thunderbolt; the eagle was his bird, his tree the oak. He had many affairs in myths. Hera (Juno) - Queen of the Gods, wife and sister of Zeus. She is the protector of marriage and married women. She is often portrayed as jealous, punishing the women Zeus had affairs with. The cow and peacock were sacred to her.

3 Poseidon (Neptune) - God of the sea, second in power only to his brother, Zeus. He was very important to the seafaring Greeks - he controlled the storms of the sea. He was also called the Earth-shaker. His weapon was the trident; he gave the gift of horses to men. Hades (Pluto) - Brother of Zeus and god of the underworld. Also god of wealth, of precious metals hidden in the earth. His wife was Persephone (Proserpine).

4 Pallas Athena (Minerva) - The daughter of Zeus alone, she sprang from his head full grown and in full armor. She is the goddess of wisdom and reason, of the city and civilized life. She is also a goddess of war to protect the city and home. The owl is her bird; she gave the olive tree to mankind. Jacques-Louis David The Combat of Mars and Minerva

5 Ares (Mars) - God of War, son of Zeus and Hera. According to Homer, both parents detested him. To the Greeks, he is often a murderous coward. The Romans had a much more positive view of Mars. He had an affair with Aphrodite. Aphrodite (Venus) - Goddess of love and beauty. Sometimes she is the daugher of Zeus and Dione, but more often said to be born of the sea-foam. She is the wife of Hephaestus. The dove is her bird.

6 Hermes (Mercury) - Messenger of the gods, son of Zeus and Maia, a titan. His staff is called the Caduceus. He was a shrewd and cunning god; he was god of thieves, travel, trade, and the guide of the dead. He made the lyre for Apollo. Phoebus Apollo - son of Zeus and Leto, he is the god of light and truth, god of music, archery, and healing. In some myths he is the sun god, who drives the chariot of the sun across the sky, though more accurately that was Helios. His oracle at Delphi was famous.

7 Artemis (Diana) - Apollo s twin sister, one of the virgin goddesses. Goddess of the wilderness and wild things, protector of innocence and youth. She was also a huntress. She is associated with the moon as Apollo is with the sun. Other names she became associated with are Phoebe and Selene (Luna in Latin). In later myths she is also associated with Hecate, goddess of witchcraft and dark night. Hephaestus (Vulcan or Mulciber) - god of fire and the forge, workman of the gods. He made Zeus s lightning bolts. He is sometimes said to be the son of Zeus and Hera, other times of Hera alone. He is the only lame and disfigured god. Hephaestus and Athena were the patrons of handicrafts that support civilization. His forge is said to be under a volcano.

8 Hestia (Vesta) - goddess of the hearth, symbol of the home; she had no real distinct personality and did not really appear in myths. She is one of the virgin goddesses. Other Gods and Goddesses Eros (Cupid) - god of love, usually said to be the son of Aphrodite. He is often pictured with a bow; those who are shot with his arrows fall in love. The Graces (3) - Aglaia (Splendor), Euphrosyne (Mirth), and Thalia (Good Cheer). The Muses (9) - They gave inspiration to poets, writers, and musicians. Proteus - A sea god, sometimes said to be Poseidon s son. He could fortell the future and change shape. Erinyes (Furies) - They pursue and punish sinners on earth. There are usually three of them.