Mythology refers to the study of myths.

–old traditional stories that concern fantastic or supernatural beings.

–show early beliefs and often explain someone or something’s origin (i.e. a culture, plant, natural occurrence, etc.).

In the beginning, there was only Chaos (a shapeless nothingness).

Chaos eventually led to the creation of the first beings: Mother Earth (Gaia) and Father Sky (Ouranos/Uranus)They bore three kinds of children:

–100-handed ones (giant monsters who had 50 heads and 100 arms)–Cyclops (giants with only one eye)–Titans (first human-like beings)

The Titans--had enormous strength and were very beautiful

-Cronus/Kronos: ruler of the Titans

-Rhea: his wife

**They were the parents of the six principle Greek gods: Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia

The Principle Gods/Goddesses

They were the children of Cronus and Rhea. Cronus ate each of his children out of fear that one would someday overthrow him and become ruler of the gods. Rhea hid Zeus away before Cronus could eat

him. When Zeus grew up, he returned and tricked Cronus into throwing up his

siblings. They defeated Cronus in the Battle of the Titans and became rulers.

The gods lived on Mount Olympus. It was a mountain so tall and steep that no human could climb up to see the palace of the gods. However, the gods could come down and interact with the mortals on earth (and they often did).

In Greek mythology, there are fourteen principal gods, twelve of whom rule from Mt. Olympus*.

*These are known as the Olympian gods.

Zeus~the ruler of all the Olympian gods ~the god of the sky and the weather (thunder, lightning, and rain) ~upholds law and justice

Roman name=Jupiter

Hera~Zeus’s sister and wife ~the queen of Olympus ~the goddess of marriage and family (She was often very jealous of Zeus and sought to punish him and those with whom he was involved)

Roman name=Juno

Poseidon~Zeus’s brother ~the god of the sea and earthquakes ~is moody and violent ~is generally depicted with his trident in hand.

Roman name=Neptune

Demeter~also Zeus’s sister ~the goddess of agriculture and the harvest. ~is believed to control the seasons.

Roman name=Ceres

Hephaestus~ Zeus and Hera’s son

~the god of smiths (laborers) and fire ~He is very gentle, peaceful, and hard-working. ~forges Zeus’s thunderbolts. Roman name=Vulcan

Athena~the daughter of Zeus and the minor goddess Metis. ~the goddess of wisdom and justice. ~was born fully grown from her father’s head. ~was Zeus’s favorite child.

Roman name=Minerva (aka Pallas Athena)

Ares~also the son of Zeus and Hera ~the god of war ~is cruel and vain.

Roman name=Mars

Aphrodite~the goddess of love and beauty ~in love with Ares but married to Hephaestus ~the mother to Eros (Cupid).

Roman name=Venus

Apollo~the son of Zeus and the minor goddess Leto ~the god of light (sun), music, and healing ~the leader of the Muses

Roman name=Apollo (aka Phoebus Apollo)

Artemis

~Apollo’s twin sister ~the goddess of the hunt and the moon.

Roman name=Diana

Hermes~the mischievous son of Zeus and the minor goddess Maia ~the messenger of the gods ~the god of shepherds, travelers, and merchants.

Roman name=Mercury

Dionysus~the son of Zeus and the mortal Semele ~the god of wine and ecstasy.

Roman name=Bacchus

Hades~Zeus’s brother ~god of the underworld and lord of the dead. ~rules from the underworld (therefore, he is not an Olympian god)

Roman name=Pluto

Hestia~Zeus’s gentle sister ~the goddess of the home and the hearth ~she tends the sacred fire of the gods (therefore, she does not rule from Olympus either)Roman name=Vesta

Additional Myth

Notes

•Gods/Goddesses: immortal beings who ruled the earth

•Mortals: the humans who worshipped the gods

•Heroes: mortals (or at least half-mortals) who carried out amazing tasks or did great things

•Fates: three powerful minor goddesses of destiny

Clotho: spun the thread of life Lachesis: measured the threadAntropos: cut the thread (thus ending a mortal’s life)

•Muses: nine goddesses of the arts (drama, music, poetry, etc.)

•Satyr: being that was half-man, half-goat

•Centaur: being that was half- man, half-horse

•Minotaur: being that was half-man, half-bull

•Nymphs: female spirits of nature

The UnderworldThe underworld is the place where the souls of all the dead go, regardless of whether the person was good or bad. It is NOT the same as the Christian idea of hell, and Hades is not the same as Satan. Its gates are guarded by Cerberus, the three-headed dog.