Greek

Mythology

Homer

• The Greeks lacked writing, so they learned about the Trojan war through spoken word

• Greatest Greek story teller was a blind man named Homer.

The Iliad

and the

Odyssey

The Iliad and the

Odyssey

• Two epic poems composed by Homer

about the Trojan War.

• Epics – Narrative poems that tell about

heroic deeds.

• The heroes of The Iliad are Hector and

Achilles.

• The Odyssey is about a 10 year journey

home of Odysseus and his adventures

along the way.

Greek Myths• Greeks

developed a rich set of Myths which means traditional stories about their gods

• Greeks have a polytheistic religion.

This means they believed in many gods

Greek Myths• Myths explained changing of the

seasons and the mysteries of nature.

• Greek gods/goddesses had many of the same qualities as humans:

• Love ▪ Jealousy

• Hate

• Greek gods competed andfought with each otherconstantly.

• Gods lived forever on Mt. Olympus

the Gods and Goddessesof Ancient Greece

MOUNT OLYMPUS

Home of the Gods

Originally Thought to be a

Real Mountain

Finally Came to be Thought of

as a Floating Mountain

in the Sky

ZEUS

(Roman Name: Jupiter)

Supreme Ruler of the Gods

His weapon was the mighty

THUNDERBOLT©

He falls in love

frequently and often

acts on it (even though

he is married)

HERA

(Roman Name: Juno)

Zeus’ Wife and Sister

Protector of Marriage and

Married Women

Very Jealous of

Zeus’ Numerous Lovers

HADES

(Roman Name: Pluto)

Lord of the Underworld

Ruler of the Dead

POSEIDON

(Roman Name: Neptune)

Ruler of the Seas and Oceans

DEMETER

(Roman Name: Ceres)

Goddess of Corn and

Agriculture

Her Moods Affect the Seasons

APHRODITE

(Roman Name: Venus)

Goddess of Love and Beauty

Wife of Hephaestus

HESTIA

(Roman Name: Vesta)

Goddess of the Home

ALL ZEUS’ CHILDREN

ARES

(Roman Name: Mars)

God of War

None of the Other Gods Like

Him Much

ATHENA

(Roman Name: Minerva)

Battle Maiden and Goddess of

Wisdom

While Adopted by Hera,

She is the Daughter

of Zeus Only

(Sprang from his Head)

HEPHAESTUS

(Roman Name: Vulcan)

God of Fire and the Forge

He is the Only Ugly God

Husband of Aphrodite

APOLLO

(Roman Name: Apollo)

Twin Brother of Artemis

God of Music and Poetry

God of Light and Truth

No False Words

(Never Told a Lie)

His Oracle at Delphi

was the Most Popular

ARTEMIS

(Roman Name: Diana)

Twin Sister of Apollo

Goddess of the Moon

and the Hunt

Lady of the Wild Things

PERSEPHONE

(Roman Name: Proserpine)

Goddess of Spring

She was Kidnapped

by Hades

Later Made the

Queen of the Underworld

Spends Half the Year

in Hades, Half on Earth

HERMES

(Roman Name: Mercury)

Messenger of the Gods

Has Wings on Sandals

and Cap

Appears the Most Often

of All the Gods