The gods of Ancient Greece

The gods of Ancient Greece

Ancient Greek religionAncient Greek religion Greek deities play a major role in the

development of Greek culture Polytheistic believed their gods existed and lived in

the real world Role of gods is to rule over all aspects

that humans would come across in their lives

Greek deities play a major role in the development of Greek culture

Polytheistic believed their gods existed and lived in

the real world Role of gods is to rule over all aspects

that humans would come across in their lives

Gods have limitations and weaknesses

Gods are neither omnipotent (all-powerful) or omniscient (all-knowing)

Very closely resemble humans except have super human abilities

immortal

Gods have limitations and weaknesses

Gods are neither omnipotent (all-powerful) or omniscient (all-knowing)

Very closely resemble humans except have super human abilities

immortal

Creation StoryCreation Story

First there was Chaos-unordered mass

Then Gaea (Earth) and Eros (Desire) who came to cancel any logical act

Gaea then brought Uranus (the Heaven), Pontus (the Sea) and the Mountains to the world.

Gaea and Uranus become first divine couple in the world

First there was Chaos-unordered mass

Then Gaea (Earth) and Eros (Desire) who came to cancel any logical act

Gaea then brought Uranus (the Heaven), Pontus (the Sea) and the Mountains to the world.

Gaea and Uranus become first divine couple in the world

Gaea and Uranus have 12 Titan children, 3 Cyclops, and 3 Hundred Handed creatures

Uranus was fearful of his children overthrowing him, so he pushed his children back one by one into the womb of Gaea. In the end Gaea handed a sickle to her son Cronus, the youngest of the Titans, in order to castrate his father.

Cronus then threw his father's genitals into the sea, and (one version) states the foam transformed into Aphrodite, the Olympian goddess of Love and Beauty.

Gaea and Uranus have 12 Titan children, 3 Cyclops, and 3 Hundred Handed creatures

Uranus was fearful of his children overthrowing him, so he pushed his children back one by one into the womb of Gaea. In the end Gaea handed a sickle to her son Cronus, the youngest of the Titans, in order to castrate his father.

Cronus then threw his father's genitals into the sea, and (one version) states the foam transformed into Aphrodite, the Olympian goddess of Love and Beauty.

Soon afterwards, Cronus marries Rhea and together they created children who later on would become the Olympian gods. But Cronus developed the same fear as his father so he started to swallow his own children as well.

Rhea attempts to save her youngest child, Zeus, by deceiving Cronus and giving him a huge stone to swallow. He then throws up his children and Rhea sends Zeus to Crete to protect him.

Soon afterwards, Cronus marries Rhea and together they created children who later on would become the Olympian gods. But Cronus developed the same fear as his father so he started to swallow his own children as well.

Rhea attempts to save her youngest child, Zeus, by deceiving Cronus and giving him a huge stone to swallow. He then throws up his children and Rhea sends Zeus to Crete to protect him.

When Zeus grows up, he rescues his brothers and sisters

Wages war on the Titans and Giants Olympic gods excel and win these battles Thus begins the rule of the Olympians, the gods of

classical Greece

When Zeus grows up, he rescues his brothers and sisters

Wages war on the Titans and Giants Olympic gods excel and win these battles Thus begins the rule of the Olympians, the gods of

classical Greece

ZeusZeus Most powerful- considered

just and fair Zeus married his own sister

Hera, but has numerous love affairs

Strong, imposing figure with long, curly hair

respected and awed by all gods and mortals

Unpredictable god- controlled weather based on moods

His animal is the eagle

Most powerful- considered just and fair

Zeus married his own sister Hera, but has numerous love affairs

Strong, imposing figure with long, curly hair

respected and awed by all gods and mortals

Unpredictable god- controlled weather based on moods

His animal is the eagle

HeraHera Zeus’ wife and sister Protector of married

women Usually stays in high

places so she can keep an eye on Zeus’s actions

Considered beautiful but not desirable

Sacred fruit is pomegranate and symbol is peacock

Zeus’ wife and sister Protector of married

women Usually stays in high

places so she can keep an eye on Zeus’s actions

Considered beautiful but not desirable

Sacred fruit is pomegranate and symbol is peacock

PoseidonPoseidon god of the seas considered to be the

bad-tempered, moody and greedy

Brother of Zeus and Hera

Strong and imposing with long, blue hair

His symbol was the trident and his sacred animals were the dolphin and the horse

god of the seas considered to be the

bad-tempered, moody and greedy

Brother of Zeus and Hera

Strong and imposing with long, blue hair

His symbol was the trident and his sacred animals were the dolphin and the horse

HephaestusHephaestus god of fire and the forge.

Symbols are axe and fire Hephaestus is the son of

Zeus and Hera. Sometimes it is said that

Hera alone produced him and that he has no father.

Hephaestus was a very kind and loveable god, but was the only deity who was physically ugly and lame.

Creates first woman- Pandora Married to Aphrodite

god of fire and the forge. Symbols are axe and fire

Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera.

Sometimes it is said that Hera alone produced him and that he has no father.

Hephaestus was a very kind and loveable god, but was the only deity who was physically ugly and lame.

Creates first woman- Pandora Married to Aphrodite

AphroditeAphrodite goddess of love, beauty,

and eternal youth Married to Hephaestus

but secret love affair with Ares

Can arose desire in gods, men, and beasts using magic girdle

Son is Eros- better known by the Roman title Cupid

Sacred bird is dove

goddess of love, beauty, and eternal youth

Married to Hephaestus but secret love affair with Ares

Can arose desire in gods, men, and beasts using magic girdle

Son is Eros- better known by the Roman title Cupid

Sacred bird is dove

AresAres Son of Zeus and Hera;

half brother to Athena god of War Difficult character to deal

with and not popular with gods or men

No city had him as patron Lover of Aphrodite and

child they produced is Armonia (Harmony)

Symbol is spear and dogs

Son of Zeus and Hera; half brother to Athena

god of War Difficult character to deal

with and not popular with gods or men

No city had him as patron Lover of Aphrodite and

child they produced is Armonia (Harmony)

Symbol is spear and dogs

ApolloApollo god of the Music Born of Zeus and

human, Leto Younger twin brother

of Artemis Had gift of prophecy

and temple at Delphi is dedicated to him

handsome, strong and youthful god with impressive golden hair

Symbols are the lyre and the laurel tree

god of the Music Born of Zeus and

human, Leto Younger twin brother

of Artemis Had gift of prophecy

and temple at Delphi is dedicated to him

handsome, strong and youthful god with impressive golden hair

Symbols are the lyre and the laurel tree

ArtemisArtemis Heritage same as Apollo Virgin goddess absolute sovereignty over

nature and was said to bring fertility to all places that worshipped her

Hunted with arrows dipped in poison

Killer and protector of wild animals

Symbol is bow and animal is deer

Heritage same as Apollo Virgin goddess absolute sovereignty over

nature and was said to bring fertility to all places that worshipped her

Hunted with arrows dipped in poison

Killer and protector of wild animals

Symbol is bow and animal is deer

AthenaAthena Child of Zeus and Metis Zeus, fearing that she would be

smarter than him, ate the mother before she could give birth

Athena emerged from Zeus’ forehead fully grown

Goddess of just War Beat Poseidon to become patron of

Athens A tall, slim woman wearing a suit of

armour, shield with Medusa’s head fastened and a golden helmet

Sacred animal was the owl

Child of Zeus and Metis Zeus, fearing that she would be

smarter than him, ate the mother before she could give birth

Athena emerged from Zeus’ forehead fully grown

Goddess of just War Beat Poseidon to become patron of

Athens A tall, slim woman wearing a suit of

armour, shield with Medusa’s head fastened and a golden helmet

Sacred animal was the owl