Greek Mythology

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Greek mythology is the body of myths and teachings that belong to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. It was a part of the religion in ancient Greece. Greek mythology is explicitly embodied in a large collection of narratives, and implicitly in Greek representational arts. Greek myth attempts to explain the origins of the world, and details the lives and adventures of a wide variety of gods, goddesses, heroes, heroines and mythological creatures. Archaeological findings provide a principal source of detail about Greek mythology, with gods and heroes featured prominently in the decoration of many artifacts. Geometric designs on pottery of the eighth century BC depict scenes from the Trojan cycle as well as the adventures of Heracles. In the succeeding Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods, Homeric and various other mythological scenes appear, supplementing the existing literary evidence. [2] Greek mythology has had an extensive influence on the culture, arts, and literature of Western civilization and remains part of Western heritage and language. Poets and artists from ancient times to the present have derived inspiration from Greek mythology and have discovered contemporary significance and relevance in the themes

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A look at Greek gods and goddesses.

Transcript of Greek Mythology

Greek mythologyis the body ofmythsand teachings that belong to theancient Greeks, concerning theirgodsandheroes,the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their owncultandritualpractices. It was a part of thereligion in ancient Greece. Greek mythology is explicitly embodied in a large collection of narratives, and implicitly in Greek representational arts. Greek myth attempts to explain the origins of the world, and details the lives and adventures of a wide variety ofgods, goddesses, heroes, heroines and mythological creatures. Archaeological findings provide a principal source of detail about Greek mythology, with gods and heroes featured prominently in the decoration of many artifacts. Geometric designs on pottery of the eighth century BC depict scenes from the Trojan cycle as well as the adventures ofHeracles. In the succeedingArchaic,Classical, andHellenisticperiods, Homeric and various other mythological scenes appear, supplementing the existing literary evidence.[2]Greek mythology has had an extensive influence on the culture, arts, and literature ofWestern civilizationand remains part of Western heritage and language. Poets and artists from ancient times to the present have derived inspiration from Greek mythology and have discovered contemporary significance and relevance in the themes

Using illustrations describe and explain the role of each of the following Greek Goddesses.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite was created from the foam of the crystal waters ofPaphosin the fragrant island of Cyprus, when the Titanslew his father, the major TitanOuranos, and threw then his genitals into the sea. Aphrodite was the most attractive goddess ofMount Olympus. She was the goddess of Love, Beauty and Eternal Youth, arousing desire to gods and humans as well as birds and beasts. In addition, she was connected to the death/rebirth of nature and human beings. Aphrodite was a highly attractive young woman who dressed elegantly and loved to wear jewellery. Her eyelashes were curled and she had a constant smile on her lovely face. Aphrodite had a tender neck and symbolized the feminine beauty. Aphrodites symbols were the girdle(which she was using to compel love), theseashelland themirror. Her sacred animal was thedove.

Athena

Athena was the goddess who taught mankind various skills such as weaving and sewing to the women and agriculture and metallurgy to men. She was always giving precious advice and stood by on any danger. Athena protected the heroes as they went out to war and saved them on their coming back.Aftercompeting against the Greek god Poseidon, Athena officially became the patron deity of the city of ancientAthensand the Parthenon was built in her honour. She was known as "Athena Nike" (Athena the victorious) as she was believed to have given the Athenians the victory during the Persian War. Athena was a tall, slim woman with bluish-green eyes trickling light, wearing a suit of armour and a golden helmet. Athena's symbols were thespear, thedistaffand theaegis(a shield of goatskin), to which the head of theGorgon Medusawas fastened in order to terrify the opponents).Athena's tree was theolive treeand her sacred animal was theowl, the symbol of wisdom. The Roman name of Athena is "Minerva"

Athena goddess of wisdom

Diana

InRoman mythology,Diana(lt. "heavenly" or "divine") was the goddess of thehunt, themoonandbirthing, being associated with wild animals and woodland, and having the power to talk to and control animals. She was equated with theGreek goddessArtemis,[1]though she had an independent origin in Italy. Diana was worshipped inancient Roman religionand is revered inRoman NeopaganismandStregheria.Dianic Wicca, a largely feminist form of the practice, is named for her. Diana was known to be the virgin goddess of childbirth and women. She was one of the three maiden goddesses, Diana,MinervaandVesta, who swore never to marry. Oakgroves were especially sacred to her. According to mythology, Diana was born with her twin brotherApolloon the island ofDelos, daughter ofJupiterandLatona. Diana made up a triad with two other Roman deities:Egeriathe water nymph, her servant and assistant midwife; andVirbius, the woodland god.

Using illustrations describe and explain the role of each of the following Greek Goddesses.

Apollo

Apollo was the Greek god of the Music. He invented the lute(a plucked string instrument with a body shaped like a pear), but he was more popular for playing the lyre, which was invented byHermes, the messenger of the gods. Apollo excelled in important music contests, competing against Greek god Hermesand the SatyrPanas well as other deities.In addition, Apollo owned the precious gift of prophecy, given to him by his father Zeus in his infancy. He was the patron of the ancient city ofDelphi, where the first oracle of Ancient Greece was located. The district was considered to be theNavel of the World(the "Omphalus") in Ancient times.Apollo was a handsome, strong and youthful god with impressive golden hair.Apollo's symbols were thelyre, thetripod, thelaurel treeand thenavel stone. His plants were themyrtleand thelaurel. Apollo's sacred animals were thewolf, theravenand thelizard.

On a map of the world locate the origin of Greek Mythology.

On a map of Europe, locate the origin of Greek Mythology.

Hades

Hades was the Greek god of the Dead and, according to Plato; he should be considered as one of the Olympian gods. Hades was the supreme ruler of the Underworld. Almost never did he leave his gloomy kingdom but was residing there instead, surrounded by darkness and silence...Hades' helper was Charos, the angel of dead. Charos had the duty to transfer the souls of the dead with a boat over the River Acheron from the world of the living to the world of the dead. Furthermore, Hades had a dog with three heads which was named Cerberus. Hades had gloomy features. He had a beard and dark hair falling over his brow.The sacred symbol of Hades was hishelmet, which helped him stay invisible His sacred animal wasCerberus, his own three-headed dog. Hades means invisible in ancient Greek.

Explain what is meant by the word myth

Poseidon

Poseidon was considered to be the bad-tempered, moody and greedy god among the Olympians. Once insulted, he would revenge himself, like he did in the case of Odysseus, who brutallyblinded his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. Poseidon loved to cross the oceans and seas with his golden chariot surrounded by dolphins. Poseidon was the Greek god responsible for natural and supernatural events, mainly the ones associated to the sea world and was the savior of ships. He possessed a trident which was so powerful that it could shake the earth. Poseidon was able to cause tempests and earthquakes, drown lands, shatter rocks and had the ability to finally bring back peacefulness.Poseidon possessed two palaces, the one was up in Mount Olympus and the other was located in the depths of the seas and was bejeweled with gold and precious gems. Usually Poseidon preferred to stay with his wife Amphitrite beneath the ocean.Poseidon was imposing and strong with long, blue hair. The symbol of Poseidon was thetridentand his sacred animals were thedolphinand thehorse. According to a tradition, he was the one who breathed life into the first horse on earth.The Roman name of Poseidon is "Neptune"

Write an essay of approximately 250 words outlining the background of Greek Mythology.

Greek mythologyis the body ofmythsand teachings that belong to theancient Greeks, concerning theirgodsandheroes,the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their owncultandritualpractices. It was a part of thereligion in ancient Greece. Greek mythology is explicitly embodied in a large collection of narratives, and implicitly in Greek representational arts. Greek myth attempts to explain the origins of the world, and details the lives and adventures of a wide variety ofgods, goddesses, heroes, heroines and mythological creatures. Archaeological findings provide a principal source of detail about Greek mythology, with gods and heroes featured prominently in the decoration of many artifacts. Geometric designs on pottery of the eighth century BC depict scenes from the Trojan cycle as well as the adventures ofHeracles. In the succeedingArchaic,Classical, andHellenisticperiods, Homeric and various other mythological scenes appear, supplementing the existing literary evidence.[2]Greek mythology has had an extensive influence on the culture, arts, and literature ofWestern civilizationand remains part of Western heritage and language. Poets and artists from ancient times to the present have derived inspiration from Greek mythology and have discovered contemporary significance and relevance in the themes

Using illustrations, describe and explain the role of each of the following Greek Gods

Zeus

Zeus had his golden throne on the highest summit ofMount Olympusand was respected and awed by all Gods and mortals. All the kings boasted that they descended from Zeus.Zeus was the "Lord of Justice", punishing anyone who lied or broke an oath, but was fair and always striving to keep a balance of all things. Furthermore; Zeus was responsible for the weather and was shaping it according to his temper. When in high spirits, Zeus was blessing the world with fine weather; in case of bad mood, however, he would throw rain, winds, lightnings and thunderbolts to cause disaster to the mortals. But even Zeus' powers had their limits, for however powerful as he was, he had neither the right nor the ability to intervene in the decisions of the Fates. Zeus was carefree and loved to laugh out loud. He possessed the perfect knowledge and was just, merciful and prudent. However, he was rather unpredictable, since no one could guess the decisions he would make. Zeus was strong and imposing, with long, oftentimes curly hair. The symbols of Zeus were thesceptre, thethroneand thethunderbolt, which was as a gift from theCyclopesbecause he liberated them. Zeus' tree was theoak treeand his sacred animal was theeagle. The Roman name of Zeus is "Jupiter"