The Titanomachy: Rise of the Olympians

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Teacher’s InformationAudienceThis module is intended as an introductory activity in the Greek mythology unit for English 9 students with a basic understanding of reading, writing, and Greek mythology.

Learning EnvironmentStudents will participate in this learning module in a computer lab with access to headphones and the Internet.

Objectives• Given a major Titan or Greek god/goddess, students will

recognize how he/she was involved in the Titanomachy and the events leading up to the Titanomachy with 100% accuracy.

• Given a major Titan or Greek god/goddess, students will identify his/her origins with 100% accuracy

• Given a specific event of the Titanomachy or leading up to the Titanomachy, students will recall how this event relates to another event with 100% accuracy.

Which will be your home page…

Mount Othrys or Mount Olympus

?

Mount Othrys:Headquarters of the Titans

Introduction

Lesson One: The ProtogenoiLesson Two: The TitansLesson Three: The OlympiansLesson Four: The TitanomachyQuiz

Mount Olympus:Headquarters of the Gods

Introduction

Lesson One: The ProtogenoiLesson Two: The TitansLesson Three: The OlympiansLesson Four: The TitanomachyQuiz

Introduction

Greek mythology is a many-faced monster, each story of the gods and goddesses differing somehow from the next. This learning module focuses on the most common aspects of one particular story—the Titanomachy. Click the Next Button for a short introductory video to start the module!

Introduction

Greek mythology is a many-faced monster, each story of the gods and goddesses differing somehow from the next. This learning module focuses on the most common aspects of one particular story—the Titanomachy. Click the Next Button for a short introductory video to start the module!

ProtogenoiYou may or may not have heard of the Protogenoi, also called the primeval gods of the universe. They are not nearly as known as their famous grandchildren, the Olympians, though they are much older. These gods emerged around creation.

ProtogenoiYou may or may not have heard of the Protogenoi, also called the primeval gods of the universe. They are not nearly as known as their famous grandchildren, the Olympians, though they are much older. These gods emerged around creation.

ProtogenoiThe Protogenoi make up the most basic components of the universe, though the most important to our story are Gaia and Ouranos. Gaia was the Earth. Ouranos was the Sky.

ProtogenoiThe Protogenoi make up the most basic components of the universe, though the most important to our story are Gaia and Ouranos. Gaia was the Earth. Ouranos was the Sky.

ProtogenoiThough unusual to us, Gaia gave birth to Ouranos through a process called parthenogenesis. She created him to be her equal, and together they had many children.

ProtogenoiThough unusual to us, Gaia gave birth to Ouranos through a process called parthenogenesis. She created him to be her equal, and together they had many children.

ProtogenoiThe first of their children were the Cyclopes Brontes, Steropes, and Arges. All three of them were exceptionally strong and capable with their hands. As you can see, the Cyclopes only has one eye.

ProtogenoiThe first of their children were the Cyclopes Brontes, Steropes, and Arges. All three of them were exceptionally strong and capable with their hands. As you can see, the Cyclopes only has one eye.

ProtogenoiNext, Gaia and Ouranos gave birth to three creatures called the Hundred-Handed Ones: Cottus, Briareos, and Gyges. These creatures, per their namesake, each had one hundred protruding from various parts of their bodies.

ProtogenoiNext, Gaia and Ouranos gave birth to three creatures called the Hundred-Handed Ones: Cottus, Briareos, and Gyges. These creatures, per their namesake, each had one hundred protruding from various parts of their bodies.

ProtogenoiUnfortunately, Ouranos was terrified and disgusted by his first and second rounds of children, and he shoved them back inside Gaia’s womb, or Tartarus, upon their births. This caused Gaia horrible pain, and she grew angry at Ouranos for her and her children’s suffering. She soon devised a plot against him that involved her youngest children—the Titans.

ProtogenoiUnfortunately, Ouranos was terrified and disgusted by his first and second rounds of children, and he shoved them back inside Gaia’s womb, or Tartarus, upon their births. This caused Gaia horrible pain, and she grew angry at Ouranos for her and her children’s suffering. She soon devised a plot against him that involved her youngest children—the Titans.

Which of thefollowing elementsdo you feel most connected to?

Earth

Air

Water

Sky

Which of thefollowing elementsdo you feel most connected to?

Earth

Air

Water

Sky

Air

Chaos was the very first Protogenus, and she embodied the lower air of the universe. She was, in essence, the bridge between the heavens and Gaia. The other airs ascended from Chaos, including Erebus (darkness), Nyx (night), Aether (day), and Hemera (light).

Air

Chaos was the very first Protogenus, and she embodied the lower air of the universe. She was, in essence, the bridge between the heavens and Gaia. The other airs ascended from Chaos, including Erebus (darkness), Nyx (night), Aether (day), and Hemera (light).

Earth

Gaia was the Protogenus who embodied Earth. She was the first Protogenus to come into being from Chaos. She is usually depicted as a woman half-rising from the Earth, trapped by her native form. She had many children apart from the Cyclopes, Hundred-Handed Ones, and Titans. As mentioned earlier in the lesson, she created Ouranos by herself, as well as several other Protogenoi.

Earth

Gaia was the Protogenus who embodied Earth. She was the first Protogenus to come into being from Chaos. She is usually depicted as a woman half-rising from the Earth, trapped by her native form. She had many children apart from the Cyclopes, Hundred-Handed Ones, and Titans. As mentioned earlier in the lesson, she created Ouranos by herself, as well as several other Protogenoi.

Water

Though there are many Protogenoi who embody water, Oceanus is the embodiment of fresh-water. Rivers, streams, springs, and rain were his domain, as was their cycle. Interestingly enough, he took the shape of a horned man with the tail of a snakelike fish in place of legs.

Water

Though there are many Protogenoi who embody water, Oceanus is the embodiment of fresh-water. Rivers, streams, springs, and rain were his domain, as was their cycle. Interestingly enough, he took the shape of a horned man with the tail of a snakelike fish in place of legs.

Sky

Oceanus was the Protogenus who embodied the heavens and the horizon. He acted as both Gaia’s son and consort, and he met a rather unruly fate, as you will soon discover in the next lesson.

Sky

Oceanus was the Protogenus who embodied the heavens and the horizon. He acted as both Gaia’s son and consort, and he met a rather unruly fate, as you will soon discover in the next lesson.

TitansThe youngest and wiliest of Gaia and Ouranos’s Titan children was Cronos. He is almost the most important Titan to our story. When Gaia revealed her plan to dethrone Ouranos to him, he immediately agreed to help her.

TitansThe youngest and wiliest of Gaia and Ouranos’s Titan children was Cronos. He is almost the most important Titan to our story. When Gaia revealed her plan to dethrone Ouranos to him, he immediately agreed to help her.

TitansGaia hid Cronos in her bedchamber in order to ambush Ouranos, equipping him with a silver sickle. When Ouranos came to embrace Gaia that night, Cronos lept from the shadows and castrated him, throwing his gentials in the sea. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, rose from the sea foam where it landed.

TitansGaia hid Cronos in her bedchamber in order to ambush Ouranos, equipping him with a silver sickle. When Ouranos came to embrace Gaia that night, Cronos lept from the shadows and castrated him, throwing his gentials in the sea. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, rose from the sea foam where it landed.

TitansAfter defeating his father, Cronos chose his sister, Rhea, as his wife. The two ruled over a period called the Golden Age, and eventually, they gave birth to the original six Olympians.

TitansAfter defeating his father, Cronos chose his sister, Rhea, as his wife. The two ruled over a period called the Golden Age, and eventually, they gave birth to the original six Olympians.

In the past two lessons, you’ve seen how the gods have manipulated and betrayed family members in their quests for power. How are your family relationships different than those of the gods?

Show this completed screen to Miss Davies before continuing!

In the past two lessons, you’ve seen how the gods have manipulated and betrayed family members in their quests for power. How are your family relationships different than those of the gods?

Show this completed screen to Miss Davies before continuing!

OlympiansThe Olympians born of Cronos and Rhea are as follows: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus. Gaia—angry that Cronos kept the Cyclopes and Hundred-Handed Ones imprisoned in Tartarus—warned Cronos that he too would meet his father’s fate and suffer defeat by one of his sons.

OlympiansThe Olympians born of Cronos and Rhea are as follows: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus. Gaia—angry that Cronos kept the Cyclopes and Hundred-Handed Ones imprisoned in Tartarus—warned Cronos that he too would meet his father’s fate and suffer defeat by one of his sons.

OlympiansTerrified of Gaia’s prophecy, Cronos promptly ate each of his children as soon as they were born. This devastated Rhea, and she devised a plan to save her youngest son, Zeus, from Cronos. When Zeus was born, Rhea hid him away and gave Cronos a rock wrapped in cloths to eat in his place.

OlympiansTerrified of Gaia’s prophecy, Cronos promptly ate each of his children as soon as they were born. This devastated Rhea, and she devised a plan to save her youngest son, Zeus, from Cronos. When Zeus was born, Rhea hid him away and gave Cronos a rock wrapped in cloths to eat in his place.

OlympiansZeus, meanwhile, grew up on the island of Crete with a goat named Amaltheia, who nursed him to adulthood in a year. His brothers and sisters continued to mature to adulthood in Cronos’s stomach also.

OlympiansZeus, meanwhile, grew up on the island of Crete with a goat named Amaltheia, who nursed him to adulthood in a year. His brothers and sisters continued to mature to adulthood in Cronos’s stomach also.

OlympiansAfter the year, Zeus left Crete and befriended Metis, a young Titan, who tricked Cronos into drinking an emetic that forced him to disgorge Zeus’s brothers and sisters, who emerged fully mature and ready to fight. Let the Titanomachy begin!

OlympiansAfter the year, Zeus left Crete and befriended Metis, a young Titan, who tricked Cronos into drinking an emetic that forced him to disgorge Zeus’s brothers and sisters, who emerged fully mature and ready to fight. Let the Titanomachy begin!

Can you matcheach Olympian to their everyday symbol and domain?

Hestia Helm of darkness, hell

Hades Fire, hearth

Poseidon Trident, sea

Click the correct symbol and domain on the right for the colored name on the left.

Try again!Try again!

Can you matcheach Olympian to their everyday symbol and domain?

Hestia Helm of darkness, hell

Hades Fire, hearth

Poseidon Trident, sea

Click the correct symbol and domain on the right for the colored name on the left.

Try again!Try again!

Can you matcheach Olympian to their everyday symbol and domain?

Hestia Helm of darkness, hell

Hades Fire, hearth

Poseidon Trident, sea

Click the correct symbol and domain on the right for the colored name on the left.

Try again!Try again! Good job!

Can you matcheach Olympian to their everyday symbol and domain?

Demeter Lightning bolt, sky

Hera Cornucopia, harvest

Zeus Peacock, marriage

Click the correct symbol and domain on the right for the colored name on the left.

Try again!Try again!

Can you matcheach Olympian to their everyday symbol and domain?

Demeter Lightning bolt, sky

Hera Cornucopia, harvest

Zeus Peacock, marriage

Click the correct symbol and domain on the right for the colored name on the left.

Try again!Try again!

Can you matcheach Olympian to their everyday symbol and domain?

Demeter Lightning bolt, sky

Hera Cornucopia, harvest

Zeus Peacock, marriage

Click the correct symbol and domain on the right for the colored name on the left.

Try again!Try again! Good job!

TitanomachyThere is little known about the ten-year-long battle between the Titans and the Olympians. What we can gather, however, is that Zeus and his siblings defeated the Titans with the help of Ouranos and Gaia’s eldest children, the Cyclopes and Hundred-Handed Ones, whom they released from Gaia’s womb.

TitanomachyThere is little known about the ten-year-long battle between the Titans and the Olympians. What we can gather, however, is that Zeus and his siblings defeated the Titans with the help of Ouranos and Gaia’s eldest children, the Cyclopes and Hundred-Handed Ones, whom they released from Gaia’s womb.

TitanomachyThe Cyclopes gifted Zeus with his lightning bolt for their freedom, and they are also accredited for crafting Poseidon’s trident and Hades’s helm of darkness.

TitanomachyThe Cyclopes gifted Zeus with his lightning bolt for their freedom, and they are also accredited for crafting Poseidon’s trident and Hades’s helm of darkness.

TitanomachyThe Hundred-Handed Ones assisted also, throwing hundreds of thousands of rocks at the Titans during the battle. Together, the Olympians, Cyclopes, and Hundred-Handed Ones overpowered the Titans and imprisoned them in Tartarus. The Hundred-Handed Ones remained their eternal guard there.

For an informative (and rather funny) account of the Titanomachy, click here.

TitanomachyThe Hundred-Handed Ones assisted also, throwing hundreds of thousands of rocks at the Titans during the battle. Together, the Olympians, Cyclopes, and Hundred-Handed Ones overpowered the Titans and imprisoned them in Tartarus. The Hundred-Handed Ones remained their eternal guard there.

For an informative (and rather funny) account of the Titanomachy, click here.

YouTube’s Version of the Titanomachy

YouTube’s Version of the Titanomachy

The Cyclopes and Hundred-Handed Ones were critical in the Olympians’ defeat of the Titans. Have you ever received help from an unexpected source? Perhaps made a friend outside your social circle?

Show this completed screen to Miss Davies before continuing!

The Cyclopes and Hundred-Handed Ones were critical in the Olympians’ defeat of the Titans. Have you ever received help from an unexpected source? Perhaps made a friend outside your social circle?

Show this completed screen to Miss Davies before continuing!

Quiz: For questions 1-3, click the correct answer to each multiple choice question.

1. Gaia’s plan to usurp Ouranos involved which of her children?

a. Rheab. Hyperionc. Oceanusd. Cronos

Correct!

Cronos was the youngest and wiliest, after all.Click the Next Button to go on to the next question!

Try Again!

Here’s a hint: this child was male.Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Try Again!

Remember, this particular child was the youngest and wiliest of all Gaia’s children.Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Try Again!

Hint: Oceanus was a Protogenus, not a Titan.Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Quiz

2. Cronos castrated Ouranos with what weapon?

a. Knifeb. Sicklec. Shoveld. Rock

Correct!

Gaia crafted Cronos a silver sickle.Click the Next Button to go on to the next question!

Try Again!

Hint: Cronos’s weapon started with the letter “s”.Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Try Again!

Remember, the weapon Cronos used was much more unusual than a shovel.Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Quiz

3. Who was Metis?a. Goat who nursed Zeus to maturityb. One of the Olympiansc. Embodiment of the Earthd. Young Titan who poisoned Cronos

Correct!

Metis tricked Cronos into drinking an emetic, which forced him to disgorge Zeus’s brothers and sisters.Click the Next Button to go on to the next question!

Try Again!

Zeus’s goat nursemaid was named Amaltheia, not Metis.Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Try Again!

The only Olympians you know so far are Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus. No Metis!Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Try Again!

The embodiment of Earth was Gaia, not Metis.Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Quiz: For questions 4-5, match the child on the right with the parents on the left.

4. OuranosCronos and Rhea

GaiaNo parentsOuranos

and Gaia

Correct!

Gaia is indeed the only parent of Ouranos. She had him through parthenogenesis.Click the Next Button to go on to the next question!

Try Again!

Cronos and Rhea were Ouranos’s children, not his parents.Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Try Again!

Remember, Ouranos isn’t the Protogenus who didn’t have parents. That was Gaia!Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Try Again!

Ouranos didn’t give birth to himself.Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Quiz

5. Zeus Cronos and RheaGaiaNo parentsOuranos

and Gaia

Correct!

Cronos and Rhea are Zeus’s Titan parents.Click the Next Button to go on to the next question!

Try Again!

Gaia is actually Zeus’s grandmother.Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Try Again!

Zeus has to have parents; he defeated them in the Titanomachy!Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Try Again!

Ouranos and Gaia are Zeus’s grandparents, not his parents.Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Quiz: For question 6, click the event that caused the other.

6. Cronos imprisoned the Cyclopes and Hundred-Handed Ones in Tartarus.Gaia prophesized Cronos would end like his father.

Correct!

Because Cronos imprisoned her children just like his father had, Gaia knew he would end up just like his father.Click the Next Button to finish the quiz!

Try Again!

Gaia prophesized Cronos’s doom because he imprisoned her children, not the other way around.Click the Back Button to retry the question!

Congratulations!

You’ve completed the quiz with a perfect score! You now know about the Titanomachy and the events leading up to the Titanomachy, as well as the major characters involved. Good job!

Show this screen to Miss Davies to complete the learning module.