GreekMythol

ogyWeek 6

Eng 107 / CC Eng 2

• "Myths of origin" or "creation myths" represent an attempt to render the universe comprehensible in human terms and explain the origin of the world.

• The most widely accepted version at the time, although a philosophical account of the beginning of things, is reported by Hesiod, in his Theogony. 

The Greek

Creation Myth

• It begins with Chaos, a yawning nothingness.

• Out of the void emerged Gaia (the Earth) and some other primary divine beings: Eros (Love), the Abyss (the Tartarus), and the Erebus.

• Without male assistance, Gaia gave birth to Uranus (the Sky) who then fertilized her. From that union were born first the Titans—six males:  Coeus, Crius, Cronus, Hyperion,  Iapetus, and Oceanus; and six females: Mnemosyne, Phoebe, Rhea, Theia, Themis, and Tethys. After Cronus was born, Gaia and Uranus decreed no more Titans were to be born.

• . They were followed by the one-eyed Cyclopes and the Hecatonchires or Hundred-Handed Ones, who were both thrown into Tartarus by Uranus. This made Gaia furious.

• Cronus ("the wily, youngest and most terrible of Gaia's children”), was convinced by Gaia to castrate his father. He did this, and became the ruler of the Titans with his sister-wife Rhea as his consort, and the other Titans became his court.

Cronus vsZeus: How it all started

• The life of the Greek gods was not “made in heaven.”

• They, too, have their equal share of wars and battles.

The Story of the Gods and the Titans

Olympic GodsOlympic Gods

GREEK NAME- Zeus

DOMAIN- supreme god of Roman pantheon; god of thunder & sky

SYMBOLS- eagle, thunderbolt, bull, & oak

GREEK NAMEGREEK NAME Poseidon

DOMAINDOMAIN god of the Sea, horses, & earthquakes

SYMBOLSSYMBOLS trident, dolphins, fresh water, horses

GREEK NAMEGREEK NAME Hades

DOMAINDOMAIN God of the Underworld; judge of the dead

SYMBOLSSYMBOLS scepter, helm of darkness, Cerebrus

----HESTIA ----

DOMAIN

goddess of hearth, home, & family

GREEK NAME

Hestia

SYMBOLS

sacred fire, plain wooden throne

• GREEK NAME Hera

• DOMAIN

Goddess of women &

marriage; Queen of

the gods

• SYMBOLS peacock,

cow, pomegranate

HERA

ARESGREEK NAME- Ares

DOMAIN- God of warfare & bloodshed

SYMBOLS- Vulture, burning torch, spear

ATHENA

• GREEK NAME– Athena

• DOMAIN– goddess of wisdom, warfare,

medicine, & crafts

• SYMBOL– owl

GREEK NAMEGREEK NAME

Apollo

DOMAINDOMAIN

god of the sun, truth, prophecy, archery, the arts

SMYBOLSSMYBOLS

Lyre, bow & arrow, sun, swans

APHRODITE

greek name | Aphrodite

domain | goddess of love & beauty

symbols | myrtles, doves, sparrows, swans,

HERMES

greek name | Hermes

domain | Messenger God of commerce, athletics, travelers

symbols | winged sandals, caduceus, petasus [winged hat]

• Greek name

– Demeter

• Domain

– Goddess of grain, fertility

• Attributes

– torch, corn, wheat

• GREEK NAME Hephaestus

• DOMAIN god of fire, volcanoes, blacksmiths, craftsmen, metallurgy

• SYMBOLS hammer, anvil, tongs, fire

•The Gods•The Goddesses