Greek Mythology for Eighth Grade Students

By Claire LaRocca

The Ancient Greeks

• The Greeks believed that many gods and goddesses created and ruled the world.

• Temples and holidays were created in honor of these deities.

• The twelve main gods and goddesses, ruled by Zeus, were known as the Olympians because they were said to have lived on Mount Olympus.

Zeus

• Considered to be the most powerful of all the Olympians.

• Ruler of Mount Olympus.• Husband of his sister, Hera.• Brother of Hades, Poseidon, and Demeter• Father of Apollo, Artemis, Athena,

Hermes, Hephaestus, and Aris.• Symbols: lightening bolts, clouds, and

eagles.

Poseidon

• Ruler of the sea and all sea-creatures.

• Greeks believed that he caused all sea calamities including large waves, hurricanes and ship wrecks.

• His main weapon was a three-pointed staff called a trident which he used to yield his powers in the oceans.

• Symbols: trident, horses, and chariots.

Hades

• Ruler of the Underworld and the Dead• Married to Demeter’s daughter Persephone,

Goddess of flowers and springtime.• Used a three-headed dog named Cerberus to

guard the entrance to the Underworld.• Although he was not Death, Hades was

considered the gloomiest and most ominous of all the Olympians.

• Symbols: helmet of invisibility and a staff used to lead the dead towards the Underworld.

Hera

• Goddess of marriage, childbirth, and married women.

• Supreme Goddess, Queen of Olympus.

• Wife of Zeus, mother of Aris and Hephaestus.

• Symbols: peacock and cows.

Aris

• God of warfare, bloodshed, and murder.

• Son of Zeus and Hera, brother of Hephaestus.

• Was said to have an affair with Aphrodite, his brother’s wife.

• Disliked by most of the Olympians due to his violent temper.

• Symbols: vultures, dogs, and swords.

Athena

• Goddess of wisdom and warfare.• Believed to be born from Zeus’s head.• Was the wisest and most respected of the

Olympians.• Invented many useful items for humans

including olive trees, chariots, ships, and plows.

• Symbols: olive branches, owls, and myrtle.

Hephaestus

• God of masonry and weaponry.

• Son of Zeus and Hera, husband of Aphrodite.

• Deformed at birth, Hephaestus was literally thrown off Mt. Olympus by Hera. He was later accepted and given Aphrodite as a wife for a reward.

• Symbols: fire, volcanoes, and mallets.

Aphrodite

• Goddess of love and sex• She was considered the most beautiful of all

the goddesses and one of the most powerful.

• With her companion, Eros, she could make anyone fall in love at will.

• Wife of Hephaestus.• Symbols: doves, swans, and sparrows.

Apollo

• God of Sun and Music.

• Son of Zeus, twin brother of Artemis.

• Believed to have invented music, Apollo created the first lute and lyre.

• His oracle at Delphi was famous for Greeks who went to hear their fates and prophesies.

• Symbols: sunlight, crows, and dolphins.

Artemis

• Goddess of hunting, fertility and the Moon.• Daughter of Zeus, twin sister of Apollo.• A virgin goddess, Artemis lived and hunted in

the woods with her 50 unmarried, female companions.

• As goddess of fertility, she resided over all births.

• Symbols: the Moon, deer, dogs, and the color silver.

Dionysus

• God of wine, fertility, jewels, and the arts.• Son of Zeus. • Large festivals were held in his honor during the

spring and the harvest.• Most Greek playwrights wrote in Dionysus’

honor for these celebrations.• It was believed, contrary to evidence, that

wearing amethysts could prevent intoxication.• Symbols: wine, grapes, vines and amethysts

stones.

Demeter

• Goddess of the Harvest and Fertility.• Sister of Zeus, mother of Persephone.• She was needed for any plant growth to

be possible.• Greeks held many sacrifices and festivals

in her honor in hopes of a bountiful harvest.

• Symbols: corn, grain, bread, and livestock.

Hermes

• Messenger of the Gods.• God of messages, commerce, and thieves.• Son of Zeus.• Known as the swiftest of the Olympiads, Hermes

was in charge of sending important messages between the gods.

• He invented astronomy, weights and measures, and the musical scale.

• Symbols: helmet with wings, sandals, and a magic wand.