Greek & Roman Mythology An Introduction to a major religion of early Mediterranean history.
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Transcript of Greek & Roman Mythology An Introduction to a major religion of early Mediterranean history.
Greek & Roman
Mythology
An Introduction to a major religion of early Mediterranean
history
• Polytheistic religion• Spread through Greek
Colonies & Roman Empire– Traces of Greek myths
found in Modern Italy, Bulgaria and Turkey
– The Gods honored depended on economic and culture needs within that society
Example of Myth Themes
1. Provide heroes, examples of people who demonstrate admirable qualities
2. Stories of how things came to be
3. Consequences of undesirable behavior.
Zeus- Chief God,
presided, with 12 other Gods on thrones at Mt. Olympus
- God of Thunder & Lightening-Olympic Games in honor of him
Hera
Was of the “Great Goddess” religions, many spectacular temples were built to honor her
After Homer’s Iliad, always portrayed as jealous shrew
Goddess of Marriage
Poseidon• God of Sea, Earthquakes,
Horses• Shape
Shifting• Lost
patronage of Athens to Athena
Hades• God of the Underworld• Stern, Cruel and
Unpitying but just
• Feared by men• Statue Represents
the kidnapping of Persephone
Demeter• Goddess of Agriculture• Symbolized by sheaf of
grain
• Goddess of Hearth, Domesticity & Family
• Gave up her throne on Olympus to Dionysus
Hestia
Athena• Goddess of
Wisdom, Crafts and Cunning Warfare, Symbolized by the Owl
• Born from Zeus’ head
• Athens named for her, she gave them the olive tree
Apollo• God of Prophecy, Music &
Healing• Egoistic• Associated with the sun
Artemis• Goddess of the Hunt• Helped women in
childbirth• Associated with the
moon
The Twins
Aphrodite• Goddess of Love, Beauty
& Fertility• Symbolized by dolphins,
doves & swans• Vain & ill-tempered
Ares• God of War, or at least
war-like frenzy• Handsome & cruel, had
affairs with Aphrodite• Father of Romulus &
Remus, Founders of Rome
Hephaestus• Blacksmith God, very
skilled craftsman• Long suffering
husband of Aphrodite
Hermes• Messenger God with winged
sandals• Guides dead souls, prankster
who is helpful to humans