Mythology

Introduction to Greek Mythology

Sixth Grade Language Arts Mrs. Huffine

What is Greek Mythology?

• The people of ancient Greece

shared stories called myths about the gods, goddesses, and heroes in which they believed. Each god or goddess was worshipped as a deity and ruled over certain areas of the Greeks’ lives. These exciting stories explained natural phenomena that could not be explained by science in the ancient world.

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Why Should We Study Greek Mythology?

• The Ancient Greek culture

has been kept alive by the oral and later written stories handed down through thousands of years. • Modern plays, novels, television programs, movies and even advertisements refer to Greek gods, goddesses, heroes and their stories. • Adventurous and exciting stories delight and entertain us.

Who Were the Gods and Goddesses of the Pantheon on Mount Olympus?

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Zeus – Leader of the Olympian Gods

• He ruled the Olympians. • He was the god of the

sky, lightning and thunder carrying a thunderbolt as his symbol. He married Hera, his sister, which was a family habit. He fathered many children with various goddesses and mortals.

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Hera – Wife of Zeus

• She was the protector of • • •

marriage and the home. She was associated with the peacock, because of her great beauty. She and Zeus were always quarreling. She was called the queen of intriguers, a vindictive and jealous wife, who frequently outwitted her husband, Zeus.

Poseidon – God of the Sea

• He built an underwater •

palace with a great pearl and coral throne. Although he chose Thetis, a beautiful water nymph, as his queen, he, like his brother Zeus, was a great wanderer fathering hundreds of children. He was a difficult god, changeful and quarrelsome, but created many curious forms for his sea creatures. He invented the horse for his sister Demeter, whom he loved.

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Hades – God of the Underworld

• He was the jealous •

brother to Zeus and Poseidon. He made Persephone his...