Greek Mythology lesson

These gods ruled from Mount Olympus and many temples were built to them. The people felt that if the gods were happy, they would enjoy good health, crops would be plentiful, and life would be good. If the gods were displeased, then they would send famine, drought, earthquakes (from Poseidon), storms, and lightning (from Zeus).

1. Zeus

2. Athena

3. Hestia or Dionysus

4. Apollo

5. Hera

6. Poseidon

7. Demeter

8. Artemis

9. Ares

10. Aphrodite

11. Hephaestus

12. Hermes

DEMETER

D- Daughter was taken while gathering flowers.

E-Every Spring and Summer, her daughter come back, then leaves again for the Fall and the Winter.

M-Mother of Persephone, and the goddess of agriculture.

E-Emerging from the Underworld, Hades took Persephone to become his queen in the Underworld.

T-The crops did wither when Demeter’s daughter was taken.

E-Earth bears fruit once more when Persephone comes back.

R-Rejoice when Persephone comes back to the Earth.

What Are Myths?

Myths are stories created by people to explain natural events that occur in nature, such as day and night, the four seasons, hurricanes, etc.

In the ancient world, people did not understand how things occurred in nature. So, a group of people from the country of Greece created gods and goddesses who were each in charge of certain areas in nature. They also created myths or stories about these gods and goddesses to explain natural events. The Greeks also built temples, worshiped, and honored these gods and goddesses. Some of these temples and shrines still stand today!

Greek Mythology

Who Were The Gods and Goddesses?

Who Were the Greeks?

The Greeks believed in myths and stories of Gods and Heroes. They worshiped in many gods whom could influence their lives.

Now, people no longer worship the gods of Ancient Greece. But, many things around us has been named after their Gods, heroes, and monsters. For example, the groups of stars known as Orian and Scorpius are named for Orian the hunter and the scorpian who stung him.

GREECE

Other Up-And-Coming Assignments

Research the various Gods and Goddesses. Choose a God or Goddess and construct a 3D temple based on him or her. The temple must fit in a shoe box. Be creative and use various materials.

Write an Acrostic poem for the God or Goddess.

What Were the Temples Like?

The Greeks put statues of the gods inside temples. Some temples were quite small, others very large and beautiful, with amazing decorations. The most famous temple in Greece is the Parthenon (which you can still see today) in Athens. Every city in Greece had a 'patron' god or goddess - a special god whom people believed protected them from harm.

People went to a temple to pray for help - perhaps when they were sick, going on a journey, or worried about the harvest.

Words and phrases that relate to mythological characters

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This week's homework and next week's class assignment.

Titans Titanic

Mercury mercurial

nemesis fury

epic to harp

phobia platonic

Achilles' heel herculian

The Midas Touch Hot as Hades

Labyrinth odyssey

Pandora's Box