Ancient Greek Religion

The Twelve Olympians

 

The Twelve Olympians- a family of gods and goddesses

The Twelve Olympians- a family of gods and goddesses- lived on Mount Olympus

The Twelve Olympians- a family of gods and goddesses- lived on Mount Olympus- each ruled a different area of life or nature

The Twelve Olympians- a family of gods and goddesses- lived on Mount Olympus- each ruled a different area of life or nature- had human forms and human characteristics

The Twelve Olympians- a family of gods and goddesses- lived on Mount Olympus- each ruled a different area of life or nature- had human forms and human characteristics- immortal: lived forever

Zeus- Ruler of all gods and Humanity • 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.

Hera- Goddess of Marriage & Childbirth

• She was the 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 tricked her   husband, Zeus.

Apollo-  Sun God; God of Music & Poetry

• He was the twin brother of Artemis and the most handsome of the gods.• He was also the god of the healing arts and of medicine.• He drove his chariot across the sky to pull the sun each day.• His son, Phaethon, drives Apollo’s sun chariot with disastrous results.

Artemis- Goddess of Hunting & Wilderness

• She was the twin sister of Apollo.• She was a huntress, who always carried a silver bow and arrows.• She ruled over the untamed places of the earth.

Athena- Goddess of Wisdom and War

 • She was born full grown out of the head of Zeus.• She taught man to use tools and taught his wife to spin and weave.• She was the best-loved goddess on Olympus.• She hated Ares, god of war, often defeating him in battle.

Ares- God of War

•He was a ruthless and murderous god, who displayed the worst of  humanity’s traits.• He, along with grief, strife, panic, and terror, roams the earth.• Ironically, he was a coward, who fled the field of battle.

Aphrodite- Goddess of Love

• She is the goddess of desire born from sea foam. Another myth credits her mother as Dioneand her father as Zeus.• After all the gods on Mount Olympus courted her,                                                 she married Hephaestus,                                              the ugliest of the gods.                                          • Because she was judged                                                the most beautiful of all                                                the goddesses on Mount                                                Olympus by Paris, the                                                    other goddesses                                                          envied her.

Hermes- Messenger of the Gods

• He was the mischeivous  son of Zeus and Maia. • As a baby, he made a lyreand pipe for his half- brother, Apollo.• He carried Apollo’s golden staff and flew around the heavens and earth on winged sandals.

Poseidon- God of the Sea and Earthquakes

• He built an underwater palace with a great pearl and coral throne.• 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.

Demeter- Goddess of Fertility

•She was the goddess of growing things.• She was the mother of Persephone, whose father was Zeus.• Her daughter was kidnapped by Hades and taken to the Underworld for six months of the year causing the change of seasons.

Worship of Gods 

Worship of Gods- they gave thanks to the gods, hoping to receive          blessings

Worship of Gods- they gave thanks to the gods, hoping to recieve          blessings- tried to avoid angering the gods

Worship of Gods- each city-state honored one god or goddess- each city-state had at least one main temple

Worship of Gods- each city-state honored one god or goddess- each city-state had at least one main temple

Worship of Gods- each city-state honored one god or goddess- each city-state had at least one main temple

- sacrifice animals

Worship of Gods- each city-state honored one god or goddess- each city-state had at least one main temple

- sacrifice animals- offerings of food

Worship of Gods- festivals

Worship of Gods-the Olympics: festival for Zeus    ~ all city-states    ~ every 4 years

Worship of Gods-the Olympics: festival for Zeus    ~ all city-states    ~ every 4 years

The Oracles

- the Greeks turned to the gods for signs or advice

The Oracles

- the Greeks turned to the gods for signs or advice- oracles: sacred sites where they believed the gods                    spoke to them

The Oracles

- answers could come through dreams, or spoken          through a priest or priestess

The Oracles

- answers could come through dreams, or spoken          through a priest or priestess- a gift or offering was   required in exchange for an   answer

The Oracles

- answers could come through dreams, or spoken          through a priest or priestess- a gift or offering was   required in exchange for an   answer - the answers were often in the  form of a riddle                                                                  - famous and powerful leaders                                      would even come to the oracles                                - the words of the oracles were                                      taken very seriously by all                                          Greeks