Chapter 8Lesson 1

Greek Culture

The Olympians

Zeus

• King of the gods• Lived on Mount Olympus• Controlled the sky and weather and his family

of gods• Symbol: A thunderbolt

Hera• Wife of Zeus and queen of the gods• Goddess of all women, mothers, and marriage• Symbols: The cow, a pomegranate, and a

peacock

Artemis• Goddess of the hunt and moon• Twin of Apollo• Protected young girls and wild animals• Symbols: The bow and arrow, deer, dogs, and

the cypress tree

Poseidon• God of the sea and all water• He controlled storms, sea monsters, and

earthquakes• Poseidon could protect or destroy ships• Symbols: A trident, dolphins, and horses

Demeter• Goddess of the earth, plants, and harvests• She protected the crops in the fields• Her daughter, Persephone, helped Demeter• Symbol: Sheaf of wheat or barley

Athena• Goddess of wisdom, law, and war• She was also the protector of cities• The city of Athens is named for her• Symbols: The owl and the olive tree

Hermes• Messenger of the gods• He reported events on Earth to the gods• Hermes wore a winged hat and winged shoes,

and carried a staff

Hades• God of the dead and the Underworld• He was a dark and gloomy god• Hades carried a scepter and was protected by

his dogs

Ares• God of War• He was brave, angry, and terrible• Ares protected the soldiers on the fields• Symbols: A burning torch, a spear, dogs, and

vultures

Apollo• God of the Sun, light, truth, music, archery,

and healing• Twin to Artemis• Symbols: The lyre and the laurel tree

Aphrodite• Goddess of love and beauty• She inspired love and protected people that

were in love• Symbols: Doves, roses, sparrow, dolphins, and

rams

Hestia• Goddess of the hearth and home• She protected people’s homes

from evil• Every family had a shrine

dedicated to her• She is often shown sitting in front

of a wood fire

Hephaestus• God of fire and armor• He protected craftsmen and metal smiths

while they worked on bronze weapons and tools

• Symbols: A hammer and an anvil

Prometheus

The ancient Olympic games started in about 776 B.C. Greek athletes came from many different parts of the region. A particularly fierce rivalry existed between Athens and Sparta.

According to tradition, the foot race, called a stadion, was the only event until about 724 B.C. when other events were added. Archaeologists have restored the original stadium that contained an oval track about 600 yards long, stands for spectators, and changing rooms for athletes.

The Olympic marathon was not a part of the games until the Athens Olympics of 1896. It celebrates a man named Pheidippides, a runner who warned the Spartans about the invasion of Persia at Marathon in 490 B.C. The Olympic torch was not used until the games of 1828. Later it was used in the Olympic torch relay.

The actual Trojan War probably happened between Mycenae and Troy around 1200 B.C. This war may have been caused by a dispute over the control of trade in the Dardanelles.Over time, this conflict was transformed into an epic poem of gods and goddesses, love and betrayal and revenge and honor. This story still entertains readers some 2,800 years after it was created by Homer.

Many words used today come from Greek mythology. The word atlas if from the story of Atlas who had to hold the weight of the heavens on his shoulders.

A handsome man is called an Adonis after the myth of Adonis.

An odyssey, a long, adventurous journey, comes from Homer’s tale about Odysseus’s long journey home.

The word narcissist comes from the tale of Narcissus who couldn’t stop looking at himself in a pool of water.

It's easy to despise what you cannot have

The Ant and the Grasshopper:It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: Appearances are deceptive.