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Creation Myth The World of the Greeks
Note: • The Greeks did not believe that the gods created the universe. It was the other way around; the universe created the gods. Before there were gods heaven and earth had been formed. They were the first parents. The Titans were their children, and the gods were their grandchildren.
The Beginning • In the beginning there was only chaos. Then out of the void appeared Erebus, the unknowable place where death dwells, and Night. All else was empty, silent, endless, darkness. • Then somehow, Love was born bringing a start of order. From Love came Light and Day. Once there was Light and Day, Gaea, the earth appeared.
Gaea Mother Earth
Forces of Darkness • Then Erebus slept with Night, who gave birth to Ether, the heavenly light, and to Day the earthly light. • Then Night alone produced Doom, Fate, Death, Sleep, Dreams, Nemesis, and others that come to man out of darkness.
Gaea’s Story • Meanwhile Gaea alone gave birth to Uranus, the heavens. • Uranus became Gaea's mate covering her on all sides. Together they produced the three Cyclopes, the three Hecatoncheires, and twelve Titans.
Children of Gaea • However, Uranus was a bad father and husband. He hated the Hecatoncheires. He imprisoned them by pushing them into the hidden places of the earth, Gaea's womb. • This angered Gaea and she plotted against Uranus. She made a flint sickle and tried to get her children to attack Uranus. • All were too afraid except, the youngest Titan, Cronus.
Battle Against Uranus • Gaea and Cronus set up an ambush of Uranus as he lay with Gaea at night. • Cronus grabbed his father and castrated him, with the stone sickle, throwing the severed genitals into the ocean. • The fate of Uranus is not clear. He either died, withdrew from the earth, or exiled himself to Italy. As he departed he promised that Cronus and the Titans would be punished. From his spilt blood came the Giants, the Ash Tree Nymphs, and the Erinnyes. From the sea foam where his genitales fell cameAphrodite
The Titans Parents to the gods
Cronus and Rhea • Cronus became the next ruler. He imprisoned the Cyclopes and the Hecatoncheires inTartarus. • He married his sister Rhea, under his rule the Titans had many offspring. • He ruled for many ages
Birth of Zeus • However, Gaea and Uranus both had prophesied that he would be overthrown by a son. • To avoid this Cronus swallowed each of his children as they were born. • Rhea was angry at the treatment of the children and plotted against Cronus. When it came time to give birth to her sixth child Zeus, Rhea hid herself, then she left the child to be raised by nymphs. • To conceal her act she wrapped a stone in swaddling cloths and passed it off as the baby to Cronus, who swallowed it.
The Rise of the Gods • Zeus grew into a handsome youth on Crete. • He consulted Metis on how to defeat Cronus. She prepared a drink for Cronus design to make him vomit up the other children. Rhea convinced Cronus to accept his son and Zeus was allowed to return to Mount Olympus as Cronus's cupbearer. This gave Zeus the opportunity to slip Cronus the specially prepared drink. • This worked as planned and the other five children were vomited up. Being gods they were unharmed. They were thankful to Zeus and made him their leader.
Cronus Prepares for Battle • Cronus was yet to be defeated. He and the Titans, except Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Oceanus, fought to retain their power. • Atlas became their leader in battle and it looked for some time as though they would win and put the young gods down.
The Gods overthrow their Father • However, Zeus was cunning. He went down to Tartarus and freed the Cyclopes and the Hecatoncheires. • Prometheus joined Zeus as well. He returned to battle with his new allies. • The Cyclopes provided Zeus with lightning bolts for weapons. • The Hecatoncheires he set in ambush armed with boulders. With the time right, Zeus retreated drawing the Titans into the Hecatoncheires's ambush. The Hecatoncheires rained down hundreds of boulders with such a fury the Titans thought the mountains were falling on them. They broke and ran, giving Zeus victory.
Victory for the Gods • Zeus exiled the Titans who had fought against him into Tartarus. • Except for Atlas, who was singled out for the special punishment of holding the world on his shoulders.
The Gods Masters of the Greek World
Zeus • King of the Gods • He and his brothers drew lots. He won control of the heavens as Lord of the Skies, the rain god. • Married to Hera, but known to have many affairs • Fiercely loyal—punishes those who are not
Zeus • Four Roles: • Controls all aerial phenomenon • Operations of nature- Unchanging physics • Lord of State Life- founder of kingly power, upholder of institutions • Father of the Gods • Father of Men- Takes a close interest in humans. He rewards goodness, and punishes wickedness
Hera • Queen of the Gods-Sister and Wife to Zeus • Supreme Goddess, and goddess of marriage and childbirth • Takes special care of married women • Known for her jealousy and revenge • Sacred animals include the cow and the peacock
Demeter • Goddess of Agriculture, fertility (in general), and the earth • Sister of Zeus • Demeter makes the crops grow each year • Mother to Persephone
Poseidon • God of the sea, protector of all waters • Brother of Zeus, and second most powerful • Weapon is a Trident, which can shake the earth and shatter any object • Quarrelsome personality, greedy, and fought with the other gods a lot
Hades • Lord of the Underworld • Brother to Zeus • Greedy god who is greatly concerned with increasing his subjects, and will NOT let them leave • God of wealth, due to the precious metals in the earth • Helmet that makes him invisible • Little to no pity for others
Hestia • Goddess of the Hearth and Home • Sister to Zeus • Virgin goddess • Each city had a public hearth sacred to Hestia, where the fire was never allowed to go out • Of all Olympians, she is the mildest, most upright, and most charitable
Athena • Virgin Goddess of Wisdom, Warcraft, and Arts/Literature • Daughter of Zeus (no mother), sprang from his forehead. His favorite kid • Fierce and brave in battle, but only wars to defend the state and home • Embodiment of wisdom, reason, and purity • Credited with giving man Knowledge and Technology • Tree: olive; Bird: Owl
Ares • God of War • Son of Zeus and Hera • Quick temper and violent • Considered murderous and bloodstained, but also a coward • It is said he would visit the wives of warriors when they were at war • Bird is the Vulture • His animal is the Dog
Apollo • Twins born to Zeus and Leto • Apollo: God of music and healing. • Archer with a silver bow • Taught man medicine • God of Light, Truth (cannot lie) • His duty was to harness the sun to his chariot and take it across the sky
Artemis • Twin sister of Apollo • Goddess of Chastity, Virginity, the Hunt, the Moon, and the natural environment • Lady of Wild Things • Huntsman of the gods • Protector of the young • Silver bows and arrows • All animals are sacred, especially the deer
Hephaestus • Son of Zeus and Hera • Only god to be physically ugly and crippled • God of Fire and the Forge • Smith and Armorer of the Gods • Kind and peace-loving, known for compassion and understanding • Wife is Aphrodite
Persephone • Daughter of Zeus and Demeter • Goddess of Spring • Also known as “The Maiden” • Married to Hades, Queen of the Underworld • Mint and Pomegranate are sacred to her
Hermes • Son of Zeus and Maia • Messenger of the Gods (he’s the fastest) • Wears winged sandals, a winged hat, and carries a magic scepter • Scepter- Modern Medical symbol • God of thieves and of commerce • Guide for the dead to go to the Underworld • Inventor
Dionysus • God of fertility and wine, patron of the arts • Son of Zeus and Semele (a mortal) • Dual Nature • Can bring joy and divine ecstasy • Can bring brutal, unthinking rage • Festivals of Rebirth- Springtime celebrations, first plays are performed, celebration of the arts • Important in everyday life
Aphrodite • Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Desire • No Parents- Came from the ocean where Cronus threw castrated Uranus’ genitals • Wife of Hephaestus • Affair with Ares • Magical girdle that made anyone she wanted desire her • Sacred to her- dove, swan, and sparrow
