The Olympian Gods

1. The Olympian Gods

2. Eeny-meeny-miney-moe! • The Olympian brothers cast lots to see who would rule the three aspects of earth: air, sea, and the underworld. • It was like drawing straws or tossing the dice.

3. Zeusaka: Jupiter, Jove, Lady’s Man, Studmuffin, Mr. Mojo-Himself • Youngest child of Cronus and Rhea • Lead successful attack against Cronus • Sky god and king of the gods • Symbols: Eagles, oak groves, lightening

4. Ahh… what’s the deal with the Austin Power’s thing? Zeus—the lady’s god! Master of seduction in many forms—literally! A master of disguise and subterfuge in his pursuit of women Married Hera, who is jealous of his amorous affairs

5. More about Zeus • Had many names! Foreigners could find their chief god in Zeus while traveling to Greece. An Egyptian might call him Zeus-Ammon • Like other gods, Zeus was a great one, but was temperamental and swift with harsh retribution!

6. Poseidonaka: Neptune, Earth-Shaker, The Fishy Dude • god of the sea • M. Amphitrite • Associated with the horse • Known for his extreme masculinity (Macho-man) • Had a nifty trident • Worshipped by sailors and fishermen; horses and stallions sacrificed to him.

7. Hades,aka Pluto Please note: Underworld = Tartarus Tartarus ≠ Hades Tartarus ≠ Hell • Lord of the Dead! He’s in charge of the underworld. • God of the earth and in charge of all things ground-related, like gold and gem stones: plutos is Greek for wealth • A loner, but not evil, sadistic, or satanic The Persephone Affair: a tough way to get a wife!

8. Symbols associated with Hades • Has a key: “Jailer” • Like Poseidon, associated with horses, sometimes having creating them. • Often associated with a dog (like Cerberus)

9. Hera aka: Juno (L), Queen Hera, Protectress (Argos), Bride, Olympian, The Old Bird, the Old Ball and Chain • Zeus’s wife and sister • Goddess of heaven, marriage, home • Depicted in all stages of life (girl, wife, mother, widow) • Stately, regal, beautiful, queenly (depicted on a throne) • Symbols are a cow and a peacock Known to be very jealous: she’s always spying and hunting down Zeus and his ladies, often catching them!

10. Demeter (aka: Ceres, Unnamed Maiden, Fruit-Bearer, Sender-of-Gifts, Green, Black, Mother Nature) • Not the Earth Goddess—that’s Gaia. She is a goddess of the Earth—nature and agriculture. • Rarely spends time on Olympus • Symbols: ears of corn, narcissus, and poppy, cranes, serpents, torches, and tools of the harvest (sickles, scythes) • Depicted as a mother. Grieves the loss of her daughter (Persephone) for 4-6 months every year (winter). Had a little fiasco with Metanaira and her son.

11. Hestiaor Vestia (L) Goddess of the hearth • Hearth is center of the home. Fire was important! • Virgin Goddess (Vestal Virgins—her priestesses in Roman days) • Never left Olympus • Little is known, but every Greek city had a sacred fire dedicated to her.

12. Do you know what would be great right now? Yeah, baby! Oh yeah, baby! And you’re thinking what I’m thinking? A quiz, baby! Yeah, baby, yeah!

13. Review! • Which god disguises himself to have affairs? • Name two other names for Poseidon. • Why is Hera associated with eyes? • Who is the goddess of the hearth? • Who is associated with a sickle? • Who is the god of gems and gold? • Which god is associated with the picture?