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Lesser Gods & Nature Spirits

Lesser Gods & Nature Spirits. Unit II Notes. Lesser Gods A. Though the 12 Olympians were the mightiest, they were not the only gods B. Many others pre-dated the Olympians in several ways 1. By winning favor with Zeus 2. They gained or maintained divine power

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Lesser Gods & Nature Spirits

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  1. Lesser Gods & Nature Spirits Unit II Notes

  2. Lesser Gods • A. Though the 12 Olympians were the mightiest, they were not the only gods • B. Many others pre-dated the Olympians in several ways • 1. By winning favor with Zeus • 2. They gained or maintained divine power • 3. Some even shared in the rule of the universe

  3. Helius (the god of the sun) • 1. The indefatigable “giver of light” • 2. The son of the Titans Theia and Hyperion • 3. Known as “golden-helmeted” • 4. Helius would emerge in the east, race across the sky on his chariot and disappear as he passed the western most horizon • 5. During the night, he would ride across the river Oceanus in a gargantuan golden cup • 6. He saw everything that happened on earth during the day, and he was not very discreet

  4. Selene (goddess of the moon) • 1. The “white-armed” goddess of the moon • 2. The daughter of the Titans Theia and Hyperion • 3. She brought the light of the moon that shone through the darkness of the night

  5. Eos (goddess of the dawn) • 1. The “rosy-armed” goddess of the dawn • 2. She arose each morning in the east to announce the coming of her brother • 3. She personified the light of day • 4. She rode with her brother Helius all day in the chariot

  6. Hecate • 1. The sorcerer goddess • 2. She is identified with the underworld and the art of sorcery • 3. Zeus gave her a share of divine power over the earth, sea and sky • 4. Mortals in her favor received great blessings • 5. Those who wished to place a curse on someone would write the curse on a foil tablet, address it to Hecate and drop it down a well

  7. Styx • 1. The goddess of the main river of the underworld • 2. She had 4 sons (personified abstractions) • a. Zelus (Zeal) • b. Nike (Victory) • c. Cratus (Strength) • d. Bia (Force) • 3. She was the first minor deity to align with Zeus • 4. He rewarded her by • a. Keeping her sons by his side for eternity • b. Having all Olympians swear their oaths to Styx

  8. Pan • 1. Half goat, half god • 2. God of shepherds, forests, wildlife and fertility • 3. Son of Hermes • 4. Dwelled in the mountains among the nymphs • 5. Led a wild lifestyle of dancing, singing and chasing nymphs • 6. “Panic” comes from his name – when in battle, he would let out a shout that would elicit blind terror among the enemy troops

  9. Pan Pan & Hermes

  10. Nature Spirits • A. Not quite gods, but not quite humans • B. They inhabited the natural world of the forests, mountains, and waters of Greece • C. Satyrs • 1. Woodland spirits who took the form of men • 2. Animalistic features – goat’s legs, horse’s tail, horns, pointed ears • 3. Followers of Dionysus, the represented the untamable fertility of the forest

  11. Silens • 1. Older, wiser and more powerful than the Satyrs • 2. Musicians and prophets • 3. Gods of the forest who followed Pan and Dionysus • Nymphs • 1. Females who served as attendants to the gods • 2. Beautiful and eternally youthful • 3. Confined to their localized tree, mountain or spring

  12. Vocabulary • A. Zealous – filled with eagerness and ardent interest • B. Zealot – a fanatical person

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