Greek mythology is the body of myths and teachings that belong to the ancient Greeks, concerning

their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their
own cult and ritual practices. It was a part of the religion in ancient Greece.
Greek mythology is explicitly embodied in a large collection of narratives, and implicitly in Greek
representational arts. Greek myth attempts to explain the origins of the world, and details the lives
and adventures of a wide variety of gods, goddesses, heroes, heroines and mythological creatures.
Archaeological findings provide a principal source of detail about Greek mythology, with gods and
heroes featured prominently in the decoration of many artifacts. Geometric designs on pottery of the
eighth century BC depict scenes from the Trojan cycle as well as the adventures of Heracles. In the
succeeding Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods, Homeric and various other mythological
scenes appear, supplementing the existing literary evidence. [2] Greek mythology has had an
extensive influence on the culture, arts, and literature of Western civilization and remains part of
Western heritage and language. Poets and artists from ancient times to the present have derived
inspiration from Greek mythology and have discovered contemporary significance and relevance in
the themes

Using illustrations describe and explain the role of each of

the following Greek Goddesses.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite was created from the foam of the crystal waters of Paphos in the fragrant island of Cyprus,
when the Titan slew his father, the major Titan Ouranos, and threw then his genitals into the sea.
Aphrodite was the most attractive goddess of Mount Olympus. She was the goddess of Love, Beauty
and Eternal Youth, arousing desire to gods and humans as well as birds and beasts. In addition, she
was connected to the death/rebirth of nature and human beings. Aphrodite was a highly attractive
young woman who dressed elegantly and loved to wear jewellery. Her eyelashes were curled and she
had a constant smile on her lovely face. Aphrodite had a tender neck and symbolized the feminine
beauty. Aphrodites symbols were the girdle (which she was using to compel love), the seashell and
the mirror. Her sacred animal was the dove.

Athena
Athena was the goddess who taught mankind various skills such as weaving and sewing to the women
and agriculture and metallurgy to men. She was always giving precious advice and stood by on any
danger. Athena protected the heroes as they went out to war and saved them on their coming back.
After competing against the Greek god Poseidon, Athena officially became the patron deity of the city
of ancient Athens and the Parthenon was built in her honour. She was known as "Athena Nike" (Athena
the victorious) as she was believed to have given the Athenians the victory during the Persian War.
Athena was a tall, slim woman with bluish-green eyes trickling light, wearing a suit of armour and a
golden helmet.
Athena's symbols were the spear, the distaff and the aegis (a shield of goatskin), to which the head
of the Gorgon Medusa was fastened in order to terrify the opponents).
Athena's tree was the olive tree and her sacred animal was the owl, the symbol of wisdom. The
Roman name of Athena is "Minerva"

Athena goddess of wisdom

Diana
In Roman mythology, Diana (lt. "heavenly" or "divine") was the goddess of the hunt,
the moon and birthing, being associated with wild animals and woodland, and having the power to
talk to and control animals. She was equated with the Greek goddess Artemis,[1] though she had an
independent origin in Italy. Diana was worshipped in ancient Roman religion and is revered
in Roman Neopaganism and Stregheria. Dianic Wicca, a largely feminist form of the practice, is
named for her. Diana was known to be the virgin goddess of childbirth and women. She was one of
the three maiden goddesses, Diana, Minervaand Vesta, who swore never to marry. Oak groves were
especially sacred to her. According to mythology, Diana was born with her twin brother Apollo on the
island of Delos, daughter of Jupiter and Latona. Diana made up a triad with two other Roman
deities: Egeria the water nymph, her servant and assistant midwife; and Virbius, the woodland god.

Using illustrations describe and explain the role of each of

the following Greek Goddesses.

Apollo
Apollo was the Greek god of the Music. He invented the lute(a plucked string instrument with a body
shaped like a pear), but he was more popular for playing the lyre, which was invented by Hermes, the
messenger of the gods. Apollo excelled in important music contests, competing against Greek god
Hermes and the Satyr Pan as well as other deities.
In addition, Apollo owned the precious gift of prophecy, given to him by his father Zeus in his infancy.
He was the patron of the ancient city of Delphi, where the first oracle of Ancient Greece was located.
The district was considered to be the Navel of the World (the "Omphalus") in Ancient times.
Apollo was a handsome, strong and youthful god with impressive golden hair.
Apollo's symbols were the lyre, the tripod, the laurel tree and the navel stone. His plants were
the myrtle and the laurel. Apollo's sacred animals were the wolf, the raven and the lizard.

On a map of the world locate the origin of Greek Mythology .

On a map of Europe, locate the origin of Greek Mythology.

Hades

Hades was the Greek god of the Dead and, according to Plato; he should be considered as one of the
Olympian gods. Hades was the supreme ruler of the Underworld. Almost never did he leave his gloomy
kingdom but was residing there instead, surrounded by darkness and silence...
Hades' helper was Charos, the angel of dead. Charos had the duty to transfer the souls of the dead
with a boat over the River Acheron from the world of the living to the world of the dead. Furthermore,
Hades had a dog with three heads which was named Cerberus. Hades had gloomy features. He had a
beard and dark hair falling over his brow .The sacred symbol of Hades was his helmet, which helped
him stay invisible His sacred animal was Cerberus, his own three-headed dog. Hades means
invisible in ancient Greek.

Explain what is meant by the word myth

Poseidon
Poseidon was considered to be the bad-tempered, moody and greedy god among the Olympians. Once
insulted, he would revenge himself, like he did in the case of Odysseus, who brutally blinded his son,
the Cyclops Polyphemus . Poseidon loved to cross the oceans and seas with his golden chariot
surrounded by dolphins. Poseidon was the Greek god responsible for natural and supernatural events,
mainly the ones associated to the sea world and was the savior of ships. He possessed a trident which
was so powerful that it could shake the earth. Poseidon was able to cause tempests and earthquakes,
drown lands, shatter rocks and had the ability to finally bring back peacefulness.
Poseidon possessed two palaces, the one was up in Mount Olympus and the other was located in the
depths of the seas and was bejeweled with gold and precious gems. Usually Poseidon preferred to stay
with his wife Amphitrite beneath the ocean.Poseidon was imposing and strong with long, blue hair.
The symbol of Poseidon was the trident and his sacred animals were the dolphin and the horse.
According to a tradition, he was the one who breathed life into the first horse on earth.The Roman
name of Poseidon is "Neptune"

Write an essay of approximately 250 words outlining the

background of Greek Mythology.

Greek mythology is the body of myths and teachings that belong to the ancient Greeks, concerning
their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their
own cult and ritual practices. It was a part of the religion in ancient Greece.
Greek mythology is explicitly embodied in a large collection of narratives, and implicitly in Greek
representational arts. Greek myth attempts to explain the origins of the world, and details the lives
and adventures of a wide variety of gods, goddesses, heroes, heroines and mythological creatures.
Archaeological findings provide a principal source of detail about Greek mythology, with gods and
heroes featured prominently in the decoration of many artifacts. Geometric designs on pottery of the
eighth century BC depict scenes from the Trojan cycle as well as the adventures of Heracles. In the
succeeding Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods, Homeric and various other mythological
scenes appear, supplementing the existing literary evidence. [2] Greek mythology has had an
extensive influence on the culture, arts, and literature of Western civilization and remains part of
Western heritage and language. Poets and artists from ancient times to the present have derived
inspiration from Greek mythology and have discovered contemporary significance and relevance in
the themes

Using illustrations, describe and explain the role of each

of the following Greek Gods

Zeus
Zeus had his golden throne on the highest summit of Mount Olympus and was respected and awed by
all Gods and mortals. All the kings boasted that they descended from Zeus.
Zeus was the "Lord of Justice", punishing anyone who lied or broke an oath, but was fair and always
striving to keep a balance of all things. Furthermore; Zeus was responsible for the weather and was
shaping it according to his temper. When in high spirits, Zeus was blessing the world with fine
weather; in case of bad mood, however, he would throw rain, winds, lightnings and thunderbolts to
cause disaster to the mortals. But even Zeus' powers had their limits, for however powerful as he was,
he had neither the right nor the ability to intervene in the decisions of the Fates. Zeus was carefree
and loved to laugh out loud. He possessed the perfect knowledge and was just, merciful and prudent.
However, he was rather unpredictable, since no one could guess the decisions he would make. Zeus
was strong and imposing, with long, oftentimes curly hair. The symbols of Zeus were the sceptre,
the throne and the thunderbolt, which was as a gift from the Cyclopes because he liberated them.
Zeus' tree was the oak tree and his sacred animal was the eagle. The Roman name of Zeus is
"Jupiter"