Based on time- honored observances Most rooted in Bronze age (3000-1050 B.C.) No single guiding work of scripture

Ex. Bible, Torah, Qu’ran

Did not have strict priestly caste Iliad and Odyssey of Homer- most powerful

Relationships between deities and human built on concept of exchange Gods and goddesses expected to give gifts Votive offerings, humans physical expression of thanks

Worshipped in sanctuaries within city boundaries or country side According to nature of deity

Well-defined sacred spaces Sacred precinct containd temple with cult image of deity Natural surroundings in accordance to nature of deity

Outdoor altar, statues, votive offerings, sacred trees or springs

Central ritual act was animal sacrifice, took place within sanctuary Took place within sanctuary Oxen, gods, sheep

Assembled participants Consumed entrails and meat at altar

Liquid offerings were made Festivals filled entire year

Four main festivals Each had own procession, athletic competitions, and sacrifices

Held every four years on a rotation Olympia, Delphi, Nemea, Isthmia

Entire Greek speaking world attended

Mystery cults Eleusis near Athens Only initiates could participate

*ANCIENT GREEKS BELIEVED THAT THE MANY GODS EACH HAD THEIR DISTINCT PERSONALITY AND DOMAIN

Zeus Hades Poseidon Hera Athena Apollo

Artemis Hermes Aphrodite Dionysos Ares Hephaistos

*MOUNT OLYMPUS, THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN GREECE, WAS BELIEVED TO BE THE HOME OF THE GODS.

Represented as older, vigorous, beard -or- powerful, young man

Born in cave, Mt. Ida, island of Crete

Mother; Rhea Father; Kronos (ate

children) Wife; Hera Father or many

children; Hercules “Tomb” on Mt. Juchtas,

outside of Heraklion

Symbol or Attribute; Thunderbolt

Strengths; powerful, strong, charming, pervasive

Weaknesses; trouble over love affairs, moody

Represented as vigorous, bearded man

Born to Rhea and Kronos (Father Time)

Born on island of Crete Brother of Zeus and

Poseidon Spouse; Persephone Sometimes called “Zeus

of the Departd” Originally meant

“invisible or unseen” Had dark and underworld

aspects of Zeus Major temple sites;

Nekromanteion, on River Styx, West Coast (spooky)

Symbol or Attribute; sceptor or horn of plenty

Strengths; rich with wealth of earth, precious metals, persistent and determined

Weaknesses; passionate over Persephone, daughter of Demeter

Pets; 3 headed dog, black horses, various hounds

MYTH: Springs out of earth and captures Persephone (to be queen of underworld), Persephone’s mother searches for her and stops all production of food. In the end she must stay with Hades 1/3 of year, her mother 1/3 of year, and be a handmaiden to Zeus the other 1/3.

KING OF DEAD, LORD OF UNDERWORLD

Represented as bearded, older man with seashells and sealife

Parents; Rhea and Athena

Spouse; Amphitrite Affairs with Medusa (son

Pegasus), Demeter (sister)

Children; ½ fish son Trident

Major temple at Cape Sounion Overlooking sea

Compared with Roman god Neptune

Created horses and zebras

Symbol; 3 pronged trident, associated with horses, force behind earthquakes

Strengths; creative, designed all sea creatures

Weaknesses; warlike, moody and unpredictable

He and Athena fought for love of people. The person who created the most useful object had city named after them. He created horses, Athena, olive. Capital is named Athens, not Pseidonia.

GOD OF THE SEA

Young beautiful woman, most beautiful of goddesses

Birthplace; island of Samos or at Argos

Parents; Rhea and Kronos Spouse; Zeus Siblings; Zeus, Hestia,

Demeter, Hades, Poseidon

Ares (Zeus) Hebe, goddess of health Eileithyia, Cretan goddess

of Childbirth Typhon, serpent of Delphi

Symbol; peacock Strengths; determined

defender of sanctity of marriage and monogamy

Weaknesses; determined defender of sanctity of marriage and monogamy, but married Zeus

Temple site; Samos (300 year honeymoon)

Relationship oriented “Diva” Restored Virginity each

year by bathing in Kanathos

GODDESS OF MARRIAGE

GOD OF THE SUNGODDESS OF WILD THINGS

Young man, curly blonde hair

Born at Delos Twin sister Artemis Symbol; son, lyre, the

bow, chariot Strengths; creative,

handsome, supportive of all arts

Weaknesses; too happy to enjoy charms of nymphs

Child, Orepheus with Callipe

Temple at Dephi, patron god of the oracle

Eternally young woman, beautiful, wearing short costume with leaves

Symbol; bow (lunar crescent) and hounds

Strengths; physically strong, able to defend herself, defender of women in childbirth and wildlife

Weaknesses; dislikes men (bathing), opposes marriage

Parents; Zeus and Leto Brauron Temple Freedom-loving young

woman who roams in forests with maidens

Goddess of contradictions

GODDESS OF WISDOMGOD OF TRAVELERS & TROUBLESHOOTING

Young woman wearing helmet and shield

Symbol; owl (watchfulness and wisdom), Aegis (small shield)

Strengths; rational, intelligent, powerful, defendent in war, potent peacemaker

Weaknesses; reason rules her

Parthenon Temple Sometimes called “Grey-

eyed” Her gift was the olive tree

Young man with winged hat, sandals, golden staff twined with serpents

Symbol; staff Strengths; clever, bold,

determined, athletic, powerful magician; charm monsters with flute

Weaknesses; can’t stay still for long

Parents; Zeus and Maia Born in cave on Mt.

Cylene, Arcadia Affairs with Aphrodite and

Dryope Children; Pan, lusty god of

wine, Hermaphrodities, Abderus

Generally had no temples; statue placed everywhere

GODDESS OF LOVE GOD OF WINE, VEGETATION, PLEASURE & FESTIVITY

Gorgeous, perfect, eternally young woman

Symbol; girdle, magical powers to compel love

Strengths; potent sexual attractiveness, dazzling beauty

Weaknesses; stuck on herself

Parents; Zeus and Dione Born from sea foam near

islands of Cyprus or Kythira

Spouse; Hephaestus Children; Eros, cupid like Temple; Kythira; Cyprus Enchanted anyone who

saw her

Dark haired, young man Symbol; grapes, wine

cups, wine skins; pine cone tipped staff

Strengths; Creator of wine

Weaknesses; god of intoxication and drunkenness

Parents; Zeus and Semele Spouse; Ariadne, Cretan

princess/ priestess Accompanied by troop of

Satyres and Mainades

GOD OF WARGOD OF FORGE, CRAFTS, AND FIRE

Good-looking man in prime of life

Symbol; spear, vultures and dogs

Strengths; decisive, determined, fearless

Weaknesses; impulsive, bloodthirsty

Affairs; Aphrodite Children; Diomedes,

Cycnus, Oenomaus Temples were rare,

enjoyed Northern Greece LOVED WAR

Dark haired man, deformed feet

Symbol; forge and fire Strengths; creative,

cunning, able metal worker

Weaknesses; can’t handle liquor, crafty, vindictive

Parents; Zeus and Hera Spouse; Aphrodite Children; Pandora Temple Hephaestaion

near Acroplis, Athens

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