Greek Mythology: The Titans vs. The Olympians

February 8, 2010

• Greek mythology– Started in Greek Empire– Included in Roman Empire too

• Why create Gods & Myths?– Need reason to explain things in the world

• Sun/ weather/ plagues/ etc.

– Fear of the unknown– No modern science/ technology like today

• Gods– Titans– Olympians– Lesser Gods

• Creatures– Cyclopes– Giants

• Myths– Creation of World– Creation of Man

Titans• Known as “elder Gods”• Ruled Earth before Olympians

overthrew themGaea• Earth Goddess• SON: Uranus– Mated with son to produce

more Titans

Uranus• Sky God/ First Ruler• Married Gaea (mother)– 12 kids (including Cronus)

• Killed by Cronus– Encouraged by Gaea

Cronus• Came to power by killing

father (Uranus)• Wife: Rhea– Offspring: first of Olympian

• Ensure safety: ate each of his children– Upset Rhea– Tricked Cronus into swallowing

a rock (instead of Zeus)• When Zeus grows up…– Revolt against Cronus & Titans

& defeat them– Banish them to underworld

Children of Cronus & RheaZeusOceanus• Controls ocean that surrounds worldPrometheus• Wisest Titan/ TELL THE FUTURE• Deserted Titans & fought on Zeus’ side• Delegated by Zeus to create man

– Gave mankind gifts (fire)• Tricked Zeus

– Man best parts/ gods worst parts– Punishment: chained to rock with eagle tearing at liver

• For eternity or till tell which of Zeus children replace him

– Did NOT give in to Zeus/ rescued by Hercules

Epimetheus– Stupid Titan– Accepted gift of Pandora from Zeus

• Evil into world

Atlas• Fought against Zeus with

Titans• Punishment: hold up world on

back Metis• Goddess of wisdom &

knowledge• Child with Zeus: Athena• Prophecy: 2nd child will replace

(ate)– Source of Zeus wisdom

Olympians• 12 gods ruled after Titans• Related in some way• Home: Mt. OlympusZeus• Overthrew father Cronus• Lord of sky & rain• Weapon: thunderbolt• Wife: HeraPoseidon• Brother of Zeus• Lord of Sea• Weapon: Trident (shake Earth)• Wife: Aphrodite

Hades• Brother of Zeus• Lord of Underworld (dead)• God of wealth • Weapon: Helmet (invisible)Hera• Zeus wife• Tricked into marriage• Rebel against him/ outwit himAres• Son of Zeus & Hera/ disliked• God of war– Murderous, coward

Athena• Daughter of Zeus– Forehead/ no mother

Aphrodite• Goddess of love, beauty• Weapon: make anyone

desire