Teresa Limerick

The Greek godsA Powerpoint for use as the intro

to an 8th grade literary unit

The Greek godsAres

HephaestusDionysus

ApolloPoseidon

ZeusHermesArtemis

AphroditeDemeter

HeraAtneneHades

Think you know all about the Greek gods from the Percy Jackson movies?

Then maybe you need to stop and think again!

Zeus

Leader of the godsLord of the skyWas chosen leader after defeating CronosKnown for his thunderbolt of vengeanceMarried his sister, HeraMany infidelities, lots of children

Hera

Sister of Zeus and married to himQueen of the godsQueen of intriguersAngered by Zeus’ infidelityMother of 3 children with Zeus– Ares, god of war– Hephaestus, the smith god, forger of weapons– Eris, goddess of discord

Poseidon

Brother of ZeusGod of the seaCreated the sea creaturesAlso credited with making horsesGreedy and aggressiveUsually pictured holding a trident

Hades

Brother of ZeusRuler of the underworld, the land beyond deathStole Persephone to be his wifePunished the dead who had displeased the godsViolent and possessiveJealous of his brothers

But Wait!

It Didn’t Start There!

Cronos

Father of the godsSwallowed his children to avoid a prophecyWas tricked by Rhea so Zeus could liveWas joined by the Titans in battle against Zeus

Uranus

Father of CronosKilled by CronosProphesied that one of Cronos’ sons would also murder himVomited up his children after being poisoned by Zeus

Rhea

Sister and wife of CronosSwaddled a rock instead of ZeusGave Zeus to a shepherd family to raisePresented Zeus to Cronos as a cupbearerConspired with Zeus to poison Cronos

Titans

Half brothers of CronosJoined Cronos in a battle against his childrenHuge, twisted, dark creaturesTaller than treesWere kept locked in the mountains unless they were needed to fight

Cyclops

Locked up underground by CronosOne eyedCousins of ZeusJoined Zeus in battle against Cronos

Hundred-Handed Ones

Locked up underground by CronosHad one hundred handsCousins of ZeusJoined Zeus in battle against CronosWaited in ambush for Cronos and his forces

And that is just the Basics

Other gods– The twins– Artemis– Apollo– Sons of Apollo– Hermes– Hephaestus– Aphrodite

DemigodsMonstersMyths

Lesson PlanProcedure: 

1. Work through the slides in the Powerpoint presentation

and discuss the various gods and monsters as they areintroduced.

 2. Allow students to add additional information to thediscussion that they may have heard from other sources.

 3. Read selections from the text to reinforce stories thatare being discussed.

 4. Assign: Read the section in the text titled “The Gods”