Greek Mythology Study Guide

What is the "Greek Miracle"? How did it affect the Greek world?

how gods are made and seen. They act like humans and act like humans. They experience love, hate, and sorrow just like humans. It is how the Greeks perceived the world. Humans are important, nature is friendly, beginning of thinking for yourself, and mythology explained life, not fear.

What is the first written record of Greece called, and who was the author?

Iliad, and the author is Homer. 

Why did the portrayal of Zeus change over the years?

Mostly because of Poets. Different Poets had different views on certain gods/goddesses. Zeus for example, “amorous Zeus, and a cowardly Zeus and a ridiculous Zeus.” This quote is describing some of the stories the Poets wrote. Religion and morality is a reason. Greek society had a shift of perspective on Greek mythology, so they wanted their gods to represent something. Zeus is represented as order and justice. 

 What did the Greeks believe about the origins of the gods and the universe?

They believe the gods did not create the universe. 

Who were the first parents, and who were their children and grandchildren?

Heaven and Earth are the first parents. Their children are titans and there grandchildren are the gods/goddesses.

Zeus (Jupiter)

God of the sky, has a thunderbolt, King of the gods.

Poseidon (Neptune)

God of the seas, has a trident, zeus brother.

Hera (Juno)

Goddess/protector of marriage, Zeus wife, vengeful towards him.

Hades (Pluto)

God of the underworld, ruler of the dead, married to Persephone. 

Athena (Minervo Pallas)

Goddess of wisdom and war, born from Zeus head.

Apollo (Phoebus)

God light, music, and truth; Artemis twin brother. Called Delian from Delos (birth town), and Pythian from killing a serpent.

Aphrodite (Venus)

Goddess of love and beauty; daughter of Zeus and Dione, but could be born from sea foam.

Hermes (Mercury)

Messenger god; son of Zeus and Maia. Has winged sandals; guides souls to the underworld.

Ares (Mars)

God of war; disliked by many, even his parents.

Hephaestus (Vulcan and Mulciber)

God of fire and forge; physically ugly; kind and skilled.

Hestia (Vesta)

Zeus sister; goddess of Hearth, symbol of the home.

What are nectar and ambrosia?

the mythical food (ambrosia) and drink (nectar0 of the Greek gods, granting immortality and divine sustenance through consuming.

Identify the Graces

Algaia (Splendor), Euphro syne (Mirth), and Thalia (Good Cheer). They are famous because they spread joy, charm, and beauty to the Greeks, which is delightful to them. They were the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome (Oceans daughter).

Identify the Muses

Clio, Urania, Melpomene, Thalia, Terpsichore, Calliope, Erato, Polyhymnia, and Euterpe. They were famous for ruling different form of creativity. This inspired poets and people would call for them at the start of a poem or song for inspiration. Their parents are Zeus and Mnemosyne (Memory).

Who is Triton?

Trumpeter of the sea; son of Poseidon and Amphitrite. His trumpet was a great shell.

Who is Proteus?

Either Poseidon's son or attendant. Can foretell the future and change shape at will.

Who are Naiads?

Water nymphs; dwelt in brooks, springs, and fountains.

Describe the Underworld. Who were the main gods of the Underworld?

described as a place where the dead go to be punished or rewarded. It has two divisions, Tartarus and Erebus. Tartarus us the lower region and Erebus where the dead pass as soon as they die. The main gods were Hades and his queen, Persephone. Also Thanatos (Orcus), Hynos, The Erinyes (Furies), and the judges of the dead (Mino, Rhadamanthus, and Aeacus).

What were the Elysian Fields?

The Elysian Fields is where the good go to a place of blessed-ness. 

Who were the Sirens? What powers did they possess?

Lived on Islands in the sea. They sing to hypnotize sailors out into the ocean, which they would the kill. Nobody knows what they look like.

Who were the the Fates? What powers did they possess?

three goddess who control the destiny of all mortals and gods. Clotho, the spinner, spun the thread of life. Lachesis, the Disposer of Lots, assigned each destiny to man. Atropos, the Cutter, cut the thread at death.

Briefly retell the story of Demeter (Ceres).

Goddess of the harvest, had a daughter named Persophone. Persephone was kidnapped by Hades. Demeter was in grief, letting the Earth grow cold (Winter). Zeus intervened and demanded Hades to give Persephone back. Persephone ate pomegranate seeds in the Underworld though, binding her to Hades for a part of the year. Then a deal was made where Hades gets to spend fall and winter with Persephone and Demeter gets to spend spring and summer with her.

Who was Persephone? How did her story explain the seasons?

Persephone is Demeter's daughter. Her story explained why the seasons changed every year because of the deal made between Hades and Demeter.

What city was Dionysus associated with? Why?

Thebes because thats where he was born.

What were the two central ideas in the worship of Dionysus?

The two central ideas in the worship of Dionysus were freedom and ecstatic joy, also savage brutality.

Why did Dionysus become the center of the belief in immortality?

Because he always died and came back to life, and his followers believed the soul lives on forever after body dies.

Describe the festival honoring Dionysus and the changes in daily life during that time.

Visitors who went to worship in the wilderness were gifted with food and drinks; herbs, berries, and goat milk. They slept on soft meadow grass, and bathed in fresh rivers. Life was better when they worshipped Dionysus. People sang songs and danced when Dionysis entered Thebes to establish his worship.

How were Demeter and Dionysus different from other gods and goddesses?

They were different from other gods/goddesses in many ways. They understood grief and suffering like other humans. They were gods/goddess of agriculture and fertility. They listened to humanity and helped benefit them.

What did the Greeks think was at the very beginning of everything?

Chaos.

What were the next six creations, in order?

Chaos, Nyx (NIght), Eros (love), Phanes/Aether and Hemera (Light and Day), Gaia (Earth), and Tartarus (the underworld).

Who was Cronus, and why was he significant

Cronus was a Titan. He wounded his father, Heaven, and became Lord of the Universe. Cronus ate five of his six children because he knew that one of them would one day dethrone him.

How did Zeus become the ruler of heaven and earth?

His mother, Rhea, hid Zeus from Cronus when he was born. When Zeus was grown he forced Cronus to disgorge his five siblings. Zeus and his brothers warred against Cronus and the Titans. Zeus eventually mastered the use of thunder and lightning, his brother and sister gods became more powerful, and they defeated Cronus and the Titans.

Describe the Ancient Greek concept of the geography of the Earth.

The Greeks thought the Earth was a round disk divided into two parts by the Sea. The great river, Ocean, flowed around the Earth. The land of the dead was on Ocean's bank.

Briefly retell the story of Prometheus' creation of mankind.

Prometheus created mankind after his brother created the animals. He gave man an upright shape like the gods. To protect them, Prometheus gave men the gift of fire.

Who was Pandora, and why was she created?

means "the gift of all." She was the first woman, and was lovely. Zeus created her to punish mankind for tricking him into accepting the fat and bones of any sacrificial animals. He intended Pandora, and all subsequent women, to be beautiful, but an evil to men.

 Briefly retell the story of Pandora's box.

The gods gave Pandora a box full of harmful things, and told her not to open it. She was curious and lifted the lid. All of the troubles of the world flew out. Hope also came out of the box.

Why did Zeus punish Prometheus? How did he punish him?

had stolen fire for mankind, and had also arranged for them to receive the best part of sacrificial animals. Prometheus was also the only one who knew who would be the mother of the son who would dethrone Zeus. Zeus had his servants, Force and Violence, bind Prometheus to a rock. Every day an eagle would come down and eat Prometheus's liver. Prometheus never gave in, but he was eventually released.

Who was lo? Why was she significant?

a maiden with whom Zeus fell in love. He turned her into a calf to fool Hera, and was forced to leave her that way. Eventually she was returned to human form. Hercules was a direct descendent of Io.

Briefly retell the story of Narcissus. What aspect of nature does this story describe?

was a beautiful lad who refused to fall in love with any maiden. The goddess Nemesis made him fall in love with his reflection in a pool. He would not look away from his reflection, and so he died. A lovely flower bloomed on the spot where he died, and it was named after him.

Who was Echo? Why was her story significant? What in nature does it explain?

was a nymph. Hera punished her unjustly by condemning her to only be able to repeat what was said. Echo was in love with Narcissus, but was not able to tell him so. She wasted away, and only her voice was left.

Describe the stories, deaths, and transformations of Hyacinth and Adonis.

was accidentally killed by Adonis when he threw a discus at his forehead. Adonis wept for him and he was turned into a flower.

Who was Psyche? How did she anger Venus?

was the goddess of the soul and the wife of Eros (Roman Cupid) god of love. She was once a mortal princess whose extraordinary beauty earned the ire of Aphrodite (Roman Venus) when men began turning their worship away from the goddess towards the girl. Venus was angry at Psyche because Psyche was so beautiful that men had begun to worship her.

Briefly retell the story of Psyche and Cupid.

The story follows Psyche, a princess renowned for her beauty, whose father learns from an oracle that she is destined to marry a monstrous being. In despair, he leaves her on a mountaintop, where she is found by Cupid, the god of love, who falls deeply in love with her. But Psyche broke his promise of not revealing his true form and he ran away. She took impossible tasks that Aphrodite gave her in order to win him back, then they both got married.

Briefly recount the story of Pyramus and Thisbe. What does their story explain?

They both loved each other but their parents forbade them from meeting. They both agreed one night to sneak out to meet up. But Thisbe got attacked by a lioness and managed to escape without her cloak, covered in blood. Once Pyramus travelled a few minutes, he saw the cloak covered in blood and assumed Thisbe was dead, making him sad and ending up stabbing himself. Thisbe also was back in the same spot and saw Pyramus dead, and ended up killing herself too. Their story explains that love goes so deep that you would be willing to die for one another.

Briefly retell the story of Orpheus and Eurydice.

Orpheus, known for his exceptional talent on the lyre, fell in love with Eurydice, a beautiful woman. Tragically, a snake bit her and the venom killed her on her wedding day to Orpheus. To bring her back to the land of the living, Orpheus descended into the underworld and encountered Hades, the god of the dead, and his wife Persephone. Orpheus played his lyre and sang a song so beautiful that it moved Hades and Persephone to tears. They agreed to allow Eurydice to return to the living on the condition that Orpheus must walk ahead of her and not look back until they both reached the upper world. Orpheus agreed and began the journey back to the land of the living, but right as they reached the upper world, he became overwhelmed with anxiety and doubt. He looked back at Eurydice, causing her to vanish back into the underworld.

According to mythology, how did the laurel tree come into being?

Apollo loved Daphne so much even after Daphne rejected him, so he chased Daphne until she managed to stumble upon her fathers river and asked for help from him once Apollo caught up. She was then transformed into a tree.

What was the origin of the Golden Fleece?

ram.

Why did Jason undertake the search for the Golden Fleece?

undertook the search for the Golden Fleece because he was trying to regain the kingdom that was taken by his cousin.

What was the name of Jason's ship? What heroes traveled with him?

Argo is the ship name. Heroes that traveled with him: Hercules, Orpheus, Castor, Pollux, Peleus.

Briefly summarize the adventures Jason and the argonauts experienced.

They first visit an island called Lemnos that was led by a bunch of women. Welcome them with gifts then left and bumped into the Harpies, flying creatures. They battled the Harpies and freed the prophet Phineus and were guided through the clashing rocks, a narrow passage they got through just in time before it closed. In Colchis, Jason faced trials from King Aeetes: yoking fire-breathing bulls, plowing a field, and sowing dragon's teeth, all with Medea's magical aid. They got the fleece and encountered a whirlpool of charybdis but then got home.

Who helped Jason and why? How did the story end?

Medea, the daughter of King Aetes did. She was a powerful magician and gave him charms to use. She did this because Cupid had made her fall in love with Jason. But Medea finds out that Jason got engaged with someone and she killed her sons and Jason's wife with a robe.

Briefly recount the story of Phaethon

Son of the Sun God and Clymene; He boasted that he was the son of the sun god, but no one believed him. He asked his father if he could drive the chariot that brought the rising and setting of the sun. He flew too low and burnt a part of the world to a crisp. Zeus shot him out of the sky with his lightning bolt.

Summarize the story of Daedalus and Icarus.

Daedalus, a master craftsman, and his son Icarus were imprisoned on Crete by King Minos; to escape, Daedalus built wings from feathers and wax, warning Icarus not to fly too high (the sun would melt the wax) or too low (the sea would dampen the feathers). Overjoyed by flight, Icarus ignored his father, flew too close to the sun, his wings disintegrated, and he fell into the sea, drowning.

What was Medusa? How did Perseus kill Medusa?

She was a monster with snakes for hair and could turn anyone to stone with her eyes. He used a shield to divert her eyesight, then slashed her head off.

What did the oracle of Apollo predict in reference to Perseus?

predicted that Perseus would kill his grandfather.

How did the prediction come true?

By accidentally throwing a heavy missile to the spectators and it coincidentally landed on King Acrisius.

Who was Theseus? Why did he journey to Athens?

Theseus was the son of the Athenian King, Aegeus. He journeyed to Athens to go claim his father.

How did the king know Theseus was his son when they finally met?

The king knew Theseus was his son when he saw the sword he pulled out to make himself known to the king.

Describe the Minotaur and the labyrinth. How did Theseus conquer the Minotaur?

The Minotaur was a monster with half bull and half human, is the offspring of Minos’ wife Pasiphae and a beautiful bull. The Labyrinth was a big endless maze that had no exits, Theseus conquered the Minotaur by killing him with his fists while caught sleeping.

What became of Ariadne?

In one story, it's said Theseus took Ariadne with to go to Athens. But it was reported differently that Theseus deserted Ariadne. Or that he set off and came back to her being dead.

How did Theseus change the government of Athens when he became King of Athens?

He was disinterested in becoming king, so he said to all of the people he didn’t wish to rule over them and he wanted them to have a government where everyone is equal.

What was Theseus' weakness?

He was reckless, loved danger, and made impulsive decisions.

What is the tragic story of Phaedra, Theseus, and Hippolytus?

Theseus married Phaedra and she fell in love with his son and she writes a letter saying that he violated her, she then killed herself. Theseus found the letter and banished his son. Artemis reveals the truth but it is too late because the son was killed at sea.

Describe Hercules. What was significant about him? Who were his parents?

Strongest Greek god who couldn't control his temper or emotions and often went into violent fits of rage. Son of Zeus and Alcmena and Theseus's cousin.

Why did Hercules perform the Twelve Labors?

Hercules performed the Twelve Labors to atone for killing his wife and children.

First labor?

Kill the lion of Nemea.

Second labor?

Go to Lerna and kill a creature with nine heads called Hydra

Third labor?

Bring back alive a stag with horns of gold, sacred to Artemis.

Fourth labor?

Capture a great boar.

Fifth labor?

Clean the Augean stables in a day.

Sixth labor?

Drive away the stymphalian birds.

Seventh labor?

Go to Crete and fetch from there the beautiful savage bull.

Eighth labor?

Get the man-eating mares of King Diomedes of Thrace.

Ninth labor?

Bring back the girdle of Hippolyta.

Tenth labor?

Bring back the cattle of Geyon.

Eleventh labor?

Bring back the Golden Apples of the Hesperides.

Twelfth labor?

Bring back Cerberus to Hades.

What additional heroic deeds did Hercules accomplish?

fought Achelous because he was in love with the girl Hercules wanted to marry, rescued a maiden from getting eaten by a sea monther, and Hercules freed Prometheus.

How did Hercules die?

He got poisoned by a cloak Deianira game him after she found out Hercules was having an affair. His funeral was on Mount Oeta.

What did Atalanta's father do to her when she was born?

Her father left her on a mountainside to die of cold and hunger.

Briefly summarize Atalanta's story.

becomes a legendary figure known for her unmatched speed and hunting prowess, famously participating in the Calydonian boar hunt, but ultimately losing her freedom and being transformed into a lion with her husband after being tricked by golden apples in a deadly footrace.

How did Atalanta decide whom she would marry? How was she defeated?

She married Milanion/Hippomenes because she picked up a golden apple that basically binded her to marry him. This is how she was defeated.