6T Hesiod's Theogony

Creation Myth

A story explaining the origins of the world and the gods

Cosmogony

The study or myth of the creation of the universe

Theogony

The myth of the creation of humans

Hesiod

An ancient Greek poet who wrote the Theogony and Works and Days

Didactic Poetry

Poetry intended to teach or instruct, like Hesiod’s works

The Muses

Goddesses of inspiration in the arts and sciences, who inspire Hesiod to write the Theogony

The Succession Myth

The story of how power passed from Uranus to Cronus and then to Zeus

Earth (Gaia)

The primordial goddess of the Earth and mother of the Titans

Uranus

The primordial god of the sky and father of the Titans, overthrown by Cronus

Titans

The children of Earth and Uranus, who ruled before the Olympian gods

Cronus

A Titan who overthrew Uranus and was later overthrown by his son Zeus

Rhea

A Titaness and the mother of the Olympian gods, including Zeus

Prometheus

A Titan who defied Zeus by giving fire to humans and was punished for it

Atlas

A Titan condemned to hold up the sky for eternity

Titanomachy

The war between the Olympian gods, led by Zeus, and the Titans

The Birth of Aphrodite

The story of Aphrodite’s birth from the sea foam created by Uranus’ severed genitals

Tartarus

A deep abyss in the underworld where the Titans and other enemies of the gods are imprisoned

Olympians

The gods who reside on Mount Olympus, led by Zeus

Mount Olympus

The home of the Olympian gods in Greek mythology

Gigantomachy

The battle between the Olympian gods and the Giants

Typhoeus

A monstrous creature defeated by Zeus in his final battle for supremacy

Styx

A river in the underworld, associated with oaths and invincibility

Ambrosia

The food of the gods, granting immortality

Charon

The ferryman of the underworld who transports souls across the river Styx

The Fates

Three goddesses who control the destiny of gods and humans