Greek Mythology: The Start - 6 Main Olympians

PART I: Chapter 2 – The Creation of the World

Key Figures (Order & Roles)

  • Chaos – The original void; the first existence.

  • Gaia (Earth) – Emerges from Chaos; mother of life and Titans.

  • Uranus (Sky) – Gaia’s mate; first ruler of the cosmos.

  • The Titans – Children of Gaia and Uranus, including Cronus, Rhea, Oceanus, Hyperion.

  • Cronus – Overthrows Uranus, becomes ruler, fears prophecy of being overthrown.

The Cycle of Power

  • Uranus imprisons some of his children → Gaia plots revenge.

  • Cronus overthrows Uranus but swallows his children to prevent prophecy.

  • Rhea saves Zeus by giving Cronus a stone instead.

  • Zeus grows in secret and forces Cronus to vomit up his siblings.

Titanomachy (War of Titans vs. Olympians)

  • Olympians fight Titans to take power.

  • Key allies for the Olympians:

    • Cyclopes – Forge weapons (e.g., Zeus’ lightning bolt).

    • Hecatoncheires – Gigantic strength; help crush Titans.

  • Outcome: Olympians establish dominance over the universe.

Major Themes

  • Fear of betrayal

  • Family violence and cycles of power

  • Justice and balance maintained through struggle

  • These early experiences influence the archetypes and personalities of Olympian gods

PART II: Chapter 3 – Olympian Deities (Packet Focus)

⚠ Only study gods covered in your packet.

Hades (Pluto)

  • Domain: Underworld, dead, riches beneath the earth

  • Symbols: Helm of invisibility, throne

  • Archetype: Introvert / Judge / Outsider

  • Personality Traits: Reserved, serious, fair, distant

  • Strength: Enforces order and fairness

  • Flaw: Emotionally closed off, isolated

  • Key Myth: Abduction of Persephone

  • Note: Hades is not evil, he rules responsibly and maintains balance.

Demeter (Ceres)

  • Domain: Agriculture, grain, harvest

  • Symbols: Wheat, grain

  • Archetype: Nurturer / Mother

  • Personality Traits: Loving, protective, emotional

  • Strength: Provides life and sustenance

  • Flaw: Grief-driven; world suffers when she is sorrowful

  • Key Myth: Persephone’s abduction → explains the seasons

Persephone (Proserpina)

  • Domain: Spring, Queen of Underworld

  • Symbols: Pomegranate

  • Archetype: Transformation / Duality

  • Personality Traits: Innocent → mature, grows through experiences

  • Role in Myth: Explains seasonal cycles

Zeus (Jupiter)

  • Domain: Sky, thunder, law, kingship

  • Symbols: Lightning bolt, eagle

  • Archetype: Ruler / Authority figure

  • Strength: Maintains order and justice

  • Flaw: Abuses power; unfaithful

Hera (Juno)

  • Domain: Marriage, family, women

  • Symbols: Peacock, crown

  • Archetype: Queen / Matriarch

  • Personality Traits: Proud, loyal, jealous

  • Strength: Protects marriage and tradition

  • Flaw: Vindictive toward Zeus’ lovers and offspring

Poseidon (Neptune)

  • Domain: Sea, earthquakes, horses

  • Symbols: Trident

  • Archetype: Emotional force / Volatile power

  • Personality Traits: Moody, powerful, unpredictable

  • Strength: Dominates nature

  • Flaw: Temperamental; lacks control

Hestia (Vesta)

  • Domain: Hearth, home, family

  • Symbols: Hearth fire

  • Archetype: Peacemaker / Caretaker

  • Personality Traits: Calm, gentle, selfless

  • Strength: Stability, unity, domestic peace

  • Flaw: Avoids conflict; less active in