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Source #8: Greek Gods & Goddesses information

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Source #8: Greek Gods & Goddesses information

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Rick Riordan | Welcome to the Online World of Rick Riordan

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Please select a name from the list below to view the Greek god's description.

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Source #7: Greek Gods and Goddesses video

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Source #7: Greek Gods and Goddesses video

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**YOU MUST SIGN INTO NEWSELA TO READ**

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Newsela | A Short History of Greek and Roman Myth: Gods, Goddesses and Heroes

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The Greek and Roman mythologies were characterized by a belief in multiple gods and goddesses who were the rulers of different aspects of life, such as the sky, the seas, war and love.

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How Old Are Greek Myths?

Zeus and the other Greek gods on Mount Olympus, from Aphrodite to Poseidon, are familiar characters to many readers. The Greek stories of gods, heroes and monsters are told and retold around the world even today. The earliest known versions of these myths date back more than 2,700 years, appearing in written form in the works of the Greek poets Homer and Hesiod. But some of these myths are much older. Indeed, the Greeks borrowed some of their best material from other, more ancient stories.

Pegasus

Long ago, the young Greek hero Perseus set out on a seemingly impossible quest: to slay the hideous Medusa. With a head covered in snakes instead of hair, Medusa was so ugly that anyone who looked at her turned to stone. For many days, Perseus traveled in search of Medusa. Finally, he found her and her two sisters resting among the statues of other heroes, all turned to stone by Medusa's gaze. But Perseus had consulted the gods and knew how to defeat the monster. Looking only at Medusa's reflection in a polished shield, Perseus chopped off her horrible head with a sickle. The winged horse Pegasus sprang from Medusa's neck. Medusa's two sisters were furious and chased after Perseus. But Pegasus allowed the hero to climb on his back, and the two flew away to safety.
-Adapted from ancient Greek myths
Loyal Companion

The white, winged horse Pegasus is only a minor character in Greek myths, serving as the loyal steed and companion to the heroes Perseus and Bellerophon as they battle with monsters. Although Pegasus doesn't show up in many myths, he was a favorite subject of Greek artists. Even today, Pegasus is among the most popular images from Greek myth, appearing on everything from corporate logos to figures on carousels. Indeed, Pegasus is so well known that today all winged horses are called "pegasi."

At a Glance: Pegasus

Pegasus was the son of the monster Medusa and Poseidon, the god of the seas and of horses.

Pegasus was kind, helpful, and never greedy. The constellation named after him even shares a star with the constellation of Andromeda, a maiden he helped save.

White horse with wings.

Pegasus allowed only two mortals to ride him: the heroes Perseus and Bellerophon.

A Hero's Horse

A long time ago, the Greek hero Bellerophon set out to kill the fire-breathing Chimera, a beast with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail. The goddess Athena helped Bellerophon tame Pegasus, and with the winged horse's aid, Bellerophon killed the monster.

After this glorious victory, Bellerophon thought himself the equal of the gods and urged Pegasus to fly him to Mount Olympus. But Bellerophon's arrogance enraged the gods. Zeus sent a fly to bite Pegasus, causing him to rear back and sending Bellerophon hurtling to the ground. Pegasus remained at Olympus for the rest of his life, carrying Zeus's lightning bolts on his back. And when Pegasus died, Zeus transformed him into a constellation, which can be seen to this day.
--Adapted from Homer's Iliad, c. 800-600 BC, and other ancient Greek myths

Coins

Stories of Pegasus were particularly popular in the ancient city of Corinth, Greece. The winged horse was used as the city's emblem and appeared on coins of the city for hundreds of years.

Carved Pegasus

A carved Pegasus figure, made by artist Joe Leonard for a private collector, is styled after the animals found on carousels. The statue's wings, however, would make it impossible for anyone to sit on the creature's back.

Greek Sphinx

Many years ago, the Sphinx sat in front of the gates to the ancient Greek city of Thebes. The Sphinx was a terrible monster with a lion's body and a woman's head -- and a fondness for riddles. She asked a question of everyone who passed, eating anyone who couldn't answer. "What has one voice and walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?" No one had ever answered correctly, and the Sphinx was well fed. But one day a clever man named Oedipus came along and gave the answer "man." A person crawls on all fours as a baby, walks on two legs as an adult and uses a cane -- a third leg -- in old age. Distraught over being outwitted, the Sphinx threw herself off her high perch and died on the road below.
--Adapted from Oedipus Rex by the Greek playwright Sophocles (495 - 406 BC)
Where Do Greek Myths Come From?

Today, Greek myths are widely told outside of Greece--and the stories have left their mark on various cultures around the world. But many of the stories we think of as Greek myths actually have roots in other ancient cultures. For instance, at least 4,500 years ago -- more than 2,000 years before Sophocles wrote of the Sphinx -- Egyptian artists carved half-human, half-lion statues out of stone. And some 3,500 years ago, artists in Mesopotamia depicted similar creatures and may have transmitted the image to Greece.

At a Glance: Greek Sphinx

The Greek Sphinx was aggressive and hostile, often attacking and snacking on people who passed by.

Head and torso of a woman.

Body of a lion.

Wings of an eagle.

Egyptian Sphinx

The Great Sphinx of Giza has stood guard in front of the pyramids since around 2500 BC. Unlike the half-lion, half-woman Sphinx of Greek myth, the Great Sphinx combines the body of a lion with the head of a man-King Khafre, the ruler of Egypt at that time. Other Egyptian sphinxes, however, have the heads of rams or falcons. And while the Sphinx of Greek myth is cruel and aggressive, Egyptian sphinxes are considered benign symbols of powerful rulers.

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How Old Are Greek Myths? Zeus and the other Greek gods on Mount Olympus, from Aphrodite to Poseidon, are familiar characters to many readers. The Greek stories of gods, heroes and monsters are told and retold around the world even today.

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Source #5: "Greek Gods" Family Tree chart

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Source #5: "Greek Gods" Family Tree chart

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Known errors:

Generally inconsistent sourcing. This chart was made in 2004, and Wikipedia was treated as a primary source.

Hyperion is also a Titan.

Missing Priapus, and several others.

Missing Amphitrite and Metis, parts of the "three thousands sons and daughters".

Hestia missing a footnote: she gave up her Olympian throne to Dionysus.

Athena had a mother, Metis (thanks to Annalisa for the correction).

Thanks also to Alice B. for sending several corrections.
For the Google ( sorry, click around on above image for links): Greek Gods Family Tree, Greek Pantheon, Underworld, Hades, Mount Olympus, Mount Olympus, Mount Olympus, Heracles, Hebe, Pan, Abderus, Hermaphroditus, Eunomia, Peitho, Rhodos, Tyche, Hermes, Artemis, Apollo, Epaphus, Athena, Persephone, Hephaestus, Hebe, Ares, Heracles, The Muses, Dionysus, Alcmene, Licymnius, Semele, Taygete, Alcyone, Electra, Celaeno, Asterope, Merope, Aero, Dryope, Maia, Pleiades, Dione, Io, Inachus, Melia, Oceanids, Oceanids, Pleione, Atlas, Prometheus, Epimetheus, Leto, Demeter, Poseidon, Hera, Hades, Hestia, Electryon, Echidna, Tethys, Oceanus, Tethys, Hecatonchires, Hyperion, Phoebe, Coeus, Rhea, Cronus, Mnemosyne, Cyclops, Typhon, Epaphus, Poseidon, Eris, Geras, Philotes, Apate, Nemesis, Keres, Hesperides, Hypnos, Thanatos, Moros, Ponus, Momus, Hemera, Aether, Pontus, Mountains, Uranus, Erebus, Nyx, Eros, Gaia, Tartarus, Zeus, Aphrodite, Chaos, Mount Olympus, Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, Urania, Creative Commons, Merope, Aero, important mortal, god of Olympus, underworld, conflicting genealogies

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Greek Gods Family Tree / Genealogy | ludios.org

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Known errors: Generally inconsistent sourcing. This chart was made in 2004, and Wikipedia was treated as a primary source. Hyperion is also a Titan. Missing Priapus, and several others. Missing Amphitrite and Metis, parts of the "three thousands sons and daughters". Hestia missing a footnote: she gave up her Olympian throne to Dionysus.

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"God made man, because he liked to hear a story." So say the Africans, and the rich variety of worldwide mythology proves that God chose wisely!

Myths are stories that are based on tradition. Some may have factual origins, while others are completely fictional. But myths are more than mere stories and they serve a more profound purpose in ancient and modern cultures. Myths are sacred tales that explain the world and man's experience. Myths are as relevant to us today as they were to the ancients. Myths answer timeless questions and serve as a compass to each generation. The myths of lost paradise, for example, give people hope that by living a virtuous life, they can earn a better life in the hereafter. The myths of a golden age give people hope that there are great leaders who will improve their lives. The hero's quest is a model for young men and women to follow, as they accept adult responsibilities. Some myths simply reassure, such as myths that explain natural phenomena as the actions of gods, rather than arbitrary events of nature.

The subjects of myths reflect the universal concerns of mankind throughout history: birth, death, the afterlife, the origin of man and the world, good and evil and the nature of man himself. A myth taps into a universal cultural narrative, the collective wisdom of man. An excellent illustration of the universality of these themes is that so many peoples who have had no contact with each other create myths that are remarkably similar. So, for example, cultures worldwide, from the Middle East to the distant mountains of South America have myths about great floods, virgin births, and the afterlife (more examples of these archetypal themes are in the Myths & Archetypes section of the website).

Unlike fairy tales, myths are not always optimistic. True to the nature of life, the essence of myths is such that they are as often warnings as promises; as often laments as celebrations. Many myths are instructive and act as a guide to social norms, taking on cultural taboos such as incest, fratricide, and greed.

Myths are also pervasive in the arts and advertising, for a very simple reason. From film to cars to perfume, advertising uses visual metaphors to speak to us. While artists of every generation reinterpret myths, the same basic patterns have shown up in mythology for thousands of years. A name, phrase, or image based on a familiar myth can speak volumes to those who have been absorbing these mythic tales since birth. When we hear the expression, "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts" or when we see a television commercial featuring a wooden horse full of soldiers, we recognize the reference to Odysseus, who tricked the Trojans into admitting an army into their city this way.

When Jacqueline Kennedy referred to her husband's tenure as a new Camelot, we understand that she meant it was a golden age, like that of King Arthur. When the Greek government dubbed a campaign to rescue ethnic Greeks from behind the walls of the Iron Curtain "Operation Golden Fleece," we understood that they were invoking an ancient name to communicate that these people belonged to them. Each generation of storytellers adds another layer of fact and fiction to the myths, such that the themes and characters of myths are timeless, and endlessly relevant, as they are reinvented and reapplied to the lives of each new generation.

Bibliography

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In Search of Myths &amp Heroes . What is a Myth? | PBS

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"God made man, because he liked to hear a story." So say the Africans, and the rich variety of worldwide mythology proves that God chose wisely! Myths are stories that are based on tradition. Some may have factual origins, while others are completely fictional.

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What Is Myth? Crash Course World Mythology #1