Greek

Mythology: An
Exploration of
Ancient Stories
and Their
Influence
Mythology Memory
Match
 Mythology Memory Match
Flip over two cards at a time to find
matching pairs of Greek gods, goddesses,
heroes, or creatures. If you find a
matching pair (like a card with an image
of Zeus and its matching card with
thunderbolt), you keep the pair and get
another turn. Remember where cards are
located to make the most matches and
have fun exploring Greek mythology!
 INTRODUCTION
Greek mythology is a rich and
ancient tapestry of stories and
characters that have been passed
down through generations. These
myths were integral to the culture of
Ancient Greece and provided
explanations for natural phenomena,
human qualities, and life events. The
myths feature a pantheon of gods,
goddesses, heroes, and monsters,
each with their unique stories and
attributes.
Definition of Mythology
Mythology refers to a collection of
myths, especially one belonging to a
particular religious or cultural tradition.
These myths are traditional stories,
often involving supernatural beings or
events, that serve to explain natural
phenomena, the origins of the world,
customs, and beliefs of a society.
Greek Mythology
Greek mythology is a vast group of
legends about gods and goddesses,
heroes and monsters, warriors and fool,
that were an important part of everyday
life in the ancient world.
 The Creation Myth
In Greek mythology, the world began with Chaos. From
Chaos came Gaia (Earth), Tartarus (the Underworld),
and Eros (Love). Gaia and Uranus (the Sky) produced
the Titans, Cyclopes, and Hecatoncheires. Uranus
imprisoned the Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires, causing
Gaia to conspire with Cronus to overthrow him. Cronus
then ruled, but swallowed his children to prevent them
from overthrowing him. Rhea saved their youngest,
Zeus, who grew up, freed his siblings, and defeated
Cronus and the Titans. Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades
divided the world: Zeus ruled the sky, Poseidon the sea,
The Pantheon
of Gods and
Goddesses
 ZEUS
Known as the King of the
gods, Zeus is the ruler of
Mount Olympus and the god
of the sky, lightning,
thunder, law, order, and
justice in Greek mythology.
He is often depicted
wielding a thunderbolt,
which symbolizes his power
and authority over the
 HERA
Hera is the Queen of the
gods, sister, and wife of
Zeus. She is the goddess of
marriage, women,
childbirth, and family. Hera
is known for her strong
personality and occasional
jealousy towards Zeus's
other consorts and
offspring.
 POSEIDON
Poseidon is the god of the
sea, earthquakes, storms,
and horses. He is one of the
major Olympian gods and
wields a trident, which he
uses to control the seas and
create earthquakes.
Poseidon's domain extends
to all bodies of water, and
he is both revered and
 DEMETER
Demeter is the goddess of
agriculture, fertility, grains,
and the harvest. She is
responsible for the cycle of
life and death in crops,
making her a central figure
in ancient Greek agrarian
society. Demeter's grief
over the abduction of her
daughter Persephone by
 ATHENA
Athena is the goddess of
wisdom, warfare, strategy,
handicrafts, and reason.
She is one of the most
revered deities in Greek
mythology, known for her
strategic skills in battle and
her patronage of arts and
crafts. Athena emerged fully
grown and armed from the
 APOLLO
Apollo is the god of the sun,
light, music, poetry, prophecy,
healing, and archery. He is
also associated with truth,
knowledge, and medicine.
Apollo is depicted as a
handsome and youthful deity
who plays a significant role in
both divine and mortal affairs.
 ARTEMIS
Artemis is the goddess of
the hunt, wilderness,
wildlife, childbirth, and
virginity. She is Apollo's
twin sister and is often
depicted with a bow and
arrows, accompanied by a
group of nymphs. Artemis is
fiercely independent and
protective of her sacred
 ARES
Ares is the god of war,
violence, bloodshed, and
manly courage. He
embodies the brutal and
chaotic aspects of warfare,
contrasting with Athena's
strategic approach. Ares is
often portrayed as
impulsive and hot-
tempered, reveling in the
 HEPHAESTUS
Hephaestus is the god of
fire, metalworking,
craftsmanship, and forge.
He is the skilled artisan and
blacksmith of the gods,
creating divine weapons,
armor, and other artifacts.
Despite his physical
deformity, Hephaestus is
highly respected for his
 APHRODITE
Aphrodite is the goddess of
love, beauty, pleasure, and
procreation. She is known
for her irresistible charm
and ability to inspire
romantic and passionate
feelings among gods and
mortals alike. Aphrodite's
myths often explore the
complexities of love and
 HERMES
Hermes is the messenger
of the gods and the god of
trade, commerce,
travelers, athletes, thieves,
and guide to the
Underworld. He is known
for his speed and cunning,
symbolized by his winged
sandals and the caduceus,
a staff entwined with two
 HESTIA
Hestia is the goddess of the
hearth, home, domesticity,
and family. She represents
the warmth, stability, and
harmony of the household,
presiding over the sacred
fire and rituals of hospitality.
Hestia is a gentle and
nurturing deity, respected for
her role in maintaining the
Myths and
Legends
The Trojan War
This legendary conflict between
the Greeks and the city of Troy
was sparked by the abduction of
Helen by Paris, a prince of Troy.
Key figures include Achilles,
Hector, and Odysseus. The war
ended with the famous trick of the
Trojan Horse, leading to the fall of
Troy.
Pandora’s Box
Zeus ordered Hephaestus to create
Pandora, the first woman, as a
punishment for humanity after
Prometheus stole fire from the gods.
Each god gave her a gift, making her
alluring and cunning. Pandora was given
a box (actually a jar) and instructed not
to open it. However, her curiosity got the
better of her, and when she opened the
box, all the evils of the world were
released. She quickly closed it, leaving
only Hope inside. This myth explains the
 The Odyssey
The epic journey of Odysseus as
he attempts to return home to
Ithaca after the Trojan War. His
adventures include encounters
with the Cyclops, Circe the
enchantress, and the Sirens.
The Labors of Hercules
Hercules, known for his immense
strength, was tasked with twelve
labors by King Eurystheus. These
included slaying the Nemean Lion,
capturing the Golden Hind of
Artemis, and retrieving the
Golden Apples of the Hesperides.
 Perseus
Famous for slaying Medusa, a
Gorgon whose gaze could turn
people to stone. Key figures
include Athena and Hermes, who
aided him with divine gifts.
Perseus also rescued Andromeda
from a sea monster and later
married her.
 Theseus
Defeated the Minotaur in the
Labyrinth of Crete, aided by
Ariadne's thread, which helped
him find his way out of the maze.
Key figures include King Minos,
Ariadne, and the Minotaur.
Theseus's victory established him
as a great hero of Athens.
Mythical
Creatures
Centaur: Half-man, half-
horse creatures known for
their wisdom and skill in
archery.
Cerberus: The three-
headed guard dog of the
Underworld, preventing
the dead from leaving and
the living from entering.
Sphinx: A creature with
the head of a human, body
of a lion, and wings of an
eagle, known for posing
riddles to travelers.
Pegasus: A winged horse
born from the blood of
Medusa, often associated
with poetic inspiration.

Chimera: A monstrous
creature with the body
and head of a lion, a goat's
head on its back, and a
serpent for a tail.
 Influence on Modern Culture
Greek mythology has had a profound
impact on modern culture,
influencing literature, art,
psychology, and even language.
Terms like "Achilles' heel,"
"Herculean task," and "Pandora's
box" have their origins in Greek
myths. Many modern books, movies,
and television shows draw
inspiration from these ancient
stories, ensuring that Greek
mythology continues to captivate and
educate new generations.
Legendary
Lookback!
 Mythical Quest: Who Am I
You'll dive into Greek mythology in four brave
teams. Listen closely as we describe legendary
figures. When you know the answer, raise your
team's answer fast! The team who raises the
letter first will get a point.

Ready? Let's uncover Medusa's gaze,