DOCSLIB.ORG

Greek Top Trumps

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

MINOTAUR CERBERUS A man-eating monster with the head of A huge and powerful three-headed a bull. He was kept i hidden in a dog. He guarded the entrance to the labyrinth on the island of Crete. underworld. MAGIC 3 MAGIC 28 SPEED 48 SPEED 90 LETHALITY 88 LETHALITY 82 STRENGTH 85 STRENGTH 45 MORALITY -48 MORALITY -84 HYDRA CHIMERA A massive and poisonous serpent with A monstrous fire-breathing creature nine heads. Every time one head was made of the body of a lioness with a injured, another two grew in its place. snake tail and a goat’s head on his back. MAGIC 5 MAGIC 28 SPEED 10 SPEED 58 LETHALITY 94 LETHALITY 62 STRENGTH 82 STRENGTH 87 MORALITY -45 MORALITY 2 GRIFFIN UNICORN A fabulous creature with the head and A pure white horse-like creature with a wings of an eagle and the body of a long horn in the middle of its forehead. lion. MAGIC 49 MAGIC 95 SPEED 28 SPEED 84 LETHALITY 0 LETHALITY 35 STRENGTH 84 STRENGTH 50 MORALITY 100 MORALITY 100 CENTAUR CYCLOPS A creature which was half man and half Giants with a single eye in the middle of horse. its forehead. They made lightning and thunderbolts for Zeus to use. MAGIC 25 MAGIC 2 SPEED 95 SPEED 5 LETHALITY 10 LETHALITY 74 STRENGTH 20 STRENGTH 90 MORALITY 50 MORALITY -10 BASILISK PEGASUS The basilisk was the King of the snakes Pegasus sprang from the blood of the and the most poisonous creature on Gorgon Medusa when the hero Perseus earth. beheaded her. MAGIC 35 MAGIC 50 SPEED 40 SPEED 61 LETHALITY 89 LETHALITY 48 STRENGTH 95 STRENGTH 45 MORALITY -60 MORALITY 100 POSEIDON ATHENA Daughter of Zeus. She leaped from the God of the sea, protector of all waters. ​ Poseidon is the brother of Zeus. head of Zeus, already adult, dressed ​ with her armour. MAGIC 32 MAGIC 28 SPEED 51 SPEED 24 LETHALITY 40 LETHALITY 45 STRENGTH 21 STRENGTH 25 MORALITY 98 MORALITY 55 HERA MEDUSA Hera, the Greek goddess called the Athena turned Medusa into a fearsome Queen of Heaven, was a powerful winged creature. Her gaze alone turned queen married to Zeus. men to stone. MAGIC 45 MAGIC 95 SPEED 11 SPEED 4 LETHALITY 20 LETHALITY 100 STRENGTH 88 STRENGTH 5 MORALITY 96 MORALITY -80 ZEUS HADES Hades is a greedy god, and was greatly Zeus was the god of the sky and ruler of concerned with increasing his number of the Olympian gods. subjects in the Underworld MAGIC 100 MAGIC 45 SPEED 84 SPEED 50 LETHALITY 95 LETHALITY 78 STRENGTH 100 STRENGTH 45 MORALITY 90 MORALITY -200 APHRODITE THESEUS Aethra and her father begged Theseus to go to ​ ​ Athens by sea, for horrible robbers and bandits inhabited the road, but Theseus ​ Goddess of love and beauty. was bold and went overland. MAGIC 25 MAGIC 47 SPEED 30 SPEED 30 LETHALITY 55 LETHALITY 11 STRENGTH 40 STRENGTH 46 MORALITY 50 MORALITY 89 HERACLES PAN He was the son of Hermes and Penelope Heracles is best known as the strongest in some myths and the son of Zeus and of all mortals. Stronger then many gods. the nymph Callisto in others. MAGIC 10 MAGIC 5 SPEED 80 SPEED 40 LETHALITY 99 LETHALITY 10 STRENGTH 100 STRENGTH 10 MORALITY 93 MORALITY 50 JASON PERSEUS Perseus is a major hero from Greek mythology best known for his clever Pelias promised Jason his rightful decapitation of Medusa. kingdom if he would bring the Golden ​ Fleece to Boeotia. MAGIC 59 MAGIC 30 SPEED 72 SPEED 28 LETHALITY 84 LETHALITY 85 STRENGTH 42 STRENGTH 80 MORALITY 100 MORALITY 90 MAGIC MAGIC SPEED SPEED LETHALITY LETHALITY STRENGTH STRENGTH MORALITY MORALITY MAGIC MAGIC SPEED SPEED LETHALITY LETHALITY STRENGTH STRENGTH MORALITY MORALITY MAGIC MAGIC SPEED SPEED LETHALITY LETHALITY STRENGTH STRENGTH MORALITY MORALITY MAGIC MAGIC SPEED SPEED LETHALITY LETHALITY STRENGTH STRENGTH MORALITY MORALITY MAGIC MAGIC SPEED SPEED LETHALITY LETHALITY STRENGTH STRENGTH MORALITY MORALITY MAGIC MAGIC SPEED SPEED LETHALITY LETHALITY STRENGTH STRENGTH MORALITY MORALITY MAGIC MAGIC SPEED SPEED LETHALITY LETHALITY STRENGTH STRENGTH MORALITY MORALITY MAGIC MAGIC SPEED SPEED LETHALITY LETHALITY STRENGTH STRENGTH MORALITY MORALITY SIRENS GORGON Gorgons were horrifyingly ugly monsters Sirens were giant, winged creatures with who lived at the edge of the world. Their the heads of women. They lived on hair was made of serpents, and one look rocks on the sea, where their beautiful from a Gorgon's eyes would turn a man singing lured sailors to shipwreck. to stone. Legs 2 Legs 2 Heads 1 (+serpent heads) Heads 1 ​ Horns 0 Horns 0 Eyes 2 Eyes 2 Wings 2 Wings 0 Height 3m Height 2m .
Recommended publications
  • Aspects of the Demeter/Persephone Myth in Modern Fiction

    Aspects of the Demeter/Persephone Myth in Modern Fiction

    Aspects of the Demeter/Persephone myth in modern fiction Janet Catherine Mary Kay Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy (Ancient Cultures) at the University of Stellenbosch Supervisor: Dr Sjarlene Thom December 2006 I, the undersigned, hereby declare that the work contained in this thesis is my own original work and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it at any university for a degree. Signature: ………………………… Date: ……………… 2 THE DEMETER/PERSEPHONE MYTH IN MODERN FICTION TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 1. Introduction: The Demeter/Persephone Myth in Modern Fiction 4 1.1 Theories for Interpreting the Myth 7 2. The Demeter/Persephone Myth 13 2.1 Synopsis of the Demeter/Persephone Myth 13 2.2 Commentary on the Demeter/Persephone Myth 16 2.3 Interpretations of the Demeter/Persephone Myth, Based on Various 27 Theories 3. A Fantasy Novel for Teenagers: Treasure at the Heart of the Tanglewood 38 by Meredith Ann Pierce 3.1 Brown Hannah – Winter 40 3.2 Green Hannah – Spring 54 3.3 Golden Hannah – Summer 60 3.4 Russet Hannah – Autumn 67 4. Two Modern Novels for Adults 72 4.1 The novel: Chocolat by Joanne Harris 73 4.2 The novel: House of Women by Lynn Freed 90 5. Conclusion 108 5.1 Comparative Analysis of Identified Motifs in the Myth 110 References 145 3 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION The question that this thesis aims to examine is how the motifs of the myth of Demeter and Persephone have been perpetuated in three modern works of fiction, which are Treasure at the Heart of the Tanglewood by Meredith Ann Pierce, Chocolat by Joanne Harris and House of Women by Lynn Freed.
  • An Analysis of Heracles As a Tragic Hero in the Trachiniae and the Heracles

    An Analysis of Heracles As a Tragic Hero in the Trachiniae and the Heracles

    The Suffering Heracles: An Analysis of Heracles as a Tragic Hero in The Trachiniae and the Heracles by Daniel Rom Thesis presented for the Master’s Degree in Ancient Cultures in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, at Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Prof. Annemaré Kotzé March 2016 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. March 2016 Copyright © 2016 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract This thesis is an examination of the portrayals of the Ancient Greek mythological hero Heracles in two fifth century BCE tragic plays: The Trachiniae by Sophocles, and the Heracles by Euripides. Based on existing research that was examined, this thesis echoes the claim made by several sources that there is a conceptual link between both these plays in terms of how they treat Heracles as a character on stage. Fundamentally, this claim is that these two plays portray Heracles as a suffering, tragic figure in a way that other theatre portrayals of him up until the fifth century BCE had failed to do in such a notable manner. This thesis links this claim with a another point raised in modern scholarship: specifically, that Heracles‟ character and development as a mythical hero in the Ancient Greek world had given him a distinct position as a demi-god, and this in turn affected how he was approached as a character on stage.
  • HYADES Star and Rain Nymphs | Greek Mythology

    HYADES Star and Rain Nymphs | Greek Mythology

    Google Search HYADES Web Theoi Greek Name Transliteration Latin Name Translation Ὑας Hyas Sucula Rainy Ones Ὑαδες Hyades Suculae (hyô, hyetos) THE HYADES were the nymphs of the five stars of the constellation Hyades. They were daughters of the Titan Atlas who bore the starry dome of heaven upon his shoulders. After their brother Hyas was killed by a lion, the tear-soaked sisters were placed amongst the stars as the constellation Hyades. Hyas himself was transformed into the constellation Aquarius. The heliacal setting of their constellation in November marked the start of the rainy season in Greece, hence the star nymphs were known as "the Rainy Ones." According to Nonnus the Hyades were the same as the Lamides nurses of the god Dionysos. The Hyades were also closely identified with the Nysiades and Nymphai Naxiai, the other reputed nurses of the god. The Hyades were also connected with the Naiades Mysiai, in which their brother Hyas is apparently substituted for a lover, Hylas. PARENTS [1.1] ATLAS & PLEIONE (Hyginus Fabulae 192) [1.2] ATLAS & AITHRA (Musaeus Frag, Hyginus Astronomica 2.21, Ovid Fasti 5.164) [2.1] HYAS & BOIOTIA (Hyginus Astronomica 2.21) NAMES [1.1] PHAISYLE, KORONIS, KLEEIA, PHAIO, EUDORE (Hesiod Astronomy 2) [1.2] PHAESYLA, KORONIS, AMBROSIA, POLYXO, EUDORA (Hyginus Fabulae 192) [1.3] AMBROSIA, EUDORA, AESYLE (Eustathius on Homer's Iliad 1156) ENCYCLOPEDIA HY′ADES (Huades), that is, the rainy, the name of a class of nymphs, whose number, names, and descent, are described in various ways by the ancients. Their parents were Atlas and Aethra ( Ov.
  • Classical Images – Greek Pegasus

    Classical Images – Greek Pegasus

    Classical images – Greek Pegasus Red-figure kylix crater Attic Red-figure kylix Triptolemus Painter, c. 460 BC attr Skythes, c. 510 BC Edinburgh, National Museums of Scotland Boston, MFA (source: theoi.com) Faliscan black pottery kylix Athena with Pegasus on shield Black-figure water jar (Perseus on neck, Pegasus with Etrurian, attr. the Sokran Group, c. 350 BC Athenian black-figure amphora necklace of bullae (studs) and wings on feet, Centaur) London, The British Museum (1842.0407) attr. Kleophrades pntr., 5th C BC From Vulci, attr. Micali painter, c. 510-500 BC 1 New York, Metropolitan Museum of ART (07.286.79) London, The British Museum (1836.0224.159) Classical images – Greek Pegasus Pegasus Pegasus Attic, red-figure plate, c. 420 BC Source: Wikimedia (Rome, Palazzo Massimo exh) 2 Classical images – Greek Pegasus Pegasus London, The British Museum Virginia, Museum of Fine Arts exh (The Horse in Art) Pegasus Red-figure oinochoe Apulian, c. 320-10 BC 3 Boston, MFA Classical images – Greek Pegasus Silver coin (Pegasus and Athena) Silver coin (Pegasus and Lion/Bull combat) Corinth, c. 415-387 BC Lycia, c. 500-460 BC London, The British Museum (Ac RPK.p6B.30 Cor) London, The British Museum (Ac 1979.0101.697) Silver coin (Pegasus protome and Warrior (Nergal?)) Silver coin (Arethusa and Pegasus Levantine, 5th-4th C BC Graeco-Iberian, after 241 BC London, The British Museum (Ac 1983, 0533.1) London, The British Museum (Ac. 1987.0649.434) 4 Classical images – Greek (winged horses) Pegasus Helios (Sol-Apollo) in his chariot Eos in her chariot Attic kalyx-krater, c.
  • The Grotesque As It Appears in Western Art History and in Ian Marley’S Creative Creatures

    The Grotesque As It Appears in Western Art History and in Ian Marley’S Creative Creatures

    The grotesque as it appears in Western art history and in Ian Marley’s creative creatures Rita Swanepoel Department History of Art North-West University Potchefstroom Campus POTCHEFSTROOM E-mail: [email protected] Abstract The grotesque as it appears in Western art history and in Ian Marley’s creative creatures This article presents a theoretical exploration and reading of the notion of the grotesque in Western history of art to serve as background to the reading of the original creatures in the “Tracking creative creatures” project.1 These creatures were drawn by Marley, based on imaginary creatures narrated by his five year-old son, Joshua. The focus in this article is on the occurrence of the grotesque in paintings and drawings. Three techniques associated with the grotesque are identified: the presence of imagined fusion figures or composite creatures, the violation and exaggeration of standing categories or concepts, and the juxtaposition of the ridiculous and the horrible. The use of these techniques is illustrated in selected artworks and Mar- ley’s creatures are then read from the angle of these strategies. 1 To understand the frame within which this research has been done, reference should be made to the introductory article by Greyling and Marley. It is important to keep in mind that the articles stemming from this project are individual contributions. It was not a team project in the sense that authors responded to each other’s contributions. Literator 30(1) April 2009:31-53 ISSN 0258-2279 31 The grotesque as it appears in Western art history ..
  • Greek Mythology

    Greek Mythology

    Greek mythology Mythical characters Gods and goddesses Zeus is the king of the gods, ruler of Mount Olympus and god of the sky. His name means ‘bright’ or ‘sky’. His royal animals are the eagle and bull. Zeus’s favourite weapon is a lightning bolt made for him by the Cyclops. Zeus can be a greedy and dishonest god. If he desires something, he is unlikely to let anything stop him from gaining it. Because of this, he often lies about his behaviour to Hera, his wife. Hera is the queen of the gods and wife of Zeus. She is the goddess of women, marriage, childbirth, heirs, kings and empires. She often carries a lotus- tipped staff. Hera never forgets an insult or injury and can be cruel or vengeful. Poseidon is the god of rivers, seas, floods, droughts and earthquakes. Brother to Zeus, he is the king of the sea and protector of all waters. Poseidon carries a trident: a spear with three points. His sacred animals are the dolphin and the horse. Athena is the goddess of wisdom, intelligence, skill, peace and warfare. According to legend, she was born out of Zeus’s forehead fully formed and fully armoured. She looks over heroes such as Odysseus and Hercules. Athena is often accompanied by a sacred owl. Her symbol is the olive tree. KS2 | Page 1 copyright 2019 Greek mythology Gods and goddesses Aphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty, who can cause gods or mortals to fall in love with whomever she chooses. Aphrodite’s sacred animals include doves and sparrows.
  • The Cerberus Vigilant, Relentless, Judgmental, and Perpetually In- Between

    The Cerberus Vigilant, Relentless, Judgmental, and Perpetually In- Between

    Playing The Cerberus Vigilant, relentless, judgmental, and perpetually in- between. In ancient times, Cerberus was a three-headed dog who guarded the gates of the underworld, making sure the dead didn’t escape and the living didn’t enter. Now, things are a little more complicated: they guard a hazy boundary between two worlds, trying to ensure that everyone remains in the place that they deserve to be. Think Jughead, from the first season of Riverdale: caught between the world of Southside gangs and the so-called innocence of Riverdale proper. Add in a dash of Gossip Girl, or even Pretty Little Liars. The two stat choices for The Cerberus let you choose between being harsh and exacting (Cold 2 & Volatile 1) or brooding and bitter (Dark 2 & Cold 1). Watch Dog requires some narrative choices at the outset of the game. Talk to the MC about it, and figure out which world the rest of the main characters belong to. Many of the Cerberus’ moves revolve around Conditions. Arbiter also works with the Conditions you give yourself through your backstory and your sex move. Doomed Outsider subverts the downside to being given Conditions, which changes the impact of a 7-9 result on Shutting Someone Down. Serpents at Your Back is me being cute and clever. See, Cerberus was often depicted with writhing serpents upon its back. Jughead donned a Southside Serpents jacket during his slow descent into darkest self. You’ll have to figure out what this particular gang option means in your setting. The Cerberus It used to be simple: there was a river of fire, another of pain, and you kept The “disrupted by a virtuous hero” clause in the Darkest watch at the gate.
  • The Arms of Achilles: Re-Exchange in the Iliad

    The Arms of Achilles: Re-Exchange in the Iliad

    The Arms of Achilles: Re-Exchange in the Iliad by Eirene Seiradaki A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Classics University of Toronto © Copyright by Eirene Seiradaki (2014) “The Arms of Achilles: Re-Exchange in the Iliad ” Eirene Seiradaki Doctor of Philosophy Department of Classics University of Toronto 2014 Abstract This dissertation offers an interpretation of the re-exchange of the first set of Achilles’ arms in the Iliad by gift, loan, capture, and re-capture. Each transfer of the arms is examined in relation to the poem’s dramatic action, characterisation, and representation of social institutions and ethical values. Modern anthropological and economic approaches are employed in order to elucidate standard elements surrounding certain types of exchange. Nevertheless, the study primarily involves textual analysis of the Iliadic narratives recounting the circulation-process of Achilles’ arms, with frequent reference to the general context of Homeric exchange and re-exchange. The origin of the armour as a wedding gift to Peleus for his marriage to Thetis and its consequent bequest to Achilles signifies it as the hero’s inalienable possession and marks it as the symbol of his fate in the Iliad . Similarly to the armour, the spear, a gift of Cheiron to Peleus, is later inherited by his son. Achilles’ own bond to Cheiron makes this weapon another inalienable possession of the hero. As the centaur’s legacy to his pupil, the spear symbolises Achilles’ awareness of his coming death. In the present time of the Iliad , ii Achilles lends his armour to Patroclus under conditions that indicate his continuing ownership over his panoply and ensure the safe use of the divine weapons by his friend.
  • Hercules: Labor 12 Th E Quest for Cerberus by Craig W

    Hercules: Labor 12 Th E Quest for Cerberus by Craig W

    Hercules: Labor 12 Th e Quest For Cerberus By Craig W. Stump greenroompress.com Copyright Notice CAUTION: Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that this Work is subject to a royalty. This Work is fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America and all countries with which the United States has reciprocal copyright relations, whether through bilateral or multilateral treaties or otherwise, and including, but not limited to, all countries covered by the Pan-American Copyright Convention, the Universal Copyright Convention and the Berne Convention. RIGHTS RESERVED: All rights to this Work are strictly reserved, including professional and amateur stage performance rights. Also reserved are: motion picture, recitation, lecturing, public reading, radio broadcasting, television, video or sound recording, all forms of mechanical or electronic reproduction, such as CD-ROM, CD-I, DVD, information and storage retrieval systems and photocopying, and the rights of translation into non-English languages. PERFORMANCE RIGHTS AND ROYALTY PAYMENTS: All amateur and stock performance rights to this Work are controlled exclusively by Green Room Press. No amateur or stock production groups or individuals may perform this play without securing license and royalty arrangements in advance from Green Room Press. Questions concerning other rights should be addressed to Green Room Press. Royalty fees are subject to change without notice. Professional and stock fees will be set upon application in accordance with your producing circumstances. Any licensing requests and inquiries relating to amateur and stock (professional) performance rights should be addressed to Green Room Press. Royalty of the required amount must be paid, whether the play is presented for charity or profit and whether or not admission is charged.
  • Summary of a Game Cycle

    Summary of a Game Cycle

    SUMMARY OF A GAME CYCLE 1 - UPDATE THE MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURES TRACK 2 - UPDATE THE GODS TRACK 3 - REVENUE Each player gets 1 GP for each prosperity marker controlled 4 - OFFERINGS In the order indicated by the offering markers on the turn track: s"IDONTHEVARIOUS'ODS s/NCEEVERYPLAYERHASSUCCESSFULLYBID PAYYOUROFFERING 5 - ACTIONS 0ERFORM INTHEORDEROFYOURCHOICEBYPAYINGTHEINDICATEDCOST s4HEACTIONSSPECIlCTOYOUR'OD s!CTIONSTIEDTOANY-YTHOLOGICAL#REATURERECRUITEDTHISTURN 4HENMOVEYOUROFFERINGMARKERTOTHETURNTRACK 4HIS MARKER MUST BE PLACED ON THE SPACE WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBERSTILLFREE )F ATTHEENDOFACYCLE ASINGLEPLAYEROWNSTWO-ETROPOLISES HE ISTHEWINNER)FMORETHANONEPLAYEROWNSTWO-ETROPOLISES THE TIE BREAKERISTHEAMOUNTOF'0EACHHAS MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURES THE FATES SATYR DRYAD Recieve your revenue again, just like Steal a Philosopher from the player Steal a Priest from the player of SIREN PEGASUS GIANT at the beginning of the Cycle. of your choice. your choice. Remove an opponent’s fleet from Designate one of your isles and Destroy a building. This action can the board and replace it with one move some or all of the troops on be used to slow down an opponent of yours. If you no longer have any it to another isle without having to or remove a troublesome Fortress. The Kraken, the Minotaur, Chiron, The following 4 creatures work the same way: place the figurine on the isle of fleets in reserve, you can take one have a chain of fleets. This creature The Giant cannot destroy a Metro- Medusa and Polyphemus have a your choice. The power of the creature is applied to the isle where it is until from somewhere else on the board. is the only way to invade an oppo- polis. figurine representing them as they the beginning of your next turn.
  • Cerberus.Pdf

    Cerberus.Pdf

    (lP,IIP,U' By Gaynor Borade Greek mythology comprises a huge pantheon, extensive use of anthropomorphism and mythical creatures that ore symbotic. Cerberus, the three headed dog was believed to be the guardian of the reotm of death, or Hades. Cerberus, it was believed, prevented those who crossed the river of death, Styx, from escoping. River Styx was supposed to be the boundory belween the Underworld and Earth. Greek mythology propounded thot Hodes or ihe Underworld wos encircled nine times by River Styx and thot the rivers Phlegethon, Cocytus, Lelhe, Eridanos and Acheron converged with Styx on the 'Great Marsh'. Cerberus guorded the Great Marsh. Importance of Styx in Greek Mythotogy: Hades ond Persephone were believed to be the mortol portals in the Underworld. This reotm wos atso home to Phlegyos or guardian of the River Phlegethon, Charon or Kharon, the ferrymon, ond the living waters of Styx. Styx wos believed to have miraculous powers thot could make o person immorfol, resulting in the grove need for it to be guorded. This reolm relates to the concept of 'hel[' in Christianity and the 'Paradise losf', in the Iiterary genius of 'The Divine Comedy'. In Greek myihology, the ferrymon Charon was in charge of iransporting souls across the Styx, into the Underworld. Here, it was believed thaf the sullen were drowned in Sfyx's muddy waters. Cerberus:The Guardion Cerberus, the mythical guordian of River Styx has been immorlalized through many works of ancient Greek liferoture, ort ond orchitecture. Cerberus is easity recognizabte among the other members of the pontheon due to his three heads.
  • Religion in Ancient Greece

    Religion in Ancient Greece

    Name:_________________________________ Religion in Ancient Greece The three-headed dog Cerberus guarded the gates to the Underworld. Funeral mourners left honey cakes for him. The Greeks believed that gods and goddesses watched over them. The gods were like humans, but immortal (they lived for ever) and much more powerful. The Greeks believed in many Gods and Goddesses, which is called polytheism. A family of gods and goddesses lived in a cloud-palace above Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece The gods looked down to watch what people were doing, and from time to time, interfered with what went on. The gods did not always behave very well. Their king, Zeus, was always being unfaithful to his wife Hera. He appeared on Earth as a human or an animal to trick women he had fallen in love with. Zeus was king of the gods. He threw thunderbolts to punish anyone who disobeyed him. His brother Poseidon was god of the sea. Another brother, Pluto (also called Hades), ruled the underworld. Zeus had many children, among them Apollo, Artemis, Athena and Ares. Apollo was the sun god, and the god of the arts, medicine, music and poetry. His twin sister Artemis was goddess of the moon, and goddess of childbirth, and of all natural things. She is often shown as a hunter with a bow and arrow. Athena was goddess of wisdom, and of crafts such as spinning, weaving and pottery. Ares was the bad-tempered god of war - not even his own father liked him! The Greeks put statues of their Gods in temples.