~ The Greek Gods ~

The Parent Gods

Uranus + Gaia (mother earth)

First, monsters are created (and imprisoned). 3 Cyclops 3 Hecatonchires (100 hands!)

Next, Titans are born (also imprisoned in the earth). Gaia convinces Kronos (or Cronos?) to revolt. Uranus is dismembered. Where the blood/parts fell…  Giants,  Nymphs  Aphrodite! Uranus predicts Kronos’ demise!

The Titans

Atlas, Oceanus, Rhea, Kronos, Epimetheus, Prometheus, and others

Kronos marries sister Rhea. The children (the Olympians) are all swallowed by Kronos. Rhea swaps a stone for Zeus. Zeus grows up in secret.

The Plot. Zeus marries Metis (a Titan). Drugs Kronos. The Olympians emerge fully-grown and ready to fight! Oceanus, Prometheus, and Epimetheus switch sides. A War in Heaven! Titans = strong!  Atlas is chosen commander  early victories. Olympians = smart  Zeus frees Cyclops and Hecatonchires.  Cyclops make weapons!  Zeus = thunderbolt  Hades = invisible helmet  Poseidon = trident

Olympians outsmart Titans. Titans exiled… except Atlas.

The Olympians

Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Hades, Demeter, Hera, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Dionysus, Hermes, Ares, Hephaestus

The “responsibilities” are split by lots Zeus = sky Hades = underworld Poseidon = ocean

Earth = common ground

Epimetheus and Prometheus create animals and men.

The Olympians children of Kronos and Rhea immortal children of Zeus

Athena’s birth. Zeus, afraid to be dethroned, swallows pregnant Metis. Splitting headache develops. Cleave head with axe… viola! Athena, born with a war cry.

~ The Trojan War ~

The Iliad — The Basics A war between Troy (city) and an alliance of Greek kings. Ten years long. Greece was victorious… eventually. Major characters = Agamemnon, Achilles, and Paris. Setting = around 1200 B.C.

The Odyssey — The Basics Tells story of King Odysseus’ return from Troy. Takes him ten years. Odysseus was victorious… eventually. Major character = Odysseus (king of Ithaca). Setting = around 1200B.C.

The Author = Homer Blind Lived in 600 B.C. He wrote many other stories. Some think Homer didn’t write these epics (but he did).

The Story of the Iliad 1. A Marriage Ceremony in Heaven. a. The mortal, Peleus, and a goddess, Thetis are married. i. Parents of Achilles. b. Everyone invited except Eris (goddess of discord). c. Eris crashes the party and brings the Golden Apple. i. Golden Apple = prize to most beautiful goddess.

2. The Dispute of the Golden Apple. a. Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera claim the Apple. b. Zeus doesn’t want to decide, so he appoints Paris. 3. The Judgment of Paris. a. Hera offers power. b. Athena offers wisdom. c. Aphrodite (winner) offers most beautiful woman—Helen.

4. The Abduction of Helen. a. Problem! She’s married to Menelaus, king of Sparta. b. Paris visits Menelaus under pretense of friendship. c. Helen: abducted, or escaped?

5. The Rally of the Greeks. a. Greece was an alliance of kings. b. Every Greek king promised loyalty to Helen’s husband. c. Menelaus called upon the kings’ oaths to fight for Helen. i. Agamemnon, Menelaus brother, is chosen leader. d. Not everyone wanted to go. i. Achilles is hidden in a women’s convent. ii. Odysseus fakes insanity.

6. Trojan War (told by The Iliad). a. 1000 ships sail for Troy. b. They lay siege. c. The Greek commanders fight among themselves. i. Why? Pride, selfishness, and laziness. ii. Who? Mostly Achilles and Agamemnon. d. No clear victor for 10 years. i. The gods take different sides. e. Major events of Trojan War: i. Greeks sack Chryse. 1. Dispute over slaves. 2. Achilles refuses to fight for Agamemnon. ii. Patroclus dies in battle. iii. Achilles returns to battle. iv. Achilles kills Hector (the Trojan commander). v. Paris kills Achilles (with Apollo’s help).

7. The Trojan Horse. a. Invented by Odysseus. b. Left as an “offering” to gods. c. Laocoon (Trojan prophet) sniffs a trap, but is eaten. d. “Stolen” by the Trojans. e. Surprise! Greeks inside!

8. The Aftermath. a. Troy destroyed. b. Most Trojans killed. c. Odysseus defies the gods (Poseidon especially). d. Many Greeks get lost on way home. i. Agamemnon returns late (and gets promptly murdered). ii. Odysseus is lost.

9. The Odyssey…