Lesson 1 (pp. 5-7) The Gods of Greece, sections 1-2 Facts to Know Cronos first king of the gods; swallowed his own children
Rhea wife of Cronos
Zeus (Jupiter) son of Cronos and Rhea; saved by Rhea; name means “brightness”; known by the Romans as Jupiter; became king of the gods by defeating Cronos
Titans giants who aided Cronos in his battle against Zeus; hurled mountains
Cyclops “round-eye”; giants who made thunder and lightning for Zeus
Hera (Juno) sister of Zeus; queen of the gods; goddess of the clouds
Poseidon (Neptune) brother of Zeus; god of the ocean
Hades (Pluto) brother of Zeus; god of the underworld
Demeter (Ceres) sister of Zeus; goddess of the grains, fruits, flowers
Hestia (Vesta) sister of Zeus; goddess of fire and the hearth
Styx river around the underworld; “hateful”
Charon ferryman of the Styx
Cerberus watchdog of the underworld
Persephone (Proserpine) goddess of the underworld; daughter of Demeter
nymphs maidens; helpers of Demeter Vocabulary 1. constellation ______a group of stars
2. blood-red coral ______rocklike skeletal remains of a small marine animal
3. shining mother-of-pearl ______the pearly internal layer of certain mollusk shells
4. with his trident in his hand ______a three-pronged fork or spear
5. brazen hoofs of the horses ______resembling brass
6. world of Pluto was a dreary region. ______dismal; bleak; dull 6 The Gods of Greece, sections 1-2 Comprehension Questions
1. Why was Zeus at risk and how was he saved? Cronos’ mother told him that one of his children would take his kingdom. So he swallowed each of his children as soon as they were born. His wife Rhea saved his son Zeus by tricking Cronos into swallowing a rock wrapped in baby clothes in Zeus’ place. She then hid the child in a cave, which he filled with light.
2. Describe the battle between Cronos and Zeus. When Zeus grew up, he went to war against Cronos. Cronos had the help of the mountain-throwing giants called Titans, and Zeus had the help of the Cyclops, who made the thunder and lightning that Zeus used as weapons. When the Titans hurled mountains, Zeus hurled back thunder and lightning.
3. What did Zeus do after his victory? Zeus made Cronos restore to life the children he had swallowed. He divided Cronos’ kingdom among them, so they became the gods and goddesses of the world. He made himself king of the gods and his sister Hera queen of the gods.
4. What is the Greek story of the seasons? No goddess was willing to live with Hades, so he abducted Persephone and took her to the underworld with him. Zeus took pity on her and allowed her to return to the earth for a part of each year. When she comes to the earth, it is Spring and Summer, and the flowers bloom. When she leaves, it is Fall and Winter.
5. What is the story of the fruits, grains, and flowers? In the Spring, Demeter causes the fruits, grains, and flowers to grow. She does this with the help of the tree nymphs who make the leaves green and the water nymphs who water the plants.
Activities
1. Draw a family tree including Cronos, Rhea, Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Demeter, Persephone, and Hestia. Start this on a large sheet of paper and keep it, as you will be adding to it.
2. Look at the maps in the back of this guide. Familiarize yourself with the shape of Greece, the Ægean Sea, and Asia Minor. Familiarize yourself with the main regions: Peloponnesus, Attica, Epirus, Thessaly, Macedonia, Thrace, Crete, the Ægean Sea, Asia Minor.
3. Make a list in two columns. Put the names of the Greek gods from this lesson in the left column. Put their corresponding Roman names in the right column. Leave plenty of room at the bottom of your list for additions. (See Appendix “Greek Gods and Their Roman Names”)
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