MODULE: WORLD LITERATURE

At the end of this module, learners will be able to:

1. Give the different attributes of Gods and Goddesses;

2. Sustain interest in studying the Greek literature and
3. Be introduces to Greek history by reviewing the Greek Gods and
Goddesses and learning about the various Greek Gods.

What kind of story do you think a mythology is?

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THE OLYMPIANS

At the center of Greek

Mythology is the group
of powerful Gods who
were said to live on Mt
Olympus, the highest
mountain in Greece.

Known as the
Olympians, they gained
control in a 10-year-
long war of Gods, in
which Zeus led his
siblings to victory over
the previous generation of ruling Gods, the Titans*.

From their perch, they ruled every aspect of human life. Olympian Gods and
Goddesses looked like men and women (though they could change themselves
into animals and other things) and were — as many myths described —
vulnerable to human feelings, weaknesses and passions.

When things had to be decided about wars, punishments or everyday life, this
council of 12 met on Mt Olympus to discuss them.

The Olympians all kept a home on Mt Olympus but Poseidon preferred his
palace under the sea.

THE 12 OLYMPIANS:

1.ZEUS: KING OF THE GODS

Often referred to as the “Father of Gods and men”, Zeus
was a Sky God who controlled lightning, thunder and
storms.

Zeus was the king of Mount Olympus, the home of

Greek Gods, where he ruled the world and imposed his
will on to Gods and humans.

Zeus was thought of as wise and fair, but his decisions

were hard to predict at times and he could be easily
angered. When he was in a bad mood, he was said to
 MODULE: WORLD LITERATURE

throw lightning bolts and cause violent storms that caused destruction* on Earth.
Zeus fell in love very easily and had many relationships, but he would severely punish
anybody who attempted to fall in love with his wife Hera.
He is often described as a big, strong man with long, curly, hair. He was usually drawn
with a beard and carried his trusty thunderbolt at all times. Zeus was lucky to survive
his birth.
His father, Cronus, King of the Titans, upon learning that one of his children was
destined* to take his throne, swallowed his children as soon as they were born. But
Rhea, his wife, saved the infant Zeus by substituting a stone wrapped in baby clothes
for Cronus to swallow. She hid Zeus in a cave on the island of Crete. After Zeus grew
to manhood he led a battle against the Titans and succeeded in forcing Cronus off the
throne.

2. APHRODITE
Aphrodite was the goddess of fertility, love, and beauty.
During the Trojan War, Aphrodite fought on the side of
Paris. Aphrodite and her son Eros (Cupid) teamed up to
because Zeus to fall in love with a human named
Europa.

3. APOLLO
Apollo was the son of Leto and Zeus. He was born on the
island of Delos. He and his twin sister Artemis, also an
Olympian, shared an aptitude for archery. The nine
Muses were companions of his; they were goddesses
known for inspiring art and music.

4. ARES
He was the son of Zeus and Hera, both of whom hated
him (according to Homer). Eros (more commonly known
as Cupid) was the child of Ares and Aphrodite. Ares was
most notably referred to as the God of War; he
represented the unpleasant aspects of battle.
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5. ARTEMIS
Artemis was daughter of Zeus and Leto and twin
sister of Apollo. She was primarily a virgin
huntress, goddess of wildlife and patroness of
hunters. She was an important goddess in the lives
of women, especially when it came to marriage and
young creatures.

6. ATHENA
Athena was the Goddess of War, the female counterpart of
Ares. She is one of three virgin goddesses; the other two
were Hestia and Artemis.Athena served as a guardian of
Athens, where the Parthenon served as her temple.

7. DEMETER
Demeter was the daughter of Cronos and Rhea. She
was the goddess of harvest and fertility. Only women
attended the Thesmophoria, a fertility festival held
in honor of Demeter.

8. HADES
He was also called the God of Wealth or “the rich one”
because he possessed the precious metals of the earth.
Hades had a cap or helmet that made its wearer
invisible.His wife was Persephone, Demeter’s only
daughter, whom he kidnapped and made his queen.
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9. HEPHAESTUS
Hephaestus was the only ugly god among perfectly
beautiful immortals. He was the workman of the
immortals: he made their dwellings, furnishings, and
weapons. Hephaestus was known as the God of Fire.

10. HERA
Hera was Queen of the Olympian gods. In the story of the
Quest of the Golden Fleece,Hera was a gracious protector
of the heroes. Hera had few, if any, redeeming qualities.
She never forgot an injury.

11. HERMES
Hermes was considered a “trickster” due to his
cunning and clever personality. He primarily served
as the herald or messenger of the gods. Hermes was
born in a cave on a mountain in Arcadia; he was
conceived and born within the course of one day.

12. POSEIDON
Poseidon was allotted his dominion after the fall of the
Titans. He wielded the tridentor three-pronged spear,
and this image of him is reflected in art. Poseidon was
most notably the God of the sea and the protector of
all waters.
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THE TITANS

The mighty Titans were a powerful race that ruled the world before
Olympians, in a time of the Golden Age of men. They were immortal giants of incredible
strength and knowledge of old religion rituals and magic. They are also known as the
Elder Gods and their dwelling place was at Mount Othrys. In Greek culture they were
interpreted as personifications of the earth (Gaea) and the sky or heavens (Uranus).

The first generation of Titans were descendants of Gaea and Uranus who
originally gave birth to Twelve Titans, six males and six females. Males were Coeus,
Cronus, Crius, Hyperion, Iapetus and Oceanus and females were Mnemosyne, Phoebe,
Rhea, Theia, Themis and Tethys. They arose to power when Cronus, in a plot with his
mother and his brothers, castrated his father Uranus and took the rulership of Cosmos
from him. More details about this conflict can be found in the Genesis

During this reign, the titans and other primeval gods decided to pass on the
godly genes and gave birth to the second generation of Titans. Hyperion and Theia gave
birth to Eos, Helios and Selene, while Coeus and Phoebe brought forth Leto and
Asteria. Oceanus and Tethys gave birth to Oceanids and Potamoi who are in general
not referred as Titans. However, an Oceanid Clymene, a daughter of Oceanus and
Tethys, helped Iapetus to continue the next generation and bore him Atlas,
Prometheus, Epimetheus and Menoetius. Crius and his half-sister Eurybia, a daughter
of Gaea and Pontus, brought forth Astraeus, Pallas and Perses and, eventually, Cronus
and Rhea gave birth to younger gods, Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia and Demeter
who rebelled against Cronus and his followers and later defeated them in a ten-year
war, known as Titanomachy. They called themselves the Olympian Gods, after Mount
Olympus which was their main dwelling place, and became the new rulers of Cosmos.
MODULE: WORLD LITERATURE
 MODULE: WORLD LITERATURE

Please click the link below for the Course Overview:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mez8FqPR60
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mgDW_U1prQ
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri-AoKE42rw
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7F16sC860s


 https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/olympians/
 https://www.greek-gods.org/titans.php