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Lesson 9 The Olympians; Zeus
Topic Started: Apr 4 2005, 07:21 PM (78 Views)
Dark Mistress
HoM Professor/DE Leader
Professors
Lesson 9 The Twelve Olympians

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http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/wonders/Gallery/zeus_color.jpg

Welcome class to another lesson on Greek Mythology. Today we will begin a series of lessons on the twelve Olympians. Let’s get started!

The Twelve Olympians were the principle Gods of the Greek Pantheon, who resided on Mount Olympus. At various times there may have been 14 Gods but never more then twelve at one time.

Here is the list of the principle gods, some of which we will study in more detail.
Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Ares, Hermes, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Athena, Apollo, Artemis.

Hestia, Demeter, Donysus, and Hades were variable Gods who had replaced others.

Today we will concentrate solely on Zeus who was the youngest son of Cronus and Rhea. He was the supreme ruler of Mount Olympus, after overthrowing his father Cronus and defeating the Titans. As the supreme ruler he stood for law, justice, and morals, which made him a spiritual leader among the Gods and mortals. Zeus was a celestial God, originally worshipped as the weather God my Greek tribes. His main attribute was the thunderbolt. He controlled thunder, lightning and rain. The name Zeus in relation to the Greek word “Dios” means “bright”. Other characteristics were the scepter, the eagle and the aegis (A protective device considered to be a bright edge thundercloud, because when Zeus used it lightning flashed and thunder was heard.

Zeus’s wife was Hera who gave him four children, Ares, Hephaestus, Hebe, and Eileithyia, but Zeus had many other children through many affairs. His union with Leto (her name meaning the hidden one) brought forth a set of twins (Apollo and Atremis). Hera showed her jealousy of the relationship between Zeus and Leto by forcing Leto to roam the earth in search of a place to give birth. Hera stopped her from gaining shelter on land and sea. The only place she could go was the isle of Delos in the middle of the Aegeon. The reason being that Delos was, as legend states a floating island.

Zeus fathered many mortals. Being a master of transfiguration, he was able to seduce the Spartan Queen Leda. He transformed into a beautiful swan. From this union two sets of twins were born: Castor and Polydeuces, and Clytemnestia and Helen of Troy.

He abducted the Phoenician Princess Europa, disguised as a bull and carried her on his back to the island of Crete were three sons were born: Minos, Rhadamanthys, and Sarpedon.

The union of Mnemosyne and Zeus produced nine daughters known as the Muses. They were the ones who entertained the Gods in the Celestial Choir of Mount Olympus. Muses were the deities of intellectual pursuits.

Zeus had many temples and festivals in his honor. The most famous would be Olympia. “The temple of Zeus” which is magnificent because of a gold and ivory statue of Zeus, sculpted by Phidias and hailed one of the “Seven wonders of the ancient world”. Olympic games were also played in his honor. In art forms Zeus was usually portrayed as a bearded, middle aged man, with a youthful figure.

That’s all for today and next week we will be discussing Poseidon and some of his adventures. Thank you! You may start your homework.


References:

http://pantheon.org/articles/z/zeus.html

Homework assignment: 2 pts each. Answer in complete sentences. Use your own words.

1. Who were Zeus parents?
2. How did he become the supreme ruler of Mount Olympus?
3. What was his job as the supreme ruler?
4. Who was Zeus wife? How many children did they have and who were they?
5. What is an Aegis?
6. What happened to Leto when Hera found out she was pregnant with Zeus children?
7. Who did Zeus seduce in the form of a swan, and who were they children?
8. Who did Zeus abduct? What form did he take? Who were they children?
9. In art forms Zeus is usually portrayed as what?
10. Why is the Olympia considered to be one of “The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World”?

Essay: Pick one of Zeus’s children and give me a short essay with a picture (optional) of your choice. Essay is worth 5 to ten points. Use one of the children found in this lesson.
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Cottonmouth
Graduated
Cottonmouth
Slytherin

[/B][size=7]Awesome Job! 20 pts for written assignment. 5 pts for extra info on your first part of the assignment. 10pts for your essay. The picture didn't load properly so I gave you points for effort. Total 35 pts to Slytherin.[/size]
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Lexi
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Headmistress/Gryffindor Head of House
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Elsbeth
Gryffindor

[size=7]Excellent work and great pictures. 40 pts to Gryffindor

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Artemis.

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Samantha_Malfoy
Graduated
[size=7]Nice Job! 35 Points to Slytherin.[/size]
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