The Olympian Gods

- Zeus was the king of all
gods
- Dominating, powerful
- Soft spot for pretty women
- Terrifying when angry
- Weapon of choice: the
thunderbolt
- Goddess of the crops and
the harvest
- Introverted
- Kind and gentle soul
- Zeuss brother
- God of the sea and
earthquakes
- Often shown with a
three-pronged spear
called a trident
- He did not mix with
mortals
- Anti-social

- Zeuss wife and his sister - Artemis twin

- Queen of the Olympian
gods
- Guardian of marriage
- Jealous of her husbands
girlfriends and did mean
things to them
- But she could be tender
and loving other times
- Well-loved by the Greeks
- Daughter who sprang fully - Son of Zeus and Leto
formed from the head of (one of Zeus lovers)
Zeus after a major - God of
headache the sun, light,
- Goddess of wisdom and poetry, music and
war medicine
- Preferred reason to - Aptitude for archery
violence unless she was
pushed
- Very competitive and is
often pictured with her
helmet and a spear
- Apollos twin
- Goddess of hunting,
chastity and
the moon
- Protects women
and small children
- Independent and
particularly dislikes men
- God of war
- He would fight on both
sides, if possible
- Young, strong and
handsome
- Liked to dress in battle
clothes even when he isnt
fighting
- God of fire
- Born lame and was
further crippled when he
was thrown from
Olympus by his mother,
Hera, in a rage
- Only Olympian with a
disability
- Unhappily married to
Aphrodite
- Workman of the
immortals: he made their
dwellings, furnishings
and weapons

- God of science and

- Goddess of love and
beauty
- Born out of sea foam
- Her and her son Eros
(cupid) teamed up to
cause Zeus to fall in love
with a mortal named
Europa
- Irresistibly charming, vain
and competitive
invention
- Messenger of the gods
- He is said to have invented
the alphabet, boxing and
gymnastics
- Considered a trickster - Went all around teaching
due to his cunning and
clever personality
- Partier
- Zeuss son by another
woman, who was driven
crazy by Hera and her
jealousy
people how to make
wine
- God of wine and
vegetation
 ELEMENTS OF A GREEK MYTH

DEFINITION OF A MYTH A story of unknown authorship that people passed

orally long ago in an attempt to answer serious
questions about how important things began and
occurred, morals, and beliefs.

USES OF MYTH -explain natural phenomena or an occurrence

-explain creation of the world
-teach moral lessons
-explain a historical event
-explain ancient religious practices
-reveal common hopes and fears of mankind

CHARACTERISTICS -have a religious influence

OF A MYTH -desire to explain the universe
-involve nature
-adventure of gods, goddesses, and/ or heroes
-gods/goddesses are super human in nature but in
human form
-sometimes gods/goddesses come in disguised form,
ex: Zeus came to Hera as a poor bird caught in a
storm
- Gods/goddesses experience human emotions, ex.
Hera was jealous
-magic
-metamorphosis may occur (transformation/change),
ex. Smyrna turned into a myrrh tree
-depicts events that bend or break natural laws
-evokes the presence of Mystery, the Unknown
 Create Your Own Myth Assignment!
You are about to create your own myth! As you know, myths were often used to explain natural
phenomena. Your challenge is to create your own myth to explain some natural phenomenon or land
formation. It could be anything from the origin of hurricanes to how Niagara Falls were formed, or a
mountain range was created. You will tell this myth in a comic format.

Here are the guidelines:

1. Your comic must involve at least two Olympian gods or goddesses. It
may contain other gods or goddesses or heroes as well.
2. Your comic must explain some natural phenomenon (such as a
weather event) or some geological feature (a mountain range, a large valley, a sea, an ocean, a polar
ice cap, etc.).
3. Your comic should be at least 9 panels long.
4. Your comic must have a clear beginning, middle and end.
5. Your comic should clearly show that you know something about Greek mythology. You will do this
by including details about the Olympian gods and goddesses that show you know their powers,
possessions, symbols, and personalities.
6. Your comic should use at least 3 of the characteristics of a myth provided.
7. Your comic should have a title and dialogue/description.
8. Provide a one to two-line summary of your myth to provide proof of your understanding of a myth.
9. Complete your panels on the handout provided.
10. Cannot be a myth that already exists.

Here are some ideas:

-Where did the Rocky Mountains come from?
-What causes the Northern Lights?
-What made the North and/or South Pole(s)?
-Why is Earth the third planet from the sun?
-Why is it dark at night?
-What is in the middle of the earth?
-What causes a shooting star?
Or, be creative and come up with your own!
 9 Panel Greek Myth
Name:
Myth Title:

Myth Summary:

Name:
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Myth contains
Myth contains no one element Myth contains 2 Myth contains at least
Elements of elements specific to specific to elements specific 3 elements specific to
Myth /15 ancient Greek ancient Greek to ancient Greek ancient Greek myths
myths and offers a myths and offers myths and explains and offers a logical
weak explanation a vague a natural explanation of a natural
K for something. explanation of phenomenon. phenomenon.
something.

Illustration Illustration shows Good presentation, Creative and relevant

Illustration is
of Myth /5 minimal effort overall neat illustration with
sloppy and
and relationship presentation and excellent relationship
unrelated to action.
to action good relationship. to action.
A
Characters
are developed
All characters are fully
through vague
Most characters developed through
description and
are fully developed vivid description and
Characters are minimal dialogue.
through description dialogue. Their actions
poorly developed Their actions and
Character and dialogue. Their and the
through vague the
Developmen actions and the actions/reactions of
description with no actions/reactions
t actions/reactions of others are clear. 2
dialogue. Gods of others are
/15 others are clear. 2 Gods and goddesses
and goddesses are somewhat
Gods and are featured, with
not included. explained. One
goddesses are elements that clearly
No understanding God and goddess
featured. Some depict personalities,
of Greek are featured.
understanding of symbols, and actions.
T Gods/Goddesses Little
Greek Gods/ Clear understanding of
understanding of
Goddesses shown. Greek Gods/
Greek
Goddesses shown.
Gods/Goddesses
shown.
Summary is one to two
Summary Poor summary Summary shows
lines, is fully developed
No summary that shows little some
/10 provided. understanding of understanding of
and shows clear
A understanding of
Greek Mythology Greek Mythology.
Greek Mythology
Little to no
No guidelines are guidelines are Some guidelines
Guidelines followed. Writing followed. Writing are followed. All guidelines are
and Style /5 contains many contains some Writing contains followed. Writing is free
spelling, grammar, spelling, few, minor spelling, of spelling, grammar
and punctuation grammar, and grammar, and and punctuation errors.
C errors. punctuation punctuation errors.
errors.

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