Today we see things that occur in
nature and use science to explain them.
However, ancient peoples saw the
marvels of nature too and used myths
to explain natural phenomena.
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Greek myths were passed by word of mouth.
Often myths were carried by professional
Storytellers.
Over time the myths sometimes blurred
themselves into different versions.
As the myths became more detailed, they
included elements of symbolism and
philosophy.
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Greek myths show the gods in a comic,
irreverent, even unfavorable light.
The ancient Greeks saw their gods as complete
beings possessing both good and bad traits.
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There were 12 Olympians that resided on
Mount Olympus.
Zeus was the head of them all.
The gods were all immortal- in other words
they lived forever.
Lesser deities lived on earth, in the sea, and the
underworld.
Sometimes gods fell in love with humans.
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The offspring of gods can be either mortal or
immortal.
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Demigods- half-human, half-divine beings who
attain immortal status (Mortals were called heroes
such as, Perseus, Thesus, and Hercules-whom
gained immortal status through his labors.)
Part human, part animal creatures also existed such
as: Pan-half goat, half human; the Minotaur- half
bull, half man; and the Centaur- half horse, half
human.