intro to ancient greece and its gods Flashcards
polytheistic
belief and worship of more than one god
anthropomorphic
human form
aniconic
without form – no human form
zeus (jupiter)
supreme god of olympus
attributes: bolt of lightening, bearded, aegis
- oak tree, eagle
- married to Hera, however, is unfaithful
- 115 wives
- altar to zeus at olympia and was celebrated at olympic games
Hera (Juno)
Queen of olympian gods
- goddess of morality, monogamous marriage, and birth
- crown, scepter, regal
hestia (vesta)
goddess of hearth (fire) and not often depicted in anthropomorphic
- virgin goddess
demeter (ceres)
earth goddess and is a matronly goddess
- usually has wheat, torchers, or cornucopia
Hades (dis pater/pluto)
god of the dead and rules the underworld with his wife, Persephone
- associated with three headed dog, underworld
- is a chthonian (underworld)
poseidon (neptune)
god of ocean, springs, earthquakes, and horses
- savior of seafarers
- carries a trident, rides a chariot of horses
Athena (minerva)
goddess of arts and crafts
- protector of heroes
- the city (athena polias)
- olive tree, owl, snakes
- usually in war armor
Hephaestus (vulcan)
god of the forge, craftsmen, and fire
- associated with athena as champions of civilization
- black smith tongs, hammer
ares (mars)
personifies the brutal and wasteful aspects of warfare
- usually in military garb
- often with aphrodite, his consort
aphrodite (venus)
goddess of love, beauty, and marriage
- protection of citizen body
dionysus ( bacchus / liber pater)
male fertility deity
- vine and animals associated with strength
- god of wine and drinking
artemis (diana)
goddess of the hunt
- associated with young children, animals, and childbirth even though she is a virginal goddess
- hunting dress, bow and arrow
Apollo
music, poetry, intellectual endeavors
- god of rational thought
Hermes (Mercury)
messenger of gods and is often depicted with a petasus, sandals with wings, and caduceus
- protected shepherds and is a trickster god
