Culture
Culture in Ancient Greece was very different from other cultures. Greeks believed in gods and goddesses that controlled parts of the earth. They made and believed in many stories about them that were meant for entertainment or to teach an important lesson. They also believed that it was possible to make the gods angry and disrespect them, which they tried not to do. Greeks thought that if the gods became angry, the people would be punished for whatever they did wrong. In this section you will learn about the Greek people’s cultures.
Culture in Ancient Greece was very different from other cultures. Greeks believed in gods and goddesses that controlled parts of the earth. They made and believed in many stories about them that were meant for entertainment or to teach an important lesson. They also believed that it was possible to make the gods angry and disrespect them, which they tried not to do. Greeks thought that if the gods became angry, the people would be punished for whatever they did wrong. In this section you will learn about the Greek people’s cultures.
Gods and Goddesses
Long ago, Greeks believed that there were really gods and goddesses controlling parts of the world. They thought that weather had to do with their mood and that bad harvests were punishments for upsetting the gods in some way. However, good harvests meant that the people were doing good. If there was sun, everything was well and gods were happy. If there was rain, the gods were sad or angry. They lived by rules that had to do with respect for these gods and goddesses.
Zeus
Zeus was one on the first gods ever. He was also a very important god. He was called “The father of Gods and Men” and was a sky god who controlled lightning. His parents were Cronus and Rhea. Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon shared rule of the world. Soon after that, Zeus become the king of Olympus. He was also married to his sister, Hera, goddess of marriage and monogamy. Even though was married, he still saw many other women at the same time. Anyone who fell in love with his wife would be severely punished. He was described as wise and a god who loved to laugh out loud. The reason that Zeus wanted to rule the world was because he wanted to revolt against his father, who once tried to “swallow” Zeus in fear that he would one day overthrow him. His favorite child was his daughter, Athena.
Zeus was one on the first gods ever. He was also a very important god. He was called “The father of Gods and Men” and was a sky god who controlled lightning. His parents were Cronus and Rhea. Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon shared rule of the world. Soon after that, Zeus become the king of Olympus. He was also married to his sister, Hera, goddess of marriage and monogamy. Even though was married, he still saw many other women at the same time. Anyone who fell in love with his wife would be severely punished. He was described as wise and a god who loved to laugh out loud. The reason that Zeus wanted to rule the world was because he wanted to revolt against his father, who once tried to “swallow” Zeus in fear that he would one day overthrow him. His favorite child was his daughter, Athena.
Athena
Athena was one of Zeus’s many children. But she was his favorite one of them all. She was a very important goddess of many things such as wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. Athena was born strangely from Zeus. When Zeus had a headache, she somehow came out of his forehead, fully grown and dressed in armor. She had no mother. She was also called a “fierce and ruthless warrior”. She had her own pet owl and her own olive tree. Many people praised Athena for her generosity and compassion. Since she was loved by everyone, she was named the “Goddess of the City”.
Athena was one of Zeus’s many children. But she was his favorite one of them all. She was a very important goddess of many things such as wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. Athena was born strangely from Zeus. When Zeus had a headache, she somehow came out of his forehead, fully grown and dressed in armor. She had no mother. She was also called a “fierce and ruthless warrior”. She had her own pet owl and her own olive tree. Many people praised Athena for her generosity and compassion. Since she was loved by everyone, she was named the “Goddess of the City”.
Hermes
Hermes was the god of commerce and another one of Zeus’s children. His mother was a goddess named Maia. Hermes was the messenger of the gods and the mortals. He was the protector of thieves, athletes, and travelers. Every now and then, he found it fun to trick one of the other gods, either for entertainment or to protect the mortals. Another job Hermes had was down in the underworld, guiding souls. Hermes was known as very smart and sneaky. When he was born, he climbed out of his crib and stole Apollo’s cow. Apollo complained to Zeus, but Hermes was not in trouble. Instead, he had to give Apollo a lyre that he invented.
Hermes was the god of commerce and another one of Zeus’s children. His mother was a goddess named Maia. Hermes was the messenger of the gods and the mortals. He was the protector of thieves, athletes, and travelers. Every now and then, he found it fun to trick one of the other gods, either for entertainment or to protect the mortals. Another job Hermes had was down in the underworld, guiding souls. Hermes was known as very smart and sneaky. When he was born, he climbed out of his crib and stole Apollo’s cow. Apollo complained to Zeus, but Hermes was not in trouble. Instead, he had to give Apollo a lyre that he invented.
Persephone
Persephone was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Demeter and persephone were close and they controlled weather together. Then one day, Persephone was kidnapped by Hades, god of the underworld. He wanted her to stay with him so that they can rule the underworld together. She did not want to stay. While Zeus tried to get Persephone back to her mother, Persephone refused to eat anything except for six pomegranate seeds. When Zeus got to the underworld, he begged Hades to return his daughter to him. He agreed, but because she ate the pomegranate seeds, Persephone had to come to the underworld every year for four months to be with him. Zeus agreed. That is why October, November, December, and January and cold because Persephone is sad that she has to go to the underworld and leave her mother.
Persephone was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Demeter and persephone were close and they controlled weather together. Then one day, Persephone was kidnapped by Hades, god of the underworld. He wanted her to stay with him so that they can rule the underworld together. She did not want to stay. While Zeus tried to get Persephone back to her mother, Persephone refused to eat anything except for six pomegranate seeds. When Zeus got to the underworld, he begged Hades to return his daughter to him. He agreed, but because she ate the pomegranate seeds, Persephone had to come to the underworld every year for four months to be with him. Zeus agreed. That is why October, November, December, and January and cold because Persephone is sad that she has to go to the underworld and leave her mother.