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Overview of the pantheon:
In this slide, we will talk about the Greek pantheon. "Pantheon" is a word that
comes from the Greek 'pan', which means 'all', and 'theos', which means 'god'.
In other words, the Greek pantheon refers to the set of all gods in Greek
mythology.
The Greek pantheon is composed of a variety of gods and goddesses, each
with their own domains and responsibilities. At the top of the pantheon are the
gods of Olympus, the most famous gods and the ones we think of when we
hear about greek mythology. It´include Poseidon, the god of the sea; Hades,
the god of the underworld; and Hera, the queen of the gods and goddess of
marriage and childbirth.
The Greek pantheon is so important to the Greeks that a sculpture of all the
main gods of Greek mythology was made on the facade of a building at the
University of Athens, showing how the Greeks saw the gods, they were not
just characters in stories, but symbolized vital forces and principles that
guided everyday life and understanding of the world.
In addition to the main Olympian gods, the Greek pantheon includes a number
of other lesser gods and goddesses, as well as heroes and mythical
creatures. Each of these beings contributes to the rich tapestry of stories and
legends that make up Greek mythology.
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Hierarchy and structure
Let's talk about the hierarchy and structure of the Greek pantheon, which is
quite complex and diverse.
At the top of the hierarchy, we have the twelve Olympian gods, led by Zeus.
These are the most powerful gods, each ruling a specific sphere of the
cosmos or human experience, such as the sky, the sea, war, love, and
wisdom.
A step down in the hierarchy, we find the demigods. Demigods were beings
who had a mortal parent and a divine parent. One of the most famous
demigods, mainly thanks to movies and animations, is Hercules, the son of
Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. Hercules is known for his incredible strength
and his twelve labors, which are a series of seemingly impossible tasks he
was forced to perform as punishment for killing his wife and children in a fit of
madness.
Finally, I would like to mention the Muses. The Muses were nine goddesses
who presided over the arts and sciences. They were daughters of Zeus and
Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory. Each Muse had a specific domain, such
as music, poetry, history, and dance. They were invoked by artists for
inspiration in their work. These are the muses, also from disney's hercules
animation, and in the movie they are the ones who sing some songs
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Role of the gods in Greek society
I would like to talk about the important role the gods played in ancient Greek
society. The Greek gods were much more than mere characters in myths and
legends. They were a fundamental part of the Greeks' understanding of the
world around them and played a significant role in many aspects of daily life.
For example, the ancient Greeks used the gods to explain natural phenomena
that, at the time, were unknown or misunderstood. If there was a violent storm,
they might attribute it to the wrath of Poseidon.
In addition, the Greek gods were notable for their very human characteristics
and emotions. They fell in love, got jealous, quarreled and made up, just like
humans. This humanization of the gods had a profound impact on the way the
Greeks saw themselves and the world around them.
For example, this view of the gods as beings fundamentally similar to humans,
although more powerful, may have contributed to the invention of democracy
in ancient Greece. If even the gods could argue and disagree, then surely
humans should be able to do the same.
Similarly, the human aspects of the Greek gods provided rich material for
various forms of art, including theater. Ancient Greek tragedies and comedies
are full of stories of gods falling in love, deceiving each other, and facing the
consequences of their actions.
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Now we are going to talk about some gods of Greek mythology individually,
each of us has chosen a Greek god or goddess to talk about.
I'll start…
Zeus is the main deity of the Greek pantheon, he played a crucial role in the
religious beliefs and practices of Ancient Greece.
A key episode in the history of Zeus is when he led the revolt against the
Titans known as the Titanomachy. Zeus and his brothers overthrew the titans
and divided the universe between themselves, with Zeus gaining dominion
over the sky and becoming king of the gods.
Zeus is known as the god of the sky and thunder, for this reason he was
depicted carrying a lightning bolt with his hand, Zeus is also considered the
strongest god in the Greek pantheon, and for this reason, he is depicted as
the "king of the gods". He rules the universe with his authority, ensuring order
and balance between the gods and humans. His jurisdiction is not only limited
to physical aspects such as weather and natural phenomena but also extends
to justice, law, and social order.
As a central figure of Greek mythology, he was revered in all aspects of life -
from religious rituals to political decisions. Zeus's influence permeated the
social norms, ethical values, and public morality of Ancient Greece.