Introduction to Mythology

1. Dr.Jeanneath D. Velarde
Dean, Arts and Sciences
Emilio Aguinaldo College,
Cavite,Philippines

2. MYTHOLOGY (Part I)

3. THE PRINCIPAL GODS
EPIMETHEUS
HERMES
DIONEZEUS
APHRODITE
MAIA
PHOEBE

4. FAMILYOF TREE of HELEN

5. THE HOUSE OF TROY

6. ANCESTOR OF ACHILLES

7. ANCESTOR OF PERSEUS AND HERCULES

8. THE OLYMPIANS
GREEK NAME ROMAN NAME
Zeus Jupiter
Hera Juno
Poseidon Neptune
Hades Pluto
Pallas Athena Minerva
Phoebus Apollo/ Apollo Apollo
Artemis Diana
Aphrodite Venus
Hermes Mercury
Ares Mars

9. ZEUS
Though Zeus (Jupiter or Jove) is the closest figure
in mythology to an omnipotent ruler, he is far from
all-powerful. He also lacks the perfection we might
expect in a divine ruler. However, this
imperfection is only a detriment if we view Zeus as
a moral authority, which, according to his stories,
he is not. Hamilton portrays Zeus as both an agent
and victim of fate. As ruler of the gods, Zeus is
destined to overthrow his father, Cronus, who
himself became lord of the universe after
overthrowing his own father, Heaven. Cronus’s
inability to prevent his overthrow is the first
example we see of the inevitability of fate—a
recurring theme in mythological stories. Even Zeus
himself is fated to be overthrown by one who is yet

10. • Zeus attempts to learn the identity of his
future overthrower from Prometheus but
continues his daily habit of revelry,
sometimes at the expense of innocent
mortals and other gods. Always conscious of
what he sees as an insurmountable
difference between gods and humans, he has
no pity for mortals. It is perhaps this
essential lack of sympathy that enables
Zeus to toy with humans heartlessly, raping
and ruining the lives of many women, who
seem to exist only for his pleasure. Yet
this behavior only represents one side of
Zeus’s character; the other, more evolved

11. Iliad and Odyssey by Homer
Homer was an ancient Greek poet. Traditions say that
Homer was blind . In Greek, his name is “ Homeros”
which is Greek for “hostage.” Some say that his name
was derived from the name of society of poets called
“Homeridan” which literally means “ sons of hostages,”
or descendants of prisoners of war. The two important
works of Homer are Iliad (The Wrath of Achilles and
the Trojan War) and the Odyssey (Travel of Odysseus)
Both have very strong religious and supernatural
elements. Its heroes descended from divine beings. They
constantly offer sacrifices to the gods and consult
priest and prophets to decide on their actions. Iliad
covers only a few weeks of the tenth and final year of
the Trojan War.

12. Iliad is one of the most celebrated and
well known epics of the world. It is
believed to be written by in 9th century
BC by Homer. This poem is based on the
legend of Trojan war. Iliad means the tale
of Ilios or the tale of Troy. It narrates
the story of the Greek struggle to rescue
Helen, from Trojans, the wrath of Achilles
and subsequent destruction of Troy. Iliad
covers only a few weeks of the tenth and
final year of the Trojan War.

13. THE GOLDEN APPLE
The story begins with the pairing of the mortal
Peleus and the immortal Thetis- the parents of
Achilles. All the gods and goddesses are
invited, except Eris, the goddess of Discord.
During the ceremony, Eris appears but she is
turned away and in her anger throws out a
golden apple inscribed with the words: “ To the
Fairest”. The three goddesses Athena – the
goddess of wisdom; Hera - the queen of the
gods; and Aphrodite – the goddess of love,
claim the title. Zeus is asked to mediate but
because all the goddesses are important to him

14. Hera is the wife of Zeus, Aphrodite is the daughter of Zeus to
a sea nymph, while Athena is the daughter of Zeus with Metis.
Zeus was told that his son would take his throne from him, just
as he had taken power from his father Cronus. Accordingly, when
Metis was pregnant, he swallowed her and Athena was born from
Zeus’ head, wearing armor and fully grown. Each goddess offers
Paris a bribe. Athena offers him an infinite wisdom and an
equal amount of influence over men; Hera promises a great
kingdom and lordship over men; Aphrodite offers him the love of
the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris accepts the bribe
of Aphrodite. Incidentally, Helen, the daughter of Zeus, is
considered as the most beautiful woman in the world and who has
a squadron of suitors ready to avenge and protect her.
Aphrodite helps Paris to steal Helen from her husband ,Menelaus,
who is also the brother of the most powerful king in Greece,
Agamemnon. The suitors of Helen, who are true to their pledge
of protecting Helen, sail to retrieve her. They besiege Greece
for nine years.