Pointers for Midterm Exam that allows viewers to reflect more clearly on aspects of

their own culture.

Chapter 1. Folk Literature: Mythology
and Folklore – An Overview Literature is a wonderful resource for illuminating the
traditional values and lifestyles of a culture-either
What is Folk Literature? another culture or one's own.
Folk literature, also called folklore or oral tradition is the
lore (traditional knowledge and beliefs) of cultures Genres of Folk Literature:
having no written language.
Myths- This genre of folk literature are traditional
Mythology often derives from what many consider to be stories from particular cultures that deal with GODS,
sacred texts where it aims to tell us about the time before GODDESSES, and other SUPERNATURAL beings,
we existed. How we are and everything around us were
created. These stories were often held as the truth and so Legends- A NARRATIVE of human actions that are
they became part of many people's religion. They believed by the storyteller and the reader/listener to have
discussed deities and supernatural figures that they taken place in HUMAN history.
believed to be involved in our creation. At a time when
our scientific knowledge was very limited these stories Folktales- This genre of folk literature refers to brief
provided explanations to things that, we've only really stories passed by word of mouth from generation to
began to understand When this religion has lost their generation contain ordinary people.
following or when they were absorbed into others they
began to be referred to as mythology. Significance of Studying Folk Literature:

Folklore differs the most from mythology is in time and Folklore studies explain the natural world mystery. It
scale. Mythology clearly focuses on the beginning of helps to uncover truths and phenomena.
time the explanation of civilization and culture. Whereas
the creatures’ spirits and deities of folklore almost just Folklore studies promote high sense of morality. Where
exist without this need for a religious or cosmic it shows the division of judgement which one is good or
connection. evil present form folk stories.
Folktales are told on a much smaller scale and often tend
to be exclusive to a specific village in town or city. They Folklore studies may facilitate us to discover the roots of
do at times include gods and goddesses in their stories distinctive communities, the past, the commonality of
but they often do so. With a specific meaning or moral in varied cultures and of course our ethnic identities.
mind that doesn't solely refer back to creation or
divinity. The way in which tales of mythology and The term "folk" suggests people belonging to different
folklore travelled was naturally quite similar. Because at groups which shared a common factor, language,
the time they didn't have things like printing houses and religion, culture and traditions. The knowledge of such
education wasn't as widely available as it is today kind of traditions and culture is known as folklore. The
meaning many people just couldn't read or write. very notion of "folk" conjures up the feeling that it
belongs to the field of illiterate and marginalized people.
What is artifact? It is a fact that the oral tradition, on which the folklore is
Artifact is a general term for an item made or given based, is often used as a tool by the subaltern groups as a
shape by humans, such as a tool or a work of art, voice to their predicaments.
especially an object of archaeological interest. Examples
include stone tools, pottery vessels, metal objects such as Folklore studies can also be taken as a way to raise one's
weapons and items of personal adornment such as awareness of the culture that one is coming
buttons, jewelry and clothing. from.

Folk literature pertains to the written oral traditions of Folklore studies is that it helps us to understand the rich
singing or storytelling resulting preservation of folklore and mystic tradition of our ancestors
traditions.
The Nature of Mythology:.
It teaches rich literary heritage through stories which Theories Related to Folk Literature
provides both a window into other cultures and a mirror
Ancient Theories:
Rationalism- According to this theory, explained by the relatively limited number
myths represent an early form of logical of experiences open to such communities
thinking: they all, have a logical base. when myths arise.

Etymological Theory- This theory states Freudianism- When Sigmund Freud, the
that all myths derive from and can be traced founder of modern psychology, interpreted
back to certain words in the language. the dreams of his patients, he found great
similarities between them and the ancient
Allegorical theory- In the allegorical myths.
explanation, all myths contain hidden
meanings which the narrative deliberately Freud believes that certain infantile are
conceals or encodes. repressed.

Euhemerism- Euhemerus, a Greek who Jungian archetypes- Carl Jung was a

lived from 325-275 BC, maintained that all prominent psychologist who, while he
myths arise from historical events which accepted Freud’s theory about the origin of
were merely exaggerated. myths, did not believe that it went far in
explaining the striking similarities between
MODERN THEORIES: the motifs found in ancient stories and those
of his patients.
Naturalism- In this hypothesis, all myths
are thought to arise from an attempt to Structuralism- This theory is a fairly recent
explain natural phenomena. development and is closely allied with the
research of linguists.
People who believe in this theory narrow the
source of myths by tracing their origins from According to this theory, all human
the worship of the sun or the moon. behavior, the way we eat, dress, speak, is
patterned into codes
Ritualism- According to this theory, all
myths are invented to accompany and Historical-critical theory- This theory
explain religious ritual; they describe the maintains that there are a multitude of
significant events which have resulted in a factors which influence the origin and
particular ceremony. development of myths and that no single
explanation will suffice.
Diffusionism- The diffusionists maintain
that all myths arose from a few major We must examine each story individually to
cultural centers and spread throughout the see how it began and evolved.
world.
Chapter 2. Creation Myths
Evolutionism- Myth making occurs at a
certain stage in the evolution of the human
mind.

Myths, are therefore, an essential part of all

developing societies and the similarities
from one culture to the next can be
Goddess Gaea (Gaia) - Known as both Gaia The creation of the Titans was equally as
and Gaea, the Goddess Gaia is a figure from interesting. One night, the goddess and her son lay
together. This resulted in the birth of CRONUS,
Greek mythology. Her name essentially who was the original Titan. While her other
means earth or land and shows that she was children loved and respected their mother, Cronus
the human version of the earth. was different. He thought his mother was lusty and
- The ancestral mother and claim that she gave sinful. Knowing the truth behind his birth, he was
birth to all of the elements of the world. Gaia often awful to her and acted out
birthed URANUS, also known as Ouranos and
THE TITANS as well as other major figures such Gaea – Appearance
as the Gigantes and CYCLOPES. Terra is the
Roman version of the goddess. Gaia often appeared in different ways in early
artwork. One of the oldest vase paintings from
CHAOS came before everything else. He was made Athens depicts her as an older woman with half of
of Void, Mass and Darkness in confusion; and then her body still in the ground and a matronly figure.
earth in the form of Gaea came into existence. From Other vases show her in a similar position with
“Mother Erichthonius in her hands. This scene shows her
Earth” sprang the starry heavens, in the shape of giving the future king of the city to ATHENA
the sky God Uranus, and from Gaea also came the who raised him. Other paintings show her as a
mountains, plains, seas and rivers that make up the more beautiful and younger woman relaxing on
Earth we know today. the ground with small gods nearby.

The Titans and Earth Gaea – Epithets and Cults

Gaia was the first of the immortals. She arose The most common epithet associated with Gaia is
during the chaos period. Greeks refer to this Anesidora, which is also one of the oldest names
period as the time before gods and goddesses.
given to her. It means giver of gifts and shows that
Christians use the same term to describe the world
before God separated heaven and earth. She she gave to those in need. Others referred to her as
would become the eternal seat on Mount Pandoros, Eurusternos and Calligenaia. In most
Olympus where all Olympians sat. Many refer to
stories, people followed both her and DEMETER
those men and women as the 12 Olympians.
During the early years, many called her Mother and worshiped them equally. Some legends claim
Earth. that her followers sacrificed black animals in
honor of her. They would bring a white animal for
As soon as she arose, she took possession of the Sun and a black animal for the Earth.
Mount Olympus and began overseeing the world.
TARTARUS was the next immortal and known
for helping pave the earth, followed by EROS Gaia Temples
who was the god of love. After spending many
years as the only creature, she became so lonely As one of the more popular GREEK
that she created Uranus. To make him happy, she GODDESSES, many people worshiped Gaia and
gave him control over the sky and heaven. She built temples in her honor. One legend claims that
believed that he would help and protect her. Gaia she was the creator of Delphi. It says that while
then created both PONTUS to oversee the ocean clad as a tree, she stood in the center of town and
and OUREA to take over the mountains. These spoke to a stone, which came to life. Before
two beings were unique in that she created them breathing life into the stone, Gaia was the original
alone and without the assistance of a father/male. oracle. When she grew tired of the position, she
appointed a nymph by the name of Daphnis to
take over. A different legend claims that both the interconnectedness of all things, both
Gaia and Poseidon shared the oracle. While she physical and spiritual.
allowed the oracle the freedom to speak, Poseidon
only allowed his to say what he wanted him to
say. Her share of the oracle would later go to
Apollo who eventually gave it back to Poseidon. SHINTOISM Japanese Mythology
Shintoism is a Japanese religion that has
Another temple designed for Gaia was in Sparta in been deeply interwoven with Japanese
an area known as Ge Gasepton. It was also a
culture for centuries. A unique spiritual
sanctuary of Nurse of the Young and not far from
Athens. Like other temples of the time period, it tradition, it finds its origins in ancient Japan.
had multiple altars where people could pray and Its roots lie in the veneration of nature and
worship her. Priestesses marked other areas as the belief in the existence of spirits called
sacred spots designed for other gods and kami. These kami are thought to inhabit
goddesses. EILEITHYIA had a sanctuary in
Tegea that had an altar dedicated to her. There
natural elements like mountains, rivers,
were similar altars in both Delphi and Olympia. trees, and rocks, as well as man-made
objects like swords and mirrors.
YGGDRASIL Shinto derives from the combination of two
Chinese characters: shin, which means “
- Yggdrasil is a great ash tree in Norse spirit” or “ god” , and tō, which means “
mythology way ” , “ road” and ” path“ . “Shinto ” ; ( the
way of the gods)
- It contains the nine realms that make up
Kamí- It is the most important figure in the
the cosmos.
Shinto religion, which means the Japanese
shinto gods.
- It holds the entirety of everything together.
Shinto Deities and Spirits
- Formed from the body of Ymir after he The sun goddess, Amaterasu Omikami, is
died.
the central deity in Shinto mythology. She is
considered to be the progenitor of the
- It is also the tree where Odin hung himself Japanese imperial family.
in order to gain the knowledge of the runes
Inari Okami is the kami of rice and sake.
LIFE AND DEATH: She is often depicted as a fox, which is
considered to be her messenger. Inari
Yggdrasil represents the cycle of life, shrines are found throughout Japan, and she
death, and rebirth, with the tree's is a popular deity among businesses and
merchants
constant growth and decay mirroring
Susanoo no Mikoto, the storm god, is
the human experience.
known for his tempestuous personality. He
INTERCONNECTEDNESS The tree's vast is often depicted as a warrior and is
network of roots and branches symbolizes associated with strength and power.
 mythology. The transliteration of his name
in Chinese is Longwang
What is the important symbol in
Shintoism? -Torii mark the entrance to Pangu is a prominent figure in Chinese
Shinto shrines and are recognisable symbols mythology and is considered the creator god
of the religion. who formed the world out of chaos.
According to legend, Pangu emerged from a
Core Beliefs and Principles of Shintoism:
cosmic egg and stood between yin and yang,
- REVERENCE FOR NATURE the two opposite forces of the universe.
- PURITY AND CLEANLINESS Pangu (盤古) was a horned, hairy beast who is
- HARMONY AND BALANCE considered to be the very first living being
of the universe.
- ANCESTRAL WORSHIP
Pan Gu’s Death:
Shintoism continues to exert a profound
influence on Japanese culture. When Pan Gu died, hisskull became the top
of the sky, his breath became the wind and
Dragon and the egg Chinese Mythology clouds, his voice the rolling thunder. One
In the beginning was a huge egg containing eye became the Sun and the other the Moon.
chaos, a mixture of yin and yang — female- His body and limbsturned into five big
male, aggressive-passive, cold-hot, dark- mountains, and his blood formed the roaring
light, and wetdry. Within this yin and yang water. His veins became roads and his
was Pan Gu, who broke forth from the egg musclesturned to fertile land. The
asthe giant who separated chaosinto the innumerable starsin the sky came from his
many opposites, including Earth and sky. hair and beard, and flowers and treesfrom
hisskin. His marrow turned to jade and
The dragon was born from a primordial pearls. Hissweat flowed like the good rain
chaos, a time of immense cosmic energy. and the sweet dew that nurtures all things on
Asthe universe began to take shape, a divine Earth. Some people say that the fleas and the
egg appeared, representing the potential for lice on his body became the ancestors of
creation. humanity.
Within the egg, a powerfulspirit, imbued
with the essence of the heavens and the
earth, began to grow and develop. Over
time, the spirit transformed into a
magnificent dragon, embodying the
harmonious balance of yin and yang
Dragon symbolism in China usually carries BRAHMANISM:
positive attributes. Brahma, the creator- Brahma have four
Longwang- The Dragon King, also known heads,seeing in all directions at once and
asthe Dragon God, is a figure from Chinese symbolising the four Vedas.
 In Hindu creation stories, Brahma brings It’s like the universal energy that’s
the universe into being. everywhere, eternal and the reason for
everything.
For Hindus the universe was created by
Brahma, the creator who made. the universe
out of himself.
Atman (Soul):
Vishnu, the preserver- Vishnu isthe peace-
The Atman (soul) is another crucial concept
loving deity of that trinity, the Preserver or
in Brahmanism. It relatesto individual
Sustainer of Life.
consciousness and existence.
Vishnu isthe Preserver or Sustainer of life,
Think of it as our inner life force; it’s
known for hissteadfast principles of
connected to Brahman.
order,righteousness, and truth.
Influence and Interpretations:
When these values are under threat, Vishnu
emerges out of histranscendence to restore Hinduism: Brahmanism really shaped
peace and order on earth. Hinduism; they’re kind of inseparable.
Shiva, the destroyer- Hindus believe his Brahmins: These are the priest folks who
powers of destruction and recreation are follow Brahmanism and do Vedic rituals.
used even now to destroy the illusions and Cosmologists: They study Brahmanism to
imperfections of this world, paving the way understand the universe.
for beneficial change.
SI MALAKAS AT SI MAGANDA
Brahmanism:
Main Characters:
- It’s an intellectual beliefsystem.
The huge, beautiful Kite (bird) represents
- It’s all about nature, human origins, and a central character.
life’s mysteries.
Malakas (Strong One)
- Brahmanism comesfrom the history of the
Vedas. Maganda (Beautiful One) emerge from the
split bamboo, becomingthe ancestors of
- It's like an ideology and a way of life. different races of people.
- The central belief isin Brahman, an all-
pervading reality that existed before
everything else. Setting- The story begins when there was no
land, only the Sea and the Sky.
Brahman as All-Pervading Reality:
The newly formed islands that became the
Brahman isthe all-pervading, eternal force. Philippines are a crucial part of the setting.
It is the prime cause of everything, both
moving and unmoving. According to Conflict- The Kite’s frustration with
Brahmanism, all existence is a tiny part of nowhere to land leads to a quarrel between
this universal reality. the Sky and the Sea.
The Sky throws rain, thunder, and lightning, TUNGKUNG LANGIT & SI ALUNSINA
while the Sea responds with waves and
Characters:
hurricanes.
Tungkung Langit: A god who represents
Resolution- The Sky showers massive
order and stability.
boulders onto the Sea, forming the islands
(Philippines). Alunsina: A goddess who symbolizes
beauty and chaos.
The Kite is ordered to build its nest on one
of these islands, bringing peace between Sky Origin of the Myth- The myth originates
and Sea. from the Visayas, a group of islands in the
central Philippines, and is part of the rich
Marriage and Progeny- The Land Breeze
oral tradition of the region.
and Sea Breeze marry, and their child
Bamboo splits into Malakas and Maganda. From this chaos emerged two gods:
Tungkung Langit and Alunsina. Tungkung
Animals decide that Malakas and Maganda
Langit fell in love with Alunsina, and they
should marry, leading to the diversity of
married one another. Tungkung Langit
human races.
focused on imposing order, while Alunsina
Consequences- The parents’ frustration was lazy and self-absorbed.
with their numerous children results in
•Tungkung Langit left to restore cosmic
different outcomes: Hidden room occupants
order, warning Alunsina.
become chiefs (Maharlikas). Those in the
walls become slaves (Alipins).Fireplace •Alunsina sent the breeze to spy on him,
hiders become Negritos and Aetas. Those angering Tungkung Langit.
who fled outside become free men •They quarreled, and in rage, he divested
(Timawas). Those who fled to the sea Alunsina of her powers.
eventually return as white foreigners.
Alunsina disappeared, leaving Tungkung
Langit alone. His once-vibrant home became
cold and desolate. He longed for her
presence but couldn’t find her.
Desperate, Tungkung Langit decided to
act.He made the sea and the earth, planting
trees and flowers. He scattered Alunsina’s
jewels in the sky (stars, moon, sun), hoping
she’d return.
Tungkung Langit lives alone in the skies,
occasionally crying, and his tears become
rain
Chapter 3. The Pantheons and their Iapetus - One lesser-known Titan who
Counterparts contributed heavily to the mythology is
Iapetus. Also known as Iepetos or Japetus,
The Greek Titans this Titan god represented mortality and
Oceanus - In Greek mythology, Oceanus craftsmanship.
was a Titan son of Uranus and Gaia, the Cronus - Cronus (Kronos, Cronos) was the
husband of his sister the Titan Tethys, and leader of the first generation of Titans. He
the father of the river gods and the ruled during the Golden Age of man and
Oceanids, as well as being the great river paved the way for the future Olympians to
which encircled the entire world. rise to power. God of time
Coeus - According to Greek mythology, Theia - She is the Greek goddess of sight
Coeus is the Titan God of the North, and the and vision, and by extension the goddess
Titan of Resolve and Intelligence. He is also who endowed gold, silver, and gems with
the embodiment of the celestial axis around their brilliance and intrinsic value.
which the heavens revolve. The etymology
of Coeus’ name provided scholars to Rhea or Rheia - In Greek mythology, Rhea
theorise that he was also the God of is the mother of the gods, as well as the
intellect. That he represented the inquisitive goddess of motherhood, fertility, childbirth,
mind, resolve and foresight. and comfort and good living. She is the
daughter of Gaea and Uranus.
Crius - Hesiod, the Greek historian, names
Crius as one of the Titans born from Uranus THEMIS - the Greek goddess of law and
and Gaia. Little is known about Crius, he represents law, order, and justice.According
was one of the Titans overthrown in the to Greek mythology, Themis was gifted with
Titanomachy and was the father of Perses foresight and prophecy, and she was
and the grandfather of Hecate. He is known extremely wise.
as the Titan God of heavenly constellations MNEMOSYNE - Mnemosyne, in Greek
and in charge of ordering the measures of mythology, the goddess of memory.
the year.
PHOEBE - Goddess of Bright Intellect and
Hyperion - Hyperion’s name comes from Prophecy. She is among the first generation
the Greek for “the one who watches from of Titans. Phoebe is just one of the Twelve
above.” He is said to be the first to Titans to come from the primordial deities.
understand the cycles of the sun, the stars,
the moon and the dawn or to even have Tethys - was the Greek goddess of
ordered them in the first place.He was said freshwater who bore six thousand children
to be breathtakingly beautiful. to her husband Oceanus. Those children
became the rulers of all rivers, streams,
The Titan God of Heavenly Light, Golden lakes, and rain clouds.
Rays are also a symbol tied to Hyperion..
Cronus mated with his older sister Rhea, ARES - Ares was most notably referred to
who gave birth to the first Olympians: Zeus, as the God of War; he represented the
Hades, Poseidon, Hestia, Demeter, and unpleasant aspects of battle. He was most
Hera. Certain Titan descendants, such as often characterized as a coward in spite of
Prometheus, Atlas, Helios, and Leto, are his connection to war. He responded to even
sometimes referred to as Titans. the slightest injury with outrage.
The Greek Olympians: ATHENA - Greek Goddess of Wisdom and
War. Athena is a Greek goddessknown as
Zeus - Zeus is the Greek God of The Sky
both Pallas and Athene.
and Thunder and king of all the Gods. He
was the first of the gods and a very imposing HEPHAESTUS - Hephaestus was the god
figure. Often referred to as the “Father of of fire, metalworking, stone masonry, forges
Gods and men”. and the art of sculpture. He was a son of
Zeus and Hera and married to Aphrodite.
Hera - She is known for being the Goddess
of Marriage & Birth. Despite being the APHRODITE - Aphrodite, the Greek
Goddess of Marriage, she was known to be goddess of love, beauty, and desire, stands
jealous and vengeful towards the many as one of the most captivating and
lovers and offspring of her husband Zeus. influential deities in ancient Greek
mythology.
Poseidon - Poseidon was god of the sea,
earthquakes, storms, and horses. He is HERMES - Greek God of Trade, Eloquence
considered one of the most bad-tempered, and Messenger of the Gods. As the god of
moody and greedy Olympian gods. His boundaries and transitions, Hermes was
vengeance when insulted was also known to be quick and cunning and had the
legendary. ability to freely move between the mortal
and divine worlds.
DEMETER - Demeter is the goddess of the
harvest and presides over grains and the HESTIA - Hestia was the goddess of the
fertility of the earth. Although she was most hearth, home, architecture, domesticity,
often referred to as the goddess of the family, and the state. She was one of only
harvest, she was also goddess of sacred law three virgin goddesses, next to Athena and
and the cycle of life and death. Artemis.
APOLLO - God of the Sun, the Light, the DIONYSUS - Dionysus was the ancient
Music and Prophecy. Apollo is the ideal of Greek god of wine, winemaking, grape
the kouros, which means he has a beardless, cultivation, fertility, ritual madness, theater,
athletic and youthful appearance. and religious ecstasy.
ARTEMIS - Greek mythology is filled with
respected gods and goddesses that continue
to inspire. Artemis is known as the goddess
of the hunt and is one of the most respected
of all the ancient Greek deities.
ZEUS WIVES AND CHILDREN 13. Leda: Zeus approached Leda in the form
of a swan, and she became the mother of
1. Metis: The first wife of Zeus, Metis was
Helen of Troy and Pollux.
the mother of Athena, who was born from
Zeus’s head. 14. Danaë: Zeus appeared to her as a
shower of gold, leading to the birth of
2. Themis: She is one of the twelve Titan
Perseus.
children of Gaia and Uranus, and the second
wife of Zeus. 15. Ganymede: A beautiful Trojan prince
whom Zeus abducted to serve as the
3. Eurynome - was a deity of ancient Greek
cupbearer of the gods.
religion worshipped at a sanctuary near the
confluence of rivers called the Neda and the 16. Callisto: A nymph who was transformed
Lymax in classical Peloponnesus. into a bear and later became the
constellation Ursa Major.
4. Mnemosyne - In Greek mythology and
ancient Greek religion, Mnemosyne is the 17. Antiope: A mortal woman who bore
goddess of memory and the mother of the Zeus twin sons, Amphion and Zethus.
nine Muses by her nephew Zeus.
18. Niobe: Another mortal woman loved by
5. Hera: Despite being his wife, Hera was Zeus.
also one of Zeus’s consorts. They had
19. Thalia: One of the Graces, with whom
several children, including Ares,
Zeus fathered the Charites.
Hephaestus, Hebe, and Eileithyia.
DEMI-GODS
6. Leto: Zeus fathered Apollo and Artemis
with Leto. ACHILLES - Hero of the Trojan War who
was known as being the greatest of all the
7. Dione: She was the mother of Aphrodite
Greek warriors.
in some accounts
THESEUS – God of horses..
8. Maia: A nymph and one of the Pleiades,
she was the mother of Hermes. AMPHION - Amphion, son of Zeus and
Antiope, and twin brother of Zethus.
9. Europa: Zeus famously abducted Europa
in the form of a bull. She bore him three ORPHEUS - was a Thracian bard,
sons, including Minos and Rhadamanthy. legendary musician and prophet.
10. Io: A mortal princess whom Zeus turned ORION - In Greek mythology, Orion was a
into a cow to hide her from Hera. giant huntsman whom Zeus placed among
the stars as the constellation of Orion.
11. Semele: The mother of Dionysus, Zeus
appeared to her in his true form and she PERSEUS - He was the son of a woman
perished, but Zeus saved their unborn child. named Danae and the King of the Gods in
Greek Mythology, Zeus. Perseus is famous
12. Alcmene: The mortal mother of
for slaying the monster known as Medusa,
Heracles (Hercules in Roman mythology).
and marrying Andromeda.
AENEAS – mythical hero of Troy and MINOS - In Greek mythology was the king
Rome, son of the goddess Aphrodite and and ruler of the island of Crete.
Anchises. Aeneas was a member of the royal
ROMAN GODS AND GODDESSES
line at Troy and cousin of Hector.
JUPITER - Jupiter was a sky-god who
BELLEROPHON - was a divine
Romans believed oversaw all aspects of life;
Corinthian hero of Greek mythology, the
he is thought to have originated from the
son of Poseidon and Eurynome, and the
Greek god Zeus.
foster son of Glaukos.
JUNO - Juno was the ancient Roman queen
MEMNON - Memnon was a hero of the of the gods and the Roman goddess of
Trojan War, a King of Ethiopia who led his marriage.
armies from Africa into Asia Minor to help
defend the beleaguered city but was NEPTUNE - Neptune, in Roman religion,
ultimately slain by Achilles. originally the god of fresh water; by 399
BCE he was identified with the Greek
PANTHESILEA - Penthesilea, in Greek Poseidon and thus became a deity of the sea.
mythology, a queen of the Amazons, well
respected for her bravery, her skill in MINERVA - Minerva is the goddess of
weapons, and her wisdom. She led an army wisdom, medicine, the arts, poetry, and
of Amazons to Troy to fight against the handicrafts. Later in Roman history, she
Greeks. She was said to have killed became the goddess of war as well. So, she
Achilles, but Zeus brought him back to life, was pretty important to the Romans.
and Achilles killed her. MARS - Mars was the Roman god of war
HERACLES (HERCULES) - He had and agriculture and an important god in the
superhuman strength—he was strongenough Roman Pantheon.
to carry two building columns! He was VENUS - In Roman mythology, Venus is
known for fighting ferocious animalsand the goddess of love, beauty, sex, fertility,
monsters. Hercules is often shown wearing and victory.
or carrying the skin of a great lion he killed.
APOLLO - is the only god in the classical
AEACUS - According to legend, he was pantheon to share the same name in both
famous for his justice, and after he died he Greek and Roman traditions.
became one of the three judges in Hades
alongside Minos and Rhadamanthos. DIANA - Diana is a goddess in Roman and
Hellenistic religion, primarily considered a
HIPPOLYTA - Hippolyta, Queen of the patroness of the countryside and nature,
Amazons (a group of warrior women) is hunters, wildlife, childbirth,
famous for the powerful girdle or belt given
to her by her father, Ares the god of war. PLUTO - Pluto was the ancient Roman god
Theseus was supposedly an early leader of of the dead, wealth, andagriculture. Hades
the Greek city-state Athens. was the ancient Greek god of the
Underworld
 2. Deucalion and Pyrrha (Noah’s Ark)
MERCURY - The Greek god Hermes (the 3. Orion (Jonah and the Whale)
Roman Mercury) was the god of translators
and interpreters 4. Nissus and Scylla (Samson and Delilah)

SATURN - Saturn, in Roman religion, the 5. The Labors of Hercules (Samson)

god of sowing or seed. The Romans equated 6. Legendary Personages in Myths and
him with the Greek agricultural deity History (samples)
Cronus.
7. Theseus and Africa
VESTA - Vesta is the virgin goddess of the
hearth, home, and family in Roman religion. 8. The Trojan War
She was rarely depicted in human form, and 9. Fall of Troy, Return of the Greeks
was more oftenrepresented by the fire of her
temple in the Forum Romanum. 10. Aeneas and Rome
. 11. Odysseuss
1. Greek (Titans, Olympians, Zeus’ wives 12. Jason and the Argonauts
and children, demi-gods)
13. Pythagoras
2. Roman (Saturn, Jupiter, and the other
14. Hippolyta and the Amazonians
lesser gods)
3. Norse (Odin, his children, and the lesser
gods)
4. Japanese (Izanami, Izanagi, and their
children gods)
5. Chinese (the gods of heaven, earth, and
the underworld)
6. Hindu (the triune god and the lesser
gods)
7. Filipino (Bathala and the other lesser
gods)

Chapter 4. Myths Derived from Scripture

(samples)
1. Baucis and Philemon (Abraham and
Sarah)