Greek gods & Mount Olympus
Know that the ancient Greeks believed in many gods and goddesses who lived on Mount Olympus — including Zeus (king of the gods, thunder), Athena (wisdom), Poseidon (the sea), Hermes (messages), and Aphrodite (love) — and that each god had special powers and a role in the world
What a learner can do afterwards
- Name at least three Greek gods and say what each one was god of
- Say that the Greek gods were believed to live on Mount Olympus
- Explain that the ancient Greeks prayed to different gods for different things
The lesson
Long ago, ancient Greeks believed in many gods. They thought the gods lived on Mount Olympus. Mount Olympus is a tall mountain in Greece.
Each god had a special job. Zeus was king of all the gods. He ruled the sky and threw thunderbolts. Athena was the goddess of wisdom. She helped people think and plan.
Poseidon was the god of the sea. He could make the sea calm or stormy. Hermes carried messages for the gods. He ran and flew very fast. Aphrodite was the goddess of love.
One day, a sailor wanted a safe trip. He prayed to Poseidon before he sailed. He asked Poseidon to keep the sea calm.
Each god carries a special object. Zeus holds a thunderbolt. Poseidon holds a three-pronged trident. Athena often carries a shield.
Each Greek god had a special power on Mount Olympus.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.