Greek Gods and Goddesses

Today we took more notes, almost finishing the entire PowerPoint. We started off talking about Isagoras and Cleisthenes engaging in a power struggle. Isagoras won but Cleisthenes and his supporters revolted and banished Isagoras. This marked 508 BCE as the birth of democracy. Cleisthenes was a rich, crafty politician of the elites. He saw the value of middle class citizens, besides women. We then began talk on gods and goddesses. Something important was the unique relationship Greek's had with gods; gods interacted with humans. For example, Poseidon (God of the Sea) interfered with Odysseus. That is the most common example. We talked a lot about Zeus, the ruler of heaven and earth; father of Athena, god of the sky, weather, thunder, lightning, law, order, and justice. He had a temper and was known for hurling bolts of thunder. Athena was the goddess of skill, warfare, peace, intelligence, battle strategy, and handicrafts. She was born of Zeus' head in full form with armor. She is known as the patron of heroes and patron of Athens. Athens was clearly named after Athena.

Cleisthenes