Michelle M. Houle

Houle, M. (2001). Gods and Goddesses in Greek Mythology; New Jersey: Enslow Publishers Inc.

Creation

The ancient Greek creation story comes from Hesiod’s Theogony, the earliest surviving written version of the origin of the earth and birth of the gods in Greek culture. In this story, the first entity that ruled the world was called “Chaos.” Gaia, which means “Earth,” came into being next as a kind of mother goddess, and from her all the other gods came into existence. I think children will be fascinated to see how different cultures have tried to explain the origin of the universe in unique ways. As it is pointed out in the editor’s introduction to the story: “Most cultures have myths that help to explain the creation of the universe and the beginning of time. Because the origin of the universe is unknown, each culture has tried its best to make sense of this mystery.” Exposing children to world mythology is a great way to show them creation stories other than the ones they might believe or be most familiar with.

The War Between the Titans and the Olympians

This classical Greek Myth is features Mount Olympus, home of the Olympians, the generation of gods who came after the Titans. These two generations of gods eventually became enemies who locked themselves in a dramatic power struggle over the cosmos. The story about the war between the Titans and the Olympians is essential to Greek mythology. In it we learn all about the backgrounds and identities of the gods and goddesses who, though immortal, display many human characteristics like envy, jealousy, lust, and so forth. It is all about how the gods gained they gained their positions of power over varying aspects of the universe. Not all children will enjoy these stories but they will all benefit from knowing about some of the most important characters in world mythology who are still mentioned to this days in films, on television, and in popular cultural phenomena.

Pandora

Pandora is an aspect of the ancient Greek creation story. Pandora was the first woman created by the gods at a time when there were only men on the earth. She was totally beautiful, resembling the goddesses. The gods showered her with valuable gifts, including a beautifully designed box that she was not allowed to ever open, until, after she married Epimetheus, she eventually opened it. It is an entertaining story that most children would likely enjoy. It is amazing that these ancient stories are still preserved to this day. They help children to understand that different cultures have developed different stories about creation in an effort to explain how things came into existence.

Dionysius and his Followers

A classical Greek myth, Dionysius and his Followers is an intriguing story about a human woman’s love affair with the king of the gods, Zeus, who appeared to her in the form of a mortal man. Zeus, already married to the goddess Hera, impregnates the mortal Semele, and Hera finds out. The events that follow have all the dramatic and scandalous elements of a soap opera. Mature subjects like adultery, pregnancy, death, and violence (decapitation) are an integral part of the plot. The story is fascinating but probably not fully appropriate for young children.… (més)