✔ Learn what a myth is.
✔ Meet the gods of Mount Olympus.
✔ Discover why Greeks told these stories.
The ancient Greeks told wonderful stories called myths to explain the world. Why does thunder boom? Why do seasons change? Long before science could answer, myths gave exciting answers full of gods, heroes, and monsters.
The Greeks believed twelve powerful gods lived on top of Mount Olympus, the tallest mountain in Greece. Zeus was the king of the gods, who threw lightning bolts. Poseidon ruled the sea with his three-pointed trident. Athena was the wise goddess of wisdom — the city of Athens was named after her!
The Greeks built beautiful temples for their gods and brought them gifts. Myths were told around fires, sung by poets, and painted on vases. We still enjoy these stories today, 2,500 years later!
1. What is a myth?
2. Where did the Greeks believe the gods lived?
3. Which god or goddess sounds most interesting to you? Why?
Write the letter that matches: A = king of the gods with lightning, B = ruler of the sea, C = goddess of wisdom.
| God or Goddess | Match (A–C) |
|---|---|
| Athena | |
| Zeus | |
| Poseidon |
Write what each word means in your own words.
Draw Zeus with his lightning bolt, Poseidon with his trident, or Athena with her owl.
1. Why do you think people told myths before science could explain things?
2. Make up a myth-style answer: why does it rain?
| I learned... | Circle one |
|---|---|
| What a myth is | YES / NOT YET |
| Names of three Greek gods | YES / NOT YET |