gods, greek

Introduces the Greek god Poseidon and explains his importance.

"Zeus is a figure in Greek mythology and the leader of the Olympians--the gods and goddesses who were worshiped by the ancient Greeks. The Greeks believed that Zeus and his followers defeated an earlier race of gods--the Titans--in a battle that burned the Earth's surface. Zeus established a home for himself and the other Olympian gods and goddesses above Mount Olympus, the tallest mountain in Greece. From that height, he kept a close eye on human affairs and when he felt it was necessary, he punished rule-breakers. Because he controlled thunder and lightning, punishment often took the form of his throwing a blazing thunderbolt at the offenders. In addition, Zeus pursued women--divine and human alike--and his wife (the goddess Hera) was often jealous. She used her powers to try to stop Zeus from fooling around. But he had many children with his mistresses, including the mighty hero Hercules."--.

"Many of the statues of Poseidon throughout the world are near the ocean, since Poseidon is the god of the sea. The Greek gods and goddesses bring to mind images of heroes and heroines, much admired by the Greek people. Poseidon fits this description to a certain degree, but like humans, he possesses many character flaws. Most of the stories about Poseidon depict an angry, vengeful being who makes decisions based on his emotions--he is a troublemaker for humans--and other gods and goddesses, and they in turn, are mischief makers for Poseidon. The myths are exciting, adventurous stories that the ancient Greeks used as guidance in their daily lives to explain nature and why things happened."--.

"When the ancient Greeks found themselves in a difficult situation, they would pray to this daughter of Zeus for guidance. Of course, like the other gods and goddesses, Athena was not without faults. Her fierce independence often led her to rebel against her father and to fight with her many brothers and sisters. But she also came to their aid over and over again, proving herself to be worthy of her title--and all the respect with which it came"--.

"Chances are good that you have heard the name Apollo at least once. After all, it is the name of one of the most famous theaters in New York City. It is even the name of one of the most important space exploration programs created by NASA. But who was Apollo, and why was he important? To the ancient Greeks, Apollo was the god of the sun, as well as the god of music and poetry. Both he and his twin sister Artemis played a significant role in the religion of the ancient Greeks, who believed that they and the other gods and goddesses ruled the world. To them he was as real as the beautiful gifts of light and music, which they believed he bestowed on them"--.

Mighty Apollo is known by all as the god of the sun, but there's more to this Olympian than a bright smile and a shining chariot.

"... For millennia, the Amazons of Paradise Island have created a thriving society away from the blight of man. One resident, however, is not satisfied with this secluded life--Diana, Princess of the Amazons, knows there is more in this world and wants to explore, only to be frustrated by her protective mother, Hippolyta. Diana finds her escape when Air Force pilot Steve Trevor, the first man she has ever seen, crashes onto their shores. With his life hanging in the balance, Diana ventures into the long forbidden world of men. The Amazons chase after her and bring her back to Paradise Island in chains to face trial for breaking their oldest law--staying separated from the world that wronged them"--Provided by publisher.

Offers an overview of stories about the mythical ancient Greek demigod hero, Hercules.

A publisher in New York asked me to write down what I know about the Greek gods, and I was like, Can we do this anonymously? Because I don't need the Olympians mad at me again. But if it helps you to know your Greek gods, and survive an encounter with them if they ever show up in your face, then I guess writing all this down will be my good deed for the week. So begins Percy Jackson's Greek Gods, in which the son of Poseidon adds his own magic--and sarcastic asides--to the classics..

"Mighty Apollo is known by all as the god of the sun, but there's more to this Olympian than a bright smile and a shining chariot"--Provided by publisher.