IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

In The Beginning
Matching
This exercise covers material in d’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, pp. 9-20

Match the person, place, or thing with the description.

A. the Aegis F. Echidna/Typhon K. Prometheus/Epimetheus

B. Amaltheia G. Hades L. Rhea
C. Zeus H. Metis M. Sprites
D. Cronus I. Mount Aetna N. Tartarus
E. Cyclopes/Hekatonchires* J. Poseidon O. Titans

_____ 1. The Cyclopes made a cap of invisibility for me.

_____ 2. We are the eleven brothers and sisters of Cronus.

_____ 3. The Cyclopes made lightning bolts for me.

_____ 4. I was lord of the universe after Gaea and Uranus ruled.

_____ 5. I am the volcano where Typhon was trapped.

_____ 6. Our names mean forethought and afterthought.

_____ 7. I am Zeus’ breastplate.

_____ 8. We are the monsters sent by Mother Earth to attack Zeus.

_____ 9. The Cyclopes gave me a trident.

_____ 10. I had “horns of plenty.”

_____ 11. I am the wife of Cronus and the mother of the six Olympian gods.

_____ 12. I am the dark pit which held the Titans.

_____ 13. We are the monsters who fought with Zeus against the Titans.

_____ 14. I am Zeus’ first wife who tricked Cronus into eating a magic herb.

_____ 15. We took care of baby Zeus and made noise to cover his cries.

*Throughout this packet, the hundred-handed fifty-headed monsters are referred to by their Greek
name, the Hekatonchires.
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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

Three Puzzles About the War

This difficult exercise covers material in d’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, p. 17

Figure out the number that corresponds to the letter. They are NOT consecutive.
One letter’s number has been provided for you.
The sentences you create will be about gods, Titans, and monsters who participated in the war.

Puzzle #1 Olympians Versus Titans

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
19

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
1 10 16 7 20 19 23 20 8 14 9 18 24

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
20 1 3 7 20 19 23 20 8 14 13 16 3 18 20 24

____ ____ ____ ____.

15 20 8 14

Puzzle #2 An Educated Guess

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
25

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
8 10 5 20 12 9 17 12 21 24 17 4 3 9 17 12

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____.
2 11 22 9 5 22 8 10 5 8 17 12 25 26

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

Three Puzzles About the War (continued)

Puzzle #3 Thanks!

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
21

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____, ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
2 20 10 21 16 14 3 20 2 9 2 23 7 6

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____, ____ ____ ____
21 3 13 21 25 21 11 21 5 21 20 24 2 3 16

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
5 21 17 1 20 3 21 3 17 11 7 5 20 25 26 14 10 14

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
17 21 6 20 25 6 10 7 19 20 1 14

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____.

9 24 9 5 7 23 14 25

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

Teacher’s Key
In The Beginning
Matching

1. G
2. O
3. C
4. D
5. I
6. K
7. A
8. F
9. J
10. B
11. L
12. N
13. E
14. H
15. M

Teacher’s Key
Three Puzzles About the War

Puzzle #1: Prometheus and Epimetheus joined Zeus.

Puzzle #2: Prometheus had the gift of prophecy.

Puzzle #3: A trident, a cap of invisibility, and lightning bolts were gifts from the Cyclopes.

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

In The Beginning
Crossword Puzzle
This exercise covers material in d’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, pp. 9-20

Complete the puzzle by identifying the speaker of each clue on the next page.

WORD BANK

aegis Pontus
Amaltheia Prometheus
cap Rhea
Cronus stone
Cyclopes Tartarus
Echidna Titanesses
flint Titans
Gaea Trident
lightning Typhon
Metis Uranus

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

In The Beginning
Crossword Puzzle Clues
Across
1. Two of my children are Cerberus and the Hydra.
4. I am Gaea's second husband.
5. I came out of darkness, and I was lonely.
6. I am the Titan who became the ruler after Uranus.
8. We are the six giant daughters of Uranus and Gaea.
10. I am the weapon that the Cyclopes made for Zeus.
12. Cronus thought I was a baby because I was wrapped in baby clothes.
13. I am the weapon that the Cyclopes made for Poseidon.
16. I, the first lord of the universe, married Gaea.
17. I am pinned under Mount Aetna.
18. I am Zeus' first wife.
19. I am the material out of which Gaea made the sickle.

Down
2. I am the invisible gift that the Cyclopes made for Hades.
3. Ambrosia and nectar flows from my horns.
4. I fought on Zeus' side against the Titans because I can look into the future.
7. We have only one eye, but we are strong.
9. I am the breastplate of Zeus.
11. I am the place where Uranus flung the Cyclopes.
14. We are the six giant sons of Uranus and Gaea.
15. I am married to Cronus.

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

Teacher’s Key
In The Beginning Crossword

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Out of Chaos
Crossword Puzzle
This exercise covers material in d’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, pp. 9-20
Across
2. What Metis was the goddess of
5. Number of sisters that Rhea had
7. Food and drink of the gods (three words)
10. Second husband of Mother Earth
13. First lord of the universe
15. First children of Mother Earth
16. Zeus' "nanny"
18. What Greek gods resembled
19. Three strong smiths
who were not handsome
20. Third lord of the universe
IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA
Down
1. Cronus' Titaness wife
3. What Cronus thought the magic herb would
make him
4. Second lord of the universe
6. Wife of Uranus
8. Home of the gods (2 words)
9. Peaceful age during the early rule of Cronus
11. Number of heads on each of the Hekatonchires
12. Island where Zeus grew up
14. Weapon that Mother Earth gave to Cronus
17. What the "impenetrable breastplate" was called
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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

Teacher’s Key
Out of Chaos

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

In the Beginning
Word Search
This exercise covers material in d’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, pp. 9-20

Locate the following words in the puzzle grid. They may be vertical or horizontal.

AMALTHEIA TARTARUS
CRONUS TITANS
CYCLOPES TRIDENT
ECHIDNA TYPHON
GAEA URANUS
METIS ZEUS
RHEA

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

Teacher’s Key
In the Beginning
Word Search

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

The End of the War

Word Search
This exercise covers material in d’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, pp. 16-23

In this grid, find the words suggested by the clues at the bottom of the page.
The words may be backwards, forwards, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.

CLUES

1. Two monsters that Mother Earth sent to fight 13. Goddess of wisdom, war, weaving, olives,
against Zeus (three words) and owls
2. Place where Zeus put the Titans after the war 14. God of light and music
3. Professions of the Cyclopes (three words) 15. What the Cyclopes built for the gods on Mount Olympus
4. Guards at the gates of Tartarus 16. What hid the gods on Mount Olympus
5. God of fire 17. Goddess of the hearth
6. Demeter's daughter 18. Titan sent to carry the sky on his shoulders
7. Goddess of love 19. Mountain that Typhon planned to hurl at Zeus
8. Lord of the sea 20. Lord of the dead
9. God of wine 21. The gods' and goddesses' "blood"
10. Goddess of the hunt 22. Zeus' queen
11. Goddess of the harvest 23. God of war
12. Herald of the gods 24. Goddess who wore a gown of iridescent drops

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

The End of the War

Word Search
Teacher’s Key

1. Typhon and Echidna 13. Athena

2. Tartarus 14. Apollo
3. smiths and masons 15. palace
4. Hekatonchires 16. clouds
5. Hephaestus 17. Hestia
6. Persephone 18. Atlas
7. Aphrodite 19. Aetna
8. Poseidon 20. Hades
9. Dionysus 21. ichor
10. Artemis 22. Hera
11. Demeter 23. Ares
12. Hermes 24. Iris

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

GAEA AND URANUS

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

TITANOMACHY
(tī - tan – ÄM – eh - kē)

Titanomachy is the name for the struggle between the Titans and the gods. The giant Titans
fought the six Olympians who were born to Cronus and Rhea. The Cyclopes and the Fifty-
Headed Hundred-Handed Monsters (the Hekatonchires) fought on the side of the Olympians
along with two of the Titans, Epimetheus and Prometheus. The monsters, Echidna and Typhon,
fought on the side of the Titans. Zeus and the Olympians won, thanks to the thunderbolts forged
by the Cyclopes.

On the following pages are cutout pictures of the main characters from the Titanomachy. (There
are pictures of the other Olympian gods, too, for use in projects other than this one.) To prepare
the participants for the battle, mount each cutout on construction paper. Cut along the outlines.

Using the patterns for the Small Figures Stand and the Large Figures Stand, make a stand for
each cutout from tag board. Glue the long narrow folded edge of the stand to the back of the
cutout.

Designate a place in the classroom as the “field of contest,” and position the figures on the proper
sides.

Fighting for the Titans

Cronus
Rhea
Other Titans and Titanesses (but NOT Epimetheus or Prometheus)
Echidna
Typhon

Fighting for the Olympians

Zeus
Hera
Hades
Poseidon
Demeter
Hestia
Three Cyclopes
Three Hekatonchires
Prometheus
Epimetheus

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

Musical Mythology
Zeus
(Tune: “On Top of Old Smoky”)

On top of Olympus all covered with cloud

Great Jupiter sits there so mighty and proud.
He’s king of the thunder and lightning and storm.
He walks among mortals in various forms.
He’s father of many, for he likes to roam
Among the young ladies, but far from his home
‘Cause Juno is jealous when trouble she sees.
She changes his lovers to rocks, beasts, and trees.
If a mortal’s in trouble and the gods can’t agree
He holds up his scales for their fate to decree.
But if men do not please him, then they’ll get a jolt
For Zeus will take aim with his hot thunderbolt

Liz Hubbard, Sagel, ID

Susan Hengelsberg, Perry, NY
Ann Edwards, Belle, MO

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

HESTIA
Goddess of the Hearth
The oldest sister of Zeus, Hestia, is not featured in many myths. Nevertheless, since the hearth
was of utmost importance to the ancients as a source of heat and light, they honored her daily at the
beginning and the ending of every meal. Hestia represented home and family, and thus she is not involved
in any mythological adventures.

There was a public hearth sacred to Hestia in every city. In Rome, six priestesses called the
Vestals kept perpetual watch over her fire in the temple. The safety of the city of Rome was believed to be
dependent upon the continuation of this flame.

One of the few stories that is told about Hestia involves Dionysus. Dionysus was the youngest of
the Olympian gods. He was the god of wine, and he brought lots of joy to people. He was also Zeus’ son,
and Zeus really liked him. Zeus wanted him to have a golden throne like the other gods and goddesses.
But since Dionysus’ mother was a mortal woman, Hera became very angry and said she didn’t want
Dionysus there. When Zeus insisted, Hera sat quietly. The problem was that there were only twelve
thrones in the hall. So Hestia silently got up and went to sit by the hearth. She said that was where she
chose to be so Dionysus could have her throne.

Mary Ann Titus

Westerville, OH

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

Musical Mythology

Vesta

(Tune: “It Isn’t Any Trouble Just to S-M-I-L-E”)

We all know a goddess. She is V-E-S-T-A.

We all know a goddess. She is V-E-S-T-A.
Vestal virgins stay awake for Vesta’s sacred fire’s sake.
We all know a goddess. She is V-E-S-T-A.

The goddess of the hearth is called H-E-S-T-I-A.

The goddess of the hearth is called H-E-S-T-I-A.
She sits beside the fire and she never seems to tire.
The goddess of the hearth is called H-E-S-T-I-A.

Vesta gladly gave her throne to Dionysus.

Vesta gladly gave her throne to Dionysus.
Juno really threw a fit when Bacchus had no place to sit.
Vesta gladly gave her throne to Dionysus.

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

REVIEW #1
This exercise covers material in d’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, pp. 9-23

1. Who makes noise to drown out the cries of baby Zeus? _________________________

2. Gaea is ________________________________________.

3. What does Metis give to Cronus that is supposed to make him strong?

_________________________________________________

4. How many Titans and Titanesses are there? ____________________________

5. Who is Amaltheia? _____________________________________________________

6. What is the distinguishing characteristic of the Cyclopes? ______________________

7. The Titan who chased Uranus away is _________________________.

8. What does Rhea give to Cronus instead of baby Zeus? _______________________

9. What are the Cyclopes’ two occupations?

__________________________ and ________________________________

10. Uranus is _______________________________________.

11. What do the Cyclopes make for Hades? ____________________________

12. Theft was invented after the _________________________ Age was over.

13. Whom does Cronus marry? ______________________

14. What do the Cyclopes make for Poseidon? ______________________________

15. Whose idea is it to hide baby Zeus and trick Cronus? __________________________

16. Out of the darkness came ____________________ and __________________________.

17. Who is the mother of Cerberus, the Sphinx, and the Chimaera? _________________

18. From Amaltheia’s hide Zeus makes a _____________________________ called the

_____________________________.

19. Under what mountain is Typhon buried? _________________________________

20. Mother Earth gives Cronus a weapon made of flint. What is it? _______________

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REVIEW #1 (continued)
21. Where does Uranus put the Cyclopes and hundred-handed monsters? ________________

22. Which gods and goddesses does Cronus swallow?

_______________________________ _______________________________

_______________________________ _______________________________

_______________________________

23. What flows in the gods’ veins instead of blood? __________________________

24. Which Titans defect and fight on Zeus’ side during the war between the Olympians

and the Titans? __________________________ and _________________________

25. For whom do the Cyclopes and the hundred-handed monsters fight in the war between

the Olympians and the Titans? __________________________________

26. What do the Cyclopes make for Zeus? _______________________________________

27. Who is Zeus’ first wife? __________________________________

28. Since Cronus fears that his children will want to rule the universe, he

__________________________________ them.

29. Where does Zeus put the Titans when he defeats them? __________________________

30. Which Titan carries the sky on his shoulders? ____________________________

31. What flows from Amaltheia’s horns? _________________________________ and

________________________________

32. Who sends Typhon and Echidna to fight against Zeus? ___________________________

33. On what mountain do the gods and goddesses live? ____________________________

34. To what island does Rhea take Zeus? __________________________________

35. Whom does Mother Earth marry after Uranus departs? _________________________

36. Which goddess is the rainbow? _________________________

37. Three sets of children born to Gaea and Uranus are ____________________________,

_______________________________, and _________________________________

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 IN THE BEGINNING / ZEUS / HESTIA

Teacher’s Key
REVIEW #1
1. sprites
2. Mother Earth
3. magic herb
4. twelve – six of each
5. the goat who nursed baby Zeus
6. one eye
7. Cronus
8. a rock
9. smiths and masons
10. Father Sky
11. cap of invisibility
12. Golden
13. Rhea
14. trident
15. Mother Earth
16. Gaea and Uranus
17. Echidna
18. breastplate, aegis
19. Aetna
20. sickle
21. Tartarus
22. Hades, Poseidon, Demeter, Hestia, Hera
23. ichor
24. Prometheus and Epimetheus
25. Zeus and the Olympians
26. thunderbolts
27. Metis
28. swallows
29. Tartarus
30. Atlas
31. ambrosia and nectar
32. Mother Earth
33. Olympus
34. Crete
35. Pontus
36. Iris
37. Titans, Cyclopes, Hekatonchires (hundred-handed monsters)

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