DISCOVER
Taking the throne
Zeus, god of thunder and king of Mount Olympus, was born the youngest son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. He is most famous for his role in defeating Cronus and becoming the King of the Olympian gods, who were also his brothers and sisters. The ancient Greek Olympian gods are; Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Hermes and Dionysus.
Dividing and ruling the world
After winning the ten year war with the giant Titans, Zeus and his fellow Olympian gods had to create a new order to rule the world. The Olympian gods decided to separate the world into three main areas: the underworld, the sea, and the sky. In one version of the myth, they decided which god would rule each area by playing a game of dice. Zeus won the game, and was awarded the sky and rulership over the world. Hades lost, so he received the underworld. Poseidon, who came second, was given the seas to rule.
Worshipping Zeus in ancient Greece
Zeus is often depicted with a sceptre in one hand and a lightning bolt in the other. He was associated with power, wealth, heaven, law and order. Eagles were also his symbols.
The ancient Greeks worshipped Zeus as the most important Olympian god. The Greeks built beautiful temples to worship him and held festivals in his honour. A famous temple and statue of Zeus was built at the ancient town of Olympia, and the Olympic Games held there were dedicated to him.
CREATE
Your Very Own Oracle Chatterbox
In one version of the myth, the Olympian gods played a game of dice to be assigned their duties and realms. Now fate will determine your godliness! Create your own oracle chatterbox to find out which Greek god or goddess you are most like!
What is an oracle? In ancient Greece oracles were often priestesses of priests who looked after temples dedicated to the Greek gods. Oracles were believed to get messages from the gods, that they then shared with the people. Oracles were visited by common Greek people and those in power to learn what they should do to achieve their goals.
Make an Oracle Chatterbox
You will need:
Oracle chatterbox template below
Textas/crayons/pencils
Scissors
Printer (optional)
Method:
Print out or draw your own version of the oracle chatterbox template.
Colour in the different folds of the paper.
Follow the video below to learn how to fold your chatterbox template to create your oracle chatterbox -
4. Once your oracle chatterbox is folded and ready, add numbers on the outer triangles, and then draw different icons that symbolise the Olympian gods on the inner triangles.
Follow this video to learn where on your oracle chatterbox you should place your numbers and godly symbol drawings. How to decorate and play with your oracle chatterbox -
What are the symbols of the Olympian Gods that I can draw on my oracle chatterbox? Every ancient Greek god and goddess has objects that symbolise their special powers. For example, you could draw a lightning bolt for Zeus, trident for Poseidon, a wise owl for Athena and a peacock for Hera.
You can even write a short fortune from that god next to their symbol on the chatterbox triangle. For example, next to Zeus’s thunderbolt you can write: You have the power of thunder. Go for your dreams!
If you need to know more about the Olympian gods, and their symbols, then check this out:
5. To use your oracle chatterbox, ask some questions. For example, ask what a players’ favourite number is on the oracle chatterbox. Then open and close the oracle chatterbox with your fingers that many times. Open the flap with the player’s favourite number and look underneath - what god or goddesses symbol did the player get? Are they ready to wield this power?