New
New
Year 4

Engaging with the myth 'The Birth of Zeus'

I can explore the myth 'The Birth of Zeus'

New
New
Year 4

Engaging with the myth 'The Birth of Zeus'

I can explore the myth 'The Birth of Zeus'

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Reading between the lines to search for clues can help to infer meaning
  2. Evidence from the text helps us to justify our inferences
  3. Cronus was overcome by the fear that his children would replace him as the ruler of the world
  4. Rhea deceived Cronus and Zeus grew up with the bee-nymphs
  5. There was a war between Cronus and the Titans and Zeus and his brothers and sisters

Common misconception

Pupils may initially get Cronus confused with Chronos who they were introduced to in Lesson 2.

Cronus was the leader of the Titans. Chronos was the god of time.

Keywords

  • Greek myth - A Greek myth explains the ancient Greek culture's beliefs and customs; they usually involve gods and supernatural creatures.

  • Pantheon - A Pantheon is the collective term for all the gods and goddesses recognised and worshipped within a particular religious tradition.

  • Nymphs - Nymphs are female spirits in Greek mythology; they are often associated with nature.

  • Tartaros - Tartaros served as a place of punishment in Greek mythology; it also acted as a prison for Titans and other powerful beings.

  • Characterisation - Characterisation is the way an author describes and develops the personalities and traits of the characters in a story.

It can be useful to note down some key actions and thoughts that Cronos/Zeus might have during the reading, to support pupils when they begin their role on the wall activity.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
Who are the narrators of 'A Journey Through Greek Myths'?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: two owls - Little Owl and Night Owl
two foxes - Little Fox and Night Fox
two serpents - Little Serpent and Night Serpent
two eagles - Little Eagle and Night Eagle
Q2.
Which characters have we encountered in the text so far?
Correct answer: Chaos
Zeus
Correct answer: Gaia
Correct answer: Chronos
Rhea
Q3.
Which of the following are features expected in a traditional myth?
a glossary to define new words
Correct answer: a blend of reality and fiction
Correct answer: epic battles, usually containing heroes and mythical creatures
the use of social media
Q4.
Which is a suitable definition of the Titans?
beings that represented the natural elements
Correct answer: powerful gods, the offspring of Gaia and Ouranos
mythical creatures with aspects from different animals
legendary heroes
Q5.
True or False? The ancient Greeks were certain about how the world was created.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q6.
‘A Journey Through Greek Myths’ is set in Ancient Greece. Where is Greece situated?
Africa
Correct answer: Europe
USA
India
Autralia
Q1 Reproduced with kind permission of Flying Eye Books Ltd © Marchella Ward and Sander Berg 2020

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the following keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:Greek myth,explains the ancient Greek culture's beliefs and customs

explains the ancient Greek culture's beliefs and customs

Correct Answer:pantheon,the collective term for all the gods and goddesses

the collective term for all the gods and goddesses

Correct Answer:nymphs,female spirits in Greek mythology, associated with nature

female spirits in Greek mythology, associated with nature

Correct Answer:Tartaros,a place of punishment in Greek mythology

a place of punishment in Greek mythology

Correct Answer:characterisation,the way an author describes and develops a character

the way an author describes and develops a character

Q2.
True or False? Cronus cared for all of his children he had with Rhea.
Correct Answer: False, false
Q3.
Match the possible characterisation to the character’s action in the text.
Correct Answer:fearful,Cronus was worried he would lose his power and control

Cronus was worried he would lose his power and control

Correct Answer:protective,Rhea hides her son, and asks the bee nymphs for support

Rhea hides her son, and asks the bee nymphs for support

Correct Answer:determined,Zeus wants to teach his father a lesson

Zeus wants to teach his father a lesson

Q4.
Order the following events from page 20 and 21 into chronological order.
1 - Cronus swallows five of his children he had with Rhea.
2 - Rhea protects the sixth child by hiding in a cave on the island of Crete.
3 - Rhea hears Cronus approaching the cave. She breaks off a rock and disguises it.
4 - Cronus eats the rock, believing it to be his son.
5 - Zeus grows up living with the bee-nymphs before getting support from Metis.
Q5.
Which characters are portrayed in the illustration below?
An image in a quiz
Cronus
Rhea
Correct answer: Kampe
Correct answer: Zeus
Metis
Q6.
Order the following events from page 22 and 23 into chronological order.
1 - Zeus gives Metis' potion to Cronus.
2 - Cronus drinks the potion. He throws up Zeus' five brothers and sisters.
3 - Cronus is angered and declares war on his children.
4 - Zeus seeks the help of the Cyclopes.
5 - Zeus strikes down the guard, Kampe, and the Cyclopes help Zeus win.
Q5 Reproduced with kind permission of Flying Eye Books Ltd © Marchella Ward and Sander Berg 2020