GREEK GODS & GODDESSESThe Olympian Gods & Goddesses

Zeus

King of the Gods

God of Thunder

Most powerful of all the gods

When angry, Zeus was said to have thrown thunderbolts

Although he was married to Hera, Zeus was not faithful and fathered many children

Roman Name: Jupiter, Jove

Poseidon

God of the Sea

Ruler of earthquakes and horses

Second most powerful god

Poseidon lived in a palace under the sea

When Poseidon’s temper flared, earthquakes occurred

Brother of Zeus and Hades

Roman Name: Neptune

Hades

who travel to the underworld to fulfill a quest

Cerberus, a three-headed dog, was one of the underworld’s guards

The River Styx had to be crossed before entering the underworld

Hades is known for kidnapping his wife, Persephone

God of the Underworld

King of the Dead

Many myths involve heroes

Roman Name: Pluto

Aphrodite

Goddess of Love and Beauty

Aphrodite is said to have been born from the foam of the sea

Although she was married to Hephaestus, Aphrodite had an affair with Ares

Roman Name: Venus

Apollo

God of the Sun

God of Music, Light, Truth & Healing

Apollo was said to drive his chariot across the sky each day, pulling the sun from east to west

Apollo was depicted as an archer who hunted with a silver bow

Apollo was the twin brother of Artemis

Roman Name: Apollo

Ares God of War Ares was determined and

fearless, but also bloodthirsty and impulsive

Ares repeatedly tricked Hephaestus so that he could have an affair with Hephaestus’ wife, Aphrodite

Eventually they were caught and embarrassed by the other gods and goddesses

Roman Name: Mars

Artemis

Goddess of the Hunt Protector of women in childbirth Artemis hunted with silver arrows and loved all wild

animals Artemis disliked men; she preferred to hunt in the

woods with her female companions Twin sister of Apollo

Roman Name: Diana

Athena

Goddess of War and Wisdom Athena is said to have sprung, full-grown, from the

forehead of Zeus Athena was known for being intelligent and rational She was a good defender in times of war, but was

also known as a peacemaker

Roman Name: Minerva

Hephaestus

God of Fire and Forge Hephaestus was a blacksmith who could craft

almost anything out of metal Hephaestus was lame and was said to be thrown

into the sea by his mother, Hera, after he was born Hephaestus was married to Aphrodite, the Goddess

of Love and Beauty

Roman Name: Vulcan

Hera

Queen of the Gods Goddess of Marriage Married to Zeus Many myths involve Hera seeking revenge for Zeus’

betrayal of his marriage vows

Roman Name: Juno

Hermes Messenger of the Gods Hermes was a trickster and

friend to thieves, in addition to being a messenger

Hermes was known for his speed and wore winged sandals and a winged hat

Roman Name: Mercury

Hestia

Goddess of the Hearth and Home Hestia was the most gentle of the goddesses and

does not appear in many myths Hestia was the oldest Olympian and was Zeus’ sister Sometimes Hestia is not included as one of the

twelve Olympians

Roman Name: Vesta

GREEK GODS & GODDESSES

Other Important Gods & Goddesses

Demeter

Goddess of the Harvest Sometimes included as one of

the twelve Olympians When Demeter’s daughter,

Persephone, was kidnapped by Hades, Demeter would not allow any crops to grow

Roman Name: Ceres

Dionysus

God of Wine and Vegetation Dionysus is sometimes considered to be one of the

twelve Olympians Dionysus was credited with inventing wine Dionysus had a dual nature, which represented the

two sides of wine – joy and rage

Roman Name: Bacchus

Persephone

Queen of the Underworld Persephone is the daughter of

Demeter Persephone was said to be so

beautiful that Hades kidnapped her and made her his wife

Roman Name: Proserpina

Eros

God of Love and Passion Originally depicted as a

handsome man, Eros is more commonly shown as a small winged boy

Roman Name: Cupid