INTRODUCTION TO THE OLYMPIAN GODS

The Olympian Gods The twelve most important gods. Named after Mount Olympus, where they

reside. They were all related. They are all either

the children or grandchildren of the Titans Cronus and Rhea.

Zeus (Jupiter)God of the sky and thunder

Ruler and father figure of Olympus

Younger brother of Hades and Poseidon

His symbols are the thunderbolt, eagle, bull, and oak

Had over 95 children

Poseidon (Neptune)

God of the sea, storms, and earthquakes

Older brother of Zeus

His symbols are the trident, fish, dolphins, horses, and bulls

Since Greece is an island nation, he was considered an extremely powerful and important god

Hades (Pluto)God of the underworld (which was also known as Hades)

Oldest brother of Zeus

Became lord of the underworld when Zeus, Poseidon, and he drew lots.

His symbols are Cerberus, The Cap of Invisibility, and Cypress

Hestia (Vestia)Goddess of the hearth, home, and family

Oldest of Cronus and Rhea’s children

Her symbols are the hearth, pig, donkey, kettle, crane

Very few myths are told about her.

Hera (Juno)Goddess of women and marriage

Wife and sister of Zeus

Her symbols are the pomegranate, peacock, feather, and diadem

She is extremely jealous

Ares (Mars)The god of war and bloodthirst

Son of Zeus and Hera

His symbols were the vulture, torch, spear, shield, boar, and dog

Rarely worshiped, but often appeared in myths

Athena (Minerva)Goddess of wisdom, warfare, strategy, and crafts

Daughter of Zeus

Represented by the symbols: owl, olive tree, snake, spider, Aegis, armor, helmet, and spear

Emerged from Zeus head, fully grown, and in full armor.

Apollo The God of light and the sun; truth and prophecy; medicine, healing, music, poetry, and the arts.

Is known by the same name is both the Greek and Roman Pantheon

Son of Zeus of Leto

Twin brother of Artemis

His symbols are the lyre, laurel wreath, raven, bow and arrows

Aphrodite (Venus)The goddess of love, beauty, and sexuality

Daughter of Uranus (or Zeus and Dione)

Her symbols are the Dolphin, Rose, Scallop Shell, Myrtle, Dove, Sparrow, Girdle, Mirror, and Swan

Emerged from sea foam

The mother of Eros (Cupid)

Hermes (Mercury)Messenger of the gods

God of boundaries, travelers, shepherds and cowherds, thieves, liars, orators wit, literature, poets, athletics , weights and measures, invention, and commerce

His symbols are the tortoise, the rooster, winged sandals, the winged hat, and the caduceus

Appears in more Greek myths than almost any other deity

Artemis (Diana)goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, and young girls

Her symbols are the bow, arrows, stags, hunting dogs, and the moon

Daughter of Zeus of Leto

Twin sister of Apollo

Hephaestus (Vulcan)The god of technology, blacksmiths, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metals, metallurgy, fire and volcanoes

Son of Zeus and Hera

His symbols are a hammer, an anvil, and tongs

He was disabled

Wife of Aphrodite

With the help of the Cyclops, he created, among other things, Zeus's thunderbolts, Achilles‘s armor, Prometheus’s chains, Cupid’s bow and arrow, Poseidon’s trident, Pandora, Hermes’s winged sandal and helmet, Aphrodite’s girdle, and Helios’s chariot, and a robot named Talos