Mythology NotesTwelve Gods of Olympus

Olympus: Home of the Gods● The Greeks believed that the gods lived

on the top of Mount Olympus.● It was a perfect place with no wind, no snow, and no

rain.● There was always sunshine and the sound of Apollo’s

music.● There is an actual mountain called Olympus in Greece,

but the Olympus of the gods is mythical. Source: Mythology: Edith Hamilton and D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths

Zeus (Jupiter)● Most powerful god of Olympus● God of: The sky, clouds, and rain● Weapon: Lightning bolt ● Other facts: His wife is the goddess Hera, but

he often married other goddesses, or traveled from Olympus to Greece to marry and have children with human women.

● Sacred Bird: Eagle● Sacred Tree: Oak Tree

Source: Mythology: Edith Hamilton and D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths

Hera (Juno)● Zeus’ wife (and sister) and the

Queen of Olympus● Goddess of: Marriage and

married women● Other facts: Hera was VERY jealous of Zeus’ other

wives and often tried to take revenge against them.● Sacred Bird: Peacock● Sacred Animal: Cow

Source: Mythology: Edith Hamilton and D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths

Poseidon (Neptune) ● Zeus’ brother and 2nd most powerful

god of Olympus● God of: The ocean● Weapon: Trident● Other facts: He was often referred to as “Earth-shaker”

because when he struck his trident on the ground the earth shook beneath it.

● Poseidon gave the first horse to humans. Source: Mythology: Edith Hamilton and D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths

Hades (Pluto)● Zeus and Poseidon’s brother and the

3rd most powerful god of Olympus.● God of: The underworld and precious metals (gold,

silver, etc.)● Weapon: Invisibility helmet● Other facts: Humans were so afraid of him that they did

not call him by his name. They called him “Rich One” instead.

● His wife was Persephone whom he kidnapped and brought to the underworld.

Source: Mythology: Edith Hamilton and D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths

Athena (Minerva) ● Zeus’ daughter● Goddess of: War (specifically strategy in war) and wisdom● Other facts: Athena has no mother. She

sprang from Zeus’ head in full armor.● She created the bridle and first tamed

horses for humans to use. ● Sacred Bird: Owl● Sacred Tree: Olive TreeSource: Mythology: Edith Hamilton and D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths

Apollo● Son of Zeus and Leto● God of: Music, archery, healing, sickness light/sun, and truth● Weapon: Silver bow and arrows● Other facts: His sacred place is Delphi, which he

gained by killing the Python with his silver arrows. For Ancient Greeks, Delphi was thought to be the center of the world.

● Sacred Bird: Crow● Sacred Tree: Laurel Tree● Sacred Animal: Dolphin

Source: Mythology: Edith Hamilton and D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths

Artemis (Diana)

● Twin sister of Apollo● Goddess of: Wild animals,

hunting, and the moon● Weapon: Bow and arrow● Sacred Animal: Deer● Sacred Tree: Cypress

Source: Mythology: Edith Hamilton and D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths

Aphrodite (Venus)● Aphrodite has no parents.

She rose out of the sea on a cushion of seafoam. ● Goddess of: Beauty, love, and laughter.● Other facts: Aphrodite’s husband is Hephaestus (god

of fire), and her son is Eros (Cupid) the mischievous god of love.

● Sacred Bird: Dove● Sacred Tree: Myrtle Tree

Source: Mythology: Edith Hamilton and D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths

Hermes (Mercury)● Son of Zeus and Maia● Messenger of the gods● God of: Thieves, travelers, merchants, and shepherds● Special Accessories: Winged hat,

winged sandals, cape, caduceus (wand with snakes wrapped around it).

● Other facts: Hermes is not only the messenger god, he also guides the dead to the underworld.

● Hermes appears more in mythological stories than any other god.

Source: Mythology: Edith Hamilton and D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths

Ares (Mars) ● Son of Zeus and Hera● God of: War (specifically the destruction and violence of war)● Weapon: Sword● Other facts: Ares was disliked by all of the gods and

goddesses of Olympus. ● Though he was the god of war, he was not very tough.

Whenever he was wounded he would scream so loudly he could be heard for miles around.

● Sacred Bird: Vulture Source: Mythology: Edith Hamilton and D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths

Hephaestus (Vulcan)● Son of Zeus and Hera● God of: fire, and blacksmiths● Other facts: Hephaestus created the twelve golden

thrones for the Olympian gods, as well as their weapons, chariots and jewels.

● Not only did he have forges (fiery ovens where he melted metals) on Olympus, he also had them in volcanoes on earth.

Source: Mythology: Edith Hamilton and D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths

Hestia (Vesta)● Zeus’ sister● Goddess of: The hearth (fireplace),

the home● Other facts: She was the gentlest

of all of the gods and goddesses.● Every city in Greece had a public fireplace in honor of

Hestia. The fire burning in it was never allowed to go out.

Source: Mythology: Edith Hamilton and D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths