Greek Gods and goddesses
According to Greek myth, the gods and goddesses lived on Mount Olympus. They were also called the Olympians. Each god or goddess had a certain role. The ancient Greeks thought that by praising the Gods, and sacrificing for them, they would be protected.
Zeus
Zeus is the god of sky and thunder. His symbols are the thunderbolt, eagle, bull, and oak. He is called the father of gods and men. Zeus rules all the Olympians. He assigns all of them their roles. His parents are Cronus and Rhea. He is the youngest of his siblings. Zeus was married to Hera. He is the father of many other gods and goddesses but everyone called him father and would rise in his presence.
Zeus is the god of sky and thunder. His symbols are the thunderbolt, eagle, bull, and oak. He is called the father of gods and men. Zeus rules all the Olympians. He assigns all of them their roles. His parents are Cronus and Rhea. He is the youngest of his siblings. Zeus was married to Hera. He is the father of many other gods and goddesses but everyone called him father and would rise in his presence.
Hera
Hera is the goddess of women and marriage. Her symbols are the cuckoo, pomegranate, and peacock. She is also known for having her polos. The polos is a high cylindrical crown she owns that was worn by earlier goddesses. Hera's mother and father are Rhea and Cronus; making her Zeus's sister. Although they were siblings, they were also married. She was known for being very jealous. Mostly for her husband's other lovers and children.
Hera is the goddess of women and marriage. Her symbols are the cuckoo, pomegranate, and peacock. She is also known for having her polos. The polos is a high cylindrical crown she owns that was worn by earlier goddesses. Hera's mother and father are Rhea and Cronus; making her Zeus's sister. Although they were siblings, they were also married. She was known for being very jealous. Mostly for her husband's other lovers and children.
Poseidon
Poseidon is the god of the sea. His symbol is the trident. All seamen worshipped him. Poseidon and his brothers, Zeus and Hades, overthrew their father Cronus and split up the earth. This made him the most powerful god except Zeus. He lives in a palace under the sea. When he has a high temper, he causes earthquakes, which happens often. Poseidon is nicknamed the earth shaking bull.
Poseidon is the god of the sea. His symbol is the trident. All seamen worshipped him. Poseidon and his brothers, Zeus and Hades, overthrew their father Cronus and split up the earth. This made him the most powerful god except Zeus. He lives in a palace under the sea. When he has a high temper, he causes earthquakes, which happens often. Poseidon is nicknamed the earth shaking bull.
Demeter
Demeter is the goddess of harvest. Her symbols include wheat and grain. She also watches over the sacred law, and the cycle of life and death. Her siblings include Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, and Hera. Demeter's daughter, Persephone, had been taken by Hades. She searched and searched but couldn't find her. She became so preoccupied with the search, that she forgot about her duty to make plants grow. So during that time, all plants had died.
Demeter is the goddess of harvest. Her symbols include wheat and grain. She also watches over the sacred law, and the cycle of life and death. Her siblings include Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, and Hera. Demeter's daughter, Persephone, had been taken by Hades. She searched and searched but couldn't find her. She became so preoccupied with the search, that she forgot about her duty to make plants grow. So during that time, all plants had died.
Athena
Athena is the goddess of wisdom and courage. Her symbols were the spear, distaff, aegis (a shield of goatskin), olive tree, and the owl. She is the patroness of the city-state Athens. The Athenians named the Parthenon after her, Athena Parthenos. She is the daughter of Zeus, and has no known mother. She is very brave in battle, but only in ones to protect her city-state. Athena also invented the bridle, allowing men to tame and ride horses.
Athena is the goddess of wisdom and courage. Her symbols were the spear, distaff, aegis (a shield of goatskin), olive tree, and the owl. She is the patroness of the city-state Athens. The Athenians named the Parthenon after her, Athena Parthenos. She is the daughter of Zeus, and has no known mother. She is very brave in battle, but only in ones to protect her city-state. Athena also invented the bridle, allowing men to tame and ride horses.
Ares
Ares is the god of war. His symbols include the spear, helmet, and the male symbol. He represented the more violent part of war, unlike Athena who represented the military strategy part of war. The Greeks were not always sure what to feel towards him. He was dangerous and overwhelming. Ares is the son of Zeus and Hera. His father told him that he hated him the most of all the twelve gods.
Ares is the god of war. His symbols include the spear, helmet, and the male symbol. He represented the more violent part of war, unlike Athena who represented the military strategy part of war. The Greeks were not always sure what to feel towards him. He was dangerous and overwhelming. Ares is the son of Zeus and Hera. His father told him that he hated him the most of all the twelve gods.
Aphrodite
Aphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty. Her symbols are swan, dove, seashell, and rose. Because of her beauty, other gods were afraid that their rivalry over her would cause a war. Ancient myths suggest that she had no adulthood. She was born an adult. Aphrodite is also known as Cytherea and Cypris after Cythera and Cyrus, two sites which are claimed to be her birth place. She had many many other names but all refer to the goddess Aphrodite.
Aphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty. Her symbols are swan, dove, seashell, and rose. Because of her beauty, other gods were afraid that their rivalry over her would cause a war. Ancient myths suggest that she had no adulthood. She was born an adult. Aphrodite is also known as Cytherea and Cypris after Cythera and Cyrus, two sites which are claimed to be her birth place. She had many many other names but all refer to the goddess Aphrodite.
Artemis
Artemis is the goddess of wild animals and hunting. Her symbols are a golden bow and arrows. Some historians believe that the name and the goddess herself had an origin other than greek. Some believe she was the daughter of Demeter, but in Greek mythology, she was the daughter of Zeus and the twin sister of Apollo. Artemis is often depicted as a huntress carrying a bow.
Artemis is the goddess of wild animals and hunting. Her symbols are a golden bow and arrows. Some historians believe that the name and the goddess herself had an origin other than greek. Some believe she was the daughter of Demeter, but in Greek mythology, she was the daughter of Zeus and the twin sister of Apollo. Artemis is often depicted as a huntress carrying a bow.
Hermes
Hermes is the god of orators and writers. Some of his symbols are the herald staff, rooster, tortoise, winged sandals, and winged cap. He was able to move between the mortal and divine worlds. He was the conductor of souls to the afterworld. Hermes was also the patron and protector of travelers and herdsmen. In some myths, he is a trickster, and out wits some gods for the sake of himself or mankind.
Hermes is the god of orators and writers. Some of his symbols are the herald staff, rooster, tortoise, winged sandals, and winged cap. He was able to move between the mortal and divine worlds. He was the conductor of souls to the afterworld. Hermes was also the patron and protector of travelers and herdsmen. In some myths, he is a trickster, and out wits some gods for the sake of himself or mankind.
Apollo
Apollo is the god of light and sun. He is one of the most complex of the Greek gods. His father is Zeus and twin sister is Artemis. He is associated with healing and medicine also. Although, he was also sometimes depicted as a god that could bring ill-health and plague. Apollo was the patron god of music also. He directed the choir of Muses. A few of his symbols are the lyre, laurel tree, navel stone, and wolf.
Apollo is the god of light and sun. He is one of the most complex of the Greek gods. His father is Zeus and twin sister is Artemis. He is associated with healing and medicine also. Although, he was also sometimes depicted as a god that could bring ill-health and plague. Apollo was the patron god of music also. He directed the choir of Muses. A few of his symbols are the lyre, laurel tree, navel stone, and wolf.
Dionysus
Dionysus is the god of grape harvest and wine. He often carries a fennel staff topped with a pine cone. Some literature described him as man-womanish. The god usually travels in his chariot pulled by exotic animals such as lions or tigers. He always wore a fox skin around his shoulder, symbolizing a new life. In ancient Greece, those who partook in his mysteries were empowered by the god himself. His symbols include thyrsos, flute, and wine barrels.
Dionysus is the god of grape harvest and wine. He often carries a fennel staff topped with a pine cone. Some literature described him as man-womanish. The god usually travels in his chariot pulled by exotic animals such as lions or tigers. He always wore a fox skin around his shoulder, symbolizing a new life. In ancient Greece, those who partook in his mysteries were empowered by the god himself. His symbols include thyrsos, flute, and wine barrels.
Hades
Hades is the god of the dead. He lived in the underworld. This was the domain he was given when he and his brothers Zeus and Poseidon split up the earth. He almost never left his gloomy kingdom. He had a demon dog with three heads that guarded the door to the underworld to prevent the dead from escaping. He also had a special helmet. It helped him stay invisible. These two were his most known symbols.
Hades is the god of the dead. He lived in the underworld. This was the domain he was given when he and his brothers Zeus and Poseidon split up the earth. He almost never left his gloomy kingdom. He had a demon dog with three heads that guarded the door to the underworld to prevent the dead from escaping. He also had a special helmet. It helped him stay invisible. These two were his most known symbols.