Apr 4, 2010
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The Olympian Greek Gods and Goddesses
 | Aphrodite
The sensual goddess of Love and Beauty |  | Apollo
The youthful god of the Sun and the Music |
 | Ares
The fierce god of War |  | Artemis
The wild goddess of the Hunt |
 | Athena
The sophisticated goddess of Wisdom and Arts |  | Demeter
The natural goddess of the Harvest |
 | Dionysus
The joyful god of the Wine |  | Hades
The gloomy god of the Underworld |
 | Hephaestus
The ill-favored god of Metallurgy |  | Hera
The mature goddess of the Family |
 | Hermes
The cunning god of the Trade |  | Hestia
The calm goddess of the Hearth |
 | Poseidon
The moody god of the Seas |  | Zeus
The heavenly King of the Gods and ruler of mankind |
Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of Love, Beauty and Eternal Youth
Birth and Family of Aphrodite As her name implies, Aphrodite (aphro="foam"+dite="arisen"), was created from the foam of the crystal waters of Paphos in the fragrant island of Cyprus, when the Titan Cronos slew his father, the major Titan Ouranos, and threw then his genitals into the sea.
Aphrodite was married to the lame smith Hephaestus, who was the Olympian God of the Iron, but her heart was devoted to Ares, the God of War, with whom Aphrodite was having a passionate, but secret love affair.
According to a myth, Aphrodite gave birth to Eros, the winged cupid of love and was often accompanied by him. Other children of Aphrodite were Hemeros, Pothos(desire), Phobos(fear), Demos, Harmonia and Rhodes [1].
The Role of Aphrodite as a Goddess
Aphrodite was the most attractive goddess of Mount Olympus. She was the goddess of Love, Beauty and Eternal Youth, arousing desire to gods and humans as well as birds and beasts. In addition, she was connected with the death/rebirth of nature and human beings. Nevertheless, Aphrodite was a rather weak, frightful goddess, according to the Iliad.
Appearance and Sacred Symbols
Aphrodite was a highly attractive young woman who dressed elegantly and loved to wear jewellery. Her eyelashes were curled and she had a constant smile on her lovely face, since she was a lover of smiles. Aphrodite had a tender neck, tender breasts [2] and beautiful buttocks [3].
Aphrodite's symbols were the girdle, which she was using to compel love, the seashell and the mirror. Her sacred animal was the dove.
The Roman name of Aphrodite is "Venus"
pollo was the Olympian God of the Sun, the Light, the Music and the Prophecy
Family Tree of Apollo Apollo was born by the King of the Gods Zeus and the mortal Leto in the divine Greek island of Delos. He was the younger twin of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt.
Apollo and the Music
Apollo was the Greek god of the Music. He invented the lute(a plucked string instrument with a body shaped like a pear), but most popular he was for his playing the lyre, which was invented by Hermes, the messenger of the gods. Apollo excelled in important music contests, competing against Greek god Hermes and the Satyr Pan as well as other deities.
Apollo, the god of Prophecy
In addition, Apollo owned the precious gift of prophecy, given to him by his father Zeus in his infacy, and was the patron of the ancient city of Delphi, where the first oracle in Ancient Greece was located. The disctrict was considered to be the Navel of the World (the "Omphalus") in Ancient times.
Appearance and Sacred Symbols
Apollo was a handsome, strong and youthful god with impressive golden hair.
His symbols were the lyre, the tripod, the laurel tree and the navelstone.
The Roman name of Apollo is "Apollo"
Ares was the Olympian God of War and the figure behind all kind of violence
Ares, the God of War Ares, the Greek god of War, was the son of Zeus and Hera. The half-sister of Ares was Athena, the goddess of Wisdom and Skill. Athena also was a goddess of War but approached war solely for the purposes of justice.
Reputation of Ares
Just like his mother Hera, Ares had a very difficult character to deal with and was therefore rather unpopular among the other deities and mankind. For this reason, no Greek city wanted to have him as its patron. He often had conflicts and fights with Artemis, the goddess of the Hunt and also with his sister Athena, especially during the Trojan War.
Ares' Way of Life
Ares had his residence up on Mount Olympus and his throne was upholstered with human skin. Usually he was accompanied by Eris, the goddess of discord. Ares' secret mistress was Aphrodite, the goddess of Love and Beauty; their union resulted to the birth of Armonia (Harmony), which was seen as a blend of two opposing powers.
Sacred symbols of Ares
The spear and the dogs
The Roman name of Ares is "Mars"
Artemis was the Greek goddess of the Hunt and the Moon and protector of expectant women and the young.
Family of Artemis Greek goddess Artemis was born in Mount Cynthus at the island of Delos in Greece as a daughter of Zeus, the Ruler of the Greek gods and the mortal Leto. Artemis' twin brother was Apollo, the god of the Sun, whereas Artemis' cult was connected with the Moon. She had been born before Apollo and had helped her mother Leto to give birth to her little brother.
Artemis, the Virgin Huntress
As a child, Artemis had asked from her father Zeus to remain an eternal virgin and therefore became one of the three Virgin Goddesses in Greek mythology. Artemis had absolute sovereignty over nature and was said to bring fertility to all places that worshipped her. Usually accompanied by Nymphs and Oceanids, Artemis loved to hunt with arrows dipped in poison.
Oddly enough, Artemis was both a killer of wild animals and their protector.
Appearance and Sacred Symbols
Artemis was usually armed with bow and arrows and was wearing a knee-high chiton
Her symbol was the bow and her sacred animals were the snake and the deer
The Roman name of Artemis is "Diana"
Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom, skill and war
Athena's extraordinary Birth Athena was a child of Zeus and Metis, Zeus' first wife, who was keeping inside herself all the world's wisdom. She was born during the battle of the Giants, when she suddenly sprang out of the head of Zeus fully grown.[ Read the story...]
Athena's precious Skills
Athena was the goddess who taught mankind various skills such as weaving and sewing to the women and agriculture and metallurgy to men and was always giving precious advice and stood by on any danger.
Athena and the City of Athens
After competing against the Greek god Poseidon, Athena officially became the patron deity of the city of ancient Athens and the Parthenon was built in her honour. She was known as "Athena Nike" (Athena the victorious), as she was believed to have given the Athenians the victory during the Persian War.
Appearance and Sacred Symbols
A tall, slim woman with glaucous eyes wearing a suit of armour and a golden helmet [1]
Athena's symbols were the distaff and the aegis- a goat-like shield, to which the head of the Gorgon Medusa was fastened in order to terrify the opponents.
Athena's sacred animal was the owl, the symbol of wisdom.
The Roman name of Athena is "Minerva"
Demeter was the greek goddess of agriculture and vegetation
Family of Demeter Demeter was the second daughter of the major Titans Rhea and Cronus, after Hestia, the goddess of the hearth.
Demeter's Personality and her Role as a Goddess
Demeter was a peace-loving deity and the source of all growth and life; she was the goddess who provided all nutrition on the earth and taught mortals how to cultivate the earth and ease life. Demeter was most appreciated for introducing wheat to mankind, making man different from animals.
Appearance and Sacred Symbols
A rich haired woman with golden tresses and slender feet, usually wearing a dark cloak [1].
Her symbols were the ear of wheat and the grains.
The Roman name of Demeter is "Ceres"
Dionysus was the Greek God of Wine, Joy and Theatre and a Lover of Peace
Family of Dionysus Dionysus was born in Thebes as the son of Zeus, the King of the Gods and the beautiful princess Semele. Because of his mortal mother, his birthplace Thebes refused to acknowledge him as an immortal at first.
Personality and Style of Dionysus
Dionysus was a god known for his lightheartness and always offered his help to anyone in need. He was therefore very popular among gods and mortals and many festivals were being held every year in his honor. Nevertheless, Dionysus was many times misunderstood.
Dionysus was one of the Olympian gods who actually did not live in Mount Olympus but was constantly travelling around the world together with Satyrs and Maenads in order to discover the secrets of winemaking.
Appearance and Sacred Symbols
A handsome young man with impressive hair (usually tresses falling below his shoulders) and a wreath of ivy on his head. In his hand he was holding a "thyrsos", which was a light staff wrapped with leaves of ivy and a pine cone on its top.
The sacred animal of Dionysos was the panther.
The Roman name of Dionysus is "Bacchus"
Hades was the ruler of the Underworld
Family of Hades Greek god Hades was a son of the titans Cronus and Rhea. Hades' wife was Persephone, whom he abducted from her divine mother Demeter and took with him down to the Underworld.
Hades, the Ruler of the Underworld
Hades was the Greek god of the Dead and, according to Plato, [1] he should be considered as one of the Olympian gods.Hades was the supreme ruler of the Underworld. Almost never did he leave his gloomy kingdom but was residing there instead, surrounded by darkness and silence...
Hades' helper was Charos, the angel of dead. Charos had the duty to transfer the dead people 's souls with a boat over the River Acheron from the world of the living to the world of the dead. Furthermore, Hades had a dog with three heads which was named Cerberus.
Appearance and Sacred Symbols
Hades had gloomy features. He had a beard and dark hair falling over his brow [2]. His sacred symbol was the helmet, which helped him stay invisible.
The Roman name of Hades is "Pluto"
Hephaestus was the Greek God of Metallurgy and the Smith of the Olympian Gods.
Family Tree of Hephaestus Hephaestus was the son of Zeus and Hera , although it was considered by some that he had been conceived prenuptially. Hephaestus was married to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of Beauty, but unfortunately Aphrodite never devoted herself entirely to Hephaestus.
Hephaestus' Disability
Hephaestus was a very kind and loveable god, but was the only deity who was physically ugly and lame. When his mother Hera saw him for the first time, she was so frustrated that she took her son and threw him from Mount Olympus to the depths of the seas, causing a deformation to his leg. Hephaestus was finally rescued by two Nereids, Thetis and Eurynome, who raised him for nine years inside a cave, far away and hidden from his cruel mother.
The Workshop of Hephaestus
Hephaestus had his working lay beneath the crater of the volcano of Aetna in Italy. There, he was working together closely with the one-eyed Cyclops to create strong thunderbolts for his master Zeus. Hephaestus was also famous for having created the first woman of the ancient world, Pandora.
Symbols of Hephaestus
Fire, the axe, the pincers and the hammer
The Roman name of Hephaestus is "Vulcan"
Hera was the goddess of Marriage and Family and protector of married women.
The Family of Hera Hera was born by the Titans Cronus and Rhea and was one of the three sisters of Zeus and later on became his wife as well.
The royal wedding of Zeus and Hera was celebrated with exceptional splendour and the couple gave birth to four children; Eilithyia, the goddess who was protecting the childbirth, Ares, the Olympian god of war, Hebe, the goddess of youth and Hephaestus, the Olympian god of metallurgy. According to some beliefs, Hephaestus was born without the intervention of Zeus.
Hera's troubled marriage with Zeus
Although Hera was one of the fairest goddesses in Mount Olympus, Zeus was giving Hera plenty of reason to be suspicious and jealous; Hera therefore used to stay in high places in order to keep an eye on her husband's doings. There were times she would also interfering, causing harm to Zeus' mistresses, since Zeus himself was invincible.
The Creation of the Milky Way
Most of all, Hera was in conflict with the semi-god and hero Heracles, since he happened to be the son of her husband Zeus and a mortal woman. According to a myth, Zeus once brought the infant to Hera to suckle on her milk while she was asleep, but she suddenly woke up and thrusted him away. The drops of the spurting milk became the Milky Way.
Appearance and Sacred Symbols
Hera was a beautiful-but not really desirable-, mature woman with big eyes and pierced lobes. She was wearing an ornate crown on her head, elegant clothes woven by Athena and tightened with a belt, and golden sandals were hugging her feet. Hera loved to wear jewellery and pamper her body with divine cosmetics.
Hera's symbol was the pomegranate, a symbol of fertility, and her sacred animal was the peacock.
The Roman name of Hera is "Juno"
Hermes was the Greek God of the Trade and luck-bringing Messenger of the Gods.
Birth of Hermes Hermes was born inside a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia (Peloponnes) as the son Zeus, the King of the Gods, and the mountain Nymph Maea, who was a daughter of the Titan Atlas.
Hermes, the speedy Messenger and Conductor of Souls
Hermes was wearing wings on his sandals and therefore was the speediest of all Greek gods. Because of his speed, Hermes received the role of the messenger and conductor of souls to the Underworld. Hermes was the only Olympian god who was authorized to visit Heaven, Earth and also the Underworld and enjoyed this way popularity among all the Greek gods and spirits.
Hermes, the God of the Thieves
It is well known that Ancient Greeks endowed their gods with human weaknesses. Hermes, for instance, felt an irresistible impulse of stealing ever since his infancy and quickly developed as the god of the cheaters and the thieves.
Hermes' special relation to Zeus
Hermes was a messenger of all gods, but mostly he was known for performing duties for his father Zeus with great pleasure. Zeus appreciated Hermes' wits highly and always asked for Hermes' assistance throughout his decisions, especially when it came to cheating on his wife Hera.
Appearance and Sacred Symbols
A young man, wearing travelling clothes, a flat hat known as "petasus" and winged sandals on his feet. Oftentimes he was also considered to have wings attached to his shoulders and hat. Hermes usually held a winged staff with snakes wrapped around it in his hands in order to gain access everywhere.
The Roman name of Hermes is "Mercury"
Hestia was the goddess of the hearth, home and family.
Family of Hestia Greek goddess Hestia was the eldest daughter of the titans Cronus and Rhea and a senior goddess among the mortals. [1]. She was the first to be swallowed by her father, but the last to be disgorged.
Hestia, the Virgin Goddess
Hestia was one of the three virgin goddesses, next to Athena and Hera. Both Poseidon and Apollo had wished to marry her; however Hestia had given the oath to Zeus to never enter into a union with a male and to remain forever pure and undefiled.
Worship of Hestia
Hestia personified the fire hat was burning in the hearth of every home. All families were pouring sweet wine in her name and dedicated her the richest portion. The hearth fire was not allowed to go out by any family unless it was ritually extinguished. Hestia herself was never leaving her residence, the sacred mountain of Olympus.
Hestia may not have had a public cult, but she was always worshipped in any temple, regardless of the god it was dedicated to. All Olympian deities respected and loved Hestia because of her kind, forgiving soul and her discrete character, since Hestia never participated in any disputes or wars.
Appearance and Sacred Symbols
A bashful woman, usually seated
The Roman name of Hestia is "Vesta"
Poseidon was the God of the Seas, the horses and the earthquakes.
Family of Poseidon Poseidon, the Greek god of the Seas, was born by the major Titans Cronus and Rhea. He was an older brother of Zeus, the King of the gods.
Personality of Poseidon
Poseidon was considered to be the bad-tempered, moody and greedy god among the Olympians. Once insulted, he would revenge himself, like he did in the case of Odysseus, who brutally blinded his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus [1].
The powers of Poseidon and his way of life
Poseidon was the Greek god responsible for natural and supernatural events, mainly the ones associated to the sea world. He possessed a trident which was so powerful that it could shake the earth. Poseidon could cause tempests and earthquakes, drown lands, shatter rocks and had the ability to finally bring back peacefulness.
Poseidon possessed two palaces, the one was up in Mount Olympus and the other was located in the depths of the seas and was bejewelled with gold and precious gems. Usually Poseidon preferred to stay with his wife Amphitrite beneath the ocean.
Appearance and Sacred Symbols
Poseidon was imposing and strong with long, blue hair.
His symbol was the trident and his sacred animals were the dolphin and the horse. According to a tradition, he was the one who breathed life into the first horse on earth.
The Roman name of Poseidon is "Neptune"
Zeus was the Supreme God in Ancient Greece, father of the Olympian gods and ruler of mankind.
The Family of Zeus Zeus was the last child of the Titans Cronus and Rhea and had five older brothers and sisters. All of them had been swallowed by their jealous father; however, Zeus managed to escape the menace and flee. Later on, he would revenge on his father and set his siblings free.
Zeus married his own sister Hera, the goddess of marriage and monogamy, but was giving her plenty of reasons to be jealous, since Zeus was renowned of his numerous love affairs. As a result, Zeus was the father of plenty of children.
Role and Responsibilities
Zeus had his golden throne on the highest summit of Mount Olympus and was respected and awed by all Gods and mortals. He was the "Lord of Justice", punishing anyone who lied or broke an oath, but was fair and always striving to keep a balance of all things.
Furthermore, Zeus was responsible for the weather and was shaping it according to his temper. When in high spirits, Zeus was blessing the world with fine weather; in case of bad mood, however, he would throw rain, winds, lightnings and thunderbolts to cause disaster to the mortals.
But even Zeus' powers had their limits, for, however powerful as he was, he had neither the right nor the ability to intervene the decisions of the Fates.
The Personality of Zeus
Zeus was carefree and loved to laugh out loud[1]. He possessed the perfect knowledge and was just, merciful and prudent. However, he was rather unpredictable, since no one could guess the decisions he would make.
Appearance and Sacred Symbols
Zeus was strong and imposing, with long, oftentimes curly hair
The main symbol of Zeus was the thunderbolt, which was as a gift from the Cyclops because he liberated them. His sacred animal was the eagle.
The Roman name of Zeus is "Jupiter"
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