The Greek Gods

16 pages

The Olympians

Zeus and the gods who won the war with the Titans and took up their home on Mount Olympus.

Ludovisi Throne, the birth of Aphrodite, Palazzo Altemps
Ludovisi Throne, the birth of Aphrodite, Palazzo Altemps. Source.

Greek writers did not agree on exactly which gods count as the twelve Olympians. The usual list is Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus and Hermes, with the twelfth seat given to Hestia or to Dionysus.

Most of them belong to two generations of one family. Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Hestia and Hades are the children of Cronus and Rhea. Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hermes, Hephaestus, Dionysus and Persephone are children of Zeus, by Hera or by other mothers. Aphrodite has two origins, from the sea foam in Hesiod and as a daughter of Zeus and Dione in Homer.

Hades and Persephone rule the underworld and so do not live on Olympus, but they are close family and are listed here.

The Olympians

ZeusKing of the gods; sky, thunder and justiceZeus is the king of the gods, ruler of the sky, who won power by defeating Cronus and the Titans.HeraQueen of the gods; marriage, women and familyHera is the queen of the gods, the wife and sister of Zeus, and the goddess of marriage.PoseidonThe sea, earthquakes and horsesPoseidon is the god of the sea, earthquakes and horses, and the brother of Zeus and Hades.DemeterGrain, the harvest and the seasonsDemeter is the goddess of grain and agriculture, and the mother of Persephone.AthenaWisdom, war craft and the artsAthena is the goddess of wisdom, skilled work and strategic war, born from the head of Zeus.ApolloMusic, prophecy, healing and the sun's lightApollo is the god of music, prophecy and healing, the twin brother of Artemis, and the god of the Delphic oracle.ArtemisThe hunt, wild places and young girlsArtemis is the goddess of the hunt and of wild places, the twin sister of Apollo, and a virgin who keeps to her own company.AresWar, in its violenceAres is the god of war as bloodshed and fury. He is the son of Zeus and Hera, and not much liked among the gods.AphroditeLove, beauty and desireAphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty. Hesiod has her born from the sea foam; Homer makes her a daughter of Zeus and Dione.HephaestusFire, metalwork and craftHephaestus is the smith of the gods, who makes their weapons, jewels and palaces, and is the one lame god.HermesMessenger of the gods; travellers, trade and thievesHermes is the messenger god, quick and clever, the guide of travellers and of the dead, and a patron of trade and thieves.HestiaThe hearth and the homeHestia is the goddess of the hearth, the eldest child of Cronus and Rhea, and a quiet figure with almost no myths.DionysusWine, festivity, theatre and ecstasyDionysus is the god of wine, ritual madness and theatre, born from Zeus and the mortal Semele.

Their family

A daughter of Zeus and Hera.

HebeYouth; cupbearer to the godsHebe is the daughter of Zeus and Hera, the goddess of youth, who pours nectar for the gods and marries Heracles.

Lords of the underworld

Zeus’s brother and his daughter.

HadesThe underworld and the deadHades is the king of the underworld and the brother of Zeus and Poseidon. The realm he rules is also called Hades.PersephoneQueen of the underworld and goddess of spring growthPersephone is the daughter of Demeter, who was carried off by Hades and divides the year between the underworld and the upper world.