Family Tree of the Major Gods Web myth

Family Tree of the Major Gods * * * * Web, myth narration & graphics created & maintained by Nick Pontikis Copyright © 1995 - 2002 Thanasi's Olympus Greek Restaurant The Myth Man persona © 1988 Nick Pontikis Copyright © 1999 greekmyth. com Copyright © 1999 mythman. com *

Cronus and Rhea • Titans who ruled before the Olympians • Children Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Demeter and Hera • Fought their own children for control of world the world • Children won **

Zeus (Jupiter) Ruler of gods and mortals Ladies Man Married Hera Lived on Mt. Olympus God of skies and storm (thunderbolt) **

Hera (Juno) • • goddess of marriage, motherhood wife and sister of Zeus extremely jealous very beautiful (cow eyed beauty) • symbols include: cow, peacock, pomegranate • highly regarded and worshipped but not portrayed well in Mythology **

Poseidon • god of the sea and rivers • controlled earthquakes • gave humans the gift of the horse • Zeus only god more powerful • symbol-trident • lived beneath the ocean • often went to Mt. Olympus to party with the gods. ** (Neptune)

Hades (Pluto) • god of the Underworld • rarely left his home • did not cause death. • prevented the dead from leaving Hades • not well liked by mortals or gods • abducted Persephone forced her into marriage **

Hestia • goddess of fire and the hearth • associated with peace, home and family • never took part in disputes of mortals or gods • one of three virgin goddesses • most revered and worshipped but not present in mythology **

Demeter (Ceres) • goddess of agriculture/harvest • mother of Persephone • usually kind to humans • revered by humankind • one of the few gods to know grief and suffering **

Artemis (Diana) • virgin goddess of the hunt • ironically also goddess of childbirth • temple at Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the world • Twin brother Apollo • symbol silver bow and arrow, associated with the new moon **

Apollo (Phoebus) • son of Zeus and Leto • god of music, prophecy, hunting & medicine • symbol of youthful beauty • his job was to drive the sun across the sky each day • Colossus at Rhodes statue of Apollo (one of the 7 wonders of the world) **

Ares (Mars) • god of war, blood thirsty • son of Zeus and Hera • sister Eris (discord) went around the world stirring up trouble and he followed her. • his children, Phobos, Metus, Demios, Pallor and nephew, Strife then followed him and the cries of human could be heard wherever they traveled. • not well liked by other gods or humans. **

Dionysus (Bacchus) • god of the vine • gave the gift of grapes and winemaking to humans • he brought both joy & ecstasy and thoughtlessness & rage • well liked by mortals **

Athena (Minerva) • virgin goddess • goddess of wisdom, the domestic arts (weaving) and war • unlike Ares she tried to avoid war • very merciful, but don’t cross her • never lost in battle • Zeus’ favorite, she often used his weapons • gave many gifts to mortals Statue of Athena in Nashville, Tennessee, USA Courtesy Linda Van Eckle **

Hermes (Mercury) • messenger of the gods • guided souls to the underworld • son of Zeus and a mountain nymph • invented the lyre when only 1 day old • symbols include a wide-brimmed hat, winged shoes and the caduceus • also known as the god of commerce to the Greeks • was know for his cunning, ingenuity, knowledge and creativity **

Aphrodite (Venus) • goddess of love, beauty, fertility and desire • two versions of her birth • portrayed as beautiful • Zeus arranged her marriage to Hephasaetus • scandalous affair with Ares • could also be treacherous **

Hephaestus (Vulcan) • god of blacksmithing and other trades • weapon maker of the gods • son of Hera has no father • only physically ugly god • his creations the most beautiful • Zeus arranged marriage to Aphrodite • only god who did physical work • kind, peace loving, popular with gods and humans **

For more information on the Olympians consult the following websites: http: //greekmyth. com/ http: //www. mythweb. com/gods/index. html http: //www. messagenet. com/myths/immortals. html Click here to return to web site