GREEK GODS GODDESSES The Olympian Gods Goddesses Zeus

GREEK GODS & GODDESSES The Olympian Gods & Goddesses

Zeus Roman Name: Jupiter, Jove n King of the Gods n God of Thunder n Most powerful of all the gods n When angry, Zeus was said to have thrown thunderbolts n Although he was married to Hera, Zeus was not faithful and fathered many children

Poseidon Roman Name: Neptune n God of the Sea n Ruler of earthquakes and horses n Second most powerful god n Poseidon lived in a palace under the sea n When Poseidon’s temper flared, earthquakes occurred n Brother of Zeus and Hades

Hades Roman Name: Pluto n God of the Underworld n King of the Dead n Many myths involve heroes who travel to the underworld to fulfill a quest n Cerberus, a three-headed dog, was one of the underworld’s guards n The River Styx had to be crossed before entering the underworld n Hades is known for kidnapping his wife, Persephone

Aphrodite Roman Name: Venus n Goddess of Love and Beauty n Aphrodite is said to have been born from the foam of the sea n Although she was married to Hephaestus, Aphrodite had an affair with Ares

Apollo Roman Name: Apollo n God of the Sun n God of Music, Light, Truth & Healing n Apollo was said to drive his chariot across the sky each day, pulling the sun from east to west n Apollo was depicted as an archer who hunted with a silver bow n Apollo was the twin brother of Artemis

Ares Roman Name: Mars n God of War n Ares was determined and fearless, but also bloodthirsty and impulsive n Ares repeatedly tricked Hephaestus so that he could have an affair with Hephaestus’ wife, Aphrodite n Eventually they were caught and embarrassed by the other gods and goddesses

Artemis Roman Name: Diana n Goddess of the Hunt n Protector of women in childbirth n Artemis hunted with silver arrows and loved all wild animals n Artemis disliked men; she preferred to hunt in the woods with her female companions n Twin sister of Apollo

Athena Roman Name: Minerva n Goddess of War and Wisdom n Athena is said to have sprung, full-grown, from the forehead of Zeus n Athena was known for being intelligent and rational n She was a good defender in times of war, but was also known as a peacemaker

Hephaestus Roman Name: Vulcan n God of Fire and Forge n Hephaestus was a blacksmith who could craft almost anything out of metal n Hephaestus was lame and was said to be thrown into the sea by his mother, Hera, after he was born n Hephaestus was married to Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty

Hera Roman Name: Juno n Queen of the Gods n Goddess of Marriage n Married to Zeus n Many myths involve Hera seeking revenge for Zeus’ betrayal of his marriage vows

Hermes Roman Name: Mercury n Messenger of the Gods n Hermes was a trickster and friend to thieves, in addition to being a messenger n Hermes was known for his speed and wore winged sandals and a winged hat

Hestia Roman Name: Vesta n Goddess of the Hearth and Home n Hestia was the most gentle of the goddesses and does not appear in many myths n Hestia was the oldest Olympian and was Zeus’ sister n Sometimes Hestia is not included as one of the twelve Olympians

GREEK GODS & GODDESSES Other Important Gods & Goddesses

Demeter Roman Name: Ceres n Goddess of the Harvest n Sometimes included as one of the twelve Olympians n When Demeter’s daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped by Hades, Demeter would not allow any crops to grow

Dionysus Roman Name: Bacchus n God of Wine and Vegetation n Dionysus is sometimes considered to be one of the twelve Olympians n Dionysus was credited with inventing wine n Dionysus had a dual nature, which represented the two sides of wine – joy and rage

Persephone Roman Name: Proserpina n Queen of the Underworld n Persephone is the daughter of Demeter n Persephone was said to be so beautiful that Hades kidnapped her and made her his wife

Eros Roman Name: Cupid n God of Love and Passion n Originally depicted as a handsome man, Eros is more commonly shown as a small winged boy