THE LESSER GODS OF OLYMPUS Eros Hebe Iris

THE LESSER GODS OF OLYMPUS • • • Eros Hebe Iris The Graces The Muses

EROS (CUPID) Ø Greek god of love and sexual desire Ø An attendant of Aphrodite Ø Usually depicted as a young winged boy, with his bow and arrows at the ready, often represented as blindfolded Ø Two types of arrows: Øgolden with dove feathers which aroused love Øleaden arrows which had owl feathers that caused indifference

HEBE (JUVENTAS) Ø Hebe is the goddess of youth, and the daughter of Zeus and Hera. Ø The cup-bearer of gods Ø Hebe also prepared Ares' bath, and helped Hera to her chariot Ø Hercules married her Ø Portrayed as a young woman, wearing a sleeveless dress

IRIS Ø Goddess of the Rainbow Ø A messenger of the gods Ø Brought messages from Gods, especially Hera to humans Ø Portrayed as a young woman with wings Ø Her attributes are a herald's staff and a water pitcher

THE GRACES Ø goddesses who bestowed beauty and charm and who were themselves the embodiment of both Ø constant attendants of Aphrodite Ø Euphrosyne (mirth) Thalia (good cheer) Aglaea (splendor)

THE MUSES Ø Nine goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences Ø Clio – history Ø Urania – astronomy Ø Melpomene – tragedy Ø Thalia – comedy Ø Terpsichore – dance Ø Calliope – epic poetry Ø Erato – love poetry Ø Polyhymnia – divine songs Ø Euterpe – lyric poetry