The Olimpian Gods and Goddesses /fanpop.com
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In Greek mythology, twelve gods and goddesses ruled the
universe from atop Greece's Mount Olympus. These Olympians had come to
power after their leader, Zeus, overthrew his father, Kronos, leader of
the Titans. All the Olympians are related to one another. The Romans adopted
most of these Greek gods and goddesses, but with new names.
Zeus (Roman name: Jupiter)
The most powerful of all, Zeus was god of the sky and
the king of Olympus. His temper affected the weather, and he threw thunderbolts
when he was unhappy. Zeus is the child of Cronus and Rhea, and the youngest of
his siblings. He was married to Hera but had many other lovers. His symbols
include the oak and the thunderbolt.
Hera (Roman name: Juno)
Image: mythologica.fr
Hera was goddess of marriage and the queen of Olympus.
She was Zeus's wife and sister; many myths tell of how she sought revenge when
Zeus betrayed her with his lovers. Portrayed as majestic and solemn, often
enthroned, and crowned with the polos (a high cylindrical crown worn
by several of the Great Goddesses), Hera may bear a pomegranate in
her hand, emblem of fertile blood and death and a substitute for the
narcotic capsule of the opium poppy. Her symbols include the peacock and
the cow.
Poseidon (Roman name: Neptune)
Poseidon was god of the sea. He was the most powerful
god except for his brother, Zeus. He lived in a beautiful palace under
the sea and caused earthquakes when he was in a temper. His symbols include the
horse and the trident (a three-pronged pitchfork). There is
a Homeric hymn to Poseidon, who was the protector of many Hellenic
cities, although he lost the contest for Athens to Athena.
According to the references from Plato in his dialogue Timaeus
and Critias, the island of Atlantis was the chosen domain of
Poseidon.
Hades (Roman name: Pluto)
Hades was king of the dead. He lived in the underworld,
the heavily guarded land where he ruled over the dead. He was the brother of
Zeus and the husband of Persephone, Demeter's daughter, whom he
kidnapped.
Aphrodite (Roman name: Venus)
Image: lipmag.com
Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty,
and the protector of sailors. She may have been the daughter of Zeus and the
Titan Dione, or she may have risen from the sea on a shell. Her symbols include
the myrtle tree and the dove.
Image: Wikimedia commons
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Apollo was the god of music and healing. He was also an archer, and hunted with a silver bow. Apollo was the son of Zeus and the Titan Leto, and the twin of Artemis. His symbols include thelaurel tree, the crow, and the dolphin.
Ares (Roman name: Mars)
Ares was the god of war. He was both cruel and a
coward. Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera, but neither of his parents liked
him. His symbols include the vulture and the dog, and he often carried a bloody
spear.
Artemis (Roman name: Diana)
Artemis was the goddess of the hunt and the protector of women in childbirth, virginity and protector of young girls, bringing and relieving disease in women; she often was depicted as a huntress carrying a bow and arrows. She hunted with silver arrows and loved all wild animals. Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin of Apollo. Her symbols include the cypress tree and the deer. The deer and the cypress were sacred to her. In later Hellenistic times, she even assumed the ancient role of Eileithyia in aiding childbirth.
Athena (Roman name: Minerva)
Image: tappedout.net
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Hephaestus was the god of fire and the forge (a furnace in which metal is heated). Although he made armor and weapons for the gods, he loved peace. He was the son of Zeus and Hera and married Aphrodite. His symbols include the anvil and the forge.
Hestia (Roman name: Vesta)
Hestia was the goddess of the hearth (a fireplace at
the center of the home). She was the most gentle of the gods, and does not play
a role in many myths. In Greek mythology she is a daughter
of Cronus and Rhea. Hestia was the sister of Zeus and the
oldest of the Olympians. Fire is among her symbols.
Image: camphalfblood.wikia.com
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Hermes was the messenger god, a trickster, and a friend to thieves. He was said to have invented boxing and gymnastics. He was the son of Zeus and the constellation Maia. The speediest of all, he wore winged sandals and a winged hat and carried a magic wand.
Demeter (Roman name: Ceres)
Demeter was the goddess of the harvest. The word
“cereal” comes from her Roman name. She was the sister of Zeus. Her daughter,
Persephone, was forced to live with Hades each winter; at this time Demeter let
no crops grow. Her symbols include wheat. Though Demeter is often
described simply as the goddess of the harvest, she presided also over the
sanctity of marriage, the sacred law, and the cycle of life and
death. She and her daughter Persephone were the central figures of
the Eleusinian Mysteries that predated the Olympian pantheon.
Image: users.belgacom.net
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Dionysus was the god of wine, which he invented. In ancient Greece Dionysus was honored with springtime festivals that centered on theater. Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Semele, a mortal. His symbols include ivy, the snake, and grapes.
Source: infoplease.com / wikipedia
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