1. Name: Aphrodite Parents: Unknown Goddess of: Love, Beauty, Laughter, Pleasures Symbol: Rose, Swan, Dove, Myrtle Roman Name: Venus Also Known As: Aligena, Candarena, Chrysenios, Urania Patroness of: Courtesans Notes: Aphrodite was not on the friendliest terms with Apolla and Artemis. She believed that every human needed a companion to love and be with. Aphrodite herself was greatly worshipped by many hopefuls. Origin of Aphrodite: The origins of Aphrodite are unclear. Most references point to Aphrodite being born from the foam of the sea and the blood of Zeus's father. Others say that Aphrodite is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. Whatever the origin, all the gods wanted Aphrodite as their wife, but Zeus gave her to Hephaestus because he would make a good, loving, solid husband. Name: Zeus Parents: Cronus, Rhea God of: Heaven, Earth, Men Symbol: Eagle, Oak Roman Name: Jupiter Also Known As: Jove, Adultus, Brontaeus, Fulgur, Muscarius Notes: Although powerful in battle, Zeus was unfaithful to his wife, Hera, and often spent time with nymphs and mortal women, thus producing many great heroes. Origin of Zeus: Cronus the Titan was told that one day, his son would overthrow him. In fear, he swallowed his children right after his wife Rhea gave birth. After swallowing five children, Rhea became angry. She hid Zeus at birth and switched his body with a rock to fool Cronus into thinking he had swallowed his newborn son. Rhea had a nymph care for Zeus until he came of age. He married the Titaness, Metis, and rescued his brothers and and sisters from Cronus, then killing his father.

2. Name: Ares Parents: Zeus, Hera God of: War Symbol: none Roman Name: Mars Notes: Unlike Athema, Ares loved war and reveled in violence. His constant companion was Eris, goddess of discord. Ares also romanced Aphrodite from a distance, enthralling her with tales of his victory and might. Unfortunately, he was actually a big coward, and often ran to his mother, Hera, when he was hurt. Origin of Ares: Ares was one of the few children of Zeus and Hera. Had brother named Hephaestus. Very vain. Was exited to be in battle. Could be wounded but he was immortal. When he was hurt he would cry out in pain that could be heard for miles. Zeus was in disgust, calling him the worst of his children. Name: Artemis Parents: Zeus, Leto Goddess of: The Moon, Hunting, Wild Things, Childbirth, Virginity Symbol: Cypress Roman Name: Diana Also Known As: Cynthia, Delia, Hecate/Hekate, Luna, Phoebe Patroness of: Unmarried girls, chastity Notes: Young and free, Artemis did not think it right that girls should be forced to marry and have children, butshe is also the goddess of childbirth. This comes from the fact that when she was born, she caused her mother no pain. Origin of Artemis: Wanted to be forever wild and free. While bathing with her nymphs, a hunter was caught watching her. She threw water on him turning him into a stag. His dogs attacked him not knowing that the deer was their master. Has twin brother, Apollo.

3. Name: Hades Parents: Cronus, Rhea God of: Underworld Roman Name: Pluto Also Known As: Ades, Aides, Aidoneus, Dis, Pluton, Orcus Notes: Being with dead people doesn't improve one's disposition much. Although he was one of the major gods, Hades didn't even have a throne on Olympus. He spent most of his time in the Underworld. Origin of Hades: Cronus the Titan was told that one day, his son would overthrow him. In fear, he swallowed his children right after his wife Rhea gave birth. The five children were Hades, Poseidon, Demeter, Hera and Hestia. Their younger brother, Zeus then rescued them from their father and they proceeded to take over the Titans and imprison them in the Underworld. Name: Athena Parents: Zeus, Metis Goddess of: Wisdom, War, Weaving, Skill Symbol: Owl Roman Name: Minerva Also Known As: Bright-eyed, Athene, Pallas Athena, Caesia, Hoplosima Patroness of: Athens Notes: Although wise, Athena was also fiercely jealous and could hold a grudge for as long as it took to repay those who had offended her. Athena was also a warlike goddess whose cunning allowed her to win any battle, even one against Ares. Origin of Athena: When Zeus's first wife, Metis, became pregnant, an oracle prophesied that the son of Metis would overthrow Zeus just as Zeus had overthrown his father. In fear, Zeus challenged his wife to a contest of magic. Whoever could turn into a smaller animal won. Metis turned herself into a fly, and Zeus swallowed her. Soon after, he had a terrible headache. It felt like someone was in his head stabbing at all the soft spots in his brain. He called for Hephaestus to help him. The god of the forge lay Zeus's head down on his anvil and broke the skull with a hammer. Out of Zeus's head sprung Athena, dressed for battle and armed with a spear.

4. Name: Hermes Parents: Zeus, Maia God of: Trade, Travelers, Tricksters, Thieves, The Wind Symbol: Roman Name: Mercury Also Known As: Patron of: Trailers and Thieves Notes: Best known as the messenger god, Hermes was a clever boy ever since his birth. He often acted as a messenger between gods and mortals. Origin of Hermes: After Maia gave birth, she took her son to a cave to raise him. He wandered away and stole the sacred cattle of Apollo. Apollo forgave him in exchange for the flute and lyre that Hermes had invented. Hermes also gave Apollo the title as god of music to appease him. Name: Poseidon Parents: Cronus, Rhea God of: The Sea Roman Name: Neptune Also Known As: Notes: Although mainly a god of the sea, Poseidon created the horse as a gift for a nymph who he loved. The horse became his favorite animal, and he even created a flock for himself in the ocean. Origin of Poseidon: Cronus the Titan was told that one day, his son would overthrow him. In fear, he swallowed his children right after his wife Rhea gave birth. The five children were Hades, Poseidon, Demeter, Hera and Hestia. Their younger brother, Zeus then rescued them from their father and they proceeded to take over the Titans and imprison them in the Underworld.

5. Name: Apollo Parents: Zeus, Leto God of: The Sun, Fine Arts, Medicine, Poetry, Eloquence, Prophecy Symbol: Laurel Tree Roman Name: Apollo Also Known As: Hyperion, Helius, Sol, Phoebus Patron of: Unmarried men, oracles Notes: Like his sister, Apollo was a patron of the unmarried. Even so, he had many loves, the most famous being Daphne. She did not want to marry him, and her father turned her into a laurel tree to save her from Apollo. From then on, the laurel tree has been Apollo's sacred tree. Origin of Apollo: Zeus wooed the goddess, Leto, and she became pregnant with twins. In a jealous rage, Hera called on Gaia, Mother Earth, to keep Leto from a resting place. Leto finally fled to the island of Delos that had been created for her by Poseidon. Even so, Hera did not allow the goddess of childbirth, to let Leto give birth. The other goddesses felt sorry for Leto, so they brought Hera a beautiful necklace made with amber and gold. They promised the give Hera the necklace if she would allow Leto to give birth. Reluctantly, Hera agreed, and Leto gave birth to Apollo and Artemis. Name: Demeter Parents: Cronus, Rhea Goddess of: Agriculture, Plants Roman Name: Ceres Notes: Demeter tended to the plants and crops of all mankind. Without her constant care, nothing would grow. When her daughter, Persephone, leaves her for half the year to rule the Underworld, she weeps and ignores the plants therefore causing the seasons. Origin of Demeter: Cronus the Titan was told that one day, his son would overthrow him. In fear, he swallowed his children right after his wife Rhea gave birth. The five children were Hases, Pseidon, Demeter, Hera and Hestia. Their younger brother, Zeus then rescued them from their father and they proceeded to take over the Titans and imprison them in the Underworld.

6. Name: Dionysus Parents: Zeus, Semele God of: Wine, Revelry Roman Name: Bacchus Also Known As: Bromius, Liber Notes: The youngest of all the gods, Dionysus is the only god to have a human mother. He is also the only god to have to temple. He preferred the outdoors, as did his followers. Origin of Dionysus: Zeus had gone to see Semele every night, and she soon became pregnant with a boy. In anger, Hera tricked Semele into asking Zeus to reveal his godly self: certain death for any mortal. Zeus did so, and Semele died, but Dionysus survived. When he arrived at Olympus, he created quite a stir. There were only 12 thrones, and he wanted a throne for himself. The gods began to argue over who should give up their throne, but Hestia quietly stood up from her throne and sat on the floor in the ashes to tend the hearth. Thus, Dionysus took the throne of the most humble goddess of all. Name: Hera Parents: Cronus, Rhea Goddess of: Women, Childbirth Symbol: Peacock Roman Name: Juno Also Known As: Here Patroness of: Notes: A very powerful goddess, Hera did not take nicely to her husband, Zeus, and his many love affairs. Unable to kill Zeus, she often persecuted his lovers instead. Origin of Hera: Cronus the Titan was told that one day, his son would overthrow him. In fear, he swallowed his children right after his wife Rhea gave birth. The five children were Hades, Poseidon, Demeter Hera and Hestia. Their younger brother, Zeusthen rescued them from their father and they proceeded to take over the Titans and imprison them in the Underworld.

7. Name: Hestia Parents: Cronus, Rhea Goddess of: The Hearth Symbol: Roman Name: Vesta Also Known As: Patroness of: Notes: The only virgin goddess other than Artemis, Hestia was the most honored goddess of all, but the least talked about. As the goddess who guarded the hearth and the home, she was not to be gossipped about, so she rarely appears in myths. Origin of Hestia: Cronus the Titan was told that one day, his son would overthrow him. In fear, he swallowed his children right after his wife Rhea gave birth. The five children were Hades, Poseidon, Demeter, Hera and Hestia. Their younger brother, Zeus then rescued them from their father and they proceeded to take over the Titans and imprison them in the Underworld. Name: Hephaestus Parents: Zeus, Hera God of: The Forge, Fire Roman Name: Vulcan Also Known As: Halciber Notes: The only crippled god, Hephaestus was also very ugly. Even so, he was an excellent blacksmith, and he forged lightning bolts for Zeus. Origin of Hephaestus: Hephaestus was one of the few children of Zeus and Hera. When he was born, Hera was so disgusted by his ugliness that she threw him off of Mount Olympus. He landed in the sea where a sea nymph took pity on him and cared for him. His half-sister, Athema taught him how to forge metal and make jewelry. He became such a skilled craftsman that Zeus finally allowed him to come back to Olympus.