In Greek mythology, twelve main 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. the Olympians are all related to one another: Aphrodite - Apollo - Ares - Artemis - Athena - Demeter - Hephaestus - Hera - Hermes - Hestia - Poseidon - Zeus

Unlike other early civilizations, Greeks made their gods in their own image. They assigned human frailties as well as superhuman strengths to their gods. For example, the highest of all gods, Zeus, was very powerful as well as unfaithful to his wife, Hera. The gods could be fair and generous, as well as mean and spiteful. They often meddled in human affairs.

Zeus divided the world between himself and his brothers Poseidon and Hades. Zeus ruled the sky and the living; Poseidon ruled the Seas and all who traveled on it; and Hades ruled the underworld which was the land of the dead.

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. He was married to Hera, but had many other lovers. His symbols include the the thunderbolt, eagle, and oak.

Poseidon is god of the sea, horses, and earthquakes. His symbol is the trident with which he controls the waters. He is the brother of Zeus and is almost as powerful.

Hades is the god of the underworld. He is stern and without pity, deaf to prayer or flattery. He is a greedy god who is greatly concerned with increasing his subjects. Those whose calling increase the number of dead were seen favorably by him. He was also the god of wealth, due to the precious metals mined from the earth. Although he is related to Zeus, Hades is not considered an Olympian God because he does not reside on Mount Olympus. Hades symbol is a helmet that renders him invisible.

Hera is the beautiful wife and sister of Zeus. She is the goddess of marriage and family. She is a very jealous goddess and gets very angry when Zeus has affairs. The peacock is her main symbol because it is a very proud and beautiful bird, like Hera herself.

Hephaestus is a a son of Zeus and Hera. He is the god of fire and craftsmen. Zeus threw him down to earth and from then on his legs were very weak, but he remained gifted with very skillful hands. He works at the bottom of volcanoes--that is why there are sparks and fire from some mountain tops. His wife is the goddess Aphrodite. Symbols are fire and blacksmith’s hammer

Aphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty. She was born from the ocean and rose out of the water on a cushion of foam. Her symbols are roses, doves, sparrows, dolphins, and rams. Her son is Eros, better known as Cupid.

Ares was the god of war. He was known for his thirst for battle and blood. Ares was not concerned with justice. He just loved the thrill of battle. His symbols include a bloody spear, the vulture, and the dog.

Athena was the goddess of wisdom. She was also skilled in the art of war, and helped heroes such as Odysseus and Hercules. Athena sprang full-grown from the forehead of Zeus, and became his favorite child. Her symbols include the owl and the olive tree.

Of all the Greek goddesses, Demeter was the one who was truly able to empathize with the human experience of suffering and grief... for she had fully experienced it herself. As the most nurturing of all the goddesses, she was responsible for the fertility and the abundance of the harvest. Her symbols are an ear of wheat and the Horn of Plenty.

Persephone is the daughter of Demeter. Wherever she dances, flowers grow. Hades kidnapped her and because she ate the food of the dead, she must return to him each year. Because of this, demeter created the seasons…when Persephone dies each year, the cold weather falls upon the Earth. Spring arrives when she is reborn and reunited with her mother. * Persephone is not considered an Olympian Goddess *

Apollo is the beautiful god of the sun, light, medicine, and music. He is creative, handsome, and supportive of all the arts of civilization. His symbols are the sun itself, the lyre (a type of musical instrument), the bow, and the chariot he drives across the sky daily. Apollo’s twin sister is the Olympian Goddess, Artemis.

Artemis is the independent goddess of the hunt, the forest, wildlife, childbirth, and the moon. Her symbol… a bow and arrow

In general, Hermes is the god of working class people, athletes, gamblers, and thieves. his main symbols are the traveler’s hat and the caduceus (staff with snakes around it). Hermes is often referred to as the “messenger of the gods”. He also serves as the main “soul-guide” who escorts the souls of the newly dead to the Underworld.

She is symbolized by the hearth and the tamed fire which burns there. Hestia is the eldest sister of Zeus, and the gentlest of all the Olympians. Hestia is the calm goddess of domestic life. She is always supportive of the family and home.