The Olympians: God and Goddesses of Ancient Greece

Greeks and their gods “The universe created the god” Heaven and Earth were the parents of the first gods, the Titans. The Titans possessed enormous strength and had a physique to match. Cronus rules the Titans, until his son Zeus dethroned him. Zeus became the leader of the Olympian goads, who resided at Mount Olympus. Mt. Olympus was a place not quite on earth, but not exactly heaven. It was untouched by weather, and its protected by the Seasons. However, unlike many belief systems, the Greeks gods have many faults: they are prone to fits of jealousy, vanity and temper tantrums. Click to learn more about the Olympian gods, some of whom will appear in The Odyssey.

Click on your favorite god or goddess

Zeus Zeus: Roman name: Jupiter Symbols: Thunderbolt, eagle, and oak tree. Family: Zeus is married to Hera, his sister. While Zeus rules the Sky, clouds, thunderbolts and has more power than all other gods combined, his brothers Poseidon and Hades govern the Sea and Underworld. Zeus has numerous famous children including many of the Olympians, but he is also the father of Perseus and Persephone. The Notorious Z-E-U-S: He is infamous for his many love affairs and bad temper. Watch for Zeus in The Odyssey: As you begin reading the first “book,” how does he act as a catalyst for the plot? Think about his relationship to the other gods and goddesses who appear in the poem.

This is an actual Greek Sculpture of Zeus. Do you see any of his symbols?

Hera: The Goddess of Marriage Roman Name: Juno Symbols: Cow and Peacock Family: Hera is married to Zeus and is also his sister. Her children are Ares, Hebe and Hephaestus and a daughter, Ilithyia. Woman Scorned: Hera is the protector of marriage, particularly married women. Hera was used to an unfaithful husband and her jealousy was well known throughout Greece. She would torment Zeus’s other women, many of whom were unaware they had wronged Hera. Zeus would often disguise himself to the mortal ladies in an effort to hide from his smart and beautiful wife. Hera was also well known for her horrible temper and extreme vanity. It was Hera’s vanity that caused the ultimate fall of Troy. Willing to help: Hera was not without her merits. She was a protector of heroes and a fixture in every home. Her daughter, Ilithyia helped women in childbirth.

Aphrodite: Goddess of Love and Beauty Roman name: Venus Symbols: myrtle tree, dove, swan and sparrow Family: She is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. Aphrodite is said to have been born from the foam of the sea. She married Hephaestus and Cupid is her son. Legend has it: That Aphrodite’s beauty awe-struck all men, no matter how wise. Although often depicted in art for her beauty and charm, she was also known to be manipulative. The Three Graces were her attendants, who born brought her up to Mount Olympus when she was born. The beautiful Goddess was covered in the jewels and crowns her husband made for her but Aphrodite was still rumored to have had an affair with her husband’s brother, Ares Watch for Aphrodite in The Odyssey: Is there a comparison between Aphrodite and any of the other women we meet in the poem?

Does this look like Aphrodite to you?

Ares: God of War Roman Name: Mars Symbols: The vulture and dog Family: He is definitely the son of Hera, but know one can say for certain who his father is. Many say his father is Zeus, but whether Zeus is his step-dad or biological dad doesn’t matter; Zeus and Hera did not like Ares. On a planet of his own: Ares not have the glorious tales of the other Gods and Goddesses. He is more a symbol of war than anything else. Although he may have had an affair with the lovely Aphrodite. Watch for Ares in The Odyssey: Towards the end of the poem, Homer reveals a story about the affair between Aphrodite and Ares. Think about why Homer tells the story.

Athena: Goddess of Wisdom Roman Name: Minerva Symbols: The olive tree and owl Family: Some say she was born of Zeus alone, others that her mother was Metis, the wife Zeus had to swallow. Either way, she was born fully grown and in armor from her father’s head. Athena never married and had no children. Where in Greece? You may have already guessed that Athens was named after this Goddess. She was in competition with Poseidon, her uncle, for claim of the city. Each presented the people with a gift and Athena gave the beautiful, practical gift of the olive tree. Needless to say, she won and Athens is hers. Watch for her in The Odyssey: She acts as Odysseus’s guardian and is often referred to as “the grey eyed goddess.”

Dionysus: God of the Vine Roman Name: Bacchus Symbol: the grape vine, wine Family: The son of Zeus and the mortal princess Semele Dionysus is the youngest of the Gods. Hera discovered this affair of Zeus’s and tricked the sweet princess into her own death. Zeus was able to rescue his son and sowed him into his thigh until he was ready to be born. Oh, I like dolphins: Then you better thank this God. Known for his gentleness he saved sailors from a watery death by turning them into dolphins. And to think, some people do not consider Dionysus worthy to be an Olympian. Besides, Dionysus is the inventor of wine.

If you look closely, you’ll see that the wreath around his head is really bunches of grapes!

Artemis: Goddess of the Hunt and Moon Roman name: Diane Symbols: Cypress tree and deer. Family: The Maiden Goddess is the twin sister of Apollo. Artemis is the daughter of Zeus and Leto. Am I moonstruck or was that a sliver arrow? If you died a quick and painless death it was probably a silver arrow shot by this Goddess. Artemis was known for her contradictions; preserving youth but requiring the sacrifice of a maiden from the Greek Fleet before sailing off to Troy.

Why do you think this Greek vase is said to depict Artemis?

Does she look Wise to you?

Hermes: Messenger of the Gods Roman Name: Mercury Symbols: Winged sandals, low helmet, and Caduceus (his wand). Family: Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maia, Atlas’s daughter. It’s Getting’ Hot in Here: Or is Hermes just bringing you to the underworld. One of his chief duties was to guide people to the underworld. He was also a master thief and stole many of Apollo’s cows when only one day old! Hermes is also the most popular god, appearing in more tales than any one else.

Poseidon: God of the Sea Roman Name: Neptune Symbols: The trident, bulls and horses. Family: Poseidon is second in power to his brother, Zeus. Poseidon is also the son of Cronus and Rhea. Poseidon married Amphitrite and together they had one son, Triton. Something smells fishy: Poseidon had a beautiful palace of coral beneath the sea, but he was often found in the clouds of Olympus. Poseidon was an important God to the Greeks, because they relied on the sea for much of their welfare. It was Poseidon’s choice for the sea to be calm or enraged with a storm. Poseidon is also well known for giving man the horse. Watch for Poseidon in The Odyssey: Father to the Cyclops, Poseidon is angered by Odysseus’s actions to the one-eyed monster. As you read the epic, decide if Poseidon was just in his actions to the hero.

Apollo: God of Truth, Life and Music Roman Name: Apollo Symbols: Laurel, dolphin and lyre Family: Apollo is Artemis’s twin brother and son of Zeus and Leto. The Greekiest Greek of them all: Apollo is a prominent figure in the arts including poetry and music. His brother, Hermes gave him the golden lyre for which he used to entertain the other gods. Apollo also never told a lie.

Demeter: Goddess of the Harvest and Hearth Roman Name: Ceres Symbols: The hearthstone Family: Demeter is the sister of Zeus, Poseidon and Hades. She is also the mother of Persephone whom she never let out of her sight. Kindest of them all: Demeter gave up her throne on Mount Olympus to make room for Dionysus. She instead took her place at the hearth in the center of the thrones, where she considered herself to rightly belong. Demeter was devastated when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped by Hades. Each spring, Demeter would greet her daughter at the entrance from the underworld.

Hephaestus: God of Fire Roman Name: Vulcan Symbols: Hephaestus does not have any specific symbols like the other Gods. Family: He is the son of Hera and some people believe he was also the son of Zeus. He married Aphrodite at Zeus’s order. Odd man out: Hephaestus did not have the outer beauty of the other Gods, but was noted for his kindness. Adding to his outer appearance is his noticeable limp. This limp was caused by Zeus, who through him off of Mount Olympus for siding with Hera over Zeus in a fight. Hephaestus is the patron of smiths making him very important to Greek life. Watch for Hephaestus in The Odyssey: Is there a parallel between the story about his marriage and the relationship between Penelope and Odysseus? Just something to think about as you read.

Works Cited D’Aulaire, Ingri, and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire. D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths. Garden City, New York: Doubleday and Co, Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. Boston: Little, Brown and Co, Head of Dionyssos (Romn copy based on Greek prototype). 2 nd -3 rd century A.D. Museum of Fina Arts, Boston, MA 11 April 2006 Oil bottle (lekythos)in the form of Aphrodite B.C. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA 11 April Pan Painter. Mixing Bowl. 470 B.C. Museum of Fina Arts, Boston, MA. 11 April Statue of Athena the Virgin (Athena Parthenos) A.D. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. 11 April =2350&coll_start=11 Statuette of Zeus. 4 th century B.C. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. 11 April 2006.