The Olympian Gods

Aphrodite Aphrodite governs desire, love, and sexuality. She is also known as Venus (Roman). She is often pictured with a sceptre or a mirror.

Apollo Apollo is associated principally with music, prophecy, sickness and medicine. His iconography are the cithara (lyre), the bow, the fawn, and the tripod. His sister is Artemis.

Ares Ares is the god of war and conflict. His is also known as Mars (Roman). Ares is depicted as a warrior.

Artemis Artemis is the goddess of the hunt and animals, as well as of childbirth. She is also known as Diana (Roman). Her iconography include the bow and the fawn. Apollo is her brother.

Athena (Athene) Athena is the patron of wisdom, military victory, and women’s crafts. She is also known as Minerva (Roman). Her iconography include the aegis (fringed cloak with Medusa the Gorgon’s head), the helmet, the spear and the owl. She’s the patron goddess of the Greek city state that bears her name.

Demeter Demeter is the giver of grain. She is also known as Ceres (Roman). Her iconography includes a torch, a crown, a sceptre, and stalks of grain. She is often portrayed with her daughter, Persephone.

Dionysus Dionysus is the god of wine, intoxication, and creative ecstasy. He is also known as Bacchus (Roman). His iconography includes a drinking vessel, an ivy wreath, grape vines, and the thrysos (fennel stalk topped with ivy leaves).

Hades Hades is the god of the underworld. He is also known as Pluto (Roman). His iconography include the cornucopia and the sceptre. Often he’s accompanied by Cerberus the three headed dog. He is not an evil devil figure that he’s sometimes depicted as. Also, Hades (the place) is not the equivalent of Hell in Greek tradition.

Hephaestus Hephaestus is the builder and craftsman of the gods. He is also lame and the only god who is not beautiful. His iconography include the axe (or hammer) and the tongs. He or the Cyclopes are often credited with making Zeus’ lightning bolts.

Hera Hera is the wife (and sister) of Zeus. She is the patron of marriage. She is also known as Juno (Roman). Her iconography is the peacock. She’s very jealous of Zeus’ frequent infidelities and often punishes Zeus’ many children and lovers out of jealousy.

Hermes Hermes’ main role is as a messenger but he has other functions as well. He’s also known as Mercury (Roman). His iconography includes the messenger’s staff, winged boots, and the petassos (cap).

Hestia Hestia is the goddess of the hearth. She is also known as Vesta (Roman).

Persephone Persephone is the Queen of the underworld and the daughter of Demeter. She is also known as Proserpine (Roman) or Kore – which means maiden. Her iconography includes a torch, crown, sceptre, and stalks of grain. She’s often seen with pomegranetes

Poseidon The god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He’s also known as Neptune (Roman) and the Earth-shaker. His iconography includes the trident, the horse, and the fish.

Zeus Zeus is the king of the Olympian gods. He’s also known as Jupiter or Jove (Roman). His iconography includes the lightning bolt, the eagle, and the sceptre. He’s a notorious womanizer.