ANCIENT GREECE The Pantheon of Greek Gods and Goddesses

In the Beginning According to legend, before anything existed, there was a nothingness called Chaos. From this Mother Earth, or Gaea, was formed. She gave birth to the sky; called Uranus. Gaea and Uranus had many children but the most important were the Titans.

The Rise of Cronos Uranus banished some of his children to a gloomy place under the Earth called the Underworld. Gaea was angered by this and encouraged the Titans to rise up against their father Uranus. Led by Cronos they overthrew Uranus. Cronos became king of the Titans and married his sister Rhea (I know, its weird).

Zeus is Born Cronos had been warned that one of his future children would kill him, so he ate his first five children. When Rhea was giving birth to their sixth child, Zeus, she tricked Cronos by giving him a stone wrapped up in clothes. She then sent Zeus to be raised by Nymphs.

Titanomachy Zeus returned as an adult and slipped a potion into Cronos’ drink. This caused him to throw up Zeus’ trapped siblings. They waged a war against Cronos, and the Titans of the Underworld, called Titanomachy.

Zeus Victorious Zeus became King of the gods and ruler of the sky. His brother Poseidon became King of the Ocean. His other brother Hades became King of the Underworld. His sister Hestia became goddess of the hearth and home. His other sister Demeter became goddess of plants and the harvest. His third sister Hera became protector of women and marriage; also married Zeus.

The Olympians The new gods were called the Olympians because the Greeks believed they lived on Mount Olympus. There were generally 12 main gods and several demigods the Greeks believed in.

The Other Olympians Ares – god of war Aphrodite – goddess of love Apollo – god of the Sun, light and truth Hephaestus – god of craftsmen Artemis – goddess of the moon and hunt Athena – goddess wisdom and war Dionysus – god of wine and plays Hermes – messenger of the gods