1. The Olympian Gods & Goddesses
GREEK GODS & GODDESSES
The Olympian Gods & Goddesses

2. Zeus King of the Gods God of Thunder Most powerful of all the gods
Roman Name: Jupiter, Jove
King of the Gods
God of Thunder
Most powerful of all the gods
When angry, Zeus was said to have thrown thunderbolts
Although he was married to Hera, Zeus was not faithful and fathered many children

3. Poseidon God of the Sea Ruler of earthquakes and horses
Roman Name: Neptune
God of the Sea
Ruler of earthquakes and horses
Second most powerful god
Poseidon lived in a palace under the sea
When Poseidon’s temper flared, earthquakes occurred
Brother of Zeus and Hades

4. Hades God of the Underworld King of the Dead Many myths involve heroes
Roman Name: Pluto
God of the Underworld
King of the Dead
Many myths involve heroes
who travel to the underworld to fulfill a quest
Cerberus, a three-headed dog, was one of the underworld’s guards
The River Styx had to be crossed before entering the underworld
Hades is known for kidnapping his wife, Persephone

5. Aphrodite Goddess of Love and Beauty
Roman Name: Venus
Goddess of Love and Beauty
Aphrodite is said to have been born from the foam of the sea
Although she was married to Hephaestus, Aphrodite had an affair with Ares

6. Apollo God of the Sun God of Music, Light, Truth & Healing
Roman Name: Apollo
God of the Sun
God of Music, Light, Truth & Healing
Apollo was said to drive his chariot across the sky each day, pulling the sun from east to west
Apollo was depicted as an archer who hunted with a silver bow
Apollo was the twin brother of Artemis

7. Ares
Roman Name: Mars
God of War
Ares was determined and fearless, but also bloodthirsty and impulsive
Ares repeatedly tricked Hephaestus so that he could have an affair with Hephaestus’ wife, Aphrodite
Eventually they were caught and embarrassed by the other gods and goddesses

8. Artemis Goddess of the Hunt Protector of women in childbirth
Roman Name: Diana
Goddess of the Hunt
Protector of women in childbirth
Artemis hunted with silver arrows and loved all wild animals
Artemis disliked men; she preferred to hunt in the woods with her female companions
Twin sister of Apollo

9. Athena Goddess of War and Wisdom
Roman Name: Minerva
Goddess of War and Wisdom
Athena is said to have sprung, full-grown, from the forehead of Zeus
Athena was known for being intelligent and rational
She was a good defender in times of war, but was also known as a peacemaker

10. Hephaestus God of Fire and Forge
Roman Name: Vulcan
God of Fire and Forge
Hephaestus was a blacksmith who could craft almost anything out of metal
Hephaestus was lame and was said to be thrown into the sea by his mother, Hera, after he was born
Hephaestus was married to Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty

11. Hera Queen of the Gods Goddess of Marriage Married to Zeus
Roman Name: Juno
Queen of the Gods
Goddess of Marriage
Married to Zeus
Many myths involve Hera seeking revenge for Zeus’ betrayal of his marriage vows

12. Hermes Messenger of the Gods
Roman Name: Mercury
Messenger of the Gods
Hermes was a trickster and friend to thieves, in addition to being a messenger
Hermes was known for his speed and wore winged sandals and a winged hat

13. Hestia Goddess of the Hearth and Home
Roman Name: Vesta
Goddess of the Hearth and Home
Hestia was the most gentle of the goddesses and does not appear in many myths
Hestia was the oldest Olympian and was Zeus’ sister
Sometimes Hestia is not included as one of the twelve Olympians

14. Other Important Gods & Goddesses
GREEK GODS & GODDESSES
Other Important Gods & Goddesses

15. Demeter Goddess of the Harvest
Roman Name: Ceres
Goddess of the Harvest
Sometimes included as one of the twelve Olympians
When Demeter’s daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped by Hades, Demeter would not allow any crops to grow

16. Dionysus God of Wine and Vegetation
Roman Name: Bacchus
God of Wine and Vegetation
Dionysus is sometimes considered to be one of the twelve Olympians
Dionysus was credited with inventing wine
Dionysus had a dual nature, which represented the two sides of wine – joy and rage

17. Persephone Queen of the Underworld
Roman Name: Proserpina
Queen of the Underworld
Persephone is the daughter of Demeter
Persephone was said to be so beautiful that Hades kidnapped her and made her his wife

18. Eros God of Love and Passion
Roman Name: Cupid
God of Love and Passion
Originally depicted as a handsome man, Eros is more commonly shown as a small winged boy