GREEK PANTHEON

You want gods, we got ‘em.

HOW IT WORKS

The ancient Greeks attributed deeply human characteristics to their gods and goddesses. Gods were not perfect beings, but had human frailties. They were:

* Jealous * Impatient

* Petty * Impulsive

* Heroic * Foolish

THE OLYMPIANS

The main characters.

Mount Olympus

ZEUS

Called the “father of gods and man,” Zeus ruled Mount Olympus (the home of the gods)

God of the sky and thunder, his weapon is the thunderboltZeus married his sister, Hera, but had many children by mortal women and immortal goddesses alike.

Some of his children were: Apollo, Athena, Ares, Hermes, Persephone, Dionysus, and Heracles (Hercules)

Thunderbolts

Eagle

POSEIDON

The “Earth-shaker,” god of earthquakes and the seaWhen in a good mood, Poseidon was understood to be the creator of islands and the bringer of calm seas. When angry, however, Poseidon could call down earthquakes, storms, and shipwrecks. His weapon is the trident.Father of Theseus, the mythical founder of Athens and slayer of the monstrous Minotaur.

Trident

Hippocampus

HADES

Generally understood to be the god of the underworld, Hades is often also called “Plouton,” or “The Wealthy One.”

His weapon is the Helm of Darkness, which grants invisibility to the wearer.

Persephone, Hades’ queen, was tricked into staying in the underworld with her husband by eating six pomegranate seeds.

Persephone

Hades

Cerberus

HERA

Sister to Zeus, Hera is the goddess of marriage and the protector of women.

She is often portrayed as jealous of Zeus’ many infidelities, seeking revenge against the other women.

She is the mother of Ares, Hephaestus, and Eris, and step-mother (and enemy) to Heracles.

Peacock(Hera’s symbol)

DEMETER

Believed to be the goddess of the harvest, the changing of seasons, and the fertility of the earth.

Demeter’s daughter by Zeus, Persephone, was kidnapped by Hades to become the queen of the underworld. In her grief, Demeter turns the earth cold and barren in Persephone’s absence (winter), and warm and fertile again when she returns (spring/summer).

DIONYSUS

Yet another of Zeus’ offspring, Dionysus is the god of the grape harvest, wine, and ritual madness.

Festivals held to honor Dionysus eventually grew into the first expressions of Greek theater.

Dionysus is associated with wildness, music, and ecstatic dance.

APOLLO

The son of Zeus and Leto, Apollo is the god of light, music, medicine, and the arts.

Apollo is often pictured with a bow and arrow, or his lyre– an early version of the harp, and is often considered to be the Greek ideal of male beauty.

Bow and Arrows

Lyre

Laurel Tree

ARTEMIS

Twin sister to Apollo, Artemis is a huntress goddess, and the protector of unmarried women.

Artemis was widely venerated throughout Greece, although she was particularly popular in Sparta.

ATHENA

The daughter of Zeus and the goddess of wisdom, Metis, Athena sprang fully-formed from her father’s forehead.

Athena is the patron goddess of Athens, and is the goddess of military strategy, wisdom, justice, and skill.One of Athena’s constant companions is Nike, the spirit of victory.

Nike

HERMES

Hermes is a trickster figure in much of Greek mythology. He is the messenger god, a guide to the underworld, and the patron of thieves, travellers, merchants, and inventors.

Many shrines to Hermes were built at crossroads, as they were uncertain places where the god’s guidance would be useful.

Winged feet (or sandals)

Caduceus

APHRODITE

Born from the blood of Uranus and sea foam, Aphrodite is actually an older god than Zeus.

Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty, and sexuality. She was said to be so beautiful that Zeus feared a war over her hand, and so married her off to Hephaestus, the smith god.

Unhappy in her marriage, Aphrodite had many other lovers, and was the mother of Eros.