The Olympian The Olympian GodsGods

The Olympian GodsThe Olympian Gods

Identify this god and his Identify this god and his characteristic weapon.characteristic weapon.

ZeusZeus King Zeus had an enormous throne of polished King Zeus had an enormous throne of polished

black Egyptian marble, decorated in gold. Seven black Egyptian marble, decorated in gold. Seven steps led up to it, each of them enameled with one steps led up to it, each of them enameled with one of the seven colors of the rainbow. A bright blue of the seven colors of the rainbow. A bright blue covering above showed that the whole sky belonged covering above showed that the whole sky belonged to Zeus alone; and on the right arm of his throne to Zeus alone; and on the right arm of his throne perched a ruby-eyed golden eagle clutching jagged perched a ruby-eyed golden eagle clutching jagged strips of pure tin, which meant that Zeus could kill strips of pure tin, which meant that Zeus could kill whatever enemies he pleased by throwing a whatever enemies he pleased by throwing a thunderbolt of forked lightning at them. A purple thunderbolt of forked lightning at them. A purple ram's fleece covered the cold seat. Zeus used it for ram's fleece covered the cold seat. Zeus used it for magical rainmaking in times of drought." –magical rainmaking in times of drought." –Robert Robert Graves, qtd. in PontikisGraves, qtd. in Pontikis

Identify this god and his characteristic Identify this god and his characteristic weaponweapon

PoseidonPoseidonPoseidon is not merely the god of the sea, but it also Poseidon is not merely the god of the sea, but it also known as the Earth-Shaker …. In art, he is generally known as the Earth-Shaker …. In art, he is generally represented as a mature, bearded man and is associated represented as a mature, bearded man and is associated with horses, dolphins, and his trident…. More than with horses, dolphins, and his trident…. More than anything else, he represents a changing character. His anything else, he represents a changing character. His attitudes, like water, are constantly shifting. Poseidon is attitudes, like water, are constantly shifting. Poseidon is benevolent and helpful to mankind at times, but can benevolent and helpful to mankind at times, but can quickly become jealous, angry, and destructive. quickly become jealous, angry, and destructive. Poseidon's swaying character often embodies the same Poseidon's swaying character often embodies the same traits that the water he rules over displays. Harold Bloom traits that the water he rules over displays. Harold Bloom applies this idea to the struggle between Athena and applies this idea to the struggle between Athena and Poseidon throughout the Odyssey and states, "We might Poseidon throughout the Odyssey and states, "We might trace then a politics pitting the forces of the land and trace then a politics pitting the forces of the land and civilization against the forces of the sea and brute civilization against the forces of the sea and brute mindlessness" mindlessness" (137). (137). The brute force of the sea is applied The brute force of the sea is applied to both Poseidon and his relations in both Homer's poetry to both Poseidon and his relations in both Homer's poetry and other pieces of Greek literature.and other pieces of Greek literature. (Reese). (Reese).

Identify this god and his companion.Identify this god and his companion.

HadesHades When the three sons of When the three sons of

Cronus divided the world Cronus divided the world among each other, Hades among each other, Hades was given the underworld, was given the underworld, while his brothers Zeus while his brothers Zeus and Poseidon took the and Poseidon took the upperworld and the sea upperworld and the sea respectively. For a while respectively. For a while Hades ruled the Hades ruled the underworld together with underworld together with Persephone, whom he had Persephone, whom he had abducted from the abducted from the upperworld, but Zeus upperworld, but Zeus ordered him to release ordered him to release Persephone back into the Persephone back into the care of her mother care of her mother Demeter. However, before Demeter. However, before she left he gave her a she left he gave her a pomegranate and when pomegranate and when she ate of it, it bound her she ate of it, it bound her to the underworld forever. to the underworld forever.

Hades sits on a throne made of Hades sits on a throne made of ebony, carries a scepter, and has a ebony, carries a scepter, and has a helmet, given to him by the Cyclopes, helmet, given to him by the Cyclopes, which can make him invisible.which can make him invisible.

Hades rules the dead, assisted by Hades rules the dead, assisted by various demonic helpers, such as various demonic helpers, such as Thanatos and Hypnos, the ferryman Thanatos and Hypnos, the ferryman Charon, and the hound Cerberus.Charon, and the hound Cerberus.

Many heroes from Greek mythology Many heroes from Greek mythology have descended into the underworld, have descended into the underworld, either to question the shades or either to question the shades or trying to free them.trying to free them.

Although Hades does not allow his Although Hades does not allow his

subjects to leave his domain, on subjects to leave his domain, on several occasions he has granted several occasions he has granted permission, such as when Orpheus permission, such as when Orpheus requested the return of his beloved requested the return of his beloved Eurydice. Eurydice.

Hades possesses the riches of the Hades possesses the riches of the earth, and is thus referred to as 'the earth, and is thus referred to as 'the Rich One'. Possibly also because -- as Rich One'. Possibly also because -- as Sophocles writes -- 'the gloomy Sophocles writes -- 'the gloomy Hades enriches himself with our Hades enriches himself with our sighs and our tears'. sighs and our tears'.

Of all the gods, Hades is the one who Of all the gods, Hades is the one who is liked the least and even the gods is liked the least and even the gods themselves have an aversion of him. themselves have an aversion of him. People avoided speaking his name People avoided speaking his name lest they attracted his unwanted lest they attracted his unwanted attention. With their faces averted attention. With their faces averted they sacrificed black sheep, whose they sacrificed black sheep, whose blood they let drip into pits, and blood they let drip into pits, and when they prayed to him, they would when they prayed to him, they would bang their hands on the ground. The bang their hands on the ground. The narcissus and the cypress are sacred narcissus and the cypress are sacred to him (Lindemans). to him (Lindemans).

Identify this Identify this goddess and goddess and her her iconography.iconography.

HeraHera Hera, who walks in golden sandals, is the Queen of Hera, who walks in golden sandals, is the Queen of

Heaven, always a virgin, for she recovers her Heaven, always a virgin, for she recovers her maidenhood every year by bathing in a spring called maidenhood every year by bathing in a spring called Canathus in Argolis. Hera is known for her jealousy, Canathus in Argolis. Hera is known for her jealousy, and because of it, she persecuted her husband's and because of it, she persecuted her husband's lovers and the children he had by them. Creation of lovers and the children he had by them. Creation of the Milky Way the Milky Way

According to some, the Milky Way (Via Lactea) was According to some, the Milky Way (Via Lactea) was formed by the milk of Hera, which flowed when she formed by the milk of Hera, which flowed when she realized that she had been giving milk to Hermes realized that she had been giving milk to Hermes (or Heracles 1), and thrust him away. But it is also (or Heracles 1), and thrust him away. But it is also said that the Milky Way commemorates the milk of said that the Milky Way commemorates the milk of Hera with which she was to anoint and feed Hera with which she was to anoint and feed Dionysus 2 in order to heal his madness. (Parada).Dionysus 2 in order to heal his madness. (Parada).

How is this picture characteristic of the How is this picture characteristic of the relationship between Hera and Zeus?relationship between Hera and Zeus?

Hera and ZeusHera and ZeusThe depiction of Hera and Zeus The depiction of Hera and Zeus

as a warring couple reflects a as a warring couple reflects a tension the older worship of tension the older worship of female deities and the more female deities and the more recent ascension of male recent ascension of male gods in Greek culture.gods in Greek culture.

In Greek mythology, Hera In Greek mythology, Hera was the reigning female was the reigning female goddess of Olympus because goddess of Olympus because she was Zeus's wife. But her she was Zeus's wife. But her worship is actually far older worship is actually far older than that of her husband. It than that of her husband. It goes back to a time when the goes back to a time when the creative force we call "God" creative force we call "God" was conceived of as a was conceived of as a woman. The Goddess took woman. The Goddess took many forms, among them many forms, among them that of a bird. that of a bird.

Tens of thousands of years ago, as the evidence Tens of thousands of years ago, as the evidence of cave art and artifacts makes clear, humanity of cave art and artifacts makes clear, humanity was focused on the female body, either was focused on the female body, either pregnant or fit to bear children. Childbirth was pregnant or fit to bear children. Childbirth was the closest humans came to the great power the closest humans came to the great power that caused the earth to bring forth new life in that caused the earth to bring forth new life in the spring. To the extent that these distant the spring. To the extent that these distant ancestors of ours were evolved enough to think ancestors of ours were evolved enough to think of worshipping this power, we may safely of worshipping this power, we may safely conclude that they thought of it as female. conclude that they thought of it as female.

It is said that it was only when humanity It is said that it was only when humanity discovered man's role in procreation that male discovered man's role in procreation that male gods began to be worshipped. There is no gods began to be worshipped. There is no reason to doubt, though, that male gods were reason to doubt, though, that male gods were worshipped before the mystery of birth was worshipped before the mystery of birth was fully known. In all probability the greatest fully known. In all probability the greatest powers were thought of as female but there powers were thought of as female but there were male deities as well. And it is clear that were male deities as well. And it is clear that even after procreation was properly even after procreation was properly understood, the more peaceful Europeans--understood, the more peaceful Europeans--perhaps down to the "Minoans" of Crete--perhaps down to the "Minoans" of Crete--continued to worship the Great Mother. continued to worship the Great Mother.

Hera was worshipped throughout Greece, Hera was worshipped throughout Greece, and the oldest and most important temples and the oldest and most important temples were consecrated to her. Her subjugation were consecrated to her. Her subjugation to Zeus and depiction as a jealous shrew to Zeus and depiction as a jealous shrew are mythological reflections of one of the are mythological reflections of one of the most profound changes ever in human most profound changes ever in human spirituality. spirituality.

Zeus's many adulterous affairs may derive from Zeus's many adulterous affairs may derive from ceremonies in which the new sky god "married" various ceremonies in which the new sky god "married" various local embodiments of the Great Goddess. That there was local embodiments of the Great Goddess. That there was some insecurity on the part of the supplanter god and some insecurity on the part of the supplanter god and his worshippers is seen in the mythological birth of his worshippers is seen in the mythological birth of Athena from Zeus's head--as if to say that the sky god Athena from Zeus's head--as if to say that the sky god could do anything any Great Goddess could do could do anything any Great Goddess could do (Skidmore).(Skidmore).

Who is this god and why is she wearing a Who is this god and why is she wearing a helmet?helmet?

AthenaAthena Daughter of Zeus, and only by him, the Daughter of Zeus, and only by him, the

Goddess Athena was not generated by Goddess Athena was not generated by any woman. She leaped from the head of any woman. She leaped from the head of Zeus, already adult, dressed with her Zeus, already adult, dressed with her armor. . Mother Earth and Father Sky armor. . Mother Earth and Father Sky had advised Zeus to assimilate his had advised Zeus to assimilate his pregnant wife into his own body to pregnant wife into his own body to prevent any of his descendants from prevent any of his descendants from robbing him of his kingly rank-- for it robbing him of his kingly rank-- for it was destined that the most brilliant was destined that the most brilliant children were to be born to the Goddess children were to be born to the Goddess Metis: first, the daughter Athena, and Metis: first, the daughter Athena, and later a son, the future King of Gods and later a son, the future King of Gods and men. Athena is the favorite daughter of men. Athena is the favorite daughter of Zeus; and that's why he let her use his Zeus; and that's why he let her use his insignia: the terrible shield, the aegis insignia: the terrible shield, the aegis and his devastating weapon, the ray.  and his devastating weapon, the ray. 

In the most ancient account, the Iliad, In the most ancient account, the Iliad, Athena is the Goddess of ferocious and Athena is the Goddess of ferocious and implacable fight, but, wherever she can implacable fight, but, wherever she can be found, she only is a warrior to defend be found, she only is a warrior to defend the State and the native land against the the State and the native land against the enemies coming from outside.  enemies coming from outside. 

She is, above all, the Goddess of the She is, above all, the Goddess of the City, the protectress of civilized life, City, the protectress of civilized life, of artesian activities, and of of artesian activities, and of agriculture. She also invented the agriculture. She also invented the horse-bit, which, for the first time, horse-bit, which, for the first time, tamed horses, allowing men to use tamed horses, allowing men to use them.  them. 

The The mostmost used expression to describe used expression to describe her is "the bright eyed". She is the her is "the bright eyed". She is the first of the three virgin Goddesses, first of the three virgin Goddesses, also known as Maiden, Parthenos, also known as Maiden, Parthenos, and from this name was taken the and from this name was taken the name to the most important Temple name to the most important Temple dedicated to her, the Parthenon.  dedicated to her, the Parthenon.  Athens is her city; the olive tree, Athens is her city; the olive tree, created by her, is her tree; the owl, is created by her, is her tree; the owl, is the bird consecrated to her. the bird consecrated to her. 

In poetry she is the incarnation of In poetry she is the incarnation of Wisdom, Reason and Purity (George).Wisdom, Reason and Purity (George).

Who is this god and what are her Who is this god and what are her powers?powers?

Aphrodite’s BirthAphrodite’s BirthThe Birth of Venus,The Birth of Venus, Botticelli Botticelli

AphroditeAphrodite Aphrodite was the great Olympian goddess of Aphrodite was the great Olympian goddess of

beauty, love, pleasure and and procreation. She beauty, love, pleasure and and procreation. She was depicted as a beautiful woman usually was depicted as a beautiful woman usually accompanied by the winged godling Eros (Love). accompanied by the winged godling Eros (Love). Her symbolic imagery includes a dove, apple, Her symbolic imagery includes a dove, apple, scallop shell and mirror. In classical sculpture scallop shell and mirror. In classical sculpture and fresco she was often depicted nude.and fresco she was often depicted nude.

The most common version of the birth of The most common version of the birth of Aphrodite describes her born in sea-foam from Aphrodite describes her born in sea-foam from the castrated genitals of the sky-god Uranos the castrated genitals of the sky-god Uranos (Atsma).(Atsma).

Myths of Aphrodite include her many affairs, and Myths of Aphrodite include her many affairs, and her destructive powers, especially in the Trojan her destructive powers, especially in the Trojan War, which she caused and actively extended.War, which she caused and actively extended.

Identify this familiarIdentify this familiar

figure, commonly figure, commonly

depicted with his depicted with his

bow and arrows.bow and arrows.

ErosEros Eros, the Greek god of love and sexual desire, was also Eros, the Greek god of love and sexual desire, was also

worshiped as a fertility god, believed to be a contemporary of worshiped as a fertility god, believed to be a contemporary of the primeval Chaos which makes Eros one of the oldest gods. the primeval Chaos which makes Eros one of the oldest gods. In the Dionysian Mysteries Eros is referred to as "protagonus", In the Dionysian Mysteries Eros is referred to as "protagonus", the first born. the first born.

There are many variations to whom the parents of Eros really There are many variations to whom the parents of Eros really where. According to Aristophanes (Birds) he was born from where. According to Aristophanes (Birds) he was born from Erebus and Nyx (Night); in later mythology Eros is the Erebus and Nyx (Night); in later mythology Eros is the offspring of Aphrodite and Ares. Yet in the Theogony, the epic offspring of Aphrodite and Ares. Yet in the Theogony, the epic poem written by Hesiod, it mentions a typified Eros as being poem written by Hesiod, it mentions a typified Eros as being an attendant of Aphrodite, but not her son. an attendant of Aphrodite, but not her son.

From the early legend of Eros it is said that he was responsible for the From the early legend of Eros it is said that he was responsible for the embraces of Uranus (Heaven or Sky) and Gaia (Earth), and from their union embraces of Uranus (Heaven or Sky) and Gaia (Earth), and from their union were born many offspring. It was also written that Eros hatched our race and were born many offspring. It was also written that Eros hatched our race and made it appear first into the light (Birds, by Aristophanes). Although one of the made it appear first into the light (Birds, by Aristophanes). Although one of the oldest gods, he was a latecomer to Greek religion. He was worshiped in many oldest gods, he was a latecomer to Greek religion. He was worshiped in many regions of Greece--in Athens the fourth day of every month was sacred to regions of Greece--in Athens the fourth day of every month was sacred to Eros…personified all the attractions that evoked love and desire, this included Eros…personified all the attractions that evoked love and desire, this included heterosexual and homosexual allurements. Anteros (the Returner of Love also heterosexual and homosexual allurements. Anteros (the Returner of Love also known as the god of Mutual Love) was the brother of Eros, which comes from known as the god of Mutual Love) was the brother of Eros, which comes from the version of which Aphrodite and Ares are said to be the mother and father of the version of which Aphrodite and Ares are said to be the mother and father of Eros. Eros.

Eros is usually depicted as a young winged boy, with his bow and arrows at the Eros is usually depicted as a young winged boy, with his bow and arrows at the ready, to either shoot into the hearts of gods or mortals which would rouse ready, to either shoot into the hearts of gods or mortals which would rouse them to desire. His arrows came in two types: golden with dove feathers which them to desire. His arrows came in two types: golden with dove feathers which aroused love, or leaden arrows which had owl feathers that caused aroused love, or leaden arrows which had owl feathers that caused indifference. (Leadbetter).indifference. (Leadbetter).

Who is this god? What Who is this god? What is his connection to is his connection to Eros?Eros?

AresAres Ares is the mighty but Ares is the mighty but

hated man-slaying hated man-slaying god of war and god of war and warriors. This blood-warriors. This blood-stained homicide god stained homicide god is often followed in is often followed in the fight by his sons the fight by his sons Phobus  and Deimos Phobus  and Deimos (Terror and Fear). But (Terror and Fear). But as standpoints are as standpoints are many, he has also many, he has also been called "Saviour been called "Saviour of Cities", "Defence of of Cities", "Defence of Olympus", "Father of Olympus", "Father of Victory", "Ally of Victory", "Ally of Themis", and "Leader Themis", and "Leader of Righteous Men". of Righteous Men".

As the Bronze Age of man As the Bronze Age of man approached…a new generation of approached…a new generation of gods was born to remind man of gods was born to remind man of himself, of the sacredness and himself, of the sacredness and purity of nature, and of the virtues purity of nature, and of the virtues of order, industriousness and of order, industriousness and political sense. But to assist the political sense. But to assist the coming madness of man, his coming madness of man, his brutality, and his bloodthirst, brutality, and his bloodthirst, came Ares, so that wretches who came Ares, so that wretches who delight in murder would not be delight in murder would not be altogether without consolation. altogether without consolation.

Even cowardly deeds may seem Even cowardly deeds may seem feats of bravery thanks to this god. feats of bravery thanks to this god. But he reminds men of nothing as But he reminds men of nothing as he incites them to run riot, kill, he incites them to run riot, kill, burn, and rape, but submerges burn, and rape, but submerges them in mud and blood, making them in mud and blood, making them forget the beauties of heaven them forget the beauties of heaven and earth. This misery is one of and earth. This misery is one of the many forms of oblivion the many forms of oblivion (Parada).(Parada).

Why is this god Why is this god portrayed as an portrayed as an ideal of ideal of masculine masculine beauty?beauty?

ApolloApollo Apollo is in many respects the paradigm Apollo is in many respects the paradigm

of a Greek god. He represents order, of a Greek god. He represents order, harmony, and civilization in a way that harmony, and civilization in a way that most other Olympian deities cannot quite most other Olympian deities cannot quite equal. One only has to compare him with equal. One only has to compare him with Dionysos to understand how Apollo is Dionysos to understand how Apollo is depicted as a bright, rational counterpart depicted as a bright, rational counterpart to the chaotic and frenzied god of wine to the chaotic and frenzied god of wine and women. Indeed, Apollo is most often and women. Indeed, Apollo is most often associated with the cultivated arts of associated with the cultivated arts of music and medicine, and his role as the music and medicine, and his role as the leader of the Muses establishes him as a leader of the Muses establishes him as a patron of intellectual pursuits. patron of intellectual pursuits.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that in art, images of Therefore, it comes as no surprise that in art, images of Apollo represented the height of male attractiveness - Apollo represented the height of male attractiveness - indeed, for years, Archaic statues of youths were commonly indeed, for years, Archaic statues of youths were commonly referred to as "Apollo", later to be replaced the more referred to as "Apollo", later to be replaced the more accurate term "kouros" (young man). However, as with most accurate term "kouros" (young man). However, as with most Greek deities, Apollo has characteristics that are myriad and Greek deities, Apollo has characteristics that are myriad and diverse, so we should proceed to an exploration of this diverse, so we should proceed to an exploration of this important god (Mythography).important god (Mythography).

Why would NASA use the name and image of Why would NASA use the name and image of Apollo for a series of flights into outer space?Apollo for a series of flights into outer space?

Identify this Identify this goddess, her goddess, her powers and powers and her domain.her domain.

What is her What is her relationship relationship to Apollo?to Apollo?

ArtemisArtemis Artemis was the great Olympian goddess of Artemis was the great Olympian goddess of

hunting, wilderness and wild animals. She hunting, wilderness and wild animals. She was also a goddess of childbirth, and the was also a goddess of childbirth, and the protectress of the girl child up to the age of protectress of the girl child up to the age of marriage. Her twin brother Apollo was marriage. Her twin brother Apollo was similarly the protector of the boy child. similarly the protector of the boy child. Together the two gods were also bringers of Together the two gods were also bringers of sudden death and disease--Artemis targeted sudden death and disease--Artemis targeted women and girls, and Apollo men and boys.women and girls, and Apollo men and boys.

In ancient art Artemis was usually depicted In ancient art Artemis was usually depicted as a girl dressed in a short knee-length chiton as a girl dressed in a short knee-length chiton and equipped with a hunting bow and quiver and equipped with a hunting bow and quiver of arrows of arrows (Atsma)(Atsma)..

Identify this god and his Identify this god and his setting.setting.

HephaestusHephaestusHephaestus is the god of Hephaestus is the god of

the smiths. He the smiths. He discovered the ways discovered the ways of working iron, of working iron, copper, gold, silver, copper, gold, silver, and everything else and everything else which requires fire for which requires fire for working. working.

Hephaestus made some Hephaestus made some extraordinary extraordinary constructions: constructions:

He gave King Aeetes He gave King Aeetes the brazen-footed the brazen-footed bulls that puffed fire bulls that puffed fire from their mouths. from their mouths.

HepaestusHepaestus

He also wrought the He also wrought the famous Necklace of famous Necklace of Harmonia, and he Harmonia, and he made a bed forged of made a bed forged of gold, in which Helios gold, in which Helios (the Sun) is carried in (the Sun) is carried in sleep. sleep.

When Heracles  did not know how to drive the When Heracles  did not know how to drive the Stymphalian Birds from the wood, Athena gave Stymphalian Birds from the wood, Athena gave him brazen castanets to scared them with, which him brazen castanets to scared them with, which she had received from Hephaestus. she had received from Hephaestus.

Hephaestus also made a scepter for Zeus,  Hephaestus also made a scepter for Zeus,  

Hephaestus gave a golden breastplate to Hephaestus gave a golden breastplate to Heracles, and he also made Achilles' new Heracles, and he also made Achilles' new armour, when he laid aside his wrath and armour, when he laid aside his wrath and decided to return to the fight at Troy.decided to return to the fight at Troy.

And when Achilles killed Asteropaeus, grandson And when Achilles killed Asteropaeus, grandson of the river Axius, the river god rushed at him, of the river Axius, the river god rushed at him, but Hephaestus dried up his streams with a but Hephaestus dried up his streams with a powerful flame (Parada).powerful flame (Parada).

Identify this god who is accompanied by a panther and a satyr. He is depicted here holding grapes. This statue was carved of marble in the second second century and found in Rome in the sixteenth century.

DionysosDionysos Dionysos is an atypical Dionysos is an atypical

Greek deity. While the Greek deity. While the Olympian gods are bright Olympian gods are bright beings of sunlight, Dionysos beings of sunlight, Dionysos is a creature of mystery, his is a creature of mystery, his very essence an enigma. His very essence an enigma. His realm is shadowy, and his realm is shadowy, and his followers flirt with madness, followers flirt with madness, drunkenness, and death. He drunkenness, and death. He is the god who brings wine, is the god who brings wine, but also an intoxication that but also an intoxication that merges the drinker with the merges the drinker with the deity. And, perhaps most deity. And, perhaps most significantly, his connection significantly, his connection with a certain type of cult with a certain type of cult activity, known as a activity, known as a "mystery", separates him "mystery", separates him from his fellow from his fellow Olympians,with the Olympians,with the exception of the goddess exception of the goddess Demeter) Demeter)

It is through the mystery cults, the secrets of which It is through the mystery cults, the secrets of which were so well guarded that we know but a few essential were so well guarded that we know but a few essential details, that we come into contact with a unique details, that we come into contact with a unique characteristic of Dionysos; for according to the legends characteristic of Dionysos; for according to the legends of one of the cults, the god himself dies. That a god of one of the cults, the god himself dies. That a god should die seems an oxymoron - by definition, a deity is should die seems an oxymoron - by definition, a deity is immortal. And yet some of his followers believed that he immortal. And yet some of his followers believed that he was slain, and then reborn, something which is was slain, and then reborn, something which is unthinkable in the case of other Greek deities. Dionysos unthinkable in the case of other Greek deities. Dionysos is also spelled Dionysus (Mythography).is also spelled Dionysus (Mythography).

Who is this woman and why is she tending a fire?

HestiaHestia Hestia was the virgin Hestia was the virgin

goddess of the hearth (both goddess of the hearth (both private and municipal) and private and municipal) and the home. As the goddess of the home. As the goddess of the fire of the family hearth, the fire of the family hearth, she also presided over the she also presided over the cooking of bread and the cooking of bread and the preparation of the family preparation of the family meal. Hestia was also the meal. Hestia was also the goddess of the sacrificial goddess of the sacrificial flame and received a share of flame and received a share of every sacrifice to the gods. every sacrifice to the gods. In daily Greek religious In daily Greek religious observance, she was one of observance, she was one of the most important gods. The the most important gods. The cooking of the communal cooking of the communal feast of sacrificial meat was feast of sacrificial meat was naturally a part of her naturally a part of her domain.domain.

In myth, Hestia was the first In myth, Hestia was the first born child of Kronos and Rhea born child of Kronos and Rhea who was swallowed by her who was swallowed by her father at birth. Zeus later father at birth. Zeus later forced the old Titan to disgorge forced the old Titan to disgorge Hestia and her siblings. As the Hestia and her siblings. As the first to be swallowed she was first to be swallowed she was also the last to be disgorged, also the last to be disgorged, and so was named as both the and so was named as both the eldest and youngest of the six eldest and youngest of the six children of Kronos. When the children of Kronos. When the gods Apollo and Poseidon gods Apollo and Poseidon sought for her hand in sought for her hand in marriage, Hestia refused and marriage, Hestia refused and asked Zeus to let her remain an asked Zeus to let her remain an eternal virgin. He agreed and eternal virgin. He agreed and she took her place at his royal she took her place at his royal hearth.hearth.

Hestia was depicted in Athenian Hestia was depicted in Athenian vase painting as a modestly vase painting as a modestly veiled woman sometimes veiled woman sometimes holding a flowered branch . In holding a flowered branch . In classical sculpture she was also classical sculpture she was also veiled, with a kettle as her veiled, with a kettle as her attribute (Atsma).attribute (Atsma).

This god, This god, pictured pictured here with here with the infant the infant Dionysos, Dionysos, may be more may be more familiar in familiar in the next the next image.image.

Are these images more familiar?Are these images more familiar?

HermesHermes

Hermes is the messenger of Zeus and the Hermes is the messenger of Zeus and the herald of the gods. To him is ascribed the herald of the gods. To him is ascribed the introduction of the sending of embassies to sue introduction of the sending of embassies to sue for peace. Hermes, the robber and cattle for peace. Hermes, the robber and cattle driver, the prince of tricksters, the thief at the driver, the prince of tricksters, the thief at the gates, the bringer of dreams, the patron of gates, the bringer of dreams, the patron of travellers, is also the governor of the tongue, travellers, is also the governor of the tongue, and the guide of intelligent speech. Hermes is and the guide of intelligent speech. Hermes is called Argiphontes, for having killed the All-called Argiphontes, for having killed the All-seeing Argus who guarded Io, and seeing Argus who guarded Io, and Psychopompus for being the guide of souls to Psychopompus for being the guide of souls to the Underworld (Parada). the Underworld (Parada).

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