The OlympiansThe Major Gods and Goddesses of

Greek Mythology

MOUNT OLYMPUSHome of the Gods

Mount Olympus is the mythical home of the

Greek gods

The 12 Olympians (the major gods & goddess) resided in Zeus’ palace

on the peak of Mt. Olympus.

ZEUS

• Supreme Ruler of the Gods

• Led brothers & sister (Posiedon, Hades, and Hera) in a revolt against parents

(Titans: Cronus & Rhea)• He is lord of the sky; his weapon is the

mighty thunderbolt

• He falls in love frequently and has

many children

HERA

Zeus’ sister and his wife

Protector of marriage and Queen of Olympus

Mother of: Ares, Hephaestus, and Hebe

Very jealous of Zeus’ other lovers, and punishes them by

putting curses on their children

Known for her fiery temper

POSEIDONRuler of the Seas and

Oceans

Second most powerful, after Zeus

Weapon is the trident

Greedy, fickle, argumentative, could

cause calm waters or a violent storm

HADES Lord of the Underworld

Ruler of the Dead

Keeps to himself, cold and calculating

Kinapped Persephone (brother Zeus’

daughter) to have as his wife & goddess of

the Underworld

DEMETERGoddess of Agriculture

Her moods affect the seasons

She lives on Earth, not on Mount Olympus

In the fall & winter seasons, she mourns

her daughter Persephone

PERSEPHONEGoddess of Spring

Daughter of Zeus & Demeter

She was Kidnappedby Hades

Later Made theQueen of the Underworld

Spends Half the Yearin Hades, Half on Earth

HESTIAGoddess of the Hearth &

Home

She never plays a part in any Greek myth.

However, Greeks honored Hestia with their dinnertime prayers, asking her to bless their food and protect their homes.

ARESGod of War

Cruelest of all the Olympians

Hated by all, even his mother & father: Zeus &

Hera

Ruthless when winning, but a coward when

losing

ATHENAGoddess of Battle &

Wisdom

While adopted by Hera,she is the daughter

of Zeus only(sprang from his head)

The city of Athens is named after Athena

Created: chariot, horse bridle, trumpet, flute, rake, plough, and ship

HEPHAESTUSGod of Fire and the

Forge

He is the only “ugly” god

Son of Hera & Zeus

Husband of Aphrodite

Great at metal-working, created armor for gods

& heroes

APHRODITEGoddess of Love and

BeautyShe sprang from the white beauty of sea

foam

The most beautiful goddess

Wife of Hephaestus

She had many affairs with gods and mortal

men

Aphrodite was pulled through the sky by a

swan-drawn cart

HEBEGoddess of Youth

Cupbearer of the Gods

Daughter of Zeus & Hera

Only job was to hold her father’s cup

The cup contained the nectar of the gods

APOLLO

Twin Brother of Artemis, son of Zeus & Leto

Master of music & poetry, the lyre is his instrument & laurel is

his tree

A wreath of laurels was given to poetry contests

winners

God of Light and Truth

Very popular god among Greeks:

handsome, athletic, intelligent, and honest

(never told a lie)

ARTEMIS

Twin Sister of Apoll, daughter of Zeus & Leto

Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt

Lady of the Wild Things, she is a hunter but

demands mortals pay for killing defenseless

animals

Weapon: silver arrows

HERMESMessenger of the Gods

Gave Apollo the lyre-Apollo gave Hermes

the Caduceus

Zeus gave Hermes his job and winged cap and

sandals to help him with his duties

Son of Zeus and Maia

Appears the most oftenof all the gods due to

his job

Mischievous and clever