Post on 02-Jan-2016
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Zeus
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
Roman Name: Jupiter, Jove
Poseidon
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
Roman Name: Neptune
Hades
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
God of the Underworld
King of the Dead
Many myths involve heroes
Roman Name: Pluto
Aphrodite
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
Roman Name: Venus
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
Roman Name: Apollo
Ares 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
Roman Name: Mars
Artemis
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
Roman Name: Diana
Athena
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
Roman Name: Minerva
Hephaestus
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
Roman Name: Vulcan
Hera
Queen of the Gods Goddess of Marriage Married to Zeus Many myths involve Hera seeking revenge for Zeus’
betrayal of his marriage vows
Roman Name: Juno
Hermes 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
Roman Name: Mercury
Hestia
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
Roman Name: Vesta
Demeter
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
Roman Name: Ceres
Dionysus
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
Roman Name: Bacchus
Persephone
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
Roman Name: Proserpina