ZEUSZeus was the god of the sky and thunder and ruler of all gods.He is also known as Zeus the Thunderbolt. He was master of the sky

and god of rain. His weapon is a thunderbolt which he hurls at those whodisplease him. He is represented as the god of justice and mercy, the pro-tector of the weak and the punisher of the wicked.

HERAHera was the supreme goddess, mistress of the sky, ruler of the clouds

and thunderstorms. She is also the goddess of marriage and childbirth andtakes special care of married women.

POSEIDONPoseidon was the god of the sea, brother of Zeus. Usually he is de-

picted as a seaman. His weapon is a trident, which can shake the earth, andshatter any object. That is why Poseidon is known as the god of earthquakes.Also he was god of the horses.

APHRODITEBorn from the sea foam was the Greek goddess of love and beauty.

Aphrodite is also depicted as goddess of fertility, spring and life. She wasalways surrounded by roses, anemones, daffodils and lilies.

ARESAres was the god of war. Ares epitomizes the treacherous, cruel and

bloodstained war. He carried a burning cresset and a spear. His bird wasthe vulture, his animal was the dog.

DIONYSIUSDionysius was the god related to vineyards, dizziness and elation of

art, guardian of the inspiration, orchards and vegetation.

THEMISThemis was the goddess of justice, representing the divine order, law

and customs. She is represented as a woman with a band on her eyes, hold-ing scales in one hand and sometimes a sword in the other.

APOLLOApollo was the god of music, dancing, poetry, medicine and prophecy.

He was the leader of the Muses. In art he is represented as a handsomeyoung man, often holding a lyre in his hand.

ACHILLESAchilles was the strongest, bravest and most handsome Greek hero,

who participated in the legendary Trojan war. During this war Achillesshowed great bravery and defeated many warriors.

HELEN OF TROYThe beautiful Helen of Troy (Sparta) was the reason for the most

popular war in ancient times - the Trojan war.Helen was the prize, which Paris, the son of the Trojan king, received

from the goddess Aphrodite. She was wife of the Greek king, but ran awayfrom him together with Paris. That is why the Greek army attacked theTrojans and finally ruined the citadel thanks to the clever Odysseus, whohad hidden warriors in a big wooden horse.

ODYSSEUSOdysseus was the king of the island of Ithaca. He is renowned for his

guile and resourcefulness. Odysseus is one of the main characters in Homer�sIliad.

HERCULESHercules was the son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmena. Hercules was

gifted and famous with his unusual strength.Hercules performed 12 feats.

CENTAURCentaur was a mythological creature that is half man, half horse.

Centaurs were famous with their unruly temper, unrestrained and hostility..

CYCLOPEThe Cyclope was a large monster with only one eye in the middle of his

forehead. Cyclopes were rude and clumsy creatures, but very crafty hammer-smiths.

PEGASUSPegasus was a snow-white and very beautiful flying horse. The name

means a spring, because wherever he tramped his hoof, a spring would wellup.