If you are like me, you love greek mythology and everything that comes with it, the lies, the betrayal, the love and tragedies.
So what better way to know more about Greek mythology than starting with the Olympians.
- 1) Zeus:
An ancient Greek god, who is known to a sky, weather god. He is a thunder god who rules the other gods of Mount Olympus.
The youngest child of Titans Cronus and Rhea, who overthrew his father and rescued his other siblings who were swallowed by their father.
He later drew lots with his brothers, and won the lot and became the supreme ruler. He is married to Hera but has had many affairs.
- 2) Poseidon
Brother of Zeus. after the overthrow, won the sea portion and became the lord of the sea.
He married Amphitrite.
His weapon is a trident that can shake the earth and shatter anything.
- 3) Hades
Known as the god of the dead and the king of the underworld.
He was the eldest son.
Hades received the underworld based on the lot. Hades is often portrayed with a three-headed guard dog called Cerberus.
Hades obtained his wife and queen, Persephone, through abduction at the behest of Zeus.
- 4) Hestia
Hestia is the virgin goddess of the hearth.
She is the firstborn child of the Titans.
5) Hera
Wife and sister of Zeus.She is the protector of marriage and marriage women.
Her scared animals are cows and peacocks. Her favourite city is Argos.
- 6) Ares
Son of Zeus and Hera.
He is the god of war.
His animal is a dog and the bird is a vulture.
He was caught in an act of adultery with Aphrodite.
- 7) Athena
Daughter of Zeus.
She is fierce and brave in battle but, only wars to defined the state and home from outside enemies.
She is the goddess of the city, handicrafts, and agriculture. Her favourite city is Athens, her tree is olive.
She is a virgin goddess.
- 8) Apollo
Son of Zeus and Leto.
He has a twin sister called Artemis.
He is the god of music, medicine, light, truth. His tree was a laurel, the crow was his bird and the dolphin was his animal.
- 9) Artemis
Daughter of Zeus and Leto. Her twin brother is Apollo. She is the protector of the young. She also presides over childbirth, which may seem odd for a virgin, but goes back to causing Leto no pain when she was born. She is the goddess of chastity
- 10) Aphrodite
She is the goddess of love, desire and beauty. Wife of Hephaestus, but was caught in an affair with Ares.
- 11) Hermes
Son of Zeus and Maia.
He is Zeus messenger.
He is the god of thieves and the god of commerce. He is the guide for the dead to go to the underworld.
He invented the lyre, the pipes, the musical scale, astronomy, weights and measures, boxing, gymnastics, and the care of olive trees.
- 12) Hephaestus
Son of Zeus and Hera.
He is the god of fire and the forge.
He is the smith and armourer of the gods. He uses a volcano as his forge.
He is the patron god of both smiths and weavers. He is kind and peace-loving.
His wife is Aphrodite. Sometimes his wife is identified as Aglaia.
Reference: https://www.desy.de/gna/interpedia/greek_myth/olympian.html
For more information, one can refer to:
- Encyclopedia of Greek and Roman Mythology – Book by Luke Roman and Monica Roman.(https://www.amazon.in/Encyclopedia-Greek-Mythology-Library-Religion/dp/0816072426)
- The Cambridge Companion to Greek Mythology -Book by Roger Woodard. (https://www.amazon.in/Cambridge-Companion-Mythology-Companions-Literature/dp/0521607264)
