GREEK GODS & GODDESSES

1. GREEK GODS & GODDESSES The Olympian Gods & Goddesses

2. Zeus Roman Name: Jupiter, Jove • 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

3. Poseidon Roman Name: Neptune • 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

4. Hades Roman Name: Pluto 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

5. Aphrodite Roman Name: Venus • 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

6. Apollo Roman Name: 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

7. Ares Roman Name: Mars • 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

8. Artemis Roman Name: Diana • 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

9. Athena Roman Name: Minerva • 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

10. Hephaestus Roman Name: Vulcan • 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

11. Hera Roman Name: Juno • Queen of the Gods • Goddess of Marriage • Married to Zeus • Many myths involve Hera seeking revenge for Zeus’ betrayal of his marriage vows

12. Hermes Roman Name: Mercury • 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

13. Hestia Roman Name:Vesta • 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

14. GREEK GODS & GODDESSES Other Important Gods & Goddesses

15. Demeter Roman Name: Ceres • 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

16. Dionysus Roman Name: Bacchus • 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

17. Persephone Roman Name: Proserpina • 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

18. Eros Roman Name: Cupid • God of Love and Passion • Originally depicted as a handsome man, Eros is more commonly shown as a small winged boy