List gods and goddesses of greek mythology: Greek and Roman Gods • Greek Gods & Goddesses

Minor Greek Gods • Greek Gods & Goddesses

Achelois

Achelois (pronounced “A-khe-LO-ees”) was a minor Greek goddess from ancient times. She was one of the deities, many of them female, identified with the moon and its monthly cycle. Achelois has been translated in English as “she who washes away pain”, and she was often looked to by the ancient Greeks as a source of […]

Achelous

Originally in Greek mythology, Achelous was the god of all rivers and water of the world. During Hellenistic times, he was only associated with the Achelous river. This is the largest river in all Greece. Every river has its own river spirit and Achelous was considered the chief of all the deities of rivers.   […]

Adonis

Adonis was the god of beauty and desire in Greek mythology. He was the son of Theias and his daughter Myrrha and was loved by both Aphrodite and Persephone, spending time with both of them throughout the year.

Aether – God of Light

Aether, sometimes also spelled Aither, was a primordial god of light. He was also the god of the sky, which the ancient Greeks considered to be “blue ether” that represented heaven. Aether’s mists were able to fill the space between the transparent mists on the ground and the solid dome that made up the sky. […]

Alcyone

Two are two versions of the ancient Greek figure Alcyone. One version has her as the nymph daughter of the titan Atlas, and sea nymph Pleione. The second places her as the daughter of Aeolus, the god of the winds and his lover Enarete. There is some overlap between both stories, making it difficult to […]

Alectrona

Goddess of Sun and Morning. Alectrona (also known as Electryone or Electryo) was the greek goddess of the sun. It is thought that she might have also been the goddess of morning or ‘waking from slumber’. Some believed wholeheartedly that she was the cause of men waking from their sleep every morning. Her father was […]

Amphitrite

The Minor Sea Goddess Amphitrite is a minor Greek goddess, one of several who ruled the seas. Originally, she was known as the wife of sea-god Poseidon, but over time, she was set aside as merely his mistress. A beautiful goddess, she was the daughter of Nereus, a minor sea god, and Doris, a sea […]

Anemoi

The Anemoi were four Greek gods with a . They were the offspring of Aeolus and Eos. Aeolus was the god of the Winds. Eos, also known as the Dawn Bringer, was a goddess daughter of either a Titan, Pallas Athena, or Nyx. Hesoid, the Greek poet, gives their parentage as Astraea and Eos. The […]

Apate – Greek Goddess of Deceit

In Greek mythology, Apate was the goddess of deceit, a physical embodiment (or living representation) of the concept of deceit. She is the daughter of Nyx, who was the personification of night and also one of the first primordial gods to exist at the beginning of time. Erebos, a being who represented darkness, was her […]

Aristaeus

In Greek mythology, Aristaeus was the god useful arts, such as bee-keeping and cheese-making, olive-growing, herding, and hunting. He was a rustic god, a god of the countryside and pastoral places. Aristaeus was a minor god in Athens but a prominent god in Boetia, a farming region in central Greece, where he was known as […]

Asclepius

Many people are familiar with the famous symbol of medicine. It features a staff with a serpent wrapping around it. This iconic has many iterations, but it’s most often attributed to the Ancient Greek myth of Asclepius, also known as Asklepios. A demigod hero, Asclepius was a revered figure in Ancient Greece. He became the […]

Astraeus – Greek God of Dusk

Greek mythology contained stories of many gods and goddesses. Some are more prevalent than others, appearing in a myriad of tales from Homer, Hesiod, and a slew of other poets. Their importance in ancient Greece varied, with some having entire religions and temples dedicated in their honor. Meanwhile, others operated in the background and offered […]

Atropos

Atropos was one of the three goddesses of three Fates. Also known as the Moirai, the three Fates were the goddesses of fate and destiny. They controlled the path that every mortal took in life. Of the three Fates, Atropos was the eldest. She dealt with the inevitable and unstoppable events in life. Her main […]

Attis

The story of Attis (pronounced /ˈætɪs/; Greek: Ἄττις, also Ἄτυς, Ἄττυς, Ἄττης), god of vegetation, began in Phrygia. His repeated cycle of consuming himself, dying and resurrecting represents the agricultural cycle.   Birth The daemon Agdistis is linked to both the birth and death of Attis. Agdistis had both female and male reproductive organs. The […]

Bia

Bia was a Greek goddess personifying force and power. She was the daughter of the Titans Pallas and Styx. Her father, Pallas, was the Titan of battle, while her mother, Styx, was the goddess of the River Styx. Bia had three siblings: Kratos, the god of strength, Nike, the goddess of victory, and Zelus, the […]

Boreas

Ancient Greek mythology features many recognizable figures that inspired legends we continue to tell today. While most are familiar with the famous Twelve Olympians, many lessers gods shaped culture and symbolized many core concepts of nature. One of those gods was Boreas. Boreas is one of four Anemoi. The Anemoi are minor gods who acted […]

Calliope

Greek goddess Calliope had a way with words. In fact, she was so eloquent and poetic that she was highly regarded by Hesiod and Ovid. Of all the muses, she was considered the “Chief”. In modern times, you’ll see the goddess depicted as a fine writer with a tablet, roll of paper or book in […]

Celaeno

Celaeno is a Greek goddess or demon whose name means “the dark one”. Celaeno is referred to as several different beings throughout Greek mythology. In some stories, Celaeno is one of the Pleiades. Her name can also be spelled Celeno or Kelaino. In the Pleiades, Celaeno is one of seven daughters. She is the daughter […]

Chaos

The Origin Of Everything Chaos was the origin of everything and the very first thing that ever existed. It was a primordial void, which everything was created from including the universe and the Greek Gods. In ancient Greek, Chaos is translated as ‘the gaping void.’ The first deities that emerged from Chaos were Gaea (the […]

Charon

One of the most recognizable figures in Greek mythology is Charon, or (Kharon). Charon was the ferryman of Hades. An enigmatic character, Charon is present in many stories involving Greek gods. Contrary to popular belief, Charon is not considered to be a god. Instead, he’s an underworld deity under the services of king Hades. Those […]

Circe

In Greek mythology, Circe was a goddess of magic, though she was sometimes depicted as a nymph (minor nature god), a witch or an enchantress. In any case, she was associated with magic. She knew a lot about potions and herbs, and sometimes used this knowledge against her enemies and people who offended her, turning […]

Clio – Greek Goddess of History

Clio, also spelled Kleio, was one of the nine muses. Clio is the muse of history. She is often shown holding a scroll that is open or sitting beside a chest full of books. Clio was the patron of history and the guitar. The ancient Greek word for history was derived from Kleos. She is […]

Deimos

The Greek God of Fear and Panic In Greek mythology, Deimos is the son of Ares and Aphrodite and the brother of Phobos. While his brother is the personification of fear and panic, Deimos is the personification of dread and terror. The Roman version of him was called Metus or Formido. It only seems natural […]

Eileithyia

Greek Goddess Of Childbirth And Pregnancy.  In Greek mythology, Eileithyia (or Ilithyia) was the goddess of childbirth who held the cow and the peacock as sacred animals. She was the daughter of Zeus, the king of all the other gods, and Hera, Zeus’s seventh and last wife, who was also his sister. Eileithyia was born […]

Enyo

Goddess Of War And Destruction In ancient Greek mythology, Enyo was the goddess of war and destruction. She is connected with Ares who was the war god. She was usually shown as the sister and companion for Ares the God of war. Sometimes she was called the “Sister of War” or the “Sacker of Cities.” […]

Erebus

Erebus was one of the oldest ancient Greek gods. He was one of the first five of the well-known Greek pantheon that includes Hera, Zeus, and Aphrodite. Erebus was one of the sons of the first goddess Chaos or Khaos. In mythology, his most common mistress was the goddess Nyx. One of his other sisters […]

Eris

In every family, there’s always someone who starts up a bunch of drama. In the family of the Greek gods, that would be Eris. Eris was the goddess of conflict and dispute, which is basically like being the goddess of pointless arguments that end in fistfights — or even entire Trojan Wars, as we’ll see. […]

Eros

Eros was the Greek god of Love, in some stories he first appears as a primordial god, born from Chaos and in others he is the son of Aphrodite. In the primordial myths, according to Hesiod, Eros was born from Chaos after Gaia and Tartarus and was involved at the beginning of the creation of […]

Geras

Geras was the Greek god of Aging. He was a brother to the goddess Philotes and had the same parents, Erebus and Nyx. Geras made his home in the Underworld, hanging out with other minor gods and goddesses such as Luctus or Grief, and Metus (Fear.) The Greek playwright, Aristophanes, gives Geras a home on […]

Glaucus

What Does Glaucus’ Name Mean? While some sources spell his name as Glaukos or Glaucos, Glaucus’ name translates as “sea-gray.”   What Was Glaucus the God Of? As he worked the seas as a fisherman in his mortal life, Glaucus was commonly seen as an ally to sailors and fishermen whom had the poor fortune […]

Goddess Gaea ( Gaia )

Known as both Gaia and Gaea, the Goddess Gaia is a figure from Greek mythology. Her name essentially means earth or land and shows that she was the human version of the earth. Some refer to her as the ancestral mother and claim that she gave birth to all of the elements of the world. […]

Harmonia

Harmonia was the goddess of harmony and concord. In most myths, she is the daughter of Aphrodite and Ares, but in some accounts she is the daughter of Zeus and Elektra. She wed the King of Thebes, Cadmus, and was given a cursed necklace as a wedding gift. The gift would ultimately cause her downfall, […]

Hebe – The Goddess Of Youth

Among the Greek Gods, Hebe is one that most of us could fall in love with. The fair-skinned and youthful looking God is appropriately the God of youthfulness. She is a daughter of Zeus and Hera. While many have searched for the Fountain of Youth for many centuries, the Greeks would have believed that achieving […]

Hecate

The Goddess Of Witchcraft Hecate was a goddess in Greek Mythology. Her name was derived from the Greek word hekatos which means “worker from afar”. She is often displayed holding two torches or a key. It is believed that Hecate represented witchcraft, magic and ghosts. She was often placed at the entrance of homes to […]

Hemera

Hemera was the goddess of day. She was listed among the first gods, the generations before the Titans and Olympians. Three different versions of her family tree exist in ancient writings. According to Hesiod’s Theogony, the narrative detailing the genealogy of the gods, She was the daughter of Nyx (Night) and Erebos (Darkness), two primordial […]

Hesperus – Greek God of The Evening Star

The Importance of The Night Sky to Ancient Greeks People in ancient Greece often spent time observing the night sky. Sailors in particular relied upon the position of constellations during navigation. Known for centuries as an “evening star” the planet Venus sometimes appears visible in the early evening; for generations, people mistook the planet for […]

Horae

The ancient Greeks used mythology to help describe and explain the world around them, including the strange and interesting ways nature and the climate changed throughout the year. Originally used to represent the changes in the natural world each year, the Horae were a group of goddesses who represented the seasons. The goddesses were sometimes […]

Iris

Goddess of The Rainbow A goddess named “Iris” personified the rainbow in the mythology of ancient Greece. Most works of art depict her either in the form of a beautiful rainbow, or as a lovely maiden. She wore wings on her shoulders and usually carried a pitcher in one hand. Her name combined the Greek […]

Keres

The Keres were female spirits, the daughters of Nyx, the goddess of night. They were not peaceful creatures, but demons, and their presences meant a violent death. In fact, their name comes from the Greek word “ker,” which means doom. It was believed that during a battle, the Keres would fly overhead with gnashing teeth […]

Kratos

Kratos is an interesting figure in Greek mythology. It is largely agreed that he is a god of strength and power, but there are conflicting stories about almost everything else about him. There are two competing versions of his parentage, each of which changes his relation to the other gods. The Son of Titans In […]

Mnemosyne – The Goddess of Memory

“Please excuse my dear aunt Sally.” This helpful phrase was created to help people remember the mathematical order of operations: parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. Phrases like these are called “mnemonics.” They’re tools to help people remember complicated concepts. What most people don’t know is that mnemonics are called mnemonics for a reason. […]

Momus

  Momus, the Greek God of Satire and Criticism Momus is the Greek god that represents satire and mockery, using humor to criticize. The other gods eventually expelled him from Mount Olympus because of how harsh he criticized others, and some think he even helped start the Trojan War. Aesop’s fables, the writings of a […]

Moros – The Greek God of Impending Doom

Moros is the Greek God of impending doom. Should any of the humans be in store for an unpleasant fate, it is Moros who leads them there. Often, this means that the human will die or be fiercely injured. It could also mean that the human may lose a family member or loved one. Or, […]

Morpheus – God of Dreams

In Greek mythology, Morpheus was known as the god of dreams. He shaped and formed the dreams, through which he could appear to mortals in any form. This talent made Morpheus a messenger of the gods, able to communicate divine messages to sleeping mortals. Though he could take any human form, Morpheus’s true form was […]

Nemesis

Nemesis was the ancient Greek goddess of divine retribution. As such, she meted out punishment for evil deeds, undeserved good fortune, and hubris (arrogance before the gods). She was also called Adrasteia, meaning “the inescapable,” or the “Goddess of Rhamnous” in recognition of her famous temple in the city Rhamnous. Her Roman counterpart was Invidia, […]

Nereus

In Ancient Greek mythology, Nereus is one of the water deities, those gods or goddesses who control the element of the water, including rivers, lakes, and seas, as well as all the creatures that live in these. There are many gods and goddesses associated with the waters in Ancient Greece. Nereus is considered the “Old […]

Nike

In Greek Mythology, Nike was the Goddess of speed, strength and victory. Also known as Winged Goddess, Nike is most often pictured as having wings. She was the child of Pallas (Titan) and Styx In most beliefs, Styx is the name of the river that separates Planet Earth from the Gates of Hell (Hades). The […]

Notus

In ancient Greek, people believed in mythical beings and each aspect of their lives was associated with them. One of the Greek gods was Notus. Notus was known as the god of the south wind. This wind god was also linked to the southwest winds. He was one of the four wind gods who were […]

Nyx – Greek Goddess of The Night

Nyx is the Greek Goddess of the night, and the daughter of Chaos. She was told to be very beautiful. Her birthplace was not on Earth but in Gaia. She is Primordial God. It is said that she was created near the beginning of time. Her home is in the depths of Hades’ underworld. Nyx […]

Oneiroi

The Oneiroi were black-winged daimons that personified dreams. Daimons, later called daemons by the Romans, are not to be confused with the evil demons mentioned in the Bible; these were simply gods or spirits that were less powerful than the gods of the Greek pantheon, such as Zeus. Depending on the myth, these spirits were […]

Ourea

The Ourea are offspring of the Goddess Gaia. This family line was important in Greek mythology because it explained the outline of natural occurrences on the hills surrounding the isles. Gaia had nine children who were know as the Ourea. They are Aitna, Athos, Helikon, Kithairon, Nysos, Olympus, Oreios, Parnes, and Tmolus. Each child of […]

Paean

In Greek mythology, Paean was the physician of the Olympian gods. The name came from the Greek root meaning “the healing”. In Homer’s Illiad, Paean was brought to treat Ares, the god of war, when he was wounded by Diomedes, the hero of the epic. In Homer’s other epic, The Odyssey, Paean also treated Hades […]

Pallas – Greek God of Warcraft

Pallas is one of the ancient Greek Titans and he is the son of Crius and Eurybia. He was the Greek god of warcraft. He existed before Zeus as well as the Olympians. Pallas was the brother of the other second generation Titans, Astraeus, and Perses. He was married to Styx (the goddess of hatred) […]

Pan

The culture of Ancient Greece involved a complex spiritual world of major and minor gods that oversaw human events and engaged in dramas of their own. One of these, called Pan, ruled over nature and pasturelands. He is frequently depicted in literature and artworks. Although he is not one of the major gods of Ancient […]

Peitho – Goddess of Persuasion

Peitho is the Greek goddess or spirit of seduction, charming speech and particularly of persuasion. Peitho’s Roman interpretation is named Saudela or Sauda. In many myths, Peitho is thought to be one of Aphrodite’s companions. Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, pleasure, and beauty and Peitho was her attendant. Many artists and poets liked […]

Persephone

Persephone’s story actually focuses more on her mother, Demeter, and what happens when Persephone disappears. The young goddess is also the daughter and niece of Zeus, and the wife and niece of Hades when she becomes the queen of the Underworld. Daughter of Demeter Persephone is a true nature child, being the daughter of the […]

Philotes

The Greek goddess Philotes was the daughter of Nyx. According to the Ancient Greek poet Hesiod, Philotes had no father. The Roman writer Hyginus, however, says that Philotes’ father was Erebus. Philotes had many siblings, including Hatred, Friendship, Discord and the three Fates. Nyx was a goddess of the night. Her Latin name, Nox, means […]

Phorcys

Ancient Greeks had plenty of reasons to fear the sea. The unknowns of the open ocean were a prime source of mystery. Pair that with a slew of monsters that dwelled within the depths of the ocean, and you have the perfect recipe for fascinating lore. Most people are familiar with Poseidon, the Olympian god […]

Phosphorus

In Greek mythology, Phosphorous was the Morning Star, or what we know today as the planet Venus. When the orbit locations of the Earth and Venus are just right, it can be seen an hour before the sun rises in the eastern sky or an hour after the sun sets in the western skies. Venus […]

Plutus

Plutus, which is the Latin spelling of Ploutos, is the god of wealth. He was supposedly born on the Greek island of Crete and is the son of a local hero named Iasion and the goddess Demeter, who is the goddess of harvest and fertility. He is often depicted as a boy carrying a horn-shaped […]

Pollux

Pollux, also known as Polydeuces in Greek mythology, was one half of Dioscuri with his twin brother Castor. His mother was the princess Leda, whom he shared with Castor. Pollux and Castor had different fathers, though. Castor was the son of King Tyndareus of Sparta, Leda’s husband. Pollux, though, was the son of Zeus, who […]

Pontus – Primordial God of the Sea

Pontus was born in the void state of Chaos, at a time before anything ever existed. In Chaos, there was nothing at all; though, Chaos can also refer to everything in the space created when the heaven and earth split and became two separate places. That space in between was indeed chaos, because in it […]

Priapus

Priapus was a minor god within the Olympian pantheon, known as a god of fertility, gardens and orchards and livestock. Often times, Priapus was a comedic figure in myths and stories about the gods.   Origin of Priapus The accounts as to Priapus’ parentage vary from story to story. In some stories, he’s the son […]

Primordial

In the history of Greek gods, there is a group of gods that came before all else. These primordial gods are almost conceptual in nature, representing much vaster domains than those that would come after them. These gods continue to pop up in tale throughout the span of Greek myth, usually functioning more as places […]

Psyche – Goddess of the Soul

Many stories in Greek mythology stand the test of time and continue to drive narratives today. One legend, in particular, is the source of inspiration for many tales of harrowing challenges and the beauty of love. Psyche is the Greek goddess of the soul, but her story doesn’t start with a life of immortality. Despite […]

Sterope

In Greek mythology, The Titans were the second generation of divine beings, born before the Olympians, the main gods of the Greek pantheon. According to the Greeks, Atlas, the strongest of all the Titans, and an ocean nymph named Pleione, had seven mountain nymph daughters. Their names were Maia, Alcyone, Celaeno, Taygete, Merope, Electra and […]

Tartarus

Tartarus, A Realm of Punishment Like Mother Earth, Gaea, and Father Sky, Uranus, Tartarus came into existence from the void of Chaos. It was not only a primordial force, but also a place, a deep abyss located far below Hades, where the most wicked were sent after death to suffer and be tormented for their […]

Thanatos

Thanatos was the Greek god of nonviolent deaths. His name literally translates to “death” in Greek. In some myths, he’s considered to be a personified spirit of death rather than a god. The touch of Thanatos was gentle, often compared to the touch of Hypnos, who was the god of sleep. Thanatos and Hypnos are […]

The Erinyes (Furies)

The Erinyes, also spelled Erinys, were three Greek goddesses commonly referred to as the Furies. They were goddesses of retribution and vengeance whose job was to punish men who committed heinous crimes. The Furies tended to judge men who committed murder, perjury, and offenses committed against the gods themselves. When a victim sought justice for […]

The Fates

Greek mythology features many tales of heroic feats and legendary figures achieving the impossible. The stories are nothing short of inspiring, showing the will of mortals and the power of gods. Behind the scenes, Ancient Greeks believed that every event was the work of destiny. According to legend, every mortal and immortal being was the […]

The Graces

The Graces were also known as the Charities, with a singular of Charis, and represented three or more of Greek mythological minor deities or goddesses. It is believed that they were the daughters of Eurynome and Zeus; in some cases they are considered the daughters of Dionysys and Aphrodite. Others say they were the daughters […]

The Muses

The nine Muses were the goddesses the arts. At one point it was believed that there were only three muses, but the currently accepted understanding is that there were nine. Each muse had a different type of art they commanded. Calliope was considered the muse of epic poetry and speech. She was considered the wisest […]

Themis – Goddess of Order and Justice

Themis was a Titaness (the female version of Titan), which was a generation of gods that came before the Olympians. This was the Golden Age, a time of peace when the Titan Kronos ruled over all others. Themis was one of the first twelve Titans, direct descendants of Gaea (Mother Earth) and Uranus (Father Sky), […]

Triton

Triton is one of the mythical Greek gods, and he is the son of Amphitrite and Poseidon. Triton’s parents were the god and goddess of the sea, and Triton himself acted as his father’s herald.

Tyche

Tykhe, also known as Tyche, was the Greek goddess of chance, fate and fortune. She represented not only the positive aspects of these characteristics but also the negative ones. The ancient Greeks thought she was the reason for unexpected events in their lives, good and evil. For example, if someone had much success in life […]

Typhon – The Father of all Monsters

There might be gods and monsters, but rarely are you going to hear about a god who is also a monster. That’s exactly what Typhon is, and it’s why he’s one of the most fearsome deities that you can face. He’s most often described as the most powerful and fearsome god in Greek legend, so […]

Zelus

Zelus, also known as Zelos, was a lesser deity in Greek mythology. His parents were Titans Pallas and Styx. He had three siblings, Kratos (strength), Nike(victory), and Bia(force). Zelus and his siblings had wings and were the protectors that stood guard around Zeus’ throne. Zelus’ was known for his qualities of, dedication, envy, emulation, eager […]

Zephyrus – The God of The West Wind

Zephyrus, also sometimes known as Zephyros or simply Zephyr in English, is the god of the west wind. One of four seasonal wind gods, or Anemoi, Zephyrus is the brother of Notus, the god of the south wind, Eurus, the god of the east wind, and Boreas, the god of the east wind. The offspring […]

Greek Heroes • List of Ancient Greek Heroes

Below is an A-Z list of Greek heroes from the stories and myths of ancient Greece.

Achilles

Achilles was a Greek hero, most famous for his part in the Trojan War. When he was born, his mother dipped him in the river Styx to make him immortal. She held him by the heel and it did not touch the water — making it the only part of him that could be harmed.

Aeneas

Aeneas is a Trojan hero in both Greek and Roman mythology, though he is more prominent in the Roman tales. His origin story is told in the Homeric “Hymn to Aphrodite”. Aphrodite caused Zeus to fall in love with mortal women, and Zeus decided to get payback. He provoked her infatuation with a cattle farmer […]

Bellerophon

Perseus is not the only one to ride the winged horse, Pegasus. Bellerophon (Bellerophontes) is also granted the right to ride the magical steed. Though prophecies and divine intervention abound in this man’s life, he still meets a tragic end due to his careless arrogance. In Corinth before it is called Corinth, Bellerophon is born […]

Castor and Pollux – Dioscuri

The Dioscuri: Castor and Pollux The Dioscuri are twin brothers Castor and Pollux. Both were demigods in mythology. The twins had the same mother but different fathers. Their mother Leda, had a relationship with Tyndareus, Castor’s father and king of Sparta, and Zeus, Pollux’s father and king of Olympus. They are commonly said to be […]

Heracles ( Hercules )

Heracles, also known as Hercules in Greek texts, is one of the most recognised and famous of the divine heroes in Greek mythology. The son of Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene, he was considered the greatest of the heroes, a symbol of masculinity, sire of a long line of royal clans and the champion […]

Minos – King of Crete and Judge of the Dead

When reading and discussing Greek mythology, it is common to picture the grandiose tales of the gods: their relationships, their squabbles, and their battles. Humans also played an important role in many different myths; in fact, some, like King Minos, were half-god, or “demigod.” Despite demigods’ mortal nature, they possessed divine traits and responsibilities, and […]

Orpheus

Orpheus is unique here in Greek mythology. Most tales involving mortal heroes revolve around great wars, feats of physical strength, or acts of immense bravery. However, Orpheus is different. He wasn’t known for his skilled fighting. Instead, he was a musician and poet with abilities that made even gods melt. He wasn’t an ordinary artist. […]

Perseus

Perseus was one of the oldest out of all of the Greek mythological heroes. He is best known in Greek mythology as the slayer of Medusa, one of three female creatures, or Gorgons, with hair said to be made of poisonous snakes.   Perseus and his origins on Argos Perseus was thought to exist several […]

Theseus

Not many heroes are best known for their use of silk thread to escape a crisis, but it is true of Theseus. The Greek demi-god is known for feats of strength but is even better remembered for divine intelligence and wisdom. He had many great triumphs as a young man, but he died a king […]

Actaeon – Ancient Greek Heroes

In ancient Greek mythology, Actaeon was a prince of Thebes and famed hunter. The Theban hero was trained by the centaur Chiron and eventually slain by Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, the moon, the forest, and archery. Actaeon’s crime varies depending on the source, but his ultimate fate remained constant. Artemis transformed the hunter […]

Aegeus

The Origins of Aegeus In Greek mythology, Aegeus (“Aigeús”), possibly from the Etruscan Aivas, was an archaic figure in the founding myth of Athens. The “goat-man” who gave his name to the Aegean Sea was, next to Poseidon, second in importance to Athena. He was a founder-hero, like Perseus, Cadmus, or Heracles, all of whom […]

Agamemnon

The famous Trojan War was a decade-long conflict that tickled the imagination of Ancient Greeks more than any other story. It’s a significant event in Greek mythology involving both mortals and deities. Thanks to works like “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” by Homer, events continue to captivate. Figures like Achilles, Odysseus, and Helen of Troy […]

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great, also known as the King of Macedonia, was a famous Greek king who came to the throne in the year 336BC. He is widely regarded as being one of the most successful military commanders in all of history and was responsible for changing the face of the ancient world.

Andromeda – From Damsel in Distress to Queen of Greece

Greek mythology is known for its great stories and fables that have lasted throughout history. These myths have influenced much of modern culture, as is seen in movies, art and books that retell these stories in a way that can be enjoyed by many people today. However, these sometimes served a deeper purpose as they […]

Ariadne

Ariadne is a major character in Greek mythology. She is the daughter of the Cretan King Minos. Theseus is an Athenian hero who Ariadne helped escape from the Labyrinth. With Ariadne’s help, Theseus was able to kill the Minotaur who lived in the Labyrinth. This is a beast that is half man and half bull. […]

Atalanta – Ancient Greek Heroes

Atalanta was a huntress and a favorite of the goddess Artemis. She was one of the few female heroes in Greek mythology, and is first mentioned in “Catalogues of Women,” a poem believed to have been written by Hesiod. Atalanta had a number of adventures. She took part in the Calydonian boar hunt. The king […]

Atreus

Atreus, in Greek mythology, was Pelops and Hippodamia’s son. He was Mycenae’s king in Peloponnes and father to Menelaus and Agamemnon. The name means fearless or tremble. Collectively, Atreus’ descendants are called Atreidae or Atreidai. Atreus had a twin brother named Thyestes, and when they were adults, they had a desire for the throne of […]

Cassiopeia

The Fate of Queen Cassiopeia Cassiopeia – Queen and Constellation Queen Cassiopeia is a mortal woman in Greek mythology most known for angering the god of sea and earthquakes, Poseidon. The ancient Greeks named a constellation after her, which is seen year round in the shape of a W and located in the northern sky. […]

Daedalus

Daedalus was well known as a genius inventor in Greek mythology and he is both a central part of several myths as well as a side character in a few others. He is perhaps best known for two things, though – he is both the architect behind the Labyrinth and the father of the tragic […]

Eurydice

Many tales in Greek mythology continue to inspire works of art today. While many legends of ancient Greece focus on monstrous beasts, bloodshed, and the almighty power of the gods, some appeal to softer emotions of the heart. One example is the story of Eurydice. Eurydice is more of a supporting player in the grander […]

Hector

Greek mythology is filled with tales of gods and monsters, which is part of the attraction of myths and why they have continued to be told by people from all walks of life around the world generation after generation. While many of the Greek gods are well known, such as Zeus, Hera, Apollo and Athena, […]

Helen of Troy

The need to understand the world has been the motivation behind human innovation and progress. Before the development of the tools necessary to discover scientific facts, creativity and imagination were employed to fashion answers that explained a world beyond comprehension. One of the most enduring and comprehensive attempts is found in ancient Greek mythology. Greek […]

Hippolyta

In Greek mythology, tales of heroic figures and skilled fighters are nothing new. Many people are familiar with Ares, the Greek god of War, and famous warriors like Heracles and Achilles. But despite the prevalence of male figures, female fighters were common in Ancient Greece, too. One of the most famous female warriors was Hippolyta, […]

Icarus

The Tragic Story of Icarus A Cautionary Tale A young man named Icarus holds center stage in a very memorable tale from ancient Greek mythology. Even today, some people recount this story as a cautionary warning. Overconfidence sometimes produces disastrous results!   The Son of a Famous Craftsman Icarus became well known in legends mainly […]

Ixion

Ixion was a mortal in Greek Mythology who had the misfortune of making Zeus his enemy. As punishment for this, Zeus condemned Ixion to an eternity in hell on a spinning wheel of fire. This article will outline the story behind Ixion, how he offended his powerful god, and what kind of immortality he’s faced […]

Jason

Jason: A Different Type of Greek Hero Jason’s Story There are many heroes, foes, and gods in Greek mythology. Some of the most recognized names are Zeus and Hera. Of course, there is also Hades, the god in charge of the underworld. Perhaps one of the most famous figures in Greek mythology is Hercules (or […]

Jocasta

Jocasta is a character from Greek mythology. She was the daughter of King Oedipus and Queen Iocaste, wife of her father, sister to his children, mother to his grandchildren. She had two children by him: sons Eteocles and Polyneices. With her husband’s tragic fate sealed, she committed suicide with assistance from their son Antigone.   […]

Meleager

In Greek mythology, Meleager was a heroic figure from Calydon in Aetolia. His father was King Oeneus and his mother was Queen Althaea. He had a number of brothers and sisters, including Toxeus, Thyreus, Clymenus, and Gorge. According to some versions of his story, his father was actually Ares, the god of war, with whom […]

Narcissus

Greek Mythology is a fascinating body of myths, legends, and tales that heavily influenced Greek culture. The tales of gods, goddesses, monsters, heroes, and deities, still play a significant role in even today’s storytelling. The roots of Greek Mythology can be traced all the way back to 900 B.C. Even in Western civilization, the extensive […]

Odysseus

In Greek mythology, Odysseus is the great-grandson of Hermes, one of the twelve Olympian Gods. He is the son of Laertes, the king of Ithaca, and Anticlea and the husband of Penelope and father of a child named Telemachus. Known for his leadership skills, wit, and intelligence, Odysseus is most famous for his ten-year journey […]

Patroclus

Have you ever heard of Patroclus? Even if you haven’t, there’s a pretty good chance you know about Achilles. They were two of the most famous heroes in Greek mythology, and they were best friends – until tragedy struck. This is their story.   Origin of Patroclus Patroclus was the son of Menoetius. Patroculos’ name […]

Peleus

A hero in Greek mythology, Peleus was born to King Aeacus of Aegina and the mountain nymph Endeïs. Alongside his brother Telamon, Peleus was forced to flee his home after the accidental killing of their half-brother Phocus in a hunting accident. In exile, the brothers joined their friend Heracles on a series of famous adventures, […]

Philoctetes

Philoctetes (pronounced “phil-ah-sit-ees,” rhyming with “philosophies”) is the story of a mythical war hero in the Sophocles tragedy. Sophocles was an Ancient Greek tragedian who wrote his plays with his characters’ suffering being the highlights of the story. In the case of Philoctetes, the wound on his foot was his great suffering. The odor from […]

Pyrrha

Who is Pyrrha in Greek Mythology? Pyrrha is a mortal woman who played a huge role in Greek mythology. Not only does she have a very infamous mother, she also is responsible, along with her husband, for repopulating the entire earth after humanity was destroyed by Zeus. She and her husband, Deucalion, were the king […]

Semele

The story of Semele embraces a wide array of themes and tropes found in Greek Mythology. Although born a mortal woman, Semele gave birth to the god Dionysus and soon became a goddess herself, being worshipped as part of the cult of her son. The earliest telling of the myth of Semele dates back to […]

The Greek Gods: Full List and Background

The Primordial Greek Gods

Greek mythology starts at the beginning of the world! The Greek Gods that existed then were the Primordial Gods. The famous work of Hesiod, called Theogony (meaning “birth of the Gods” in Greek), presents a complete cosmogony. Natural forces are personified and the most basic components of the cosmos are Gods.

According to Hesiod, in the beginning there was Chaos. Chaos was the personification of the absolute nothingness — an immerse, dark void from which all of the existence sprang. Out of Chaos came Eros, the god of love and procreation. We can see that ancient Greeks considered love as one of the most fundamental powers in the world. Then Tartarus was born, a dark place like the abyss and the original god of the Underworld. Goddess Gaia then followed, the personification of Earth. Erebus, the god of darkness, and Nyx, the goddess of the night, were also born from Chaos. From Gaia came Ourea, the god of the mountains, Pontus, the god of the sea, and Uranus, the god of the heavens.

The full list of the Primordial Greek Gods:

• • Achlys: the goddess of the eternal night. The first creature that some say existed even before Chaos himself. According to Hesiod, she is the demon of death.
  • Αether: the god of light. The spark of life for every creature. Etymologically, Aether means the highest and purest layer of air.
  • Αion: the god of eternity. He was a ghostly primordial deity who personified the meaning of time (sometimes he is confused with god Chronos). In Greek, Aion means “century”. Although incorporeal, he was also portrayed as a monster with a snake body and three heads: one human (male), one bull and one lion. According to a myth, Aion and his companion, Ananke (also with a snake body), wrapped themselves around the cosmic egg and broke it to form the «sorted» Universe (earth — sky — sea). 
  • Ananke: the goddess of inevitability, compulsion, and necessity. She was an inevitable divine force.
  • Chaos: the god of the void. He was the beginning of all life. According to most versions of Greek myths, Chaos pre-existed all.
  • Chronos: the god of time. Not to be confused with Aion (god of eternity) or Cronus (the Titan that we will meet later).
  • Erebus: the god of darkness and shadow. He symbolizes the silence and the depth of the night together with his sister, the goddess Nyx. He is usually represented as a winged, dark and huge being, a duo with Nyx.
  • Eros: the god of love and procreation. Not to be confused with Eros, the winged god of desire that we will meet later.
  • Gaia: the goddess of the earth (Mother Earth). She is the mother of all — the primeval mother. At a cosmogenic level, she symbolizes the material side of the Universe whereas Chaos symbolizes the space of the Universe. Eros symbolizes the driving force that unites everything, giving birth to the rest. 
  • Hemera: the goddess of day.
  • Hypnos: the god of sleep and father of Morpheus.
  • Nemesis: the goddess of retribution.
  • Nesoi: the goddesses of islands.
  • Nyx: the goddess of night. She was a sovereign, primordial and cosmogenic entity, respected and feared by most gods. She is the sister of Erebus, the god of darkness and shadow.
  • Ourea: the gods of mountains.
  • Pontus: the god of the sea and father of the sea creatures.
  • Tartarus: the god of the darkest and deepest part of the Underworld — the original god of the Underworld. The Underworld was the place where the wicked are imprisoned and tortured eternally after their death.
  • Thalassa: the goddess of the sea and consort of god Pontus.
  • Thanatos: the god of death. He is the twin brother of Hypnos (god of sleep) and lives in the dark Tartarus.
  • Uranus: the god of the heavens. He soon became ruler of the world and father of the Titans.

 

The Titan Gods

According to Greek mythology and the ancient Greek religion, the Titans were the pre-Olympian gods. Their parents were Gaia (Mother Earth) and Uranus (god of heavens). They had two other species as siblings, born also from the union between Gaia and Uranus: the Hecatoncheires (meaning «hundred-handed ones») and the Cyclops (meaning “circle-eyed”).

How did the Titans become rulers of the world

The first Titans were twelve; six male and six female. The youngest one was Cronus. At some point, Uranus decided that he did not like the Cyclops and the Hecatoncheires at all. He considered them too ugly and too powerful, so he imprisoned them in Tartarus, the depths of the Underworld. Gaia, the mother of the Cyclops and Hecatoncheires, did not like how Uranus treated her children. She became furious with Uranus and decided to take revenge. She asked her other children, the Titans, to cut Uranus’s genitals and overthrow him… The Titans were too afraid to do that, except one: the youngest of the twelve, Cronus. When Uranus approached Gaia, Cronus surprised Uranus and cut his genitals with a scythe. Cronus with his action had separated Uranus (the heavens) and Gaia (the Earth).

From the drops of Uranus’ blood that fell on Gaia, the Erinyes (Furies), the Meliai and the Giants were born. The Erinyes were deities of vengeance. If you broke an oath or wronged someone, they would hunt you forever. The Meliai were nymphs of the trees, beautiful and gentle deities. The Giants were creatures of immerse strength and very aggressive.

With Uranus defeated, Cronus freed his siblings from the dark Tartarus and the Titans became the new Greek gods. They immediately recognized Cronus as their leader and ruler of the cosmos and helped him consolidate his power. After becoming the undisputed ruler of the world, Cronus, fearing the power of the Hecatoncheires and the Cyclops like his father did before him, imprisoned them once again in Tartarus.

The full list of the Titans:

The first Titans, children of Uranus and Gaia, were twelve; six males and six females.

• • Cronus: the Titan god of the harvest. Cronus, although the youngest of the first twelve Titans, became the ruler of the world after overthrowing his father, Uranus. He then married his older sister, Rhea.
  • Rhea: the Titan goddess of fertility and generation. She determines the flow of things and her name literally means “the one that flows” in Greek.
  • Oceanus: the Titan god of the oceans. He was the eldest son of Uranus and Gaia. His dominion extended in every corner of the Earth and all parts of the horizon. Oceanus was the personification of water and he paired with his sister, the Titaness Tethys.   
  • Tethys: the Titan goddess of the rivers and fresh water. She was the wife of Oceanus and the mother of more than 3000 River gods (rivers personified by the Ancient Greeks), the Oceanids (nymphs of springs, streams and fountains) and the Nephelai (nymphs of clouds).
  • Hyperion: the Titan god of light. His dazzling light shone in all directions. His name means “the one who goes above the earth” in Greek. He symbolized eternal splendor. He fell in love with his sister, the Titan goddess Theia.
  • Theia: the Titan goddess of the aether. Theia bore the Titan Hyperion three shining children: Helios (the Sun), Eos (the Dawn), and Selene (the Moon).
  • Iapetus: the Titan god of mortal life. He was symbolizing mortality and the mortal life-span. He fathered the Titans Atlas (who was responsible for bearing the weight of the heavens on his shoulders), Prometheus (who gifted fire to men) and Epimetheus (who married Pandora, the first mortal woman). Iapetus was also considered the personification of one of the four pillars that hold the heavens and the earth apart. He represented the pillar of the west, the other three being represented by his brothers Crius, Coeus and Hyperion. The four brothers actively played a role in the dethroning of their father Uranus; as they were all in the four corners of the earth, they held Uranus firmly in place while their brother Cronus castrated him with a sickle.
  • Crius: the Titan god of constellations. His name in Greek means “ram” and it shows his connection with the constellation Aries.  
  • Coeus: the Titan god of intellect. He was also considered the embodiment of the celestial axis around which the heavens revolve. He married his sister, Phoebe.
  • Phoebe: the Titan goddess of prophecy and oracular intellect. Phoebe bore the Titan Coeus two children, Leto and Asteria. The Titaness Leto later copulated with the Olympian god Zeus and bore the Olympians Artemis and Apollo. Given that Phoebe symbolized prophetic wisdom just as Coeus represented rational intelligence, the couple may have possibly functioned together as the primal font of all knowledge in the cosmos.
  • Themis: the Titan goddess of divine law and order. She also had the ability to predict the future and thus, she later became one of the Oracles in Delphi.
  • Mnemosyne: the Titan goddess of memory. Mnemosyne was generally regarded as the personification of memory and remembrance. Later, Zeus slept with Mnemosyne for nine consecutive days, eventually leading to the birth of the nine Muses. In Hesiod’s Theogony, the kings and poets were inspired by Mnemosyne and the Muses, thus getting their extraordinary abilities in speech and using powerful words. All the ancient writers appeal to the Muses at the beginning of their work. Homer asks the Muses both in the Iliad and Odyssey to help him tell the story in the most proper way, and even until today the Muses are symbols of inspiration and artistic creation.

The Titans represented for the Ancients the forces of nature as well as natural phenomena. These forces ruled the world from the earliest times of creation. Only Themis and Mnemosyne represented more mental states, justice and memory. During the battle of the gods that followed (the so-called “Titanomachy»), Themis and Mnemosyne were the only two of the first Titans that did not side with their siblings in their war against the Olympians, and continued their course alongside the Olympian gods.

When Rhea became pregnant with the 1st child of Cronus, Uranus prophesized that Cronus’ children will overthrow him as he overthrew Uranus. When Rhea gave birth to their first child, Hestia, Cronus could not get Uranus’ prophecy out of his mind. Overcome with fear and madness, and trying to avoid the fate his father had, he swallowed the newborn! The same happened to their next four children; Cronus devoured all five of his newborns! The only one who survived was the sixth and youngest child, Zeus. Rhea tricked Cronus into eating a rock instead of the baby and left Zeus to the island of Crete, to be raised away from his mad father. Zeus grew older and stronger and eventually sought to free his siblings, leading to the epic battle between the Titans and the Olympians who the latter eventually won thus, overthrowing the previous generation of Greek gods.

It is worth noting that there were many more Titans than the aforementioned, descendants of the first twelve.

The Olympian Gods

The Gods of Olympus were the main Greek gods who lived on the top of mount Olympus. The Olympian gods rose to power by defeating the Titans in the War of the Titans (also called the Titanomachy). They were the children of Cronus and Rhea. Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia and Demeter, Hades, and later on Apollo, Artemis, Hermes, Athena, Hephaestus, Aphrodite and Ares. Over the years, the Demi-god Dionysus became part of their group on Olympus.

It is very common to refer to the Greek pantheon as “the 12 Olympian Gods”. However, the ancient Greeks did not worship specific twelve gods. Instead, there were many more, major and lesser — but nonetheless important — gods and others that were worshiped locally.

The rule of Zeus was not absolute. To obtain it, Zeus and his kind had to wrestle with the Titans and then with the Giants. The Battle of the Giants was more formidable and lasted more years. The greatest Olympians took part in the battle. The Giants were not as immortal as the Titans. But they had tremendous power and a monstrous form. After a long and ferocious war, the Greek gods managed to defeat all Giants with the help of Zeus’ demi-god son, the hero Hercules.

The Olympian gods had the same inclinations and the same desires, the same flaws and strengths as the mortals, even sometimes living in similar conditions. They looked like humans, but they were, almost always, prettier and stronger than humans. The gods could be transformed as they wished or teleported to any place they wished to. This was also a motivation for the famous Greek hospitality, which was a very important institution in ancient Greece. The Greeks would always welcome with special joy any foreigner, who could, after all, be a god in disguise!

As can be seen from many myths, the gods of the Greeks were not indifferent to humans. On the contrary, they often came in contact with them, traveling secretly, transforming themselves into ordinary people, rewarding the good and punishing the unjust. The gods did not find a better way to be happy than to live as humans. But they were freed from two great sufferings of mankind: the fear of deprivation and the fear of death. Indeed, the privilege of the gods is carefree. They never think about illness, old age, death. The nectar, the wine of the gods, and the ambrosia, the divine food of Olympus, ensure beauty, health and happiness for the immortals.

The immortal Greek gods settled on the peak of Olympus. There, they built their divine palaces and from there they looked upon the whole world. The ancient Greek religion is based on wisdom. People admired the gods immensely, without envying them. Famous temples were built for them and famous works of art were inspired by them. The gods reflected the ideals of the ancient Greek people.

Greek Mythology Tours

The full list of the Olympian Greek Gods:

Zeus

Zeus was recognized as the father of gods and humans. He regulated the celestial phenomena and defined the laws that govern people. He held the lightning bolt with one hand and the scepter with the other, which had an eagle at the top. He was known as the ‘Lord of Justice’. People respected and feared him at the same time. He was taking care of the families, keeping vigil in the home of every mortal and protecting strangers and passers-by from evil. Zeus’ wife was the goddess Hera, to whom he was not always faithful. Greek mythology is full of love stories about Zeus, who liked to transform himself into anything he could think of and mingle with other goddesses or mortals.

Demeter

Demeter was the Greek goddess of agriculture and protected the trees, plants and grains. She was the first to make the earth fruitful and taught people how to grow wheat, barley and other plants. Demeter is somewhat isolated from the twelve gods in ancient myths and this is because she is an even more ancient goddess herself. The Greeks received her cult from the Pelasgians, who originally lived in Greece. According to Greek mythology, Demeter’s daughter is mentioned as Persephone, who was once abducted by God Hades and became his wife. The most sacred and secret religious rites of ancient Greece, the Eleusinian Mysteries, were held in honor of Demeter.

Poseidon

Poseidon was one of the six children of Cronus and Rhea and brother of Zeus. He was allotted the kingdom of the sea but he was also considered the god of horses and earthquakes. This is why he was called “the earth-shaker”. He rarely lived on Olympus, preferring the depths of the ocean. He was sitting on a famous chariot drawn by immortal horses and holding in his hand the famous trident, forged by the Cyclops. When Poseidon was angry, he plunged the trident into the sea and shook it whole from end to end. The sailors prayed to Poseidon so that he spares them from his wrath.

Hades

Hades was the brother of Zeus and Poseidon and the god of the Underworld. He was allotted this kingdom when the three brothers took a draw to decide who will take each of three (heavens, sea and the Underworld). He liked to live in the dark and shadowed world of the dead and was rarely seen on Olympus. This is why, although he is one of the most important gods, some lists do not include him in the 12 Olympians. He was also known as Pluto. “Plutos” in Greek means wealth. The Earth is giving us a lot of treasures and since Hades’ kingdom is underneath it, the ancient Greeks believed that he was the one delivering the wealth to them. They actually preferred to call him Pluto because the name Hades was another name for the Underworld and they did not like the idea of death. The entrance to the Underworld is guarded by a monstrous dog, Hades’ favorite pet, the three-headed Cerberus. In order for your soul to cross the silent river, you need to pay the ferryman, Charon, to carry you to the other side on his boat.

Hera

Goddess Hera was the sister of Zeus, daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and at the same time Zeus’ wife. Hera symbolized and protected the sacred institution of marriage. She blessed and helped the women in labor. Greek mythology presents Hera as a modest, measured and faithful woman, but at the same time very jealous. There are almost no myths that refer exclusively to Hera. Her name is almost always associated with the myths about Zeus. However, Hera does not present herself as a goddess submissive to her sovereign husband. She had a strong female personality and she was the only one that dared to object to him.

Apollo

Apollo and Artemis were siblings, twins actually, children of Zeus and Leto, a Titan goddess. According to tradition, the two children were born on the island of Delos. Apollo is one of the most important and complex Greek gods. He is the god of light, music and poetry, healing and prophecy. He was the one that established the great Oracle of Delphi, which was considered the center of the ancient world. He was the teacher of the nine Muses and when they sang he accompanied them with his famous lyre.

Artemis 

Artemis, Apollo’s twin sister, was the goddess of hunting, wild animals and the wilderness. She spent her time in the woods, accompanied by the Nymphs, hunting, with her bow and arrows. She was a virgin goddess and protector of young girls. She was also worshipped as one of the primary goddesses of childbirth and midwifery, relieving the women in labor from diseases. She was sometimes associated with the goddess of the moon.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite, the most beautiful among mortals and immortals, was born from the foam of the sea when Uranus’ blood fell on it after his defeat by Cronus. This fact makes her the eldest among the Olympian Gods. Her name literally means “risen from the foam”. Aphrodite was worshipped as the goddess of beauty and passion. She could inspire love in the hearts of men and women. Most myths generally present Aphrodite as a vengeful woman. Aphrodite was worshiped in all parts of Greece and many priestesses were serving her. According to Greek mythology, she married the god of fire and blacksmiths, Hephaestus, but she was in love with the god of war, Ares, with whom she bared many children among which the winged god of love, Eros.

Ares

Ares, the god of war, was the son of the Greek gods Zeus and Hera. He was always followed by two of his faithful sons and followers, the gods Deimos and Phobos. Ares was handsome and strong, young and well-armed. He loved war and battles so he was hated by people and his worship was limited. Only in Sparta he was particularly worshipped and had a statue dedicated to him. Ares was tried, according to tradition, for his many war crimes, in one of Athens’ hills, the Areopagus Hill, which later became the seat of the criminal court of ancient Athens.

Hephaestus

Hephaestus was the god of fire and blacksmiths. He was born ugly and that is why his mother, the goddess Hera, unable to nourish him, threw him out of Olympus. Since then he has been limping. Hephaestus fell into the sea, where he was picked up by the Nereids and raised by them. Growing up, he became a famous craftsman and set up his workshop on Mount Etna in Sicily. With his various metals, he made works of art of incomparable beauty. He once made a golden throne and sent it to his mother Hera. As soon as Hera sat down, invisible chains bound her without anyone being able to untie them. They tried to persuade Hephaestus, but they only succeeded after they got him drunk first. Hephaestus, the god of fire, gave his name to the volcanoes in the Greek language. It was from him, that the Titan Prometheus took the fire and gave it to the people. Hephaestus was also the one who built the brass and gold palaces of Olympus.

Hermes

Hermes was the god of wealth, trade, thieves and travelers. He was also known as the Messenger God, being the herald of the Olympians and carrying messages between them. He was the son of Zeus and Maia, daughter of Titan Atlas. He was a clever, inventive and arrogant god. As soon as he was born, Hermes saw a turtle. He took her shell, placed seven strings in it and invented the lyre. He once stole the oxen guarded by god Apollo and locked them in a cave. He wouldn’t admit the theft, but in the end, he confessed. To avoid punishment, he gifted the lyre to Apollo. Hermes wore winged sandals and held the caduceus, his wand which had two serpents twined around it. He was the one who accompanied the souls of the dead to Hades and for that, he was known as the “soul-bearer”.

Greek Mythology Tours

Athena

Athena, according to Greek mythology, was the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. Athena was the beloved daughter of Zeus. Her mother was the Titaness Metis, the first wife of Zeus. Zeus received a prophecy informing him that Metis would give birth to the child who would overthrow his father. To escape the prophecy, Zeus swallowed Metis while she was pregnant in Athena. Later, Zeus began to suffer from headaches and called on Hephaestus to help him. Hephaestus hit the head of Zeus with his hammer and Athena sprang out in full armor. She is always pictured to be armed, never as a child, always a virgin. She won the battle for the patronage of Athens over Poseidon. The Parthenon in Athens is the most famous temple dedicated to her. Protector of heroes and wisest among the Gods, Athena was considered one of the most powerful and important Olympian Gods.

Dionysus

Although a demi-god, Dionysus managed to win the heart of the gods and his place on Mount Olympus! As a god of wine, viticulture ritual madness and religious ecstasy, he was very beloved among the people and was considered a very important god. He was the son of god Zeus and the mortal Semele. He was the patron god of theater and taught people how to make wine. The Athenians, to honor Dionysus, held a famous celebration, characteristic of his merriment. Any use of force was prohibited during such holidays.

Goddess Hestia

Hestia was the goddess of domestic life, home and hearth, the flame that kept a family’s home warm. She was the eldest daughter of Cronus and Rhea, and the eldest sister of Zeus. In the middle of the ancient Greeks’ home, there was an altar in her honor. The women of the house had as a responsibility to keep Hestia’s flame burning. The worship of Hestia was connected with the worship of Zeus who protected the strangers-travelers. Goddess Hestia was the first to invent the construction of houses, taught it to people and became the protector of family peace and happiness. She was always staying on Mount Olympus, keeping the sacred flame going.

Other Greek Gods

In addition to the above, there were other, lesser gods that people also honored and respected. The Greeks often offered sacrifices to request their help or gain their favor and built beautiful temples to honor them. Some honorary mentions are:

• • Hecate: the goddess of magic and necromancy. She was the one that helped the goddess Demeter in search of her daughter. Dogs were closely associated with her. The ancient Greeks believed that when dogs suddenly barked at night, Hecate was passing by.
  • Aeolus: the god of the winds. He was supervising the eight Wind Gods (each wind direction was personified by ancient Greeks).
  • Asclepius: the god of medicine. He was the son of god Apollo who taught him the science of medicine.
  • Eris: the goddess of jealousy and discord. She was the one that threw the golden apple at the wedding of Thetis and Peleus because they did not invite her. Her action was the starting point that would later lead to the epic Trojan war.
  • Pan: the god of wild, shepherds and rustic music. He is considered to be one of the oldest Greek gods and was especially beloved among the people.

But there are so many other Greek gods! There are of course deities who, although great, remained secondary or never exceeded their local character. Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth; the war god Enyalios and his companion Enyos; Lefkothea and Evrynomi, Mothers and Ladies of the Sea Animals, Lords of the Sea Animals by the names Glaucus, Proteus, Nireus, Forkis; and so many more.

Other deities are organized in groups according to their gender and age. The youthful forms are considered more important because they are always in motion, dancing, singing. The Graces, the Muses, the Nereids, the Oceanids are some of the most popular groups of deities.

Many of these lesser Greek gods and goddesses are forces of nature. Cities honor their rivers and springs with a special altar or temple, personifying them. The cult of the winds and the sun were also very popular. The Moon and Eos, the goddess of dawn, also appear in some myths, while the worship of the Earth in the traditional religion never stopped existing.

The existence of such deities has led to the idea that gods are personifications of natural phenomena and nature itself. The Greeks, for example, considered the rivers gods, children of the great gods. The Nymphs could be found in springs and fountains that were considered sacred places; waters from certain springs were considered fertile, therefore they were related to the ritual bath of the groom before the wedding; newborns were thrown into the water of a specific sacred source to be blessed and have a good life.

You may also like:

• • 30 of the Most Famous Tales from Greek Mythology
  • Greek Mythology Monsters: Full list and description

Greek Mythology Tours

About the author: Our team at Greek TravelTellers consists of academics and lovers of Greek culture. Our vision is to convey our knowledge and Greek values through unique tours and experiences. Through our blog, we hope to bring Greek history and culture closer to you. Feel free to learn more about us. 

The Top 100 Greek Gods and Goddesses: Names & Powers

---

Baby Names

Updated on 13 September 2022 • 16 minute read
9150

 

Overview

Are you familiar with some stories of Greek gods and goddesses?

Many of us know about Zeus, Hercules, Aphrodite, Hades, and Poseidon. But there are dozens of other gods and goddesses that may not be famous but still figured in great stories. 

Some of them might have the qualities you’re looking for or names that could be a nice choice for your baby.

According to Greek mythology, in the beginning, there was only Chaos, the primeval god who’s also the personification of the gaping emptiness. From this void sprang other primordial deities: Eros (Love), Gaia (Earth), and Tartarus (the Underworld).

Gaia created Uranus (god of heavens) and became his wife. The two were the parents of the pre-Olympian gods called the twelve Titans. They also had other children: the Cyclops (circle-eyed beings) and the Hecatoncheires (the hundred-handed ones).

Uranus thought that the Hecatoncheires and the Cyclops were too ugly and powerful, so he imprisoned them in the depths of the Underworld.

Furious, Gaia rallied her other children, the Titans, to help her take revenge. Many of the Titans were scared of their father, except the youngest named Cronus.

With the help of the pillar gods from the four corners of the Earth, Cronus trapped his father and cut his genitals. The incident separated heaven (Uranus) and Earth (Gaia).

Amazingly, the blood that dripped out of Uranus and dropped on Gaia gave rise to new beings: 

• the Giants (aggressive and large)
• the Meliai (beautiful nymphs)
• the Erinyes (deities of vengeance)

 

His genitals dropped to the sea, becoming foam that turned into the goddess Aphrodite.  

With Uranus’ defeat, the Titans ruled and became the new Greek gods.

But their rule did not last forever because they were also overthrown by their children, who would later become known as the gods of Mount Olympus.

These gods were identified as Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Aphrodite, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Hephaestus, Hermes, Poseidon, and Dionysus. 

Also called the “Greek pantheon,” this new batch of deities became more famous than their predecessors. They were the subject of many Greek myths, stories, and other literary works by writers, such as Homer.

You can find more interesting stories below to help you choose your baby’s name from these Greek gods and goddesses.

 

Greek Gods

The gods and goddesses of the Greek pantheon were also known as “the 12 Olympian Gods,” mostly because they lived on Mount Olympus.

But according to legend, the gods did not stay on the sacred mountain. Instead, they regularly mingled with the mortals and even had demigod offspring with some humans.

Notably, the ancient Greeks didn’t limit their worship to these Olympian deities because there were many others. Though they were lesser gods, the Greeks still considered them as important and worshipped them, too.

Many people think that Odysseus, the hero of Homer‘s epic poem, “The Odyssey,” was a Greek god. This legendary Greek king of Ithaca captured Troy with the wooden horse. He achieved many feats, but he was never elevated from a mortal to a god.

Some Greek gods and their stories might inspire you to choose their names for your baby.

 

Achilles

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Greatest warrior of the Trojan War

• Description: He’s the demigod son of Peleus (king of the Myrmidons and Zeus’ grandson) and Thetis (a sea nymph).

• His story appears in Homer’s “Iliad,” where he’s recognized as the main hero.

 

Aeolus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: King of the mythical island of Aiolia (Aeolia) and divine keeper of the winds

• Variations/Synonyms: Aiolos

• Description: He keeps the violent storm winds locked on the island. The winds are only released to wreak devastation upon the world, with the command from the great gods.

 

Aether

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of light

• Variations/Synonyms: The Upper Sky

• Description: He’s responsible for the spark of life in every creature.

 

Aion

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of eternity

• Variations/Synonyms: “Αion” also means “century” in Greek.

• Description: He’s portrayed as a monster with a snake body.  Instead of one, he had three heads: a man, a lion, and a bull.

• He’s sometimes confused with Cronos, the god of time. But the “time” for Aion is associated with eternity, not linear time.

 

Alastor

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of family feuds

• Variations/Synonyms: Avenger of evil deeds

• Description: He’s considered as an epithet (a byname) of Zeus.  

 

Apollo

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of light, healing and prophecy, and music and poetry

• Variations/Synonyms: Apollon, Apulu, or Phoebus

• Description: He’s one of the most important and famous of the Greek gods. He’s the twin brother of Artemis, born to Zeus and Titan goddess Leto.

• According to legend, he’s the teacher of the nine beautiful Muses. He would accompany them with his famous lyre when they sing.

 

What Is The Coolest Greek God Name? Ares

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of war

• Variations/Synonyms: Enyalius, Mars, or Aries

• Description: The son of Zeus and Hera, this Olympian god had two faithful sons: Phobos and Deimos.

• Though he’s handsome and strong, people hated Ares because of his love for war and battles. According to legend, Ares was tried for his war crimes on the Areopagus Hill in Athens. The place would later become ancient Greece’s seat of the criminal court.

 

Asclepius

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of medicine

• Variations/Synonyms: Asklepios (Greek) or Aesculapius (Latin)

• Description: He’s the demigod son of Apollo with the mortal princess Coronis.

• He learned the art of healing from Chiron, a Centaur.

 

Atlas

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Bearer of the heavens

• Variations/Synonyms: Atlaô

• Description: He’s the strongest of the Titans and has four arms. He supported Cronus amid the uprising led by Zeus. After defeating the Titans, Zeus punished Atlas by making him carry the world on his back.

 

Attis

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of fruits of the earth, vegetation, and rebirth

• Description: He’s a minor god known to be the consort of Cybele (the Earth goddess).

 

Boreas

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of the cold north wind

• Variations/Synonyms: Bringer of winter

• Description: He’s an Anemoi (wind god) who’s the personification of the north wind.

 

Caerus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of opportunity, favorable moments, and luck

• Variations/Synonyms: Kairos, Occasio, or Tempus

• Description: He’s a minor god.

 

Coeus

• Origin: Ancient Greek

• Meaning: Titan god of intelligence

• Variations/Synonyms: Koios

• Description: He’s the father of Leto and husband of Phoebe.

 

Crius

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan god of heavenly constellations

• Variations/Synonyms: Crios or Krios

• Description: He’s the Titan associated with the start of each season. His name also means “ram” (male sheep).

 

Cronos

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of time

• Variations/Synonyms: Chronus, Khronos, or Chronos

• Description: He’s also known as “Father Time” but is often confused with Titan leader Cronus because of the similarities in their name.

 

Cronus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: King of the Titans

• Variations/Synonyms: Kronus or Saturn (Roman version)

• Description: He’s the youngest of the Titans but became their leader after overthrowing their father, Uranus. Because he cut his father’s genitals with a scythe, he is often depicted carrying one in medieval art.

 

Deimos

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of dread and terror 

• Variations/Synonyms: Formido or Metus (Roman)

• Description: He’s the son of Ares and Aphrodite and is known as the personification of dread and terror.

 

Dinlas

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of chaos and hatred

• Variations/Synonyms: Guardian god of Lamark

• Description: He is the son of Ares and Aphrodite but was thrown to the Underworld because of his mother’s rejection. Hades decided to raise him as his son.

• He would later become the guardian god of Lamark, an ancient city where wounded heroes are healed after battles.

 

What Is A Good Greek God Name? Dionysus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of wine

• Variations/Synonyms: Bacchus (Roman), Dionysos, or Liber

• Description: He’s the demigod son of Zeus and Semele (a mortal).

• Though he’s a demigod, he earned his place as one of the Olympian gods after winning the other gods’ hearts.

 

Epimetheus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of afterthought and excuses

• Description: Zeus tasked him and his brother Prometheus to create mankind and animals. But he quickly used up the supply of gifts on animals, leaving Prometheus with no choice but to steal fire from heaven to arm his creation, mankind. The furious Zeus sent Pandora, the first woman, to become his wife and deliver evil to Earth.

 

Erebus 

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of darkness

• Variations/Synonyms: Érebos or Scotus (Roman)

• Description: He’s the son of Chaos and the consort of his sister Nyx (Night).

 

Eros

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of love and fertility

• Variations/Synonyms: Amor, Cupid (Roman), or Eleutherios

• Description: He had the power to cause lust and infatuation on anyone, god or mortal alike.

 

Eurus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of the unlucky east wind

• Variations/Synonyms: Euros or Vulturnus (Roman)

• Description: He’s one of the Anemoi (wind gods) and is referred to as “The East Wind. ”

 

Glaucus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: A god of the sea

• Variations/Synonyms: Glacus or Glaukos

• Description: He was a mortal fisherman who became a sea god after eating a magical herb. He grew fins and a fishtail, similar to a merman but was gladly accepted by ocean deities Oceanus and Tethys.

 

Hades 

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of death and the Underworld

• Variations/Synonyms: Pluto (Roman), Pluton, or Plotus

• Description: He’s the son of Titans Cronus and Rhea. He got dominion of the Underworld after drawing lots with his brothers Zeus (heavens) and Poseidon (seas) when they had successfully overthrown their father.

 

Helios

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan god of the sun

• Description: He’s also the personification of the sun. He’s often depicted riding a chariot, dragging the sun across the sky.

 

Hephaestus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of fire and blacksmiths

• Description: He’s one of the Olympians, but his mother (Hera) threw him out of Mt. Olympus because she hated his ugly face and couldn’t nurse him. He was raised by the Nereids (sea nymphs) and later became a skillful blacksmith.

• According to legend, he sent his mother a golden throne that bound her with invisible chains. The other gods were only able to untie Hera after getting Hephaestus drunk.

 

Heracles

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of heroes, athletes, sports, health, fertility, trade, and oracles

• Variations/Synonyms: Hercules (Roman) or Herakles

• Description: He’s the greatest of the Greek heroes and known as the divine protector of mankind.

• He’s also the strongest man on Earth and was turned immortal upon his death.

 

Hermes

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of wealth, trade, travelers, and thieves

• Description: He’s one of the Olympians and is known as the messenger of the gods.

• He’s the mischievous and arrogant son of Zeus and Maia.

• According to legend, he invented the lyre by putting strings on a turtle’s shell. Later, he would gift this lyre to appease Apollo after stealing his oxen and locking them in a cave.

 

Hymenaios

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of marriage ceremonies, songs, and inspiring feasts

• Variations/Synonyms: Hymen or Talasius (Roman)

• Description: His name comes from the refrain of an ancient marriage song.

 

Hyperion

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan of light

• Variations/Synonyms: The High One

• Description: He’s also known as the father of the sun, moon, and the dawn.

 

Hypnos

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of sleep 

• Variations/Synonyms: Somnus or Sopor (Roman)

• Description: He’s the twin brother of Thanatos (Death) and the son of Nyx (Night).

 

Iapetus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan god of mortal life

• Description: He’s the personification of the west pillar of the Earth. 

• With his brothers (Crius, Coeus, and Hyperion) who represented the other pillars, they trapped Uranus in place to let Cronus castrate him with a sickle.

 

Kratos

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of strength and power

• Variations/Synonyms: Cratos

• Description: He’s the divine personification of strength.

 

Morpheus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of dreams and sleep

• Description: He’s known as the dream messenger of the gods, sending divine messages through stories and images in dreams.

 

Nereus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan god of the sea

• Variations/Synonyms: Old Man of the Sea (coined by Homer)

• Description: He’s the father of the Nereids (sea nymphs).

 

Notus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of the south wind

• Variations/Synonyms: The South Wind

• Description: He’s an Anemoi (wind god) who brings hot winds from the south and is feared as the destroyer of crops.

 

Oceanus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan god of the ocean

• Variations/Synonyms: Okeanus

• Description: He personifies the sea.

• He and his sister, Titan Tethys, had numerous children called the Oceanids and the river gods. But they were so fertile that the overproduction of aqueous elements caused many floods. So, the two decided to divorce to save the world.

 

Pallas

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan god of battle and warcraft

• Description: He’s the father of Kratos (Strength), Bia (Power), Nike (Victory), and Zelos (Rivalry).

 

Pan

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of the wild, goatherds and shepherds, and rustic music

• Variations/Synonyms: Faunus (Roman)

• Description: He’s the son of Hermes and is known for having a mostly human appearance but with goat feet and horns.

 

Perseus 

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Slayer of the Gorgon Medusa

• Description: He’s the demigod son of Zeus with the mortal Danae.

• He’s famous for killing the terrible monster known as the Gorgon Medusa, who had snakes for hair and turned anyone to stone if they looked into her eyes.

 

Pontus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Pre-Olympian god of the sea

• Variations/Synonyms: Father of the sea creatures

• Description: According to legend, he was Gaia’s son, but he didn’t have a father. But other myths name Aether (Upper Sky) as his father. 

 

Poseidon

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of the sea

• Variations/Synonyms: Neptune (Roman) or Neptunus (Latin)

• Description: He’s originally known as the god of freshwater but later considered the god of the sea.

• This Olympian god has a trident as his main symbol and weapon.

 

Prometheus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan god of fire, forethought, and crafty counsel

• Description: He’s known as the supreme trickster.

• He’s credited with creating humans from clay and stealing fire from heaven to equip his creation.

 

Tartarus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Original god of the Underworld

• Variations/Synonyms: Tartaros

• Description: He’s one of the primordial gods.

• He wasn’t just the god of the darkest, deepest part of the Underworld but was the pit itself.

 

Thanatos

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of death (non-violent death)

• Variations/Synonyms: Letum or Mors (Roman)

• Description: He’s the twin brother of Hypnos (Sleep) and is the personification of death.

 

Typhon

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of the storms, volcanoes, and monsters

• Variations/Synonyms: Typhaon, Typhoeus, or Typhus

• Description: He’s the personification of volcanic forces and was described as the most fearsome serpentine giant.

• He dared to challenge Zeus for control over Mount Olympus.

 

Uranus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Original god of the heavens and ruler of the world

• Variations/Synonyms: Caelus (Roman)

• Description: He’s the son of Gaia but would become her husband. They became parents to the Titans.

• He’s the personification of heaven and was the original sky god before getting overthrown by his children.

 

Zephyrus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: God of the west wind

• Variations/Synonyms: Zephyr or Zéphyros

• Description: He’s the gentlest of all the Anemoi (wind gods) and is known to be the messenger of spring.

 

Zeus

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Olympian god of the sky

• Variations/Synonyms: Jupiter (Roman)

• Description: He’s the chief deity, king of the gods, and the god of the sky and thunder. He won these titles after leading the Olympians in the coup against their dad, Cronus.

• He’s often depicted as an old man holding a lightning bolt.

 

Greek Goddesses

In Greek mythology, the gods were able to procreate without a woman. But that didn’t make the goddesses less important. Many were powerful in their own right and could also have offspring without men.

For example, legends tell of how Gaia (Earth) created Uranus (Heaven) by herself. However, other legends say that Uranus was born from the union of Gaia and Aether.

You can find other interesting stories about Greek goddesses below to help you choose a Greek name for your baby girl:

 

Achlys

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of the eternal night

• Variations/Synonyms: Demon of death

• Description: According to legend, she existed before Chaos himself.

 

Aglaia

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of splendor, beauty, glory, adornment, and magnificence

• Variations/Synonyms: Aglaea 

• Description: She’s the youngest of the three Graces, the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome. They were beautiful women known for dancing and singing for the gods.

 

Alecto

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Erinye of unceasing anger

• Variations/Synonyms: Allecto 

• Description: She’s one of the three Erinyes (Furies), known as the goddesses of vengeance and retribution. They were born from Gaia and the blood of the castrated Uranus.

 

Ananke

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Primordial goddess of inevitability, necessity, and compulsion

• Variations/Synonyms: Adrastea or Necessitas (Roman)

• Description: Though she’s not a famous goddess, she’s known as the first goddess to have power over fate.

 

Aphrodite

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of love, fertility, and beauty

• Variations/Synonyms: Venus (Roman)

• Description: She has a magical belt that causes others to fall in love with whoever wears it.

 

Artemis

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Olympian goddess of the hunt and wild animals

• Variations/Synonyms: Diana (Roman)

• Description: She’s the twin sister of Apollo.

• She can control nature and turn into an animal.

 

Who Is The Most Powerful Goddess? Athena 

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of wisdom, crafts, and skilled peacetime pursuits

• Variations/Synonyms: Minerva (Roman)

• Description: She’s an Olympian god and also known as the patroness of spinning and weaving.

 

Atropos

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Unalterable Fate

• Variations/Synonyms: Morta (Roman)

• Description: She’s one of the Moirai or Fates (goddesses of fate and destiny) and renders her sisters’ decisions irreversible.

 

Calliope

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of eloquence and Muse of epic poetry

• Variations/Synonyms: Kalliope

• Description: She’s the eldest of the Muses and often drawn with a lyre or stylus as her symbol.

 

Clio

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Muse of history

• Variations/Synonyms: Kleio

• Description: She is symbolized by a chest of books or an open scroll.

 

Clotho

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Spinner Fate

• Variations/Synonyms: Nona (Roman)

• Description: She’s one of the Moirai (Three Fates) and spins the thread of human life.

 

Cybele

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of nature, wild animals, caverns, and mountains

• Variations/Synonyms: Cybebe, Agdistis, Magna Mater (Great Mother), Meter, or Meter Oreie

• Description: She’s also the goddess of fertility and the protectress in times of war.

 

What Is Demeter The Goddess Of? Demeter

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of agriculture and the growth of food plants

• Variations/Synonyms: Ceres (Roman)

• Description: She’s an Olympian goddess who also presides over the cycle of life and death as well as the sacred law.

 

Eos 

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan goddess of the dawn

• Variations/Synonyms: Aurora (Roman)

• Description: She’s the personification of the dawn.

 

Erato

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Muse of love poetry and marriage songs

• Description: She’s known as the patron of lyric and erotic poetry or hymns.

 

Eris

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of chaos, discord, and strife

• Variations/Synonyms: Discordia (Roman)

• Description: She’s the daughter of Nyx (Night) and Hesiod.

• She’s the personification of strife.

 

Euphrosyne

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of mirth, good cheer, and joy 

• Variations/Synonyms: Euthymia or Eutychia 

• Description: She’s one of the Graces, the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome.

 

Euterpe

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Muse of music

• Description: She’s one of the nine Muses, the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne.

• She’s also known as the patron of tragedy and flute playing.

 

Gaia

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Mother Earth

• Variations/Synonyms: Gaea, Ge, or Terra (Roman)

• Description: She’s a primordial goddess who governed the universe before the Olympian gods or the Titans existed.

• She’s the personification of the Earth and is known as the great mother of all creation.

 

Harmonia

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of harmony and concord

• Variations/Synonyms: Concordia (Roman)

• Description: She’s the daughter of Ares and Aphrodite, with powers to preside over marital harmony and solving strife or discord.

 

Hebe

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of youth and the prime of life

• Variations/Synonyms: Juventas (Roman)

• Description: She’s the daughter of Zeus and Hera.

• She’s also known as the cupbearer to the gods.

 

Who Is Hecate?

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of angels, necromancy, sorcery, magic, entryways, herbs, and poisonous plants

• Variations/Synonyms: Hekate or Marzanna (Slavic)

• Description: She’s the daughter of the Titan Perses and the nymph Asteria.

• She has dominion over the Earth, sea, and sky.

 

Hemera

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of day

• Variations/Synonyms: Dies (Roman)

• Description: She’s the daughter of Erebus (Darkness) and Nyx (Night).

• She’s one of the first gods before the Titans and Olympians existed.

 

Who Is The Goddess Hera?

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of marriage, family, women, and childbirth

• Variations/Synonyms: Juno (Roman)

• Description: The daughter of Titans Cronus and Rhea, she’s one of the most powerful Olympians. She would later become the chief goddess, ruling alongside her brother-husband Zeus.

 

Hestia

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of the hearth

• Variations/Synonyms: Vesta (Roman)

• Description: The daughter of Cronus and Rhea, she’s one of the Olympians.

• She’s known as a virgin goddess who swore to remain a maiden forever after Apollo and Poseidon fought over who would marry her.

 

Iris

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of the rainbow

• Variations/Synonyms: Arcus (Roman)

• Description: She’s the daughter of sea god Thaumas and the ocean nymph Electra.

• She’s known as the personification of the rainbow and also as the messenger of the gods.

 

Lachesis

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Measurer Fate

• Description: She’s one of the three Fates, goddesses of destiny and fate.

• In Greek mythology, she decides how a mortal will live and measures how long this life will be.

 

Leto

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan goddess of motherhood, modesty, and kindness

• Variations/Synonyms: Latona (Roman)

• Description: She’s the mother of Apollo and ‎Artemis.

• She has the reputation of being the gentlest in all Olympus.

 

Maia

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of springtime, warmth, and increase

• Variations/Synonyms: Maias

• Description: She’s a shy goddess who stays hidden in the caves of Mount Kyllene (Cyllene), where she gave birth to Hermes, her son with Zeus.

 

Megaera

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Erinye of jealousy

• Variations/Synonyms: The Jealous One

• Description: She’s one of the three Furies (Erinyes) who punish crimes.

• She’s known as the goddess of vengeance against men who committed marital infidelity and relevant crimes.

 

Melpomene

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Muse of tragedy

• Description: She’s one of the nine Muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne.

• She’s symbolized by the tragic mask.

 

Metis

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan goddess of wisdom, good counsel, planning, and cunning

• Description: She was one of Zeus’ consorts, but he swallowed her after prophecies foretold how her child would overthrow him. Unknown to him, she was already pregnant at the time. Their daughter, Athena, would emerge from his head, already full-grown and armed for war.

• Because Metis was in Zeus’ belly and no longer existing by the time Athena was born, she’s often uncredited for her birth. But according to legend, she knew she was pregnant and already created Athena’s warrior clothes before Zeus swallowed her.

 

Mnemosyne

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan goddess of memory

• Variations/Synonyms: Moneta (Roman)

• Description: She’s the daughter of Uranus and Gaia.

• She’s known for being the mother of the nine Muses, giving birth to them after Zeus stayed with her for nine consecutive nights.

• She’s the personification of memory and remembrance.

 

Nemesis

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of retribution and divine vengeance

• Variations/Synonyms: Rhamnousia or Rhamnusia

• Description: She’s the goddess who helped avenge those who were wronged.

 

Nike

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of victory

• Variations/Synonyms: Victoria (Roman)

• Description: She’s the winged goddess of victory, honored both in war and in peaceful competition.

 

Nyx

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of the night

• Description: She’s the personification of the night.

• She’s known for being the only god or goddess that Zeus ever feared. He was so scared of her that he refused to enter any of her caves.

 

Persephone

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of agriculture, spring growth, and rebirth

• Variations/Synonyms: Proserpina or Proserpine

• Description: She’s the daughter of Zeus and Demeter.

• As the wife of Hades, she’s also the queen of the Underworld.

 

Pheme

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of fame, renown, and gossip

• Variations/Synonyms: Ossa or Fama (Roman)

• Description: She’s the personification of gossip and rumor.

• She’s the spirit of good repute and fame, but she’s also known for being the bearer of scandalous rumors. Often, she’s depicted with wings and a trumpet. 

• According to legend, she pries into the affairs of mortals and gods alike, then repeats what she hears, starting from a dull whisper that gets louder with each repetition. So, she’s also depicted with many eyes, ears, and tongues.

 

Phoebe

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan goddess of bright intellect

• Variations/Synonyms: Phoibe

• Description: She’s the daughter of Uranus and Gaia.

• She became the consort of her brother Coeus with whom she has two children: Leto and Asteria.

• She was also known to have the gift of prophecy.

 

Polyhymnia

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Muse of sacred poetry and religious hymns 

• Variations/Synonyms: Polymnia or Polymnis

• Description: She’s the youngest of the Muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne.

• She’s known for inventing hymns and singing these to entertain the gods and goddesses.

 

Rhea

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Great mother of the gods and the goddess of fruitfulness

• Variations/Synonyms: Rheia or Ops (Roman)

• Description: She’s the daughter of Uranus and Gaia.

• She’s also the consort of her brother Cronus with whom she bore Zeus, Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Poseidon.

 

Who Is The Goddess Of Moon?

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of the Moon

• Variations/Synonyms: Luna (Roman)

• Description: She’s depicted as a beautiful woman who drives her moon chariot across the sky.

• She’s the personification of the moon and is the sister of Helios (Sun) and Eos (Dawn).

 

Terpsichore

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Muse of dance

• Description: She’s one of the Muses, daughters of Zeus with Mnemosyne.

• According to legend, she’s the mother of the Sirens with the river god Achelous.

 

Tethys

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Goddess of freshwater

• Description: She’s the daughter of Uranus and Gaia.

• She’s also the consort of her brother Oceanus. She bore three thousand river gods and another three thousand Oceanids (ocean nymphs), including Metis.

 

Thalassa

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Primordial goddess of the sea 

• Description: She’s the daughter of Aether (Upper Sky) and Hemera (Light).

• Together with her consort, sea god Pontus, they populated the ocean with the tribes of fish and the Telchines (storm gods).

 

Thalia

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Muse of comedy, good cheer, and idyllic poetry

• Variations/Synonyms: Thaleia

• Description: She’s one of the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, collectively known as the Muses.

• There’s another goddess named Thalia. She’s one of the Graces (Charites), the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome. She’s the goddess of festivity and rich banquets.

 

Thea

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan goddess of sight, the light of the blue sky, and shining elements

• Variations/Synonyms: Euryphaessa or Theia 

• Description: She’s the daughter of Uranus and Gaia.

• She’s also known as the mother of Helios (Sun), Eos (Dawn), and Selene (Moon).

 

Themis

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Titan goddess of justice, order, and wisdom

• Description: She’s the mother of the Moirai (Fates) and the Horae (Hours).

• She’s the personification of justice and is the interpreter of the gods’ will.

 

Tisiphone

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Erinye avenger of murder

• Variations/Synonyms: Tilphousia

• Description: She’s one of the Erinyes and was tasked to punish crimes of murder, including homicide, parricide (killing a parent), and fratricide (killing a sibling).

 

Urania

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Muse of astronomy and universal love

• Variations/Synonyms: Ourania

• Description: She’s one of the Muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne.

• According to legend, she inherited her father’s majesty and got her grace from her mother.

 

 

 

as seen on

The Olympian Gods and Goddesses

Updated November 17, 2021 | Infoplease Staff

The

Dii Consentes

In Ancient Greek mythology, twelve gods and goddesses ruled the universe from atop Greece’s Mount Olympus. Our main sources on the gods include Hesiod’s Theogony and the Homeric Hymns (although they probably aren’t by the Homer who wrote the Odyssey and/or the Iliad).

These Olympians had come to power after their leader, Zeus, overthrew his father, Kronos (or Cronus), leader of the Titans. All the Olympians are related to one another; their various relationships are themselves the subject of many Greek myths. The Romans adopted most of these Greek gods and goddesses, but with new names. There were many more deities in the Roman and Greek pantheons. We’ve included some of the more prominent deities below, in addition to the main Olympians. You can find a more complete list of Greco-Roman deities here. You can also check out our list of Greek heroes.

Note: «Olympian» refers to the divine residents of Olympus. «Olympic» refers to things pertaining to the city of Olympia, or the Olympic Games that were held there (or the modern Olympic Games).

Zeus (Roman name: Jupiter)

The most powerful of all, Zeus was god of the sky and the king of Olympus. His temper affected the weather, and he threw thunderbolts when he was unhappy. He was married to Hera but had many other lovers. His symbols include the oak and the thunderbolt.

See also: The Reign of Thunder and Lightning: Olympus Under Zeus.

Hera (Roman name: Juno)

Hera was the Greek goddess of marriage and the queen of Olympus. She was Zeus’s wife and sister; many myths tell of how she sought revenge when Zeus betrayed her with his lovers. Her symbols include the peacock and the cow.

See also: A Heavenly Marriage? Hera and Zeus.

The Olympian Gods Quiz

Think you have what it takes?

Show off your mythology knowledge with our quiz on the gods of Olympus.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Poseidon (Roman name: Neptune)

Poseidon was god of the sea. He was the most powerful god except for his brother, Zeus. He lived in a beautiful palace under the sea and caused earthquakes when he was in a temper. His symbols include the horse and the trident (a three-pronged pitchfork). The sea god features prominently in stories about the Trojan War, due to a grudge he bore against the former king Laomedon of Troy. He is the father of Polyphemus, the cyclops in the Odyssey, and of the demigod Triton.

See also: The Brothers of Zeus: Poseidon and Hades.

Hades (Roman name: Pluto)

Hades was the god of the underworld and king of the dead. His name is often used interchangeably as that of the Greek underworld. He was the brother of Zeus and the husband of Persephone, Demeter’s daughter, whom he kidnapped.

See also: The Brothers of Zeus: Poseidon and Hades.

Aphrodite (Roman name: Venus)

Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty, and the protector of sailors. She may have been the daughter of Zeus and the Titan Dione, or she may have risen from the sea on a shell. Her symbols include the myrtle tree and the dove.

See also: Aphrodite.

Artemis

Apollo

Apollo was the god of music and healing. He was also an archer, and hunted with a silver bow. Apollo was the son of Zeus and the Titan Leto, and the twin of Artemis. His symbols include the laurel tree, the crow, and the dolphin. Apollo is famously the patron of the oracle at Delphi.

See also: Night of the Hunters: Artemis and Apollo.

Ares (Roman name: Mars)

Ares was the god of war. He was both cruel and a coward. Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera, but neither of his parents liked him. His symbols include the vulture and the dog, and he often carried a bloody spear.

See also: Hephaestus and Ares.

Artemis (Roman name: Diana)

Artemis was the goddess of the hunt and the protector of women in childbirth. She hunted with silver arrows and loved all wild animals. Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo. Her symbols include the cypress tree and the deer.

See also: Night of the Hunters: Artemis and Apollo.

Athena (Roman name: Minerva)

Athena was the goddess of wisdom. She was also skilled in the art of war, and helped heroes such as Odysseus and Hercules. Athena sprang full-grown from the forehead of Zeus, and became his favorite child. Her symbols include the owl and the olive tree. Athena is also the namesake of the city of Athens.

See also: First in War, First in Peace: Athena.

Hephaestus (Roman name: Vulcan)

Hephaestus was the god of fire and the forge (a furnace in which metal is heated). Although he made armor and weapons for the gods, he loved peace. He was the son of Zeus and Hera and married Aphrodite. His symbols include the anvil and the forge.

See also: Hephaestus and Ares.

Hestia (Roman name: Vesta)

Hestia was the goddess of the hearth (a fireplace at the center of the home). She was the most gentle of the gods, and does not play a role in many myths. Hestia was the sister of Zeus and the oldest of the Olympians. Fire is among her symbols.

See also: Home and Harvest: The Sisters of Hera.

Hermes

Hermes (Roman name: Mercury)

Hermes was the messenger of the gods, a trickster, and a friend to thieves. He was said to have invented boxing and gymnastics. He was the son of Zeus and the constellation Maia. The speediest of all, he wore winged sandals and a winged hat and carried a magic wand.

See also: The Little Rascal: Hermes.

Sometimes included:

Demeter (Roman name: Ceres)

Demeter was the goddess of agriculture. The word “cereal” comes from her Roman name. She was the sister of Zeus. Her daughter, Persephone, was forced to live with Hades each winter; at this time Demeter let no crops grow. Her symbols include wheat.

See also: Home and Harvest: The Sisters of Hera.

Dionysus (Roman name: Bacchus)

Dionysus was the god of wine, which he invented. In ancient Greece Dionysus was honored with springtime festivals that centered on theater. Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Semele, a mortal. His symbols include ivy, the snake, and grapes. He is commonly depicted in the company of satyrs.

See also: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: Dionysus.

The lesser Olympians

This isn’t an official designation, but it’s a handy catchall. These are the children of the Twelve Olympians, either by each other, by lesser deities, or by mortal women.

These include Pan (son of Hermes and a nymph), Asclepius (son of Apollo), Aeolus (son of Poseidon), Hebe (daughter of Zeus and Hera) and Heracles/Hercules (son of Zeus and a mortal woman). Fun fact, in Classical literature, the term demi-god was basically unknown. Instead hero and half-god were largely interchangeable. And, as in the case of Heracles, a hero could be elevated to full godhood.

The Titans

Greco-Roman mythology is replete with gods aside from the main bunch. The Romans had hundreds. There are lesser deities the Muses of Mount Parnassus, who inspire artists.

The most important are the Titans, who were the gods before the Olympians. The Titans are the children of Gaia, the earth, and Uranus, the sky. Like the Olympians, they consisted of a main twelve. They are Oceanus, Coeus, Crius, Cronus, Iapetus, and Hyperion, Theia, Rhea, Themis, Tethys, Mnemosyne, and Phoebe.

All of the main Olympians are the children and grandchildren of Cronus. The other Titans also had divine children, including the titans/gods Helios, Atlas, Amphitrite and Prometheus.

Many of the Titans were condemned to punishment in Tartarus, although some escaped this fate. Helios, for example, maintains a divine role in pulling the sun across the sky, and Amphitrite is the wife of Poseidon.

Other gods

Then there are the other types of gods. There are:

Primordial deities, who predate the Titans. These include Nyx, the personification of night, and the primordial Chaos.

There are the Chthonic deities who live underground beyond the River Styx. These include Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft.

And there are personified concepts, such as Nemesis (vengeance), Thanatos (death), Eros/Cupid (lust), and Nike (victory).

Greek and Roman Mythology

Mythology : Gods, Goddesses, Muses, Monsters

Heroes in Greek Mythology

.com/ipa/0/8/8/1/9/9/A0881990. html

Sources +

Our Common Sources

70+ Greek God And Goddess Names And Their Ancient Meanings

Choosing a baby name is no simple thing. Not only do you want to like the sound of the name, but it’s important to many parents that it actually means something, too. For some, that means choosing a name that runs in the family or a sentimental name that means something just to you and your partner (and your kid, eventually). Some parents go a different route, choosing cool, niche names that mean fire, old lady or old man names, and even ones that mean sun. For others, that means turning to pop culture or even history, which is why naming a kid after a Greek god, or some version of the name, can be so popular.

Then again, you can run into trouble when you name your kid after a mythological persona. Dionysus might sound great to you when your kid is an infant (or when decorating their nursery to follow the theme), but it could become an issue once they hit middle school and grumble about their unique name.

This is when knowing the Greek gods’ names’ meanings is important. And also having plenty to choose from. With that in mind, the following is a full list of the 12 main Greek gods’ names and their meanings, as well as dozens of other options. But it is by no means an exhaustive list of all the different Greek gods, so if you don’t find something that speaks to you right this minute, with a little research you should be able to find something that suits you and your family.

Guzaliia Filimonova/Getty

Greek Goddess Names

1. Hera

Hera is known as the queen of Greek gods, given that she was the wife of Zeus. In Roman mythology, she is known as Juno, which is a cute variation. She is known as the goddess of marriage (even though she put up with Zeus’ many infidelities) and as a protector. If you want to give your child the name of a very good queen, this is it.

2. Athena

Athena is one of Zeus’ daughters, born without a mother, and maybe even his favorite kid, which means she had a ton of power. She is known as a goddess of war, but also of wisdom and reason. Unlike other Greek gods, her story is based on financial dealings and being in the city, making big decisions alongside her father, which makes it a particularly feminist name if you want to read it that way. In Roman mythology, she is known as the goddess Minerva.

3. Artemis

Artemis was supposed to be the daughter of Zeus and one of his mistresses, Leto, as well as the twin sister of Apollo. Known as Diana in Roman mythology, she is the goddess of hunting and wild animals. This has led to the name being gender-neutral in modern-day Greek, meaning “butcher.”

4. Aphrodite

Known as Venus in Roman mythology, Aphrodite is popularly known as the goddess of love and sexuality. But it doesn’t stop there — she was born from the white foam that Heavne/Uranus’ severed genitals created in the ocean after his son tossed them into the water, so she’s also known as a goddess of war and the sea. You might want to skip the whole “severed genitals” thing though when you tell people about the meaning behind the name.

5. Hestia

Hestia is a lovely name for a girl, as she is known for being the goddess of home and hearth. But not because she is a homebody — rather, Zeus put Hestia, known as Vestia in Roman mythology, in charge of tending the fires where people cooked or made sacrifices, so she received a share of each one people made. Not a bad gig, to be honest.

6. Iris

This name is such a short and sweet name for a little girl. It means rainbow and comes from Greek origin. Iris represents power, royalty, faith, courage, and wisdom. In Greek mythology, Iris was a messenger of Zeus and Hera who used the rainbow to travel between heaven and earth. This name also represents the colorful part of the human eye and a popular perennial flower.

7. Penelope

From the Greek word meaning “weaver,” this name gained notoriety through Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey. In the masterpiece, Homer is married to Penelope. So, it’s little wonder that the name also means “faithful wife,” as it’s exactly what Penelope was to Homer during his long absence at Troy.

8. Daphne

This lovely name comes from the Greek word for “laurel” — and it comes with quite a story. Mythologically, it’s connected to a Naiad nymph named Daphne, the beautiful daughter of a river god. In addition to her beauty, she was known for being resolute in her conviction not to marry or be touched by a man in her lifetime. When the god Apollo relentlessly pursued her, she prayed to the river god, Peneus, to free her from Apollo’s affection. So, he used his powers of eternal youth and immortality to transform Daphne into a laurel tree.

9. Phoebe

When you think of Greek mythology, you probably think of the gods of Mount Olympus, like Zeus. However, there were two preceding generations of Greek deities: the Protogenoi and the Titans. As the daughter of Protogenoi deities Ouranos (Sky) and Gaia (Earth), Phoebe was a member of the Titans. Today, her name means “pure, radiant, bright, shining.”

10. Chloe

In Greek, Chloe means “blooming” or “fertility.” In fact, its literal translation represents shoots of foliage in spring. And it’s little wonder — Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture and the harvest, is sometimes referred to by this epithet.

11. Persephone

You might think a name that means “bringer of death” is a bit dark. However, in Greek mythology, Persephone played a very important role as the daughter of Demeter and Zeus and the wife of Hades — the latter of which made her the Queen of the Underworld. Her abduction by Hades is often used to explain the reason for seasons on Earth.

12. Calliope

Who wouldn’t love having a name that means “beautiful-voiced”? Plus, Calliope has a cool backstory in Greek mythology, as it’s the name of one of the Muse of Epic Poetry.

More Greek Goddess Names

1. Nyx
2. Artemis
3. Aura
4. Maia
5. Rhea
6. Calypso
7. Irene
8. Xanthe
9. Echo
10. Delia
11. Selene
12. Gaia
13. Circe
14. Astraea
15. Asteria
16. Thalia
17. Ianthe
18. Anthea
19. Ambrosia
20. Clio

Greek God Names

1. Dionysus

As mentioned before, Dionysus is known for being a crowd-pleaser back in ancient Greece, and somewhat of a party boy. OK, we don’t know all that, but he is the god of the grape harvest which means he’s the god of wine. In Roman mythology, he is known as Bacchus, and is often depicted lounging and imbibing on all the things.

2. Poseidon

Everyone knows that Poseidon is a god of the sea and one who had loads of sons and daughters, including Triton. But he’s also the god of horses and earthquakes. Basically, an all-around powerful dude. In Roman mythology, he’s known as Neptune, the sea god, despite being known for other things.

3. Hermes

Hermes was the son of Zeus and Pleiad Maia and is usually known as Mercury in Roman mythology. His name is suspected to be derived from the word “herma” which means a pile of stones that would have been used to mark a boundary. His name also means “messenger.”

4. Hephaestus

Alright, so this might not be the best name for a son, given his troubled backstory. His mother, Hera, reportedly threw him off of Mount Olympus when he was born because of his physical deformities. Still, he grew up to be the husband of Aphrodite and the god of fire and forging. Hephaestus obviously survived the struggle.

5. Ares

This is another name that comes with trouble. Ares is known for being a god of war, but not the just and good kind. No, his name is associated with the devastation that comes with war and for this reason, was never worshipped all that much in ancient Greece. Ares, the son of Zeus and Hera, is known as Mars in Roman legend.

6. Apollo

Apollo is likely one of the most well-known Greek gods, as he is associated as the god of literally everything. He is invoked when it comes to, “music, poetry, art, prophecy, truth, archery, plague, healing, sun, and light,” per The History Press. In Roman mythology, he goes by the same name, though he is mostly associated with music in that canon.

7. Zeus

Ah, the guy who started it all. Zeus is obviously a multilayered name, given the god’s many levels. Known as Jupiter in Roman mythology, he fathered so many Greek gods and goddesses and had complicated relationships with them all, so it’s hard to come down on just one meaning. That being said, he is generally benevolent and known as the god of the sky, giving that he could control the weather and well, most everything else.

8. Achelous

Achelous was not only the god of the Achelous River (one of the mightiest rivers in Greece), he was also chief to his 3,000 brothers, and his father was Oceanus. All bodies of water are believed to have come from the Achelous river. He is most famous for his battle with Hercules for the heart of Deianeira, which Achelous did not win.

9. Aeolus

Aeolus is the god of the wind. He is also known as the king of the mythical and an island called Aiolia. And whenever there was a terribly violent storm, Aeolus was usually behind it. He kept storms locked in a cavern in an isle. Then, when he was ready to release the storm, he would set them free to wreak havoc.

More Greek God Names

1. Aether
2. Agathodaemon
3. Alastor
4. Atlas
5. Boreas
6. Castor
7. Cerus
8. Chaos
9. Charon
10. Cronus
11. Dinlas
12. Deimos
13. Eros
14. Hades
15. Helios
16. Hesperus
17. Hypnos
18. Kratos
19. Momus
20. Morpheus
21. Oceanus
22. Pallas
23. Pan
24. Phosphorus
25. Poseidon
26. Prometheus
27. Triton
28. Typhon
29. Uranus
30. Zephyrus

This article was originally published on July 5, 2021

Gods of Ancient Greece — Russian Historical Library

read on our website also articles «Myths about the gods of Ancient Greece», «Myths about the origin of the gods of Ancient Greece», Religion of Ancient Greece and «Myths of Ancient Greece about heroes»

Brief information about the main Hellenic gods you can get in the articles Gods of Ancient Greece — a list and description and Olympian gods of Ancient Greece

ancient Greek gods: Uranus (sky) and Gaia (earth), who became spouses. The first children of Uranus and Gaia were hundred-armed giants, superior in strength, and one-eyed cyclops (cyclops). Uranus bound all of them and threw them into Tartarus, the dark abyss of the underworld. Then the titans were born, the youngest of whom Kronos castrated his father with a sickle given to him by his mother: she could not forgive Uranus for the death of her firstborn. From the blood of Uranus, Erinyes were born — a terrible-looking woman, the goddess of blood vengeance. From the contact of a part of the body of Uranus, thrown into the sea by Kronos, with sea foam, the goddess Aphrodite was born, who, according to other sources, is the daughter of Zeus and the Titanides Dione.

After the god Uranus separated from Gaia, the titans Kronos, Rhea, Oceanus, Mnemosyne (goddess of memory), Themis (goddess of justice) and others came to the surface of the earth. Thus, the titans were the first creatures to live on earth. The god Kronos, thanks to whom his brothers and sisters were freed from imprisonment in Tartarus, began to rule the world. He married his sister Rhea. Since Uranus and Gaia predicted to him that his own son would deprive him of power, he swallowed his children as soon as they were born.

Gods of Ancient Greece — Zeus

See also the separate article God Zeus.

According to ancient Greek myths, the goddess Rhea felt sorry for her children, and when her youngest son Zeus was born, she decided to deceive her husband and gave Kronos a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes, which he swallowed. And she hid Zeus on the island of Crete, on Mount Ida, where he was raised by nymphs (deities personifying the forces and natural phenomena — deities of springs, rivers, trees, etc.). The goat Amalthea fed the god Zeus with her milk, for which Zeus subsequently placed her in the host of stars. This is the current star of Capella. As an adult, Zeus decided to take power into his own hands and forced his father to vomit all the child gods he swallowed. There were five of them: Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter and Hestia.

After that, «titanomachy» began — a war for power between the ancient Greek gods and the titans. Zeus was helped in this war by the hundred-armed giants and cyclops, whom he brought out of Tartarus for this. The Cyclopes forged thunder and lightning for the god Zeus, an invisibility helmet for the god Hades, and a trident for the god Poseidon.

Having defeated the titans, Zeus cast them into Tartarus. Gaia, angry at Zeus for the massacre of the Titans, married the gloomy Tartarus and gave birth to Typhon, a terrible monster. The ancient Greek gods shuddered with horror when a huge hundred-headed Typhon emerged from the bowels of the earth, announcing the world with a terrible howl, in which one could hear the barking of dogs, and the roar of an angry bull, and the growl of a lion, and human voices. Zeus incinerated all one hundred heads of Typhon with lightning, and when he fell to the ground, everything around began to melt from the heat emanating from the body of the monster. Typhon, cast down by Zeus into Tartarus, continues to cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Thus, Typhon is the personification of underground forces and volcanic phenomena.

Zeus throws lightning at Typhon

The supreme god of Ancient Greece, Zeus, by lot cast between the brothers, received the sky and the supreme power over all things. He has no power only over fate, personified by his three daughters Moira, spinning the thread of human life.

Although the gods of ancient Greece lived in the air space between heaven and earth, their meeting place was the summit of Mount Olympus, about 3 kilometers high, located in northern Greece.

After Olympus, the twelve main ancient Greek gods are called Olympian (Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, Hestia, Apollo, Artemis, Hephaestus, Ares, Athena, Aphrodite and Hermes). From Olympus, the gods often descended to earth, to people.

The fine arts of ancient Greece represented the god Zeus as a mature man with a full curly beard and shoulder-length wavy hair. Its attributes are thunder and lightning (hence its epithets «thunderer», «lightning bolter», «clouder», «cloud gatherer», etc.), as well as the aegis — a shield made by Hephaestus, shaking which Zeus caused storms and rains (hence the epithet of Zeus » aegiokh» — aegis-dominant). Sometimes Zeus is depicted with Nike — the goddess of victory in one hand, with a scepter in the other and with an eagle sitting at his throne. In ancient Greek literature, the god Zeus is often called Kronid, which means «son of Kronos.»

The first time of the reign of Zeus, according to the concepts of the ancient Greeks, corresponded to the «silver age» (in contrast to the «golden age» — the time of the reign of Kronos). In the «Silver Age» people were rich, enjoyed all the blessings of life, but lost their imperturbable happiness, as they lost their former innocence, they forgot to pay due gratitude to the gods. By this they incurred the wrath of Zeus, who exiled them to the underworld.

After the “silver age”, according to the ideas of the ancient Greeks, the “copper” age came — the age of wars and devastation, then the “iron” age (Hesiod introduces the age of heroes between the copper and iron ages), when the morals of people became so corrupted that the goddess Dick’s justice, and with it Fidelity, Shame and Truthfulness left the earth, and people began to earn their livelihood by the sweat of their brow, with hard work.

Zeus decided to destroy the human race and create a new one. He sent a flood to the earth, from which only the spouses Deucalion and Pyrrha escaped, who became the founders of a new generation of people: at the behest of the gods, they threw stones behind their backs, which turned into people. Men arose from stones thrown by Deucalion, and women from stones thrown by Pyrrha.

In the myths of ancient Greece, the god Zeus distributes good and evil on earth, he established public order, established royal power:

“Thundering, sovereign ruler, retributive judge,
Do you like to have conversations with Themis, sitting bent over”
(from the Homeric hymn to Zeus, st. 2–3; translated by V. V. Veresaev).

Although Zeus was married to his sister, the goddess Hera, other goddesses, nymphs, and even mortal women became the mothers of his many children in ancient Greek legends. So, the Theban princess Antiope gave birth to his twins Zeta and Amphion, the Argive princess Danae gave birth to a son Perseus, the Spartan queen Leda gave birth to Helena and Pollux, the Phoenician princess Europe gave birth to Minos. Many such examples could be cited. This is explained by the fact that, as mentioned above, Zeus supplanted many local gods, whose wives eventually began to be perceived as Zeus’s beloved, for the sake of which he cheated on his wife Hera.

On especially solemn occasions or on very significant occasions, Zeus was brought a «hecatomb» — a great sacrifice of a hundred bulls.

Gods of Ancient Greece — Hera

See separate article Goddess Hera.

The Goddess Hera, who was considered in Ancient Greece the sister and wife of Zeus, was glorified as the patroness of matrimony, the personification of marital fidelity. In ancient Greek literature, she is depicted as a guardian of morality, cruelly persecuting her violators, especially her rivals and even their children. So, Io, the beloved of Zeus, was turned by Hera into a cow (according to other Greek myths, the god Zeus himself turned Io into a cow to hide her from Hera), Callisto into a bear, and the son of Zeus and Alcmene, the mighty hero Hercules, was pursued by the wife of Zeus throughout his life, from infancy. Being the protector of marital fidelity, the goddess Hera punishes not only Zeus’s beloved, but also those who try to persuade her to infidelity to her husband. So, Ixion, taken by Zeus to Olympus, tried to achieve the love of Hera, and for this, at her request, he was not only thrown into Tartarus, but also chained to an ever-rotating fiery wheel.

Hera is an ancient deity worshiped on the Balkan Peninsula even before the arrival of the Greeks. The birthplace of her cult was the Peloponnese. Gradually, other female deities joined in the image of Hera, and she began to be thought of as the daughter of Kronos and Rhea. According to Hesiod, she is the seventh wife of Zeus.

Goddess Hera. Statue of the Hellenistic period

One of the myths of Ancient Greece about the gods tells how Zeus, irritated by Hera’s attempt on his son Hercules, hung her on chains from the sky, tied heavy anvils to her feet, and subjected her to scourging. But this was done in a fit of intense anger. Usually, Zeus treated Hera with such respect that other gods, visiting Zeus at councils and feasts, showed high respect to his wife.

The goddess Hera in ancient Greece was assigned such qualities as lust for power and vanity, pushing her to punish those who put their own or someone else’s beauty above her beauty. Thus, throughout the entire Trojan War, she assists the Greeks in order to punish the Trojans for the preference given by the son of their king, Paris, to Aphrodite over Hera and Athena.

In a marriage with Zeus, Hera gave birth to Hebe — the personification of youth, Ares and Hephaestus. However, according to some legends, she gave birth to Hephaestus alone, without the participation of Zeus, from the scent of flowers, in retaliation for the birth of Athena from his own head.

In ancient Greece, the goddess Hera was depicted as a tall, majestic woman dressed in a long dress and topped with a diadem. In her hand she holds a scepter — a symbol of her supreme power.

Here are the expressions in which the Homeric hymn glorifies the goddess Hera:

“I glorify the Golden Throne Hera, born of Rhea; All the blessed gods on the great Olympus
Reverently revere her on a par with Kronidoma
(st. 1–5; translated by V.V. Veresaev)

God Poseidon

For details, see the article Poseidon, the ancient Greek god

lot, like Zeus — the sky), is depicted as very similar to his brother: he has the same curly full beard as Zeus, the same wavy shoulder-length hair, but he has his own attribute by which it is easy to distinguish him from Zeus — trident; with it he sets in motion and calms the waves of the sea. He rules over the winds; obviously, the concept of earthquakes was associated with the sea in ancient Greece; this explains the epithet «earth shaker» used by Homer in relation to the god Poseidon:

“He shakes the barren land and sea,
He reigns on Helikon and on the wide Eglas. Double
Honor, about the land of the Shaker, the gods have given you:
Wild horses to tame and save ships from the wreck «
(from the Homeric hymn to Poseidon, pp. 2-5; translated by V.V. Veresaev).

The trident, therefore, is needed by Poseidon in order to cause the earth to shake, and in order to move mountains apart, to create valleys abundant in water; with a trident, the god Poseidon can strike a stone rock, and a bright spring of pure water will immediately gush out of it.

Poseidon (Neptune). Antique statue of the 2nd century. AD

Photo by Luis García

According to the myths of ancient Greece, Poseidon had disputes with other gods for the possession of this or that land. So, Argolis was poor in water because, during the dispute between Poseidon and Hera, the hero of Argos, Inah, who was appointed judge, transferred this land to her, and not to him. Attica, on the other hand, was flooded due to the fact that the gods decided the dispute between Poseidon and Athena (who should own this country) in favor of Athena.

The wife of the god Poseidon was considered Amphitrite , the daughter of the Ocean. But Poseidon, like Zeus, had tender feelings for other women. So, the mother of his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus, was the nymph Phoos, the mother of the winged horse Pegasus — the Gorgon Medusa, etc.

secondary places in the world of the gods: the elder Nereus — an ancient sea deity; Nereids (daughters of Nereus) — sea nymphs, among which the most famous are Amphitrite, who became the wife of Poseidon, and Thetis — mother of Achilles. To inspect his possessions — not only the depths of the sea, but also the islands, and coastal lands, and sometimes the lands lying in the depths of the mainland — the god Poseidon set off on a chariot drawn by horses that had fish tails instead of hind legs.

In ancient Greece, the Isthmian Games on Isthma, the Isthmus of Corinth, near the sea were dedicated to Poseidon as the sovereign lord of the seas and patron of horse breeding. There, in the sanctuary of Poseidon, there was an iron statue of this god, erected by the Greeks in honor of their victory at sea, when the Persian fleet was defeated.

Gods of Ancient Greece — Hades

See separate article God Hades.

Hades (Hades), called in Rome Pluto , received the underworld by lot and became its lord. The idea of ​​the ancients about this world is reflected in the ancient Greek names of the underground god: Hades — invisible, Pluto — rich, since all wealth, both mineral and vegetable, is generated by the earth. Hades is the lord of the shadows of the dead, and he is sometimes called Zeus Katakhton — the underground Zeus. Considered in ancient Greece as the personification of the rich bowels of the earth, it was not by chance that Hades turned out to be the husband of Persephone , daughter of the fertility goddess Demeter. This married couple, who did not have children, in the view of the Greeks, was hostile to all life and sent a continuous series of deaths to all living things. Demeter did not want her daughter to remain in the kingdom of Hades, but when she asked Persephone to return to earth, she replied that she had already tasted the “apple of love”, that is, she had eaten part of the pomegranate received from her husband, and could not return. True, she nevertheless spent two-thirds of the year with her mother at the behest of Zeus, because, yearning for her daughter, Demeter stopped sending the harvest and taking care of the ripening of the fruits. Thus, in the myths of Ancient Greece, Persephone personifies the interaction between the goddess of fertility, who gives life, makes the earth bear fruit, and the god of death, who takes life, dragging all the creatures of the earth back into her bosom.

The Kingdom of Hades had different names in Ancient Greece: Hades, Erebus, Orc, Tartarus. The entrance to this kingdom, according to the Greeks, was either in southern Italy, or in Colon, near Athens, or in other places where there were failures and clefts. After death, all people go to the kingdom of the god Hades and, as Homer tells, they drag out a miserable, joyless existence there, deprived of the memory of their earthly life. The gods of the underworld retained full consciousness only for a select few. Of the living, only Orpheus, Hercules, Theseus, Odysseus and Aeneas managed to penetrate into Hades and return to earth. According to the myths of Ancient Greece, the sinister three-headed dog Cerberus sits at the entrance to Hades, snakes move with a formidable hiss on his neck, and he does not allow anyone to leave the kingdom of the dead. Several rivers flow in Hades. Through the Styx, the old boatman Charon transports the souls of the dead, who charged a fee for his work (therefore, a coin was put in the mouth of the deceased so that his soul could pay off Charon). If a person remained unburied, Charon did not let his shadow into his boat, and she was destined to wander the earth forever, which was considered the greatest misfortune in Ancient Greece. A man deprived of a burial will be forever hungry and thirsty, since he will not have a grave where relatives would make libations and leave food for him. Other rivers of the underworld are Acheron, Piriflegeton, Cocytus and Lethe, the river of oblivion (after taking a sip of water from Lethe, the deceased forgot everything. Only after drinking the sacrificial blood, the soul of the deceased temporarily regained its former consciousness and the ability to speak with the living). The souls of a very few chosen ones live separately from other shadows in Elysia (or on the Champs Elysees), mentioned in the Odyssey and in the Theogony: there they dwell in eternal bliss under the auspices of Kronos, as if in the Golden Age; later it was believed that all those initiated into the Eleusinian mysteries fall into Elysium.

Hades with Cerberus

Criminals who have offended the ancient Greek gods in any way suffer eternal torment in the underworld. So, the Phrygian king Tantalus, who offered the meat of his son as food to the gods, forever suffers from hunger and thirst, standing up to his neck in water and seeing ripe fruits next to him, and also is in eternal fear, because a rock ready to collapse hangs over his head. . The Corinthian king Sisyphus always drags a heavy stone up the mountain, which, having barely reached the top of the mountain, rolls down. Sisyphus was punished by the gods for greed and deceit. The Danaids, the daughters of Danae, king of Argos, forever fill a bottomless barrel with water for the murder of their husbands. The Euboean giant Titius, for insulting the goddess Latona, lies prostrate in Tartarus, and two kites forever torment his liver. The god Hades administers his judgment on the dead with the help of three heroes famous for their wisdom — Aeacus, Minos and Rhadamanthus. Aeacus was also considered the gatekeeper of the underworld.

According to the ancient Greeks, the kingdom of the god Hades is immersed in darkness and inhabited by all sorts of terrible creatures and monsters. Among them — the terrible Empusa — a vampire and a werewolf with donkey legs, Erinyes, Harpies — the goddess of the whirlwind, half-woman half-snake Echidna; here is the daughter of Echidna Chimera with the head and neck of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a snake, here are the gods of various dreams. All these demons and monsters are dominated by the three-headed and three-body daughter of Tartarus and Night, the ancient Greek goddess Hekate. Her triple appearance is explained by the fact that she appears on Olympus, on earth, and in Tartarus. But, for the most part, it belongs to the underworld, is the personification of the darkness of the night; she sends bad dreams to people; she is called upon to perform all kinds of witchcraft and spells. Therefore, the service of this goddess was performed at night.

According to the myths of ancient Greece, the Cyclopes forged an invisibility helmet for the god Hades; Obviously, this idea is connected with the idea of ​​the invisible approach of death to its victim.

The god Hades is depicted as a mature man sitting on a throne with a rod or a bident in his hand, with Cerberus at his feet. Sometimes next to him is the goddess Persephone with a pomegranate.

Hades almost never appears on Olympus, so he is not included in the Olympic pantheon.

Goddess Demeter

Demeter was one of the most revered goddesses in ancient Greece, as she bestowed fertility on the earth. She was depicted in a long dress, in a wreath of ears or poppies, sometimes with a bunch of ears or poppy heads in one hand, with a sickle or a torch in the other. The expression of sadness that the artists tried to give to her face is explained by the periodic parting of the goddess Demeter with her daughter Persephone, who was forced to leave her and go to her husband in the underworld. Persephone’s father was Zeus.

Abduction of Persephone. Antique jug, ca. 330-320 BC

The son of Demeter, the giver of all the fruits of the earth and the personification of mother earth herself, in Ancient Greece was considered Plutus, the god of wealth. His father was the Cretan farmer Yasion.

Fleeing from the love encroachments of Poseidon, the god of water elements, Demeter took the form of a mare, but Poseidon caught up with her, turning into an even faster horse. As a result, Demeter gave birth to the talking horse Arion, endowed with extraordinary speed of legs and human intelligence. Like Zeus, the goddess Demeter was considered in ancient Greece as the organizer of civil law and order, as was Hera, the founder of marriage. Therefore, both she and Persephone were called Thesmophores (law-bearers), and the autumn feast of Thesmophoria was dedicated to them, in which only married women took part, moreover, free citizens.

The Eleusinian mysteries (mysteries) were, according to ancient Greek tradition, established by the goddess Demeter herself when she was looking for her daughter abducted by Hades. This is described in the Homeric hymn to Demeter:

They are holy and great. No one should ask questions about them
, nor give an answer to questions:
In great reverence for the immortals, the lips fall silent.
Happy are those of the earthly people who have seen the sacrament.
The one who has nothing to do with them, after death, will never be
To have such a share in the many-gloomy kingdom of the underworld»
(st. 476–482; translated by V. V. Veresaev).

The ancient Greeks considered the growth of fruits a secret that the goddess Demeter reveals only to the initiated. That is why the participants in the Eleusinian mysteries were not supposed to divulge what they saw and heard in the process of performing the rites. Therefore, our information about the actions that took place during the mysteries is very inaccurate. It is assumed that the abduction of Persephone by Hades was imitated there: after all, during the search for her daughter, Demeter taught people in Eleusis to cultivate the land and grow bread.

Gods of Ancient Greece — Hestia

See also separate article Goddess Hestia

In Ancient Greece, each family hearth had an altar to the goddess Hestia, as the hearth symbolized the unity of the family. Hestia was the patroness of family well-being, unanimity and peace. And since the state (i.e., urban) community was thought of as a large family, the goddess had sanctuaries and hearths in the pritanei (the main government or communal buildings in Greek cities), so there were no temples of the goddess Hestia in Ancient Greece. This state hearth was a symbol of civil peace and unity. If the Greek went to a foreign land, he took with him fire from the pritanei, so that far from his homeland he could enjoy the patronage of the native goddess:

“A great honor has been given to you, O Hestia.
Forever to have a stay inside the dwellings of the high
All Olympians and all mortals living on earth.
An excellent and valuable gift to you: people do not have
A feast in which no one, at the beginning of it, would drink a libation
The first to you and the last did not make honey-sweet wine ”
(from the Homeric hymn to Hestia, pp. 1-6; transl. B V. Veresaeva).

Hestia was the protector of the suffering and foreigners. They looked at her as the bearer and patroness of chastity, since fire was considered by the ancients to be the purest of natural phenomena. Hestia obtained permission from Zeus not to marry, although Poseidon and Apollo sought her love.

Goddess Hestia

In ancient Greece, the goddess Hestia was depicted as a tall, slender maiden in long robes, with a veil falling from her head and holding a sacrificial bowl in her hand.

God Ares

Ares, the son of Zeus and Hera, was originally in ancient Greece the god of storms, bad weather, raging elements, destructive to agriculture. Apparently, the myth about sons of the farmer Aloe — Ota and Ephialtes, who tied Ares and kept him in a copper barrel for 13 months until he, completely exhausted, was released by Hermes, is apparently connected with this. But war is also hostile to agriculture, the embodiment of which is the god Ares at a later time. The literary tradition of ancient Greece follows Homer, in whom Ares is the god of a war of extermination, bloodthirsty and merciless, hated even by his father Zeus, since the god Ares is insatiable in enmity and murder and does not distinguish between right and wrong in battle. His appearance is like a storm. Horror seizes both combatants when his cry is heard, like the cry of thousands of warriors in the heat of battle. The appearance of Ares always means the beginning of the massacre. Hence the epithets of the god Ares (in the Iliad) — stormy, bloody, male-destroyer, destroyer of walls, etc.

Ares, god of war. Statue from the villa of Emperor Hadrian

In the Homeric hymn, however, the image of Ares is ennobled, and this is natural for the hymn. Here is how its author refers to the god of war:

“Ares, super-powerful fighter, burden of chariots, gold-helmeted,
Bold stronghold of cities, shield-bearing, copper-armed,
Strong in hand and spear, tireless, protection of Olympus,
Happy Victory parent, helper Themis,
Terrible tyrant for enemies, leader of just men»
(st. 1–5; translated by V. V. Veresaev).

The sons of Ares Phobos (fear) and Deimos (horror) accompany their father in bloody battles.

Of all the regions of ancient Greece, the god Ares was most revered in Laconia, among the warlike Spartans.

Gods of Ancient Greece — Hephaestus

Hephaestus, the son of Zeus and Hera, was at first in Ancient Greece the god of fire escaping from the bowels of the earth. Gradually, the Greeks began to revere Hephaestus as the deity of those crafts that cannot do without fire: blacksmithing, pottery. In Homer, Hephaestus is a «master of both hands»: every skillfully created thing, every artistic product — everything is attributed to the skill of the god Hephaestus (for example, the shield of Achilles). It was Hephaestus who made his aegis for Zeus, forged the weapon for Hercules.

“Together with Athena, he taught glorious trades
to mortal people on earth. Like wild animals,
In the old days they lived in the mountains in caves.
Now, without many labors, trained in all kinds of arts
by the glorious Master Hephaestus, for a whole year
They spend time in their dwellings, not worrying about anything ”
(from the Homeric hymn to Hephaestus, pp. 1-7; transl. V.V. Veresaev).

A distinctive feature of Hephaestus is his lameness, which, obviously, was a mystery to the ancient Greeks themselves. Therefore, several stories have been invented to explain such a strange attribute. The Iliad, for example, tells that when, during one of the quarrels between Zeus and Hera, Hephaestus stood up for his mother, Zeus in anger threw him from heaven to earth, as a result of which Hephaestus fell on the island of Lemnos and broke his leg. Of all the regions of ancient Greece, the god Hephaestus was especially honored on the island of Lemnos, where his temple was located at the foot of the now extinct volcano. That is why the aforementioned fall connects him with this island; hence the epithet of Hephaestus «Lemnos god». According to another ancient Greek myth, Hephaestus was born a lame and frail child; Hera, annoyed by this, pushed her newborn son off Olympus, and he fell into the sea; the sea gods picked him up. Hephaestus grew up in their dwelling, learned his art. Hephaestus harbored anger at his mother for a long time and finally decided to take revenge on her for throwing him off Olympus. He made a golden chair for Hera. Having received a chair as a gift, Hera was delighted, sat down in it, but could not get up until her son freed her mother from the invisible fetters that chained her to the chair. After that, Hephaestus remained to live on Olympus.

In our time, the lameness of the god Hephaestus is explained in different ways, but, of course, not with the help of myth, but with the help of our information about the life and worldview of the ancient Greeks. It is possible that the hesitant gait of the lame god personified for the ancients the uneven whimsical flashes of fire. But more truly, another thing is that the trait that the ancient Greeks observed in artisans, who were mostly crippled, was involuntarily transferred to the blacksmith god, which deprived them of the opportunity to engage in agriculture or military service, i.e., labors befitting a free person .

There is a well-known sculpture of the god Hephaestus in the form of a bearded man in a light apron, replacing any kind of clothing, and in a cap (a common headdress of Greek artisans). But, despite his physical handicap, a “low” occupation, despite the fact that at the feasts of the ancient Greek gods Hephaestus served as the subject of “Homeric laughter”, when, hobbling around the table, pouring nectar into goblets, he married the most beautiful goddess — Aphrodite . Obviously, this marriage symbolized the beauty of the products of Hephaestus, especially since according to another myth common in ancient Greece, his wife is Aglaya — one of the charites (grace), the embodiment of grace.

Goddess Aphrodite

The ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite, the daughter of Uranus, born from sea foam near the island of Cyprus, is an ancient deity of the productive forces of nature. The later Aphrodite, the daughter of Zeus and Dione, personified earthly love. But the ancient Greeks did not make a difference between these two deities, for them it is the same goddess, only in ancient Greek literature she is called either foam-born or the daughter of Zeus.

Born at sea, Aphrodite came to land on the island of Cyprus (a light, caressing breeze carried her there), hence one of her common names in Ancient Greece — Cyprida. Her name is also Kythera (Cythera), since her cult was very developed on the island of Cythera.

Aphrodite de Milo. Statue ca. 130-100 BC Photo by Shawn Lipowski

As the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite is depicted naked or only slightly covered. Nudity is the main attribute of this goddess, who in ancient Greece embodied the ideal of beauty.

Here is how the author of the Homeric hymn to Aphrodite characterizes the role of this goddess in the life of nature:

“Muse! Tell the singer about the affairs of the multi-gold Cyprida!
She awakened sweet lust in the souls of people,
The tribes subjugated earthly people to their power,
All kinds of birds and animals flying in the high sky,
No matter how many of them the land or the sea provides food,
Equally close to the hearts is what Kythera creates ”
(v. 1-6; transl. B V. Veresaeva).

Companions of the goddess Aphrodite — Charita, Mountains, Himeros (love yearning), Pothos (desire), Peyto (belief).

The marriage of the goddess Aphrodite with Hephaestus was fruitless. The father of her children — Harmonia and Eros — is considered Ares (sometimes other gods), who was known as the beloved of Aphrodite. The Odyssey tells how one day the god Hephaestus caught his wife in the thinnest golden net he had placed when she was in the arms of Ares, and how the gods laughed, whom Hephaestus invited to verify his wife’s betrayal.

In the coastal regions of ancient Greece, Aphrodite, the goddess born from sea foam, was honored as the mistress of the sea waves and prayed for a safe voyage.

“Smiling”, “golden” Aphrodite is just as vindictive as other Olympians, she just as cruelly punishes mortals who do not want to obey her. Aphrodite mercilessly dealt with the chaste youth Hippolytus, separated the lovers Hippomenes and Atalanta, who forgot to pay her due honors; she made the cold youth Narcissus fall in love with himself. But great love is encouraged and rewarded by the goddess Aphrodite, if the lovers do not forget to turn to her with a prayer and make her a proper sacrifice. So, as a reward for the love of the sculptor Pygmalion for the Galatea sculpted by him, Aphrodite, having favorably accepted the sacrifice from him, revived the statue.

Aphrodite also had a mortal lover, Anchises; she bore him Aeneas, a Trojan hero whose descendants founded Rome.

Gods of Ancient Greece — Eros

Eros was first known as a cosmic force generated by Chaos, later — as the god of love, the son of Aphrodite, who appears both in literature and in the fine arts of Ancient Greece as a child with a quiver and with arrows, like a youth. Eros’s companions are numerous «erotes» — the children of the nymphs accompanying Aphrodite. They shoot at the hearts of mere mortals, while Eros sends arrows into the hearts of gods and heroes.

Hymen, the god of marriage, according to some myths — the son of Aphrodite, according to others — her companion, the son of one of the muses. Hermaphrodite is the son of Aphrodite and Hermes.

Goddess Pallas Athena

For more details, see the article Pallas Athena, goddess

The ancient Greek goddess Pallas Athena is the beloved daughter of Zeus, born from his head. When Zeus’s beloved oceanid Metis (goddess of reason) was expecting a child who, according to a prediction, was to surpass her father in strength, Zeus slyly made her decrease in size and swallowed. But the fetus with which Metis was pregnant did not die, but continued to develop in his head. At the request of Zeus, Hephaestus (according to another myth, Prometheus) chopped his head with an ax, and the goddess Athena jumped out of it in full military armor.

Birth of Athena from the head of Zeus. Drawing on an amphora of the second half of the 6th century. BC

“Before auspicious Zeus
She quickly jumped to the ground from his eternal head,
shaking with a sharp spear. Under the heavy leap of the light-eyed
The great Olympus wavered, groaned terribly
The surrounding lands lay, the wide sea trembled
And it boiled with crimson waves … ”
(from the Homeric hymn to Athena, pp. 7-8; translated by V.V. Veresaev).

Being the daughter of Metis, the goddess Athena herself became «Polymetis» (multi-thinking), the goddess of reason and intelligent war. If the god Ares revels in all bloodshed, being the personification of a disastrous war, then the goddess Athena introduces an element of humanity into the war. In Homer, Athena says that the gods do not leave unpunished the use of poisoned arrows. If the appearance of Ares is terrifying, then the presence of Athena in battle disciplines, inspires and brings reconciliation. Thus, in her person, the ancient Greeks opposed reason to brute force.

Being an ancient Mycenaean deity, Athena concentrated in her hands the control of many natural phenomena and aspects of life: at one time she was the mistress of the heavenly elements, and the goddess of fertility, and the healer, and the patroness of peaceful labor; she taught people to build houses, bridle horses, etc.

Gradually, ancient Greek myths began to limit the activities of the goddess Athena to war, bringing rationality into people’s actions and women’s craft (spinning, weaving, embroidery, etc. ). In this respect, she is related to Hephaestus, but Hephaestus is the elemental side of the craft, associated with fire; in Athena, the mind also prevails in crafting: if to give nobility to the art of Hephaestus, his union with Aphrodite or Charita was needed, then the goddess Athena herself is perfection, the personification of cultural progress in everything. Athena was honored everywhere in Greece, but especially in Attica, which she won in a dispute with Poseidon. In Attica, she was a beloved deity, in her honor the main city of Attica was named Athens.

The name «Pallas» apparently appeared after the merging of the cult of Athena with the cult of the ancient deity Pallantus, who, in the view of the Greeks, was a giant defeated by Athena during the war of the gods with the giants.

As a warrior she is Pallas, as a patroness in peaceful life she is Athena. Her epithets are “blue-eyed”, “owl-eyed” (the owl as a symbol of wisdom was the sacred bird of Athena), Ergana (worker), Tritogenea (an epithet of unclear meaning). In ancient Greece, the goddess Athena was depicted in different ways, but most often in a long sleeveless robe, with a spear and a shield, in a helmet and with an aegis on her chest, on which the head of Medusa, presented to her by Perseus, was fixed; sometimes with a snake (a symbol of healing), sometimes with a flute, since the ancient Greeks believed that Athena invented this instrument.

The goddess Athena was not married, she was not subject to the charms of Aphrodite, therefore her main temple, located in the acropolis, was called the Parthenon (parthenos — virgin). In the Parthenon, a huge “chryselephantine” (that is, made of gold and ivory) statue of Athena with Nike in her right hand (the work of Phidias) was installed. Not far from the Parthenon, inside the walls of the acropolis, stood another statue of Athena, bronze; the gleam of her spear was visible to the sailors approaching the city.

In the Homeric hymn, Athena is called the city defender. Indeed, in the period of ancient Greek history we are studying, Athena is a purely urban deity, unlike, for example, Demeter, Dionysus, Pan, etc.

God Apollo (Phoebus)

For more details, see the article Apollo, ancient Greek god

According to the myths of Ancient Greece, when the mother of the gods Apollo and Artemis, the beloved of Zeus, Latona (Leto) was to become a mother, she was severely persecuted by Hera , the jealous and ruthless wife of Zeus. Everyone was afraid of Hera’s wrath, so Latona was driven from everywhere, wherever she stopped. And only the island of Delos, wandering, like Latona (according to legend, it was once floating), understood the suffering of the goddess and accepted her to his land. He was, moreover, seduced by her promise to give birth to a great god on his land, for whom there, on Delos, a sacred grove would be laid out and a beautiful temple erected.

On the land of Delos, the goddess Latona gave birth to twins — the gods Apollo and Artemis, who received epithets in honor of him — Delius and Delia.

Phoebus-Apollo is the most ancient deity of Asia Minor origin. Once he was revered as the guardian of herds, roads, travelers, sailors, as the god of medical art. Gradually, he took one of the leading places in the pantheon of ancient Greece. His two names reflect his dual nature: clear, bright (Phoebus) and destructive (Apollo). Gradually, the cult of Apollo supplanted in ancient Greece the cult of Helios, originally revered as the deity of the sun, and became the personification of sunlight. The rays of the sun, life-giving, but sometimes deadly (causing drought), were perceived by the ancient Greeks as the arrows of the “silver-bowed”, “far-striking” god, therefore the bow is one of the constant attributes of Phoebus. His other attribute of Apollo — the lyre or cithara — is shaped like a bow. God Apollo is the most skilled musician and patron of music. When he appears with a lyre at the feasts of the gods, he is accompanied by muses — goddesses of poetry, arts and sciences. The Muses are the daughters of Zeus and the goddess of memory Mnemosyne. There were nine muses: Calliope — the muse of the epic, Euterpe — the muse of lyrics, Erato — the muse of love poetry, Polyhymnia — the muse of hymns, Melpomene — the muse of tragedy, Thalia — the muse of comedy, Terpsichore — the muse of dances, Clio — the muse of history and Urania — the muse of astronomy. The mountains of Helikon and Parnassus were considered the favorite places for the Muses to stay. Here is how the author of the Homeric hymn to the Pythian Apollo describes Apollo-Musagetes (leader of the Muses):

“The Immortals smell fragrant on the god of clothes. Strings
Passionately under the plectrum sound golden on the divine lyre.
Thoughts quickly moved from the earth to Olympus, from there
He enters the chambers of Zeus, into the assembly of other immortals.
Immediately everyone’s desire appears for songs and lyres.
The beautiful Muses begin the song with interchangeable choirs…”
(vv. 6–11; translated by VV Veresaev).

The laurel wreath on the head of the god Apollo is a memory of his beloved, the nymph Daphne, who turned into a laurel tree, preferring death to the love of Phoebus.

Apollo’s medical functions gradually passed to his son Asclepius and granddaughter Hygiea, the goddess of health.

In the archaic era, Apollo the archer becomes the most popular god among the ancient Greek aristocracy. In the city of Delphi, there was the main sanctuary of Apollo — the Delphic oracle, where both private individuals and statesmen came for predictions and advice.

Apollo is one of the most formidable gods of Ancient Greece. Other gods are even a little afraid of Apollo. Here is how it is told about it in the hymn to Apollo of Delos:

“He will pass through the house of Zeus — all the gods, and they will tremble.
Jumping up from their chairs, they stand in fear when he
Comes closer and draws his shining bow.
Only Leto remains near the lightning-loving Zeus;
The goddess opens the bow and closes the quiver with a lid,
Removes weapons from Phoebe’s powerful shoulders with her hands
And on a golden peg on a pillar near the seat of Zeus
Hangs a bow and a quiver; Apollo sits in a chair.
In a golden bowl for him, dear welcoming son,
Father gives nectar. And then the rest of the deities
also sit on their chairs. And Summer’s heart rejoices,
Rejoicing that she has given birth to an onion-bearing, powerful son”
(v. 2–13; translated by V. V. Veresaev).

In ancient Greece, the god Apollo was portrayed as a slender young man with wavy curls to his shoulders. He is either naked (the so-called Apollo Belvedere has only a light veil falling from his shoulders) and holds a shepherd’s staff or a bow in his hands (Apollo Belvedere has a quiver with arrows behind his shoulders), or in long robes, in a laurel wreath and with a lyre in his hands — this Apollo Musaget or Kifared.

Apollo Belvedere. Statue by Leohar. OK. 330-320 B.C. (foreign) instruments — flute and pipes. No wonder the goddess Athena refused the flute, giving it to the lower deity, the satyr Marsyas, because when playing this instrument, her cheeks puffed out ugly.

Gods of Ancient Greece – Artemis

Artemis, the sister of Apollo, was in Ancient Greece the goddess of hunting, the patroness of forests and their wild population, as well as springs and wet meadows, the giver of dew. She personified the moon, displacing the more ancient moon goddess, Selene. As a hunting goddess, Artemis is depicted by the ancient Greeks in a short dress (a long dress would prevent her from running through the forests) with a doe at her feet; as the goddess of the moon — in a long dress, with a torch in her hand.

Being the personification of the moon, the lamp of the night, Artemis was revered as an assistant in childbirth, when the baby emerges from night into day. Hence the epithet of Artemis — Eilithia (Ilithia).

But the main business of the goddess Artemis is hunting. Here are the expressions in which she is spoken of in the Homeric hymn:

“My song is to the gold-shooting and noise-loving Artemis;
Enjoying the hunt, she is on the peaks open to the wind,
And on the shady spurs he strains his all-golden bow,
Sending groaning arrows at the animals.
Heads of high mountains tremble in fear. Dense forest thickets
Groan terribly from the roar of beasts. The land trembles
And the many-fish sea”
(v. 1–9; translated by V. V. Veresaev).

According to the myths of Ancient Greece, the goddess Artemis hunted along with her companions, the nymphs of the springs, who took a vow of celibacy, since their goddess was not married. If the nymph broke the vow, she was expelled from the retinue of Artemis. Such a fate befell, for example, the Arcadian nymph Callisto , once beloved friend of the goddess. Callisto could resist the love of mortals, but how not to fall into the arms of Zeus himself? Once, after a hunt, the goddess Artemis entered her sacred grove, where there was a source of clear water. «Here we will swim!» she said to the nymphs. They were obedient and immediately threw off their dresses. Only Callisto did not dare to undress, but Artemis looked at her suspiciously, and the nymph was also forced to take off her dress. Everyone saw that she was to become a mother, and the goddess Artemis, in anger, drove her former friend away. The jealous wife of Zeus found out about this and decided to punish Callisto even more severely. After Callisto gave birth to a son, Hera turned her into a bear. Since then, the terrible bear wandered through the forests near the place where her son grew up among people. When the boy was 15 years old, he went hunting and met his mother on one of the animal trails. She recognized him and roared: after all, her maternal tenderness could only be expressed by a bear’s roar. Rearing up, she went to him, but the boy, who knew nothing about the fate of his mother, raised a spear, and, obviously, would have killed her if the omniscient goddess Artemis had not torn them off the ground at that very moment and placed them among the constellations . Since then, they have been shining in the sky — Ursa Major and her guardian Bootes, whose stars the son of Callisto turned into.

The hunter Actaeon was severely punished by the chaste Artemis because he accidentally saw her nakedness: she turned him into a deer, and Actaeon’s dogs, not recognizing the master, tore him to pieces. Judging by the abundance of the epithets of Artemis (Kynthia, Tauropol, Ortia, etc.), several local deities united in her person. Greek myths about Artemis are associated with stories of human sacrifice, which testifies to the antiquity of the cult of this deity.

God Hermes

God Hermes was considered in ancient Greece the son of Zeus and the Pleiades Mayi (Pleiades — daughters of Atlas, supporting the firmament, and the oceanides of Pleione). He was born in Arcadia, in a cave in Mount Kyllene. In the Homeric hymn, it is said about him like this: the gods were to come”
(vv. 13–16; translated by V. V. Veresaev).

The «glorious deeds» of Hermes began on the fourth day of his birth. Taking advantage of his mother’s absence, he climbed out of the cradle and out of the cave. Finding a tortoise, he killed it and made a lyre from its shell and three branches (Hermes is considered the inventor of the lyre), pulling sweet-sounding strings over it. Returning to the cave, Hermes hid the lyre in his bed, and he himself set off towards new adventures. The most significant of these was that he met a herd of cows belonging to Apollo. Immediately Hermes remembered that his mother lives in poverty, separated fifty cows from the herd and, tying bunches of grass to their feet so that they cover their tracks, drove them along tangled paths to the cave of Mount Kyllene. Then Hermes turned the cows with their tails forward in case they did leave tracks, and, driving them into the cave, carefully hid them.

When the god Apollo, the owner of the herd, became aware that Hermes had stolen his cows, and he came to Maya’s dwelling, Hermes lay innocently in the cradle and played with his swaddling clothes:

“Boy! You! In the cradle! Show me where the cows are?
Live! Otherwise, we will part wrongly with you today!
(Art. 254–255; translated by V. V. Veresaev).

This is how the god Apollo addressed Hermes, but the son of Maya answered with surprise that he had recently been born, did not even know what a “cow” was, and now thinks only of sleep, mother’s milk and his diapers. And in general, if anyone heard Apollo, they would laugh at him: how can a newborn baby steal cows?

“So he answered and began to wink frequently with his eyes,
Move his eyebrows, whistle drawlingly and look around,
To show how absurd he considers Apollo’s speech”
(pp. 278–280; translated by V.V. Veresaev ).

Seeing that it was useless to argue with Hermes, Apollo pulled him out of the cradle and carried him to Zeus. At first, Hermes continued to deny his involvement in the theft of cows on Olympus, but Zeus, laughing, ordered him to return the herd to Apollo. Hermes had the prudence not to quarrel with his father, but when Apollo brought him back to his cave, the son of Maia played the lyre made of a turtle, and Apollo, delighted with the music, willingly agreed to exchange: he left the cows to Hermes, and received the lyre in eternity. use. Since then, a close friendship developed between Hermes and Apollo.

This story reveals many traits inherent in the god Hermes. It is no coincidence that he steals cows and nothing else. The most ancient deity of the ancient Greek region of Arcadia, later ranked among the Olympic gods, Hermes was first revered as the personification of the forces of nature, then as the god of cattle breeding and the patron of shepherds, and since the abundance of livestock is wealth, Hermes was revered as the giver of all blessings. With the development of profitable trade in ancient Greece, the god Hermes began to be revered as the god of trade, the patron of merchants. A trade deal is already contained in the above story — the exchange of cows for a lira.

Forethought, crafty speech, cheating, and sometimes theft — all this is connected with trade, and therefore in Ancient Greece the god Hermes turned out to be the patron of rogues and swindlers and the initiator of eloquence.

Trade is always associated with movement, and Hermes became the patron of roads in Ancient Greece. That is why in Attica, every two thousand steps, there were pillars dedicated to Hermes — the so-called herms. Each traveler had to place a stone near such a herm. This served to clear the fields of stones. Later, herms began to be decorated with an archaic image of the god Hermes — a bearded head.

V-IV centuries. BC e. the ancient Greeks depicted Hermes as a young man in winged sandals or in a winged cap, indicating the ability of this god to move quickly. Sometimes in his hand you can see the caduceus — the winged rod of the messenger: after all, Hermes is the messenger of Zeus.

In ancient Greece, the god Hermes was also revered as a guide of souls to the underworld.

The eloquence of Hermes manifested itself in the story of Io, the beloved of Zeus, who was turned into a cow. Hera appointed a hundred-eyed Argus, the personification of the starry sky, to Io. Zeus sent Hermes to free Io. Hermes put Argus to sleep with his stories and playing the flute, and when all 100 eyes of Argus closed, he killed him, and has since been called the Argoslayer. With the eyes of Argus, Hera adorned the tail of her sacred bird, the peacock.

Among the children of Hermes, the most famous are: Pan, which will be discussed below, Hermaphrodite and the famous thief Autolycus, the grandfather of the cunning Odysseus.

God Dionysus

For more details see the article Dionysus, ancient Greek god BC e. gained immense popularity among the common people, as opposed to Apollo, whose cult was popular with the aristocracy.

However, this rapid growth in the popularity of Dionysus was, as it were, the second birth of the god: his cult existed as early as the 2nd millennium BC. e., but then was almost forgotten. Homer does not mention Dionysus, and this testifies to the unpopularity of his cult in the era of the domination of the aristocracy, at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. e.

An archaic image of Dionysus, such as the god was thought, apparently, before the change in the cult — a mature man with a long beard; in the 5th-4th centuries. BC e. The ancient Greeks depicted Bacchus as a pampered, even somewhat effeminate youth with grapes or an ivy wreath on his head, and this change in the external appearance of the god testifies to a change in his cult. It is no coincidence that in ancient Greece there were several myths that told about the struggle with which the cult of Dionysus was introduced, and about the resistance that met his appearance in Greece. One of these myths is the basis of the tragedy of Euripides «Bacchae». Through the mouth of Dionysus himself, Euripides very plausibly tells the story of this god: Dionysus was born in Greece, but was forgotten in his homeland and returned to his country only after he gained popularity and established his cult in Asia. He had to overcome resistance in Greece, not because he was a stranger there, but because he brought with him an orgiasm alien to Ancient Greece.

Indeed, the Bacchic festivities (orgies) in the classical era of Ancient Greece were ecstatic, and the moment of ecstasy was obviously the new element that was introduced during the revival of the cult of Dionysus and was the result of the merger of the cult of Dionysus with eastern fertility deities (for example, coming with Balkan by the cult of Sabasia).

In ancient Greece, the god Dionysus was considered the son of Zeus and Semele, daughter of the Theban king Cadmus. The goddess Hera hated Semele and wanted to destroy her. She convinced Semele to ask Zeus to appear to her mortal lover in the guise of a god with thunder and lightning, which he never did (appearing to mortals, he changed his appearance). When Zeus approached the house of Semele, lightning slipped out of his hand and hit the house; in the flames of a fire that broke out, Semele died, giving birth before her death to a weak, unable to live child. But Zeus did not let his son die. Green ivy grew out of the ground, which covered the child from the fire. Zeus then took the rescued son and sewed him into his thigh. In the body of Zeus, Dionysus grew stronger and was born a second time from the thigh of a thunderer. According to the myths of Ancient Greece, Dionysus was brought up by mountain nymphs and the demon Silenus, whom the ancients imagined as an eternally drunk, cheerful old man, devoted to his pupil-god.

The secondary introduction of the cult of the god Dionysus was reflected in a number of stories not only about the god’s arrival in Greece from Asia, but also about his ship travels in general. Already in the Homeric hymn we find the story of Dionysus moving from the island of Ikaria to the island of Naxos. Not knowing that God was in front of them, the robbers seized the handsome young man, tied him with rods and loaded him onto a ship in order to sell him into slavery or get a ransom for him. But on the way, the fetters fell off the hands and feet of Dionysus, and miracles began to happen before the robbers:

“Sweet, first of all, throughout the high-speed ship everywhere
Suddenly fragrant wine murmured, and an ambrosial
The smell rose around. The sailors looked on in amazement.
Instantly stretched out, clinging to the highest sail,
Vines hither and thither, and clusters hung in abundance…”
(vv. 35–39; translated by V. V. Veresaev).

Turning into a lion, Dionysus tore the leader of the pirates to pieces. The rest of the pirates, with the exception of the wise helmsman, whom Dionysus spared, threw themselves into the sea and turned into dolphins.

The miracles described in this ancient Greek hymn — the spontaneous fall of shackles, the appearance of fountains of wine, the transformation of Dionysus into a lion, etc., are characteristic of the ideas about Dionysus. In myths and in the fine arts of ancient Greece, the god Dionysus is often represented as a goat, bull, panther, lion, or with the attributes of these animals.

Dionysus and satyrs. Painter Brigos, Attica. OK. 480 b.c. The attribute of the Bacchantes and the god Dionysus himself is thyrsus (a stick entwined with ivy). This god has many names and epithets: Iakh (screaming), Bromius (wildly noisy), Bassarei (the etymology of the word is unclear). One of the names (Lei) is obviously associated with the feeling of liberation from worries experienced when drinking wine, and with the orgiastic nature of the cult, freeing a person from ordinary prohibitions.

Pan and forest deities

In ancient Greece, Pan was the god of forests, patron of pastures, flocks and shepherds. The son of Hermes and the nymph Dryope (according to another myth, the son of Zeus), he was born with goat horns and goat legs, because the god Hermes, caring for his mother, took the form of a goat:

, noisy
Wanders through mountain oak forests, under the dark canopy of trees,
Nymphs from the tops of rocky cliffs call him,
Pan they call with curly dirty wool,
God of the merry pastures. Rocks were given as inheritance,
Snowy mountain domes, paths of flinty cliffs”
(from the Homeric hymn to Pan, pp. 2–7; translated by VV Veresaev).

Unlike the satyrs, who had the same appearance, Pan was depicted by the ancient Greeks with a flute in his hands, while satyrs — with grapes or ivy.

The origin of the pipe of the god Pan is similar to the origin of the laurel wreath of Apollo: Pan fell in love with a beautiful nymph Siringu ; one day he wanted to approach her, but Syringa looked at him and fled in fear. Pan mouth And on a golden peg on a pillar near the seat of Zeus — the personification of the starry sky. Zeus sent Hermes to free Io. Hermes put Argus to sleep with his stories and playing the flute, and when all 100 eyes of Argus closed, he killed him, and has since been called the Argoslayer. With the eyes of Argus, Hera adorned the tail of her sacred bird, the peacock. Fleeing from him, the nymph turned into a reed, from which Pan made a seven-barreled musical instrument (σϋριγξ — pipe). The Metamorphoses of Ovid tells the ancient Greek myth about how Pan challenged Apollo to a musical competition, and the Phrygian king Midas, who was given judicial powers in this competition, gave preference to Pan (according to another version, the judge was Tmol, the god of the mountain), for that Apollo pulled out his ears, made them ass. But Midas hid his ears under a wig, which only the royal barber knew about. Tortured by the impossibility of sharing a secret known to him alone with someone, the barber dug a hole in the ground and said there: «King Midas has donkey ears. » And although the barber filled up the hole, the whole world learned the secret of Midas, because the reed that grew in the place of the hole whispered in the wind: “King Midas has donkey ears!”

Following the example of the ancient Greek shepherds, the god Pan led a nomadic life, wandering through the forests, resting in remote caves and instilling “panic fear” on lost travelers.

There were many forest gods in Ancient Greece, and in contrast to the main deity they were called panisks.

Gods of Ancient Greece: list and description

Greece is inconceivable without mythology. When we talk about this state, the name Olympus itself comes to mind — the sacred mountain where Zeus and other supreme deities ruled. Almighty Gods of Ancient Greece — they are immortal, capricious, endowed with the virtues and shortcomings of people. They sin, they love, they take revenge, like mere mortals, but at the same time they are formidable, cruel, being and magnanimous.

Legends and myths of Olympus: a list and description of 12 gods

The legends of the Olympic gods passed from generation to generation, and had a huge impact on world culture. Plots from ancient Greek mythology were present in literature, poetry, painting, sculpture, and music. They «influenced» almost all spheres of human life, as they reflected people’s ideas about the structure of the world.

The information that has come down to our times about the legends and tales of Ancient Greece came from the works of Homer, Ovid, Nonnus, Euripides. So, by the “Olympic” period of the development of society, all myths were associated with Mount Olympus, where 12 deities headed by Zeus sat (although their number does not always coincide).

According to ancient Greek myths, before the «central» Gods ascended to Olympus, Chaos existed on Earth, which gave rise to Eternal Gloom and dark Night. From them came Eternal Light and bright Day. Thus, night began to replace day, and day to night, forever and ever.

The mighty Goddess Gaia (Earth), also arising from Chaos, gave birth to the Sky (Uranus), Mountains and the Sea. And then Uranus took Gaia as his wife. From this union were born six Titans and six Daughters. From their connection with each other, rivers, winds, stars, rains, the moon appeared in the world.

In addition, three cyclops and three giants were born to Gaia, each of which had 50 heads and 100 arms. Uranus saw these monsters and hated them, because they were with a violent character and mighty strength. Uranus imprisoned them in the bowels of the Earth, but she secretly rescued them and persuaded them to rebel against their father. Only one, the youngest of the brothers named Kronos, managed to take power from Uranus.

Then the goddess Night gave birth to death, discord, deceit, nightmares, destruction and revenge. Kronos began to rule in a world where struggle, horror and misfortune reigned. So the Night punished the cunning Kronos.

Most of all, he was afraid that his children could finish him off at any moment, just like he did with his father. And then he called his wife Rhea to him, and ordered her to bring the children that were born. All of them — Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades and Poseidon — merciless Kronos swallowed. But there was also a sixth child — Zeus. Instead, Rhea gave her husband a stone wrapped in cloth, as if it were a baby in swaddling clothes. And she, secretly from her ruthless husband, went to the island of Crete, where she gave birth to a baby in a dark cave.

Zeus

Kronos, the king of the Titans, found out about the forgery and began to search for his son all over the Earth. The boy was guarded by Kurets — according to one version, these creatures were born from the tears of little Zeus. They made an incredible noise when he cried, for with his loud voice he could attract the attention of an abusive parent.

Zeus grew up, went to war with his father, overthrew him from the throne and imprisoned him in Tartarus — an abyss from which it is impossible to exit. But first he made him vomit up all the swallowed children, made his brothers and sisters Gods and reigned over the world, sitting on Olympus.

Zeus is the supreme God, patron of the Sky, Thunder and Lightning. Artists depict him as a strong and powerful man in years, with rich hair and a gray beard. He sits on a throne and holds a shield and a labrys (double-sided ax) in his hands. Hera was the wife of the Thunderer.

Zeus is often presented as punishing and cruel, but he «arranged» people’s lives, gave them fate, law, conscience and goodness, and in contrast to them — evil and shamelessness. He is the defender of the offended and humiliated, the patron of kings, the formidable guardian of traditions, order in the world and family.

Hera

Wife of Zeus, chief of the Goddesses of Olympus. She patronizes family ties, keeps family relationships, helps women during childbirth.

Hera is also the daughter of Kronos and Rhea. When she was still a girl, Zeus fell in love with her, and in order for her to pay attention to him, he turned into a cuckoo, and Hera caught her. However, in family life, she experienced excruciating jealousy for her husband, who quenched his sexual hunger with both goddesses and earthly women. She constantly sent disasters and misfortunes to her husband’s mistresses.

Hera is the beauty of beauties. Every year she bathed in magical springs to become a virgin again. They depicted the Goddess as a stately and noble lady, with a diadem or crown on her head, with a cuckoo or a peacock, sometimes with a horse’s head.

Poseidon

God of the water element, son of Kronos and Rhea, brother of Zeus, patron of fishermen and horse breeders. In character and appearance, Poseidon was like his thunder brother. In painting and sculpture, he was depicted as a powerful man with strong arms and legs, with a powerful torso.

His face is never calm, but angry and menacing. The invariable attribute of Poseidon is a trident. By waving it, the ruler of the seas could cause a storm or, conversely, make the water element calm down in an instant. Poseidon moves across the sea in a chariot with white horses. His wife is Amphitrite.

Hades

God of the underworld Hades was the eldest son of Kronos and Rhea. At the same time, he was revered as the patron saint of the harvest, because everything that grows comes from the bowels of the earth. Hades was called «hospitable» because he «waited» and «welcomed» every mortal in his kingdom. Hades was one of the 3 main gods, along with the brothers Zeus and Poseidon, who defeated the Titans.

The god of the underworld was rarely portrayed. If the image took place, then it looked like this: a gloomy man of mature age in dark clothes, powerful, on a golden throne, with a three-headed dog Cerberus at his feet, guarding the entrance to the kingdom of the dead. Next to Hades was his beautiful wife, the daughter of Demeter and the queen of the dead, Persephone, whom he once stole from a flowering meadow. Hades held a bident in his hands (sometimes it was a rod or a cornucopia).

Demeter

The beginning of Spring was associated with her, the goddess of prosperity and fertility. Demeter’s parents Zeus and Rhea. Demeter has a beautiful appearance and light thick curls. Basically, she was revered as the guardian of life and the goddess of agriculture. She was depicted with a basket full of fruits, a cornucopia and a poppy.

The most famous legend about Demeter and her daughter Persephone, who was kidnapped by Hades. Mother left Olympus and wandered the Earth in search of her missing daughter. Demeter grieved greatly for Persephone, even the harvest stopped growing. Hunger set in and people began to die. The gods were surprised why people stopped offering sacrifices to them, and complained about this to Zeus. Then he sent for Demeter to Earth to be found and returned to Olympus. But she did not want to return to the Gods. Then Zeus ordered Hades to present his daughter to Demeter.

Hades could not disobey his formidable brother, however, he came up with a trick so that Persephone would return back to him by sprinkling pomegranate seeds on her. Demeter, seeing her daughter, rejoiced. Zeus ordered Persephone to visit his mother for a third of the year, and the rest of the time with his spouse. Mourning for the Mother ended forever, and she decorated her head with a cornflower blue wreath. In honor of the joyful event, the Goddess taught people to sow cereals and cultivate wheat. In painting, Demeter was portrayed as a girl with a wreath of ears or a grieving mother.

Apollo

The most beautiful god of Olympus Apollo was the son of Zeus and the Titanides Leto. He was incredibly revered in Greece, because he was the patron of art, muses and healing. He is an excellent shooter and a virtuoso musician, which is why he was depicted with a bow and lyre.

Apollo is young, beautiful and strong: at the Olympic Games he won a fist fight against Ares (God of War) himself. He had no wife, and more than 70 children. Mythology ascribes to him numerous connections with goddesses, mortal women, and even with young men.

She personified faith in victory, wisdom and the power of military strategy. Athena patronized arts, crafts, science and knowledge.

Due to her unusual appearance, the goddess of war is easy to distinguish in paintings and sculptures. Her clothes are a linen dress, armor, a helmet. In the hands — always a spear, near her — a chariot. Athena has a strong-willed face, a clear look and gray expressive eyes, blond long hair. Her appearance expresses calmness and determination.

It is not entirely clear who Athena’s parents are. According to one version, he was Zeus, who gave birth to her alone.

HERMES One very nice, judging by the ancient images, a god named Hermes was known as a famous rogue and thief. He was born to the Pleiades Maya by Zeus. Being just a baby, Hermes committed his first theft — he stole 50 cows from Apollo. After a good «bashing» from dad, the kid pointed out where he hid the cattle. True, later Zeus repeatedly turned to a smart child to carry out his orders. Once he asked Hermes to steal a cow from Hera: Io, the beloved of the Thunderer, turned into her.

Hermes is very resourceful: he invented writing, patronizes trade and banking, astrology, alchemy and magic. He conveys «important» messages to people from the gods through dreams. Hermes is young and quick. He showed signs of attention to Aphrodite, but she rejected him. Hermes has many children, as well as lovers, but no wife. In fine art and sculpture, he was depicted wearing a winged hat and winged sandals.

Hephaestus

Nothing is easy with this god. There are several versions of his birth, one of which says that Hera, the wife of Zeus, gave birth to him from her thigh. And she became pregnant herself, not from her husband. So she wanted to take revenge on him for the birth of Athena. However, the baby was born frail, weak and lame. Then Hera, in desperation, threw the boy into the abyss of the sea, where the sea goddess Thetis sheltered him.

Hephaestus loved to forge since childhood: his metal products had no equal either on Earth or on Olympus. Hephaestus is the god of fire and blacksmithing. The most famous legend is about him and about Prometheus, who had to be chained to a rock by the best blacksmith on the orders of Zeus. The wives of Hephaestus were Aglaya and Aphrodite.

Aphrodite

As you know, the goddess of love, beauty and fertility was born from the sea foam near the island of Cythera, but was carried by the winds to the shores of the island of Cyprus. One tradition says that Aphrodite was conceived by Zeus and Dione, another and more popular is that she was born from the seed of castrated Uranus.

Aphrodite is the patroness of family ties and childbirth. She was obliged to create love and severely punished those who rejected her. The all-powerful Hera could not forgive Aphrodite for her incomparable beauty and made the ugly Hephaestus become her husband. However, the goddess has cheated on her husband more than once. The most sensational story about Aphrodite was her love for the earthly hunter Adonis.

Aphrodite is a «popular» mythological figure in the works of ancient sculptors and artists. She is almost never alone in them, for her beauty captivated not only people and gods, but birds and animals. Her companions are nymphs, Eros, Charites, dolphins and Oras. Either she was portrayed as a naked prude, then as a flirtatious girl, then as a passionate woman.

Ares

Ares, the god of war, is distinguished by treachery and deceit. If he fought, then for the sake of war, than for justice and honor. Hera and Zeus are considered his parents, although according to one version, Hera gave birth to him without the participation of her husband, but with the help of the power of a magic flower.

Zeus did not have paternal feelings for Ares and even hated him. On the sacred Olympus, he had to hardly «break through» his authority. Ares participated in the Trojan War, but the fair Athena defeated him.

In art, he was portrayed as a young and strong man. Ares was accompanied by dogs and a kite, and in his hands he held a spear and a torch with fire. Ares’ wife is Aphrodite.

Artemis

She was the protector of virgins, and she herself was innocent, but she patronized those who are married, helped women during childbirth. Artemis was also considered the goddess of fertility and everything that grows on Earth.

Artemis was born from the relationship of Zeus with the Titaness Leto. She was served by oceanids and nymphs. Despite the fact that she was the patroness of childbearing, Artemis herself was unmarried and childless. Artists and sculptors depicted her as young, dressed in a chiton convenient for hunting, with a spear in her hand, with a bow and a quiver behind her back. When Artemis appeared naked on Houdon’s canvas, a real scandal erupted. It was the end of the 18th century.

According to some sources, the list of 12 gods of Olympus was somewhat different: it included Hestia (goddess of the hearth), Dionysus (god of winemaking and fun), Persephone (goddess of Spring, she is also the queen of the Kingdom of the Dead).

Specially for Lilia-Travel.RU — Anna Lazareva

Gods of Ancient Greece — list and description, myths and names (Grade 5)

4.7

Average rating: 4.7

Total ratings received: 9002. 4.7

Average rating: 4.7

Total ratings received: 1537.

Pelasgian peoples inhabited ancient Greece before the arrival of the Greeks. They never assimilated further with the Greeks, having gone into oblivion. Thanks to them, according to Herodotus, the ancient Hellenes had a religion with the gods of ancient Greece in its modern sense.

The material was prepared jointly with the teacher of the highest category Alexandrova Ekaterina Valerievna.

Experience as a teacher of history and social studies — 11 years.

Characteristic features of the religion of Ancient Greece.

With the emergence of the first statehood of Hellas, approximately 3000 BC, religion began to play an increasing role in the life of the ancient Greeks. The main gods were the titans, who personified the elements of nature.

The supreme god of the titans, Kronos, in a struggle for power, killed his father. He feared the same fate and therefore devoured his sons. One of them was saved by Rhea, the wife of Kronos. His name was Zeus. When Zeus grew up, he forced his father to return the swallowed sons from his womb and, joining forces with other gods, began the fight against the titans.

Elder Gods

In these numerous battles, according to the myths of ancient Greece, the gods led by Zeus won. After the victory, they shared power and went to live on the sacred Mount Olympus.

• Zeus began to rule the sky, lightning and thunder. He became the head of the pantheon of the twelve elder gods. All other gods obeyed him and considered him the most just. The ancient Greeks erected a statue of Zeus, it was located on the island of Poseidon and reached 15 meters.

Fig. 1. Statue of Zeus on the island of Poseidon. Fig. 2. Apollo.

The religion of ancient Greece did not carry symbols of immortality, the gods, like people, had quite human features: they fell in love, suffered, were capable of mercy or betrayal. In the view of the ancient Greeks, the gods conquered the world from the elements, made this world a better place and became its patrons and protectors.

• God of all borders separating one from the other, and roads was Hermes . He had a sharp mind, resourcefulness, because he was the patron of trade, knew several languages ​​and stood out for his brilliant manners. In addition to merchants, shepherds and travelers revered this god.
• Hephaestus — the god of fire — patronized blacksmithing, he himself, at the same time, was considered an unsurpassed blacksmith. He was lame on both legs, because, according to legend, he was thrown down by Zeus for helping Hera get out of the shackles.
• Ares — the god of unjust wars. He was the son of Zeus and Hera. Zeus secretly hated him for his wild and unbridled temper. Ares loved wild fun and could start a conflict for no reason. He was married to Aphrodite.

All Olympian gods and goddesses led a joyful life, indulging in intrigues and passions. Each of the gods was powerful in its own way, so strife very often ended in compromise.

Minor gods

The elder gods had children, this generation was more numerous than the previous one, some of them:

• Dionysus – god of fertility and winemaking. He patronized the cultivation of grapes and dancing. According to the legends of ancient Greece, Hera hated Dionysus and drove him crazy. Wherever Dionysus appeared, he was accompanied by rampant drunkenness, unreasonable fun and even murder.
• Helios – god of the sun. This god performed the same functions as Apollo, was a solar deity, and at the same time the eyes of Zeus: he knew what and where was happening in the mortal world of people. In Greece, many statues were erected in honor of Helios, one of them is called the Colossus of Rhodes and belonged to the seven Wonders of the World. The statue reached 33 meters and stood on the island of Rhodes in the Aegean Sea.

Fig. 3. Colossus of Rhodes.

• Irida carried out small and large orders of the gods. She carried messages to people and news about the gods of Olympus. The ancient Greeks also revered her as the goddess of the rainbow.
• Themis – goddess of justice, defender of the unjustly accused. Helped Zeus unleash the Trojan War. The Greeks depicted this goddess blindfolded, which meant her impartiality. The cornucopia in the hands of Themis meant a measure of retribution to those who appeared before her fair trial.

According to the religion of ancient Greece, you can recreate a picture of the life of the ancient Greeks.
The following table provides a short list and description of the gods of Ancient Greece:

God’s name	Managed	Characteristic
Zeus	Sky, lightning and thunder	The first of the gods put into people the concepts of honesty, conscience and shame. Possessed a punishing power.
Poseidon	Seas and oceans	Depicted with an angry face. He did not tolerate objections, did not endure insults.
Hades	Underworld of the Dead	Often portrayed as generous and hospitable.
Hera	Hearth	Jealous and power-hungry Hera severely punishes for adultery.
Artemis	Forest	Loves animals, although he patronizes hunting.
Hephaestus	Fire	Patronizes blacksmithing, made lightning for Zeus himself, because he himself was an unsurpassed master blacksmith.
Dionysus	Vegetation	Patronized theaters, winemaking and dancing.
Themis	Justice	Was the first soothsayer. Convoked the council of the gods of Olympus. She was considered the most impartial and fair judge.

The worship of the god Dionysus, which came from the north of the Balkans, developed separately from the rest of polytheism. Over time, this worship became monotheistic (monotheism is one god). It is generally accepted by historians that the worship of Dionysus was the first harbinger of the formation of the Christian religion.

What have we learned?

The religion of Ancient Greece, which is studied in the 5th grade, unlike other religions, endowed the gods with human features, which brought them closer to people and allowed contemporaries to better know the life of the ancient Greeks. In addition, although the Greeks believed in an afterlife, this did not serve as the basis for worshiping the gods for them.

Subject test

Hall of Honor

To get here — pass the test.

EDGAR ABASOV

10/10

Ivan Zhelezniak

9000 9/10

Assessment of report

VASTICAL: 4. 7

grade?

Main page

Ext. activity

«Tutti» is a musical term, means — «All together». Tutti School was founded by a group of enthusiasts (I.N. Dyachkov, S.B. Azgur, N.B. Pantyushova) on October 2, 1990. The main goal of organizing such a school in St. Petersburg was to create the most favorable conditions for the development of creative abilities in children with musical abilities. Now the school has 63 teachers teaching children music and general subjects. An in-depth study of the subjects of the musical cycle is implemented both in individual lessons (classes of violin, piano, cello, flute, clarinet, percussion instruments, oboe, saxophone, vocals, choral conducting, composition), and in group lessons (chamber ensemble, musical and theoretical subjects, chorus). The teaching staff of the school consists of musicians and teachers of general education disciplines. Among them: 3 — Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, 4 — Honored Worker of Culture of the Russian Federation, 4 — Candidate of Sciences, 4 — Honorary Worker of General Education. 90% of teachers have the highest qualification category. Tutti practically implements the idea of ​​a child’s early professional orientation, and the high level of teaching general subjects enables school graduates not to limit their choice of life path only to the career of a musician. All graduates of the school continue their studies at universities in St. Petersburg, Moscow and abroad. S-Pb state. Conservatory, St.Petersburg Academy of Theater Arts, St.Petersburg Academy of Culture, St.Petersburg State University, University of Film and Television — this is not a complete list of these universities. Former students return to Tutti as teachers or bring their children. Tutti school students: successfully perform at the best concert philharmonic venues in St. Petersburg: the Great and Small Halls of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, the Chapel, the House of Composers, the Sheremetyevsky Palace, the House of Scientists, the Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace, etc.; participate in music festivals in the halls of the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Suvorov Museum; participate in the concerts of the special program «Night of Museums»; every spring perform as soloists with professional symphony orchestras of St. Petersburg; participate in charity programs for disabled children and veterans of the Great Patriotic War; has been successfully touring Europe since 1998, performing with great success in front of the public of England, Germany, France, Italy, Poland. For 18 years, the school choir has been annually receiving first prizes and grand prix at various competitions, including international ones, and out of those 137 children who now study at Tutti, 29 are laureates and diploma winners of International and All-Russian music competitions. Our violin ensembles «Tutti» and «VIVA» are multiple winners of international music competitions. Choir «Tutti» in 2013 received the title of «Exemplary children’s group». We are very proud that the school was supervised by a great musician, professor of the St. Petersburg Conservatory. N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, founder of the St. Petersburg Cello School Anatoly Pavlovich Nikitin . Warm atmosphere, friendly relations between elders and younger, adults and children, smiles on the faces of everyone who studies, works or comes to visit the school — all this is the hallmark of the Tutti School.

School news

• ! September 2022 at «Tutti»

• Congratulations to Chapkevich Ivan

• Congratulations to the senior group of the choir «Tutti»

• «Last call» -2022 at «Tutti» school

• On May 17, the pedagogical concert «At a working noon» was successfully held

• On May 11, a pedagogical concert «At a working noon» was held with great success

• May 9 at «Tutti» school

• 04/19/22 a training evacuation was carried out at the school

• On April 15, 22, the school hosted the April Fools’ Music Competition «Scherzo-3min».

• 04/13/22 as part of the «School Philharmonic» project, a concert of teachers «On a working afternoon» was held

• On March 19, 2022, the Reporting concert of the «Tutti» school was held with great success at the MZF

• On February 27, the 2nd day of the Spartakiad «TUTTI — 2022» took place.

• On February 20, the competitions of the first day of the «Spartakiad TUTTI — 2022» — the Cup «TUTTI — 2022» in table tennis took place.

• 02/16/2022 a concert of the teachers of the «Tutti» school took place

• Information about the reporting concert of the school in the Small Philharmonic Hall

News

• What measures to support citizens of the Russian Federation are planned for 2022

• Attention! Fraudsters!

• «Pushkin card»

• Information of the Federal Tax Service

• Rospotrebnadzor information

• Participate in the census

Important links

The most powerful gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece.

Dropi

June 28, 2018, 01:58
/ Author: Oksana Byvaltseva

People have always wondered about the existence of gods. Every society has its own thoughts about where we come from, what our purpose is, and who controls our destiny. The Greeks were no exception. In fact, they had many gods and goddesses that they worshipped.

Source:
list25.com

Stories
#gods
#Ancient Greece

1. Zeus

Zeus is known as the ruler of all the gods, even though he shared power over the world with Poseidon and Hades. The Greeks worshiped him as the ruler and personification of every natural phenomenon. In addition to being the «father of the gods», he was also considered the «father of men».

2.

Poseidon

Poseidon was known for being incredibly capricious and cruel. He was a sea god, so the sailors relied on him for safe sailing. Moreover, Poseidon controlled storms and earthquakes. He boasted of his masculinity and, like Zeus, courted several women and produced several offspring.

3. Hades

Together with Zeus and Poseidon, Hades defeated his father Kronos and the Titans to gain power over the universe. They divided it into three, and Hades became the ruler of the underworld. As the ruler of the dead, he was relentless, and once people entered his domain, they had no way back.

4. Dionysus

In Greek mythology, Dionysus was born from a thigh. He was the son of Zeus and Semele, a mortal woman. Hera, having learned about Semele’s pregnancy from Zeus, decided to destroy her. To save Dionysus, Zeus plucked a premature fetus from Semele’s womb, sewed it up in his thigh and successfully carried it out. Dionysus could create and control pleasure, and he also played an important role in art and literature.

5. Apollo

Apollo was a very important god for the Greeks. He is known for his strong family ties as he is the son of Zeus and the twin brother of Artemis. He was worshiped by the Greeks for controlling health, as well as music and poetry. Interestingly, Apollo was one of the few gods that the Romans worshiped under the same name. However, the Romans mainly focused on him being a god of healing and prophecy.

6. Ares

Ares is the god of war. But unlike Athena, the goddess of war, he was the god of an insidious war, full of violence and cruelty. Together with Aphrodite, they produced 8 children, including Eros (the god of love) and the gods of fear (Phobos) and horror (Deimos).

7. Hephaestus

Hephaestus was an interesting god in that he was different from the rest in many ways. First, he was the only «ugly» god of the immortals. He was kind and peaceful, which distinguished him from other gods, who were often quick-tempered and jealous. Hephaestus was also married to Aphrodite so that the other gods would not fight over the most beautiful goddess.

8. Demeter

Demeter is the goddess of fertility and the patroness of agriculture. The most famous myth about Demeter is associated with the abduction of her daughter Persephone by Hades. Demeter went in search of her, and during her wanderings, crops ceased to sprout on earth. In the end, Zeus had to intervene. He ordered Hades to return Persephone to Demeter. Hades obeyed, and allowed Persephone to return to her mother on the condition that she would return to him at a certain time of the year.

9. Aphrodite

Aphrodite is the famous goddess of love and beauty. There is one interesting version of how the goddess appeared. Aphrodite was born from snow-white foam, which was formed thanks to the seed and blood of Uranus castrated by Kronos. Aphrodite had many lovers, the center of her worship was in Corinth.

10. Hera

Not only was Hera the goddess of marriage and childbirth, but as the sister and wife of Zeus, she was also the queen of the Olympian gods. Hera was also a very jealous and vengeful goddess. She killed many because of her jealousy and anger. At some point, Zeus became so angry with her that he hung her in the clouds on a golden rope and tied heavy anvils to her feet.

11. Athena

Athena is the goddess of war, but also of many other things: wisdom, courage, mathematics, strength, strategy and crafts. The interesting thing about Athena is that she was born in an unusual way; she was born from the head of Zeus, already an adult and in armor. Athena is considered the favorite child of Zeus. There are many intrigues in her story, but she was very revered in Athens and was considered the protector of her city and civilization.

12. Artemis

Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo and the daughter of Zeus and the Titanides Leto. She was cruel. She was portrayed as a virgin huntress, as well as a protector of animals and, to some extent, women and children. The temple built in her honor is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Leave your comments and share this post with your friends on social networks. It is important for us to make our work interesting and exciting for you.

Comments

90,000 Goddesses of Greek mythology list | Vasque-Russia.ru

Other

12/24/2019 899

Goddesses of Greek mythology list

The pantheon of Greek gods is represented not only by strong and powerful gods, but also by goddesses.

Titanides — goddesses of the second generation, six sisters

Mnemosyne — goddess personifying memory; Rhea — goddess, mother of the Olympian gods; Theia is the first moon goddess; Tefis is the goddess who gives life to everything that exists; Phoebe is the goddess, the nurse of Apollo, Themis is the goddess of justice.

Olympians — goddesses of the third generation

Hera — the goddess of marriage and family, Aphrodite — the goddess of love and beauty, Athena — the goddess of wisdom, crafts and art, Artemis — the goddess of hunting, fertility and female chastity, Hestia — the goddess of the hearth and sacrificial fire, Demeter — the goddess of fertility and agriculture.

Minor Greek goddesses

Selene, goddess of the Moon; Persephone — goddess of the kingdom of the dead and fertility; Nike is the goddess of victory; Hebe — the goddess of eternal youth; Eos — goddess of the dawn; Tyche — the goddess of happiness, chance and good luck; Enyo — the goddess of violent war; Chlorida — goddess of flowers and gardens; Dike (Themis) — the goddess of justice, justice; Nemesis — winged goddess of revenge and retribution; Iris — the goddess of the rainbow; Gaia is the goddess of the earth.

Detailed description of the Greek goddesses

• Aurora is the goddess of the dawn. The ancient Greeks called Aurora the ruddy dawn, the pink-fingered goddess Eos. Aurora was the daughter of the titan Gipperion and Theia. According to another version of the Sun — Helios and the Moon — Selena).
• Artemis — daughter of Zeus and Lethe, sister of Apollo, between female deities the same as her brother between male. She gives light and life, she is the goddess of childbirth and the goddess-nurse; accompanied by forest nymphs, hunts in forests and mountains, guards herds and game. She never submitted to the power of love, and, like Apollo, does not know the bonds of marriage. In Roman mythology, Diana.
• Athena — the daughter of Zeus, who did not have a mother. Hephaestus split the head of Zeus with an ax, and Athena jumped out of her head in full armor. She is the personification of the prudence of Zeus. Athena is the goddess of the mind, war, sciences and arts. In Roman mythology — Minerva
• Aphrodite is the daughter of Zeus and Diana, so called because she allegedly came from sea foam. She is the goddess of beauty, happy love and marriage, surpassing all goddesses in charm and grace. In Roman mythology, Venus.
• Venus — in Roman mythology, the goddess of gardens, beauty and love, identified with the mother of Aeneas Aphrodite. Venus was not only the goddess of beauty and love, but also the patroness of the descendants of Aeneas and all the Romans.
• Hekate — the goddess of the night, the ruler of darkness. Hecate ruled over all ghosts and monsters, night visions and sorcery. She was born as a result of the marriage of the titan Persian and Asteria.
• Graces — in Roman mythology, beneficent goddesses, personifying the joyful, kind and eternally young beginning of life, the daughters of Jupiter, nymphs and goddesses. In ancient Greek mythology, the Charites.
• Diana — in Roman mythology, the goddess of nature and hunting, was considered the personification of the moon. Diana was also accompanied by the epithet «goddess of three roads», which was interpreted as a sign of Diana’s triple power: in heaven, on earth and underground.
• Irida is the personification of the rainbow that connects heaven with earth, the messenger of the gods, the mediator in their relations with each other and with people. This is the messenger of Zeus and Hera and the servant of the latter.
• Cybele — the daughter of Uranus and Gaia, the wife of Kronos, was considered the great mother of the gods. She is the personification of the principle that regulates the elemental natural forces.
• Minerva — in Roman mythology, the goddess of wisdom, art, war and cities, the patroness of artisans.
• Mnemosyne — in Greek mythology, the goddess of memory, the daughter of Uranus and Gaia, a titanide. Mother of the Muses, whom she gave birth to from Zeus. According to the number of nine nights that Mnemosyne gave to Zeus, there were nine muses.
• Moira — Lachesis («giving lots»), Clotho («spinning») and Atropos («inevitable»), daughters of Nikta. Moira are the goddesses of fate, natural necessity, eternal and immutable world laws.
• The Muses are goddesses and patrons of the arts and sciences. The Muses were considered the daughters of Zeus and the goddess of memory Mnemosyne.
• Nemesis is the goddess of vengeance. The duties of the goddess included punishment for crimes, monitoring the fair and equal distribution of benefits among mortals. Nemesis was born by Nikta as a punishment to Kronos.
• Persephone is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, or Cecera, the wife of Pluto, or Hades, the formidable mistress of shadows, ruling over the souls of the dead and over the monsters of the underworld, listening with Hades to the curses of people and fulfilling them. In Roman mythology — Proserpina.
• Rhea — in ancient myth-making, the Greek goddess, one of the Titanides, the daughter of Uranus and Gaia, the wife of Kronos. The cult of Rhea was considered one of the very ancient, but was not very common in Greece itself.
• Tefis — one of the most ancient deities, titanide, daughter of Gaia and Uranus, sister and wife of the Ocean, mother of streams, rivers and three thousand oceanids, was considered the goddess who gives life to everything that exists.
• Themis is the goddess of justice. The Greeks also called the goddess Themis, Themis. Themis was the daughter of the sky god Uranus and Gaia. Her daughters were the goddesses of fate — moira.
• Charites — the daughters of Zeus and the oceanides Eurynome, embodied a joyful, kind and eternally young beginning. The names of these beautiful goddesses were Aglaya (“shining”), Euphrosyne (“good-minded”), Thalia (“blooming”), Kleta (“desired”) and Peyto (“persuasion”).
• Eumenides — merciful, benevolent goddesses — one of the names of female deities, best known under the name Eriny, among the Romans Furies, which means angry, furious, avenging goddesses.
• Erinyes are the daughters of the Earth and Gloom, the terrible goddesses of damnation, revenge and punishment, who rebelled against criminals and punish them only for the sake of restoring moral order in the world, but they mainly act as avengers for the violation of family rights consecrated by nature. In Roman mythology — Furies

These are the most important goddesses, sung by singers and myth-makers of Ancient Hellas. We talked only about the blessed goddesses who give a creative beginning. There are other characters whose names are associated with destruction and sorrows, but they are a special conversation.

The great goddesses and their priestesses were the living embodiment of the unity of body, mind and spirit. The female priestesses symbolized the Great Mother Goddess, who gives life to all things. The woman was divine, because only a woman gives birth to children.

The glorification of the Great Mother Goddess consisted in the singing of sacred hymns. The priestesses possessed ancient knowledge and wisely used this knowledge, which was given to them by the heavenly Mother.

The Rosicrucians are an ancient secret society around which many legends have been built. According to some documents of D.M.O.R.K. is a global philosophical traditional, initiatory movement. The Russian-speaking jurisdiction of DMORK is officially registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation.

Developing your «psychic muscles» is a process that is very similar to physical training. Extrasensory perception is most often understood as such perception that does not use ordinary sense organs and goes beyond human capabilities. There are various methods and ways of developing extrasensory abilities.

One of the simplest mantras for cleansing sounds like this: “Sinkhikh Kanalkhikh”, which can be translated as: “I am clean.” Thanks to this prayer, some people were able to discover the gift of clairvoyance in themselves.

Scandinavian goddesses and creatures have a huge number of features that are unique to humans. These similarities are found both in appearance. The main goddess is Frigga, wife of Odin. She knows the fate of all people and gods, not excluding the fate prepared for her son Baldur.

Specialists of gypsy psychological hypnosis know that any person freezes, fetters, opens wide At its core, the gypsy hypnosis technique is the most common type of «processing» of the chosen victim.

Before starting the practice, you should study the mantras for prosperity and wealth, select the text. To simplify the memorization of words, you need to find a translation, an audio recording of a prayer performed by the master. The mantra of prosperity, wealth has an instant and cumulative effect.

Azelta Sanctum. Portal about esoteric secrets

Gods of Ancient Greece

Ancient Greek mythology expressed a live sensory perception of the surrounding reality with all its diversity and colors. Behind every phenomenon of the material world — thunderstorm, war, storm, dawn, lunar eclipse, according to the Greeks, there was an act of one or another god.

The classical Greek pantheon had 12 Olympian deities. However, the inhabitants of Olympus were not the first inhabitants of the earth and the creators of the world. According to the Theogony of the poet Hesiod, the Olympians were only the third generation of gods. At the very beginning there was only Chaos, from which they eventually emerged:

These forces should be considered the first generation of the Greek gods. The children of Chaos entered into marriages with each other, giving birth to gods, seas, mountains, monsters and various amazing creatures — hekatoncheirs and titans. The grandchildren of Chaos are considered to be the second generation of the gods.

Uranus became the ruler of the whole world, and Gaia, the mother of all things, became his wife. Uranus was afraid and hated his numerous children-titans, therefore, immediately after their birth, he hid the babies back into the womb of Gaia. Gaia suffered greatly from the fact that she could not be born, but the youngest of the children, the titan Kronos, came to her aid. He deposed and castrated his father.

The children of Uranus and Gaia were finally able to come out of their mother’s womb. Kronos married one of his sisters — the titanide Rhea and became the supreme deity. His reign became a real «golden age». However, Kronos feared for his power. Uranus predicted to him that one of the children of Kronos would do the same to him as Kronos himself did to his father. Therefore, all the children born to Rhea — Hestia, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, Demeter — were swallowed by the titan. The last son — Zeus — Rhea managed to hide. Zeus grew up, freed his brothers and sisters, and then began to fight with his father. So the titans and the third generation of gods, the future Olympians, clashed in the battle. Hesiod calls these events «titanomachia» (literally «Battles of the Titans»). The struggle ended with the victory of the Olympians and the fall of the titans into the abyss of Tartarus.

Modern researchers tend to believe that the titanomachy was not an empty fantasy based on nothing. In fact, this episode reflected important social changes in the life of Ancient Greece. The archaic chthonic deities — the titans, who were worshiped by the ancient Greek tribes, gave way to new deities who personified order, law and statehood. The tribal system and matriarchy went into the past, they are being replaced by the polis system and the patriarchal cult of epic heroes.

Thanks to numerous literary works, many ancient Greek myths have survived to this day. Unlike Slavic mythology, which has been preserved in fragmentary and incomplete form, ancient Greek folklore has been deeply and comprehensively studied. The pantheon of the ancient Greeks included hundreds of gods, however, only 12 of them played the leading role. There is no canonical list of Olympians. In different versions of myths, different gods may enter the pantheon.

Zeus was at the head of the ancient Greek pantheon. He and his brothers — Poseidon and Hades — cast lots to divide the world among themselves. Poseidon got the oceans and seas, Hades got the kingdom of the souls of the dead, and Zeus got the sky. Under the rule of Zeus, law and order are established throughout the earth. For the Greeks, Zeus was the personification of the Cosmos, opposing the ancient Chaos. In a narrower sense, Zeus was the god of wisdom, as well as thunder and lightning.

Zeus was very prolific. From goddesses and earthly women, he had many children — gods, mythical creatures, heroes and kings.

A very interesting moment in the biography of Zeus is his struggle with the titan Prometheus. The Olympian gods destroyed the first people who lived on earth since the time of Kronos. Prometheus created new people and taught them crafts, for their sake, the titan even stole fire from Olympus. Enraged, Zeus ordered Prometheus to be chained to a rock, where an eagle flew daily, pecking at the liver of a titan. In order to take revenge on the people created by Prometheus for their self-will, Zeus sent Pandora to them — a beauty who opened a box in which diseases and various misfortunes of the human race were hidden.

Despite such a vengeful disposition, in general, Zeus is a bright and just deity. Next to his throne are two vessels — with good and evil, depending on the actions of people, Zeus draws gifts from the vessels, sending either punishment or mercy to mortals.

Poseidon

Brother of Zeus — Poseidon — the lord of such a changeable element as water. Like the ocean, it can be wild and wild. Most likely, Poseidon was originally an earthly deity. This version explains why the cult animals of Poseidon were completely «land» bull and horse. Hence the epithets with which the god of the seas was endowed — “shaking the earth”, “land holder”.

In mythology, Poseidon often opposes his thunder brother. For example, he supports the Achaeans in the war against Troy, on the side of which Zeus was.

Almost the entire trading and fishing life of the Greeks depended on the sea. Therefore, rich sacrifices were regularly made to Poseidon, throwing them directly into the water.

Despite the huge number of connections with a variety of women, the closest companion of Zeus all this time was his sister and wife — Hera. Although Hera was the main female deity on Olympus, in fact she was only the third wife of Zeus. The first wife of the Thunderer was the wise oceanid Metis, whom he imprisoned in his womb, and the second was the goddess of justice Themis — the mother of the seasons and moira — the goddesses of fate.

Although the divine spouses often quarrel and cheat on each other, the union of Hera and Zeus symbolizes all monogamous marriages on earth and the relationship between a man and a woman in general.

Distinguished by a jealous and sometimes cruel disposition, Hera was still the guardian of the family hearth, the protector of mothers and children. The Greek women prayed to Hera to send them a good husband, pregnancy, or an easy birth.

Perhaps Hera’s confrontation with her husband reflects the chthonic nature of this goddess. According to one version, touching the earth, she even gives birth to a monstrous snake — Typhon. Obviously, Hera is one of the first female deities of the Peloponnesian Peninsula, an evolved and reworked image of the mother goddess.

Ares was the son of Hera and Zeus. He personified the war, and, moreover, the war was not in the form of a liberation confrontation, but a senseless bloody massacre. It is believed that Ares, who absorbed part of the chthonic rampage of his mother, is extremely treacherous and cunning. He uses his power to sow murder and discord.

Zeus’s dislike for his bloodthirsty son can be traced in the myths, however, even a just war is impossible without Ares.

Athena

The birth of Athena was very unusual. One day, Zeus began to suffer severe headaches. To alleviate the suffering of the Thunderer, the god Hephaestus strikes him on the head with an ax. From the resulting wound comes a beautiful maiden in armor and with a spear. Zeus, seeing his daughter, was very happy. The newborn goddess was named Athena. She became the main assistant to her father — the keeper of law and order and the personification of wisdom. Formally, the mother of Athena was Metis, imprisoned inside Zeus.

Since the warlike Athena embodied both the feminine and the masculine, she did not need a spouse and remained virgin. The goddess patronized warriors and heroes, but only those of them who wisely disposed of their strength. Thus, the goddess balanced the rampage of her bloodthirsty brother Ares.

Hephaestus

Hephaestus — the patron of blacksmithing, crafts and fire — was the son of Zeus and Hera. He was born lame in both legs. Hera was unpleasant to an ugly and sick baby, so she threw him off Olympus. Hephaestus fell into the sea, where Thetis picked him up. On the seabed, Hephaestus mastered blacksmithing and began to forge wonderful things.

For the Greeks, Hephaestus, thrown down from Olympus, personified, though ugly, but very smart and kind god, helping everyone who turns to him.

To teach his mother a lesson, Hephaestus forged a golden throne for her. When Hera got into it, the fetters closed on her arms and legs, which none of the gods could unchain. Despite all the persuasion, Hephaestus stubbornly did not want to go to Olympus in order to free Hera. Only Dionysus, who intoxicated Hephaestus, managed to bring the blacksmith god. After her release, Hera recognized her son and gave him Aphrodite as his wife. However, Hephaestus did not live long with a windy wife and entered into a second marriage with Charita Aglaya, the goddess of goodness and joy.

Hephaestus is the only Olympian who is constantly busy with work. He forges lightning bolts for Zeus, magic items, armor and weapons. From his mother, he, like Ares, inherited some chthonic features, however, not so destructive. The connection of Hephaestus with the underworld is emphasized by its fiery nature. However, the fire of Hephaestus is not a destructive flame, but a hearth that warms people, or a blacksmith’s forge, with which many useful things can be made.

Demeter

One of the daughters of Rhea and Kronos — Demeter — was the patroness of fertility and agriculture. Like many female deities who personify Mother Earth, Demeter had a direct connection with the world of the dead. After the abduction by Hades of her daughter, Persephone, with Zeus, Demeter fell into mourning. Eternal winter reigned on the earth, thousands of people died of hunger. Then Zeus demanded that Persephone spend only one third of the year with Hades, and return to her mother for two thirds.

It is believed that Demeter taught people about agriculture. She also gave fertility to plants, animals and people. The Greeks believed that the mysteries dedicated to Demeter blurred the boundaries between the world of the living and the dead. Archaeological data show that in some areas of Greece, Demeter even made human sacrifices.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, appeared on earth in a very unusual way. After the castration of Uranus, Kronos threw his father’s reproductive organ into the sea. Since Uranus was very prolific, the beautiful Aphrodite emerged from the sea foam that formed in this place.

The goddess knew how to send love to people and gods, which she often used. One of the main attributes of Aphrodite was her wonderful belt, which made any woman beautiful. Because of the changeable disposition of Aphrodite, many suffered from her charms. The vengeful goddess could severely punish those who rejected her gifts or offended her in some way.

Apollo and Artemis

Apollo and Artemis are the children of the goddess Leto and Zeus. Hera was extremely angry with Summer, so she pursued her throughout the earth and for a long time did not allow her to be born. In the end, on the island of Delos, surrounded by Rhea, Themis, Amphitrite and other goddesses, Leto gave birth to two twins. Artemis was the first to be born and immediately began to help her mother in the birth of her brother.

With a bow and arrows, Artemis, surrounded by nymphs, began to wander through the forests. The virgin hunter goddess was the patroness of wild and domestic animals and all life on earth. Both young girls and pregnant women, whom she protected, turned to her for help.

Her brother became the patron of the arts and healing. Apollo brings harmony and tranquility to Olympus. This god is considered one of the main symbols of the classical period in the history of Ancient Greece. He brings elements of beauty and light into everything he does, gives people the gift of foresight, teaches them to heal diseases and play music.

Hestia

Unlike most of the cruel and vindictive Olympians, Zeus’s elder sister, Hestia, was distinguished by a peaceful and calm disposition. The Greeks revered her as the keeper of the hearth and sacred fire. Hestia adhered to chastity and refused all the gods who offered her marriage.

The cult of Hestia was very widespread in Greece. It was believed that she helps to hold sacred ceremonies and preserves peace in families.

Hermes

The patron of trade, wealth, dexterity and theft — Hermes, most likely, was originally an ancient Asia Minor demon-rogue. Over time, the Greeks turned the petty trickster into one of the most powerful gods. Hermes was the son of Zeus and the nymph Maya. Like all children of Zeus, he demonstrated his amazing abilities from birth. So, on the very first day after his birth, Hermes learned to play the cithara and stole the cows of Apollo.

In myths, Hermes appears not only as a deceiver and a thief, but also as a faithful helper. He often rescued heroes and gods from difficult situations, bringing them weapons, magical herbs, or some other necessary items. A distinctive attribute of Hermes were winged sandals and a caduceus — a rod around which two snakes twined.

Shepherds, merchants, usurers, travelers, swindlers, alchemists and fortune-tellers revered Hermes.

Hades — the ruler of the world of the dead — is not always included among the Olympian gods, since he did not live on Olympus, but in gloomy Hades. However, he was certainly a very powerful and influential deity. The Greeks were afraid of Hades and preferred not to pronounce his name out loud, replacing it with various epithets. Some researchers believe that Hades is a different hypostasis of Zeus.

Although Hades was the god of the dead, he also bestowed fertility and wealth. At the same time, he himself, as befits such a deity, did not have children, he even had to kidnap his wife, because none of the goddesses wanted to descend into the underworld.

The cult of Hades was almost not widespread. Only one temple is known, where only once a year sacrifices were made to the king of the dead.

Greek gods

He arouses genuine interest, intrigues and excites. It combines the fictional and modern world. Many books have been written about him and many films have been made. The pantheon of the Greek gods is a real storehouse for studying the history, customs and life of Ancient Greece. What function did the celestials perform on the sacred Mount Olympus? What unthinkable power and authority were endowed with? This and much more will be discussed in our new divine article!

Pantheon, or simply a group of gods belonging to one religion, consisted of a large number of celestials, each of which performed a designated role and carried out its function. In their appearance and behavior, the gods and goddesses were similar to ordinary people. They experienced the same emotions and feelings, fell in love and quarreled, got angry and had mercy, deceived and spread gossip. But their main difference was immortality! Over time, the history of the relationship between the gods increasingly grew into myths. And this only increased interest and admiration for the ancient religion …

Representatives of the younger generation of celestials in Ancient Hellas were considered the main gods. Once they took away the right to rule the world from the older generation (titans), who personified the elements of nature and universal forces. Having defeated the titans, the younger gods, led by Zeus, settled on Mount Olympus. We will talk about the 12 main Olympian gods and goddesses, their assistants and companions, who were worshiped by the Greeks!

King of the gods and chief deity. The representative of the infinite sky, the lord of lightning and thunder. Zeus had unlimited power over both people and gods. The ancient Greeks honored and feared the Thunderer, appeasing him in every possible way with the best donations. Babies learned about Zeus even in the womb, and all misfortunes were attributed to the wrath of the greatest and all-powerful.

Poseidon

Brother of Zeus, ruler of the sea, rivers, lakes and oceans. He personified courage, stormy temper, quick-tempered character and unearthly strength. Being the patron saint of sailors, he could induce hunger, turn over and sink ships and decide the fate of fishermen in open waters. Poseidon is closely associated with earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Brother of Poseidon and Zeus, to whom the whole underworld, the kingdom of the dead, was subject. The only one who did not live on Olympus, but was rightfully considered the Olympic god. All the dead went to Hades. Although people were afraid to even pronounce the name of Hades, in ancient mythology he is presented as a cold, unshakable and indifferent god, whose decision must be unquestioningly carried out. In his dark kingdom with demons and shadows of the dead, where the sun’s rays do not penetrate, you can only enter. There is no way back.

Hermes

The most ancient god of roads and travel, patron of trade and merchants. This celestial with wings on his heels was associated with a subtle mind, resourcefulness, cunning and an excellent knowledge of foreign languages.

The cunning god of war and fierce battles. The mighty warrior preferred massacres and waged war for the sake of war itself.

Hephaestus

The patron of blacksmithing, pottery and other crafts associated with fire. Even in the era of ancient times, Hephaestus was associated with volcanic activity, roar and flame.

Wife of Zeus, patroness of marriage and conjugal love. The goddess was distinguished by jealousy, anger, cruelty and excessive severity. In a state of rage, she could bring terrible troubles to people.

Aphrodite

The daughter of Zeus, the beautiful goddess of love, who easily fell in love with herself and fell in love herself. In her hands was concentrated a great power of love, pure and sincere, which she bestowed on gods and people.

Athena

Goddess of just war, wisdom, patroness of spiritual pursuits, arts, agriculture and crafts. Athena Pallas was born from the head of Zeus in full uniform. Thanks to her, state life flows and cities are built. For her knowledge and intelligence among the pantheon of Greek gods, she was the most respected and authoritative celestial.

Demeter

Patroness of agriculture and goddess of fertility. She is the guardian of life, who taught a person peasant labor. She fills the barns and restocks. Demeter is the embodiment of the primeval energy of creativity, the great mother that gives birth to all living things.

Artemis

Goddess of forests and hunting, sister of Apollo. The patroness of vegetation and fertility. The virginity of the goddess is closely related to the idea of ​​birth and sexual relations.

In addition to the 12 main Olympian gods, among the Greek celestials there were many no less significant and authoritative names.

Dionysus . God of winemaking and all natural forces that make a person happy.

Morpheus . Everyone was in his arms. Greek god of dreams, son of Hypnos, the god of sleep. Morpheus knew how to take any form, accurately copy the voice and appear to people in dreams.

Eros . The son of Aphrodite and concurrently the god of love. A cute boy with a quiver and a bow accurately throws arrows at people, which kindle indestructible love in the hearts of gods and people. In Rome, Amur corresponded to him.

Persephone . Daughter of Demeter, kidnapped by Hades, who dragged her to his underworld and made her his wife. She spends part of the year upstairs with her mother, the rest of the time she lives underground. Persephone personified the seed that is sown in the ground and comes to life at the time when it comes to light.

Hestia . The patroness of the hearth, family and sacrificial fire.

Pan . Greek god of forests, patron of shepherds and flocks. Presented with goat legs, horns and a beard with a flute in his hands.

Nika . Goddess of victory and constant companion of Zeus. The divine symbol of success and a happy outcome is always depicted in a pose of rapid movement or with wings. Nika takes part in all musical competitions, military enterprises and religious celebrations.

And this is not all the Greek names of the gods:

• Asclepius is the Greek god of healing.
• Proteus — son of Poseidon, sea deity. He had the gift to predict the future and change appearance.
• Triton — the son of Poseidon, brought news from the depths of the sea, blowing into the shell. Depicted as a mixture of horse, fish and man.
• Eirene — the goddess of peace, stands at the Olympian throne of Zeus.
• Dike is the patroness of truth, a goddess who does not tolerate deceit.
• Tyche — the goddess of good luck and a successful event.
• Plutos is the ancient Greek god of wealth.
• Enyo is the goddess of furious war, causing rage in the fighters, bringing confusion to the battle.
• Phobos and Deimos are the sons and companions of Ares, the god of war.

Names and roles of ancient Greek gods and goddesses

Hades — god — lord of the realm of the dead.

Antey – hero of myths, giant, son of Poseidon and the Earth of Gaia. The earth gave her son strength, thanks to which no one could cope with him.

Apollo is the god of sunlight. The Greeks portrayed him as a beautiful young man.

Ares – god of perfidious war, son of Zeus and Hera

Asclepius — the god of medical art, the son of Apollo and the nymph Coronida

Boreas — the god of the north wind, the son of the titanides Astrea (starry sky) and Eos (morning dawn), brother of Zephyr and Note. Depicted as a winged, long-haired, bearded, powerful deity.

Bacchus is one of the names of Dionysus.

Helios (Helium ) — the god of the Sun, brother of Selena (goddess of the moon) and Eos (morning dawn). In late antiquity, he was identified with Apollo, the god of sunlight.

Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maya, one of the most significant Greek gods. The patron of wanderers, crafts, trade, thieves. Possessing the gift of eloquence.

Hephaestus — the son of Zeus and Hera, the god of fire and blacksmithing. He was considered the patron saint of artisans.

Hypnos — deity of sleep, son of Nikta (Night). He was depicted as a winged youth.

Dionysus (Bacchus) — the god of viticulture and winemaking, the object of a number of cults and mysteries. He was depicted either as a fat elderly man, or as a young man with a wreath of grape leaves on his head.

Zagreus — god of fertility, son of Zeus and Persephone.

Zeus — the supreme god, the king of gods and people.

Zephyr — god of the west wind.

Iacchus — god of fertility.

Kronos — Titan , the youngest son of Gaia and Uranus, the father of Zeus. He ruled the world of gods and people and was overthrown from the throne by Zeus.

Morpheus is one of the sons of Hypnos, the god of dreams.

Nereus — son of Gaia and Pontus, meek sea god.

Not — the god of the south wind, depicted with a beard and wings.

Ocean — titan , son of Gaia and Uranus, brother and husband of Tethys and father of all the rivers of the world.

Olympians — the supreme gods of the younger generation of Greek gods, led by Zeus, who lived on the top of Mount Olympus.

Pan — forest god, son of Hermes and Dryopa, goat-footed man with horns. He was considered the patron saint of shepherds and small livestock.

Pluto — the god of the underworld, often identified with Hades, but unlike him, who owned not the souls of the dead, but the riches of the underworld.

Plutos — the son of Demeter, the god who gives people wealth.

Pontus — one of the older Greek deities, the offspring of Gaia, the god of the sea, the father of many titans and gods.

Poseidon — one of the Olympian gods, brother of Zeus and Hades, who rules over the sea. Poseidon was also subject to the bowels of the earth,
he commanded storms and earthquakes.

Proteus — sea deity, son of Poseidon, patron of seals. Possessed the gift of reincarnation and prophecy.

Satyrs — goat-footed creatures, fertility demons.

Thanatos — the personification of death, the twin brother of Hypnos.

Titans — the generation of Greek gods, the ancestors of the Olympians.

Typhon is a hundred-headed dragon, born of Gaia or a Hero. During the battle of the Olympians and the Titans, he was defeated by Zeus and imprisoned under the volcano Etna in Sicily.

Triton — the son of Poseidon, one of the sea deities, a man with a fish tail instead of legs, holding a trident and a twisted shell — a horn.

Chaos is an endless empty space from which, at the beginning of time, the most ancient gods of the Greek religion, Nikta and Erebus, arose.

Chthonic gods — deities of the underworld and fertility, relatives of the Olympians. These included Hades, Hecate, Hermes, Gaia, Demeter, Dionysus, and Persephone.

Cyclopes — giants with one eye in the middle of their foreheads, children of Uranus and Gaia.

Eurus (Heb) — the god of the southeast wind.

Aeolus — lord of the winds.

Erebus — the personification of the darkness of the underworld, the son of Chaos and the brother of Night.

Eros (Eros) — god of love, son of Aphrodite and Ares. In ancient myths — a self-arisen force that contributed to the ordering of the world. Depicted as a winged youth (in the Hellenistic era — a boy) with arrows, accompanying his mother.

Ether — deity of the sky

Goddesses of ancient Greece

Artemis — goddess of hunting and nature.

Atropos is one of the three moira that cuts the thread of fate and ends human life.

Athena (Pallas, Parthenos) — the daughter of Zeus, born from his head in full combat armor. One of the most revered Greek goddesses, the goddess of just war and wisdom, the patroness of knowledge.

Aphrodite (Kythera, Urania) — goddess of love and beauty. She was born from the marriage of Zeus and the goddess Dione (according to another legend, she emerged from the sea foam)

Hebe is the daughter of Zeus and Hera, the goddess of youth. Sister of Ares and Ilithyia. She served the Olympian gods at feasts.

Hekate — the goddess of darkness, night visions and sorcery, the patroness of sorcerers.

Hemera is the goddess of daylight, the personification of the day, born of Nikto and Erebus. Often identified with Eos.

Hera — Supreme Olympian goddess, sister and third wife of Zeus, daughter of Rhea and Kronos, sister of Hades, Hestia, Demeter and Poseidon. Hera was considered the patroness of marriage.

Hestia is the goddess of the hearth and fire.

Gaia — mother earth, mother of all gods and people.

Demitra — goddess of fertility and agriculture.

Dryads — lower deities, nymphs who lived in trees.

Diana — goddess of the hunt

Ilithyia — patron goddess of childbirth.

Irida — winged goddess, Hera’s helper, messenger of the gods.

Calliope is the muse of epic poetry and science.

Kera — demonic creatures, children of the goddess Nikta, bringing misfortune and death to people.

Clio is one of the nine muses, the muse of history.

Clotho («spinner») is one of the moira, spinning the thread of human life.

Lachesis is one of the three moira sisters, who determines the fate of each person even before birth.

Summer — Titanide, mother of Apollo and Artemis.

Maya — mountain nymph, eldest of the seven pleiades — daughters of Atlanta, beloved of Zeus, from whom Hermes was born.

Melpomene is the muse of tragedy.

Metis — the goddess of wisdom, the first of the three wives of Zeus, who conceived Athena from him.

Mnemosyne — mother of nine muses, goddess of memory.

Moira — goddess of fate, daughter of Zeus and Themis.

The Muses are patron goddesses of the arts and sciences.

Naiads

Nemesis — daughter of Nikta, goddess personifying fate and retribution, punishing people according to their sins.

Nereids — fifty daughters of Nereus and the oceanides Doris, sea deities.

Nika is the personification of victory. Often she was depicted with a wreath, a common symbol of triumph in Greece.

Nymphs are the lowest deities in the hierarchy of the Greek gods. They personified the forces of nature.

Nikta — one of the first Greek deities, the goddess — the personification of the primordial Night

Orestiades — mountain nymphs.

Ora — goddess of the seasons, peace and order, daughter of Zeus and Themis.

Peyto — goddess of persuasion, companion of Aphrodite, often identified with her patroness.

Persephone — daughter of Demeter and Zeus, goddess of fertility. The wife of Hades and the queen of the underworld, who knew the secrets of life and death.

Polyhymnia is the muse of serious hymn poetry.

Tethys — daughter of Gaia and Uranus, wife of Oceanus and mother of Nereids and Oceanids.

Rhea is the mother of the Olympian gods.

Sirens are female demons, half-woman, half-bird, capable of changing the weather at sea.

Thalia is the muse of comedy.

Terpsichore is the muse of dance art.

Tisiphone is one of the Erinyes.

Tyche — Greek goddess of fate and chance, companion of Persephone. She was depicted as a winged woman standing on a wheel and holding a cornucopia and ship’s steering wheel in her hands

Urania — one of the nine muses, the patroness of astronomy.

Themis — Titanide, goddess of justice and law, second wife of Zeus, mother of mountains and moira.

Haritas — goddesses of female beauty, the embodiment of a kind, joyful and eternally young beginning of life.

Eumenides is another hypostasis of the Erinyes, revered as goddesses of benevolence, preventing misfortunes.

Eris — daughter of Nikta, sister of Ares, goddess of discord.

Erinyes — goddesses of vengeance, creatures of the underworld who punished injustice and crimes.

Erato — Muse of lyrical and erotic poetry.

Eos — goddess of the dawn, sister of Helios and Selene. The Greeks called it «pink-fingered».

Euterpe is the muse of lyrical chanting. Depicted with a double flute in her hand.

Gods of Ancient Greece: list, names and descriptions

The gods of Ancient Greece are an interesting part of the mythology and culture of people who lived in ancient times. In the beliefs of the Greeks, various spirits, as well as higher beings of different orders, are ordered into a clear hierarchy. Almost everything: natural phenomena, the declaration of any war, the conclusion of peace, holidays — the Greeks explained by divine intervention. Each deity commanded something, they had their own areas of responsibility, and without them life was not possible. Chief among all were the «Olympians», i.e. the gods of Olympus are 12 deities who, being the children of the titans, overthrew them and began to rule on their own. Although these are legends, the Greeks brought them gifts, sacrifices, they asked them for favors.

The top of Olympus is the refuge of the most powerful beings in the world, according to ancient authors. Here lived the gods who controlled the most important elements and protected the most important crafts of the Greeks. Greek mythology presents the gods of the third generation (the second were the titans, who were overthrown by the Olympians, and the titans, in turn, deposed even more ancient deities) in many ways similar to people. In the time of Homer, immortal and mortal creatures lived very close together.

Zeus is the third son of Kronos, the elder titan. According to legend, he seized power and reigned on Olympus, indirectly created people (instructed Prometheus), gave them a conscience, and also came up with the organization of cities, public life and controlled fate. Since in pre-Roman times Greece consisted of hundreds of city-states (polises), the management of urban life was the most important element of this country. The policies were held by the whole country, and the policies were held by Zeus. When the world was divided, Zeus got the sky, the concentration of universal power, the deepest and most powerful element. The power of Zeus was undeniable, he was the king of Olympus.

Hera is the wife and sister of Zeus. Hera is the most powerful of the women of Olympus, according to the legends of the ancient Greeks. Most of the epic associated with her tells of Hera’s confrontation with numerous children of Zeus from mortal women (for example, with Hercules), which often leads her to confrontation with her husband. However, she obeys him. Her destiny is the protection of marriage, as well as the mother during childbirth.

Poseidon

Poseidon is primarily associated with the water element. It was this part of the world that he, as one of the three greatest, received to rule. Poseidon literally personified the sea, the fishermen brought him gifts before going to sea to alleviate his constant anger. Residents of coastal cities constantly lived under the threat of storms, because the cult of Poseidon in these regions was extremely popular. Poseidon’s roots, however, are in agriculture. Take at least the fact that Poseidon has always patronized horse breeding, although this does not fit at all with his usual marine image.

Demeter

Demeter was one of the most revered goddesses of the Hellenic pantheon. She dominated agriculture. Greece is a mountainous country, agriculture, among other things, was not very well developed here. Most of the food in the metropolis was imported by the colonies, in return they received a universal currency — gold and silver. As a result, Demeter was widely revered by the inhabitants of only certain areas. But when she was revered, they did it on a grand scale, regularly arranging holidays. For example, Thesmophoria is a typical Attic festival aimed at improving fertility.

Dionysus

Mad god of vines and vegetation. He was the youngest on Olympus, but because of this, his cult did not lose much in prevalence. Horticulture and viticulture were a constant part of the life of all Greeks (as opposed to plowing the land and harvesting). As a result, Dionysus had to be appeased by all means so that he would not destroy the stocks of wine and vegetables. For this, wild holidays were held in honor of Dionysus. Holidays in his honor — vrumalia and bacchanalia — were accompanied by violence, emancipation and abundant flows of wine. The Greeks tried to hush up the impact on their lives and even the existence of the cult of Dionysus: his religion was too much in conflict with the «Apollo» doctrine of concentration and moderation, which they were so proud of.

Athena

Athena was loved and respected throughout the country. Athena favored fair and organized warfare, strategy, science, wisdom, and the state. Athena is credited with the creation of the state, the highest court, ships, wars and much more. Without these four points, the policy could not function and flourish, therefore her cult lived in the cities for a very long time. It can even be said that Athena was the only goddess in Attica, her inhabitants of the central parts of the country had enough. The greatest of the cities, Athens, is even named after her.

Hephaestus

The influence of Hephaestus on the life of ordinary Greeks was great — he was the god of fire and a blacksmith. Hephaestus was worshiped by builders and blacksmiths as the greatest creator. Hephaestus, in turn, did not damage the rivets on the ships and did not bend the swords. He is known primarily for the fact that Prometheus stole fire from his workshop for the first people who could not escape the dangers of the world without fire. For this, the titan was tied to the rock with chains.

Patron of the bloody war. Ares does not contribute to the conduct of a just and forced war, like Athena. On the contrary, war for the sake of war, discord, deceit, unnecessary bloodshed are the sphere of interests of Ares. Since bloody wars accompanied Hellas throughout its history, the name of Ares was on everyone’s lips. The temples of Ares were not as common as those of Athena. It is known that in Sparta Ares was presented as an exemplary soldier: hardy, strong-willed and indestructible. Animals were sometimes sacrificed to Ares before battles.

Apollo

A significant place in the culture of the Greeks is occupied by Apollo — the god of light, healing, as well as the organizer of grandiose games and religious rites. Apollo was revered throughout the country, from which he entered Rome even before the conquest of Hellas by the Romans. The light of Apollo is rather metaphorical, meaning wisdom, enlightenment. Apollo in the pantheon is assigned the role of a teacher, his instructions were to be followed by any self-respecting Greek.

Artemis

Protector of hunting, fertility and happiness in marriage. She was revered throughout Greece, sometimes even bringing human sacrifices. Artemis was portrayed as an eternally young girl. It was a symbol of chastity and a vow of celibacy. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus is widely known: in the 4th century BC, a certain Herostratus set fire to it, wanting to perpetuate his name in history with this act.

Hermes

The herald of the gods took care of heralds, merchants and ambassadors — all those who benefit from eloquence and cunning. Shepherds and travelers were also not aloof. In ancient Greek folklore, it is described as an inveterate thief who, with cunning and eloquence, deceives and robs even the Olympians. Even in diapers, the ambassador of God stole from Apollo a herd of cows, which he pastured. He led the souls to the realm of the dead Hades.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, marriage and childbirth. According to legend, she had absolute power in matters of love. Those who rejected love for a long time were cruelly punished by her. The cult was quite widespread, many marble statues dedicated to Aphrodite have been preserved. All of them are Roman copies of Greek sculptures. The Romans adapted all the deities for themselves, giving them Latin names. In the Roman pantheon, Aphrodite of love is called Venus. Venus de Milo is very popular today — a statue of Venus (Aphrodite), devoid of arms.