The Main Greek Gods
Zeus
Zeus was the son of Cronus, who was one of the Titans. His mother, Rhea, saved him from his father's stomach by giving his father a decoy baby that was really a stone. When he was older, he poisoned his father and made him regurgitate up his brothers and sisters. With his brothers' help, he overthrew Cronus and became the ruler of the heavens and had authority over all of the gods and goddesses. His main weapon and symbol was the thunderbolt, and the eagle and the tree were sacred to him. Some of his children are Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hephaestus, and Athena.
Hera
Hera was Zeus's sister. Later, she became his wife. She is a protector of wives and mothers. Often she was jealous of Zeus's attention to other women. Her symbols were the cow, peacock, and pomegranate.
Poseidon
Poseidon was the god of the sea. His symbols were the trident, horse, and the dolphin.
Athena
Athena was the goddess of wisdom, reason, and combat. She was the protector of civilized living and Zeus's favorite child. Her symbols were the owl and the olive tree. When Zeus heard a prophecy that any child born to his wife Metis would become greater than him, he turned pregnant Metis into a fly. He then swallowed her.He got a horrible headache, and begged Hephaestus, the god of metal working, to split his head open. Athena then sprang out of his head. In this way, she was born.
Demeter
Demeter was the goddess of the harvest and fertility. The sheaf of wheat(a bundle of wheat)was her symbol. Her daughter was Persephone, who was kidnapped by Hades. Demeter then was upset and took back her gifts from the world. Zeus was concerned, and wanted Persephone back. Since she had eaten in the underworld, Hades had a claim on her. It was decided that Persephone would be in the Underworld for part of the year, and that part of the year was winter. When Persephone returned each year, it was spring.
Hestia
Hestia was the goddess of the hearth, family, and domesticity. She gave Zeus an oath to never enter a union with a male, to remain pure. Her name actually means "home and hearth" in Greek.
Apollo
Apollo was the son of Zeus and Leta. He was the twin of Artemis, and the god of music, light, prophecy, and health.
His symbols were the lyre and the laurel tree. In addition, Apollo drove his chariot with fiery horses up in the sky to give the world light.
His symbols were the lyre and the laurel tree. In addition, Apollo drove his chariot with fiery horses up in the sky to give the world light.
Artemis
Artemis was the goddess of the hunt, and the twin of Apollo. Her symbols were the cypress tree, the moon, hunting dog, and deer. All wild animals were sacred to her, and she had skills with a bow and arrow.
Aphrodite
Aphrodite was born from the sea. She was the goddess of beauty and love, and her symbols were the rose, the myrtle tree, the dove, the dolphin, and the sparrow.
Ares
Ares was the Greek god of war. He was very cruel, and his throne on Mt.Olympus was said to be covered in human skin. His symbol was the vulture.
Hermes
Hermes was Zeus's messenger. He was also the god of thieves. A pair of shoes and a hat that both had wings enabled him to fly. He carried a staff that had two olive branches entwined, which later became snakes, and topped off with a pair of wings. Now, this is a symbol of medicine.
Hephaestus
Hephaestus was the god of metal working and smiths. The only god to be physically ugly, he was also lame. Aphrodite is his wife, although she wan't pleased. His symbol was a hammer.
Hades
Hades was the god of the underworld and the land of the dead. He was also known as Pluto. He did not live on Mt.Olympus, but was still important. He was hated and feared.
Dionysus
Dionysus was the god of wine and the son of Zeus and Semele, a mortal. He was the only god who had a mortal parent. When Semele died from looking at the glory of Zeus, Zeus rescued Dionysus from her and stitched him into his leg. Dionysus was then born from Zeus, which made him immortal. The presence of a wine god shows how important wine was to the Greeks. Dionysus's symbol was a cluster of grapes.