The Gods of Greek Mythology
Here, we list the main Gods and Goddesses of Greek Mythology, along with their attributes. The list is in no particular order, although Hestia, Dionysus, and Hades are left until the end due to their uncertain positions.
1. Zeus - The King of the Gods
He was the overall ruler of Mount Olympus and the king of all the Olympian gods of Greece. He was the lord and controller of the weather, that is, god of the sky, lightning and thunder, law and order, as well as justice. He was the youngest child of the Titan deities Cronus and Rhea and a brother to Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, Hades, and Hestia. His symbols included the thunderbolt, eagle, lion, scepter, oak tree, and scales.
2. Poseidon - God of the Sea
He is often thought of as the most second powerful God after Zeus. In charge of all water bodies and their associated natural calamities, Poseidon's influence also affected the seas and oceans, rivers and lakes, storms and hurricanes, tsunamis, and earthquakes, as well as horses. He was a brother to both Zeus and Hades and was the middle son of Cronus and Rhea. His symbols included the horse, bull, trident, and dolphin. Read more about Poseidon here.
3. Hera - Queen of the Gods
She was the queen goddess of Mt. Olympus, the primary abode of the gods of Greece. She was the goddess of women and childbirth, marriage, and family. She was both a sister and wife to Zeus, the king of the gods. She was the youngest daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Her symbols included the peacock, cow, and cuckoo. Being the goddess and overseer of marriage, she tormented any women who had extramarital affairs with Zeus, together with their children.
4. Athena - The Goddess of Wisdom
athena goddess yiannisscheidt shutterstockStatue of goddess Athena - credits: yiannisscheidt/Shutterstock.com
She was the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, reason, intelligence, science, literature, handicrafts, as well as defense and strategic warfare. She was fathered by Zeus with the Oceanid Metis, being her mother. Athena is said to have emerged out of her father's head a fully-grown woman in full armor and ready for battle. Her symbols included the owl and the olive tree. The city of Athens is named after her after she was the victor in a contest against Poseidon as to who should be its patron deity. Read more about Athena here.
5. Ares - The God of War
He was the god of violence, bloodshed, war, masculinity and manly virtues. He was born of Zeus and Hera. Ares was despised by all the other gods. His symbols included the boar, the serpent, the dog, the vulture, as well as spear and shield.
6. Artemis - The Goddess of the Hunt
Artemis was the goddess of the jungle, hunting, archery, purity and virginity, childbirth, protection, plagues, and the moon. She was the daughter of Zeus and Leto and also a twin sister to Apollo. Her symbols included the moon, horse, deer, hound, snake, the cypress tree, she-bear, as well as bow and arrow.
7. Apollo - The God of the Sun
Apollo is quite a complex figure in Greek Mythology. He was the god of light, the sun, prophecy and philosophy, truth and inspiration, the arts, poetry and music, medicine, healing, and the plague. He was the son of Zeus and Leto, as well as the twin brother of Artemis. His symbols included the sun, swan, lyre, and mouse. Many temples were built in honour of Apollo, with the most famous one being in Delphi.
8. Aphrodite - The Goddess of Love
Aphrodite markara shutterstockStatue of goddess Aphrodite - credits: markara/Shutterstock.com
She was the goddess of love, passion, desire, pleasure, beauty, procreation, and the fertility of the human body. She was the daughter of the Oceanid Dione and Zeus. Her symbols included the dove, bird, swan, bee, myrtle, apple, and rose.
9. Demeter - The Goddess of Fertility
Demeter was the goddess of the earth's fertility and productivity, harvest, agriculture, the environment, seasons, and nature. She was thus believed to preside over grains, the harvesting season, and, generally, the fertility of the earth. Demeter was the lover of both Zeus and Poseidon, and the middle daughter born to Cronus and Rhea. Her symbols included the poppy, wheat, cornucopia, pig, and torch.
10. Hermes - The Messenger
Hermes was originally described as a trickster like a character who deceived, perhaps a little like Loki from Norse mythology. Over time, he became associated as a God of travelers and traders but is most commonly thought of as the messenger between Gods and Men.
11. Hephaestus - Blacksmith God
Hephaestus was the lame son born of Hera, who at one point was cast out of Olympus. Married to Aphrodite, he is credited with creating the Gods fabulous weapons and equipment. Read more about Hephaestus here.
12. Dionysus - The God of Wine
He was the god of wine and strong drinks, the grapevine, fertility, festivity, ecstasy, and madness, as well as resurrection. He was fathered by Zeus and the mortal Theban princess, Semele was her mother. Dionys