In classical-era mythology, twelve Gods ruled from Mt. Olympus. Zeus was considered the king of the Gods and Hera his queen. This pantheon of twelve Gods and Goddesses are considered the Olympians, representing the nature of man and his need for war, love and death. Six male Gods existed in the pantheon, two (Zeus and Poseidon) were born of Cronus and Rhea, Titan Gods and overthrew their father to rule the universe. Hades, their brother, also fought by their side, but after the victory he was drew the lot as ruler of the Underworld, so did take a throne at Mt. Olympus with his brothers.
Zeus - King of the Gods
Zeus was King of the Gods and ruler of Mt. Olympus. He was the the youngest son born to Cronus and Rhea, Titan and Titaness who were themselves children of Ouranos and Gaia, the sky and Earth according to classical Greek mythology. Zeus overthrew his father Cronus with the aid of his two brothers, Poseidon and Hades in a battle that went on for ten years known as the Titanomachy, or more popularly as the Battle of the Titans. Zeus fathered many of the deities in Greek mythology with Goddesses, deities and mortals alike. The artists of the period created Greek statues of Zeus either astride his throne ruling over Olympus or moving forward holding a thunderbolt above his head. Jupiter is the Roman equivalent of Zeus.
God of the oceans, master of earthquakes and brother of Zeus and Hades. He was given reign of the seas after the battle of the Titans. He is perhaps the most iconic of the Greek gods, his trident a well recognized symbol. The ancient Greeks believed he had the power to calm the seas and create bountiful fishing expeditions, but when angered would smash his trident into the ground causing earthquakes and tidal waves. He was a popular God and considered the protector of many Greek cities.
Apollo
Apollo was the most multi-dimensional of the Gods, seen as God of light and the sun; prophecy and truth; healing and medicine; music, art and poetry. Fathered by Zeus and the motal Leto, he had a twin sister, the virgin Goddess Artemis. He was regarded as the most handsome of the Gods, always depicted as young and attractive. He was thought to have both the ability to heal and to bring forth pestilence and plague. His symbols are the bow, lyre and laurel. He is also known as “Apollo” by the Romans.
Ares
Ares was the God of War. The Greeks viewed him more as the God of bloodlust or slaughter. Ares was seen as unpredictable, chaotic and barbaric. The stewardship of strategic warfare fell to his more rational half-sister, Athena. The vulture and dog were the sacred animals of Ares. The Roman God Mars was connected to Ares, but he was also seen as a God of agriculture and held in higher regard by mortals.
Dionysus
Born to Zeus and the mortal Semele in the city of Thebes, Dionysus was regarded as one of the gods of the epiphany or “gods that come.” He was the God of Wine, Merriment and Ecstasy and naturally a popular God frequently honored with celebrations in his name. Mythology contends that he was androgynous with long, thick hair. This could be the influence of one tale that tells the story that Zeus asked Hermes to hide the boy away to protect him from the vengeful Hera. Hermes took him to his mortal relatives and asked that they pretend that Dionysus was a girl to deceive Hera and protect him.
Hephaestus
Regarded as a gentle and compassionate God, he was the God of metal, blacksmiths, artisans, craftsman, metallurgy, volcanoes and fire|fire, metal, blacksmiths, volcanoes and craftsman]. Thrown from Mt. Olympus by his mother Hera, he is the only God depicted as repulsive. He was depicted as a cripple from the injuries he suffered in his fall from Mount Olympus. Hephaestus created many of Greek mythology’s most magnificent weapons and tools including: Hermes’ sandals and helmet, the Aegis breastplate, the armor of Achilles, Helio’s chariot, Eros bow and arrow and the thrones at Mt. Olympus. The Romans named this god Vulcan.
Hermes
Young and fleet of foot, Hermes was possessed of great speed and assumed the role of “messenger of the Gods” and bearer of souls to the Underworld. He was the one God permitted to walk the realms of Heaven, Earth and the Underworld. Like all Gods, he was possessed of fallibility: the impulse to steal. This trait earned him the honor of God of Thieves. Child of Zeus, Hermes was a trusted ally of the king of Gods and frequent confidant. He wore a “petasus” (a shallow, round hat) and was often portrayed with wings on his shoulders along with his famed winged sandals. The Roman incarnation of Hermes is Mercury.
Hades
Brother of Poseidon and Zeus, Hades fought with his brothers in the Titanomachy, helping to destroy their father Cronus and begin the rule of the Olympian Gods. After they vanquised the Titans, Hades and his brothers divided rule of the world. Drawing lots, Zeus was given the sky, Poseidon the seas and Hades the underworld. Popular notions of Hades are a bit distorted, probably from Christian views of hell. In Greek mythology, Hades was a benevolent ruler who strived for balance in the Underworld, but was also not above displaying his considerable powers if crossed. Hades is associated with Cerebus, the three-headed canine that guards the underworld and the Helm of Darkness given to him by the Cyclops’ before the Battle of the Titans.
