Greek

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Zeus - Greek god of the sky and king of Olympus

Zeus was the most powerful of the Greek gods and goddesses. As god of the sky
and king of Olympus, his temper affected the weather. Zeus also rules over all other
gods and goddesses, so he was worshipped in most ancient Greek homes through
altars, shrines and daily offerings. Zeus had the power to change his shape and he
was also married to the queen of the gods, Hera.

Poseidon - Greek god of the sea


As god of the sea and brother of Zeus, Poseidon was one of the most powerful
Greek gods. Similar to Zeus, Poseidon's temper controlled the seas, so sailors would
pray to Poseidon before voyages to ensure safe passage.
Ares - Greek god of war
Son of Zeus and Hera, Ares was the god of war. He was a cruel god, so Ares was
disliked by his parents and was not worshipped to the same extent as other Greek
gods. His sacred symbols included the dog and the vulture. Ares usually carried a
blood-soaked spear.

Aphrodite - Greek goddess of love and beauty


Aphrodite was largely worshipped as goddess of love and beauty in many of the city-
states that made up Ancient Greece. As goddess of love and fertility, Aphrodite's
symbols were doves, roses, swans, and sparrows. Aphrodite was believed to be
either the daughter of Zeus, or risen from the sea upon a shell.

Hera - Greek goddess of women, marriage, and queen of the


gods
Wife of Zeus, Hera was queen of the Greek gods and also the goddess of marriage,
women, families and birth, acting as their protector. However, Hera was known to be
a vengeful god, and would take her jealousy of other goddess out on mortals. Hera's
sacred animal was a peacock, with a pair of peacocks pulling her chariot.

Demeter - Goddess of harvest and agriculture


As Greek goddess of agriculture and harvest, Demeter controlled the seasons and
the growth of crops. Therefore, the ancient Greeks would worship and pray to
Demeter in the hoped their crops would grow successfully. Demeter taught mortal
men how to grow corn, and it was believed that the barrenness of winter was caused
by her sadness over her daughter Persephone having to live in the underworld with
Hades during these months.

Athena - Greek goddess of war and wisdom


The daughter of Zeus, Athena was the goddess of battle strategy and wisdom, with
her sacred symbols being the owl and the olive tree. Athena did not have a mother,
being born directly from Zeus' head wearing a suit of armour! As goddess of battle
strategy, she is the female counterpart of Ares. Athena is the patron god of the
Greek city, Athens.

Apollo - God of the sun, music, poetry, art and more


Apollo was the ancient Greek god of many things, including the sun, music, poetry,
art, dance, archery, and healing. The son of Zeus, Apollo played music for the Greek
gods and goddesses on his golden lyre. Apollo also taught humans the art of
medicine and is sometimes referred to as 'The Healer', having the ability to heal
people of disease, but also spreading infection to those who angered him using
arrows.

Artemis - Greek goddess of the hunt and the wild


The twin sister of Apollo, Artemis is another child of Zeus. As goddess of the hunt,
she would hunt using her bow and arrows and had a hunting dog as companion.
Amongst the rural population, Artemis was the favourite goddess. Goddess of
animals, Artemis would punish anyone who hurt any animals sacred to her, including
bears and stags.

Hephaestus - God of fire, metal working and sculpture


The son of Zeus and Hera, Hephaestus was the Greek god of fire, metal working,
sculpture. Hephaestus was associated with craftsmen and blacksmiths, and was
married to the goddess, Aphrodite. Unlike other Greek gods and goddesses,
Hephaestus was physically flawed, being known as “the lame one”, due to being
thrown from Mount Olympus by Hera. He is depicted with a hammer and an anvil.

Hermes - The messenger god


The youngest son of Zeus, Hermes became the messenger of the gods due to his
speed and trustworthiness. Wearing winged shoes, Hermes could fly and travel
quickly. Hermes was the protector of travellers and merchants. He is credited with
the invention of boxing and gymnastics.

Dionysus - Greek god of wine, theatre, and fertility


Being an important part of ancient Greek culture, as the god of wine, Dionysus was a
popular Greek god. Another son of Zeus, as Dionysus grew he learned to cultivate
grapes, becoming the first person to make wine. Dionysus taught people how to
make wine, and then ascended to Mount Olympus, being the last to arrive of the
twelve Greek gods and goddesses.

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