Download Introduction to Greco-roman Mythology

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The twelve most important gods.
Named after Mount Olympus, where they
reside.
They were all related. They are all either the
children or grandchildren of the Titans Cronus
and Rhea.
Zeus
(Jupiter)
God of the sky and thunder
Ruler and father figure of Olympus
Younger brother of Hades and
Poseidon
His symbols are the thunderbolt,
eagle, bull, and oak
Had over 95 children
Poseidon
(Neptune)
God of the sea, storms, and
earthquakes
Older brother of Zeus
His symbols are the trident, fish,
dolphins, horses, and bulls
Since Greece is an island nation, he
was considered an extremely
powerful and important god
Hades
(Pluto)
God of the underworld (which was
also known as Hades)
Oldest brother of Zeus
Became lord of the underworld
when Zeus, Poseidon, and he drew
lots.
His symbols are Cerberus, The Cap
of Invisibility, and Cypress
Hestia
(Vestia)
Goddess of the hearth, home, and
family
Oldest of Cronus and Rhea’s
children
Her symbols are the hearth, pig,
donkey, kettle, crane
Very few myths are told about her.
Hera
(Juno)
Goddess of women and marriage
Wife and sister of Zeus
Her symbols are the pomegranate,
peacock, feather, and diadem
She is extremely jealous
Ares
(Mars)
The god of war and bloodthirst
Son of Zeus and Hera
His symbols were the vulture,
torch, spear, shield, boar, and dog
Rarely worshiped, but often
appeared in myths
Athena
(Minerva)
Goddess of wisdom, warfare,
strategy, and crafts
Daughter of Zeus
Represented by the symbols: owl,
olive tree, snake, spider, Aegis,
armor, helmet, and spear
Emerged from Zeus head, fully
grown, and in full armor.
Apollo
The God of light and the sun; truth
and prophecy; medicine, healing,
music, poetry, and the arts.
Is known by the same name is both
the Greek and Roman Pantheon
Son of Zeus of Leto
Twin brother of Artemis
His symbols are the lyre, laurel
wreath, raven, bow and arrows
Aphrodite
(Venus)
The goddess of love, beauty, and
sexuality
Daughter of Uranus (or Zeus and
Dione)
Her symbols are the Dolphin, Rose,
Scallop Shell, Myrtle, Dove,
Sparrow, Girdle, Mirror, and Swan
Emerged from sea foam
The mother of Eros (Cupid)
Hermes
(Mercury)
Messenger of the gods
God of boundaries, travelers,
shepherds and cowherds, thieves,
liars, orators wit, literature, poets,
athletics , weights and measures,
invention, and commerce
His symbols are the tortoise, the
rooster, winged sandals, the
winged hat, and the caduceus
Appears in more Greek myths than
almost any other deity
Artemis
(Diana)
goddess of the hunt, wild animals,
wilderness, childbirth, and young
girls
Her symbols are the bow, arrows,
stags, hunting dogs, and the moon
Daughter of Zeus of Leto
Twin sister of Apollo
Hephaestus
(Vulcan)
The god of technology, blacksmiths,
craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metals,
metallurgy, fire and volcanoes
Son of Zeus and Hera
His symbols are a hammer, an anvil,
and tongs
He was disabled
Wife of Aphrodite
With the help of the Cyclops, he
created, among other things, Zeus's
thunderbolts, Achilles‘s armor,
Prometheus’s chains, Cupid’s bow
and arrow, Poseidon’s trident,
Pandora, Hermes’s winged sandal
and helmet, Aphrodite’s girdle, and
Helios’s chariot, and a robot named
Talos