Greek Gods and Goddesses

Zeus

• King of all the gods

• Had more powers than anyone

• Could throw his voice, shape shift, and throw lightning bolts

• He had a quick temper, a big sense of humor, and he was not afraid of anything except his wife, Hera.

Hera

• Queen of all the gods, also the goddess of marriage

• She was often jealous of her husband, Zeus

• There are many myths about Hera's jealously, anger, and revenge.

• Had a servant with 100 eyes named Argus

Poseidon

• Lord of the Sea

• He was very powerful and moody, so the Greeks were afraid of him

• Greeks built temples to honor him

• Had a palace at the bottom of the sea

Hades

• Ruler of the Underworld

• Had a home on Mount Olympus, but he preferred the Underworld

• He had an invisible helmet, a golden chariot, and his three-headed dog, Cerberus

Ares

• God of War

• He was tall and handsome, mean and self-centered

• His sidekick was the spirit of disagreement, Eris

• They also carried the spirits of Pain, Panic, Famine, and Oblivion

• Sought bloodshed and trouble

Hermes

• Zeus’ youngest son, made the messenger to the gods

• He was mischievous, fast on his feet, and very clever

• He always made deals to get himself and others out of trouble

Apollo

• God of music

• Apollo and his sister Artemis were twins.

• Children of Zeus and Leto

• Apollo was very protective of his mother

• Known in many famous myths, including the Oracle at Delphi

Artemis

• Goddess of the hunt and the moon

• Usually cold and pitiless

• She swore never to marry and resented people who intruded on her privacy, especially men

Athena

• Goddess of wisdom

• She became the guardian of the city-state of Athens after she won a contest with Poseidon

• Poseidon created a stream of salt-water, but she created the olive tree and won the contest

Hestia

• Goddess of hearth and home

• Deeply honored by Greek women

• They knew that Hestia was keeping watch over them as they did their chores

Demeter

• Zeus’ sister who was in charge of the harvest

• If she was upset, the crops would die

• Everyone worked to keep her happy (the company of her daughter Persephone made her happy)

Aphrodite

• Goddess of love and beauty

• No one knows where to place her in the Greek family tree

• Many legends are written about her beauty, and she was very vain

• Some believe that the Trojan War began because she was offended

Hephaestus

• God of fire and forge

• He was the only Olympian who limped

• He was married to Aphrodite

• He made many things, including Mount Olympus and the first woman, Pandora

Heracles

• Known for his incredible strength

• Half god/ half mortal

• Completed many tasks and had several journeys attempting to gain his place amongst the gods

Eros

• God of love

• Shot his arrows into mortals and deities to make them fall in love

• Was not happy until he found love for himself

Dionysus

• God of grape harvest, winemaking, and wine

• He was very good at shape shifting

• After he was kidnapped by pirates and escaped, he married Princess Ariadne

Orpheus

• Talented musician

• He played the lyre which allowed him to cast spells and tame savage beasts

• Lost his wife to Hades

Echo

• Wood nymph who had a beautiful voice and possessed a good and loving heart

• She swore off all suitors

• 3 myths:

1. Echo and Hera2. Echo and Narcissus3. Echo and Pan

Pan

• Watched over shepherds and huntsmen

•He had two horns coming out of his forehead and the legs of a goat. He also had a crooked nose and pointed ears.

• Loved music, dancing, and singing

Pandora

• Daughter of Zeus

• Sent to marry Epimetheus, a gentle but lonely man

• Opened the Pandora Box, which held things like envy, hate, crime, disease, and hope

Pegasus

• Known as “The Flying Horse

• Son of Poseidon and Medusa

•He was wonderful and warm

•Many tried to kidnap him, but the gods always helped him out

• Zeus rode him in the stars

How many gods and goddesses can you remember?