Welcome to my lens on Greek Mythology! The ancient Greeks used mythology to explain the world around them, give order to their universe, and, on occasion, just tell a good story. Their gods are bigger than life, but still oh-so-human, with all our passions and flaws. This lens will introduce you to their main pantheon, the Olympians. Whether you're already a mythology buff or just starting to dive in, this lens should have something for you - a new link to explore, a great book to read, or some sweet merchandise to proclaim your love of mythology to the world. So, take a look around and stop by again soon!
Jump to Your Favorite Olympian!
The Olympians
a.k.a. the Greek Gods
When people think of the Greek gods, they think of the Olympians - Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Hephaestus, Ares, Athena, Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes, and Dionysus. These are the folks we know best from Greek mythology, but they're just scratching the surface. Greek mythology is a complex and fascinating tapestry of stories and tales the ancient Greeks used to explain their world, teach their values, and occassionally just amuse themselves.
The Olympians were the last in a long line of gods and goddesses, starting with Kaos and going on through the Titans, the generation that came before the Olympians. Each of the gods has their own distinct personality, which is one reason why they've been fodder for fiction for years. Read on to learn more.
The Olympians were the last in a long line of gods and goddesses, starting with Kaos and going on through the Titans, the generation that came before the Olympians. Each of the gods has their own distinct personality, which is one reason why they've been fodder for fiction for years. Read on to learn more.
Zeus
Philandering King of the Gods
Zeus, king of the gods, was actually the youngest of his generation. Yep, that's right - Hades, Poseidon, Demeter and Hera all had to listen to their baby brother. And you wonder why they all squabbled so much...
When he and his siblings overthrew their father, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades drew lots for which part of the world they would rule. Zeus lucked out and drew the sky, becoming a storm god. He married his sister, Hera (don't be too hard on the guy - there weren't a whole lot of choices), then set about populating Mount Olympus with his children.
Unfortunately, most of those kids weren't Hera's, who was none too happy about the ever-increasing number of step-kids. Zeus had a wandering eye for pretty women, and his numerous affairs - and his attempts to keep his wife in the dark - kept the ancient Greeks entertained for centuries.
God of: Storms, the sky, law, order, and justice.
Spouse: Hera
Children: Way too many to list, but most of the younger Olympians, and several notable heroes, including Hercules.
Symbols: Lightning bolt, eagle
Hobbies: Seducing women, throwing lightning bolts
Roman Name: Jupiter
When he and his siblings overthrew their father, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades drew lots for which part of the world they would rule. Zeus lucked out and drew the sky, becoming a storm god. He married his sister, Hera (don't be too hard on the guy - there weren't a whole lot of choices), then set about populating Mount Olympus with his children.
Unfortunately, most of those kids weren't Hera's, who was none too happy about the ever-increasing number of step-kids. Zeus had a wandering eye for pretty women, and his numerous affairs - and his attempts to keep his wife in the dark - kept the ancient Greeks entertained for centuries.
God of: Storms, the sky, law, order, and justice.
Spouse: Hera
Children: Way too many to list, but most of the younger Olympians, and several notable heroes, including Hercules.
Symbols: Lightning bolt, eagle
Hobbies: Seducing women, throwing lightning bolts
Roman Name: Jupiter
Hera
Vengeful Queen of the Gods
Hera was the queen of the gods and both the sister and wife of Zeus. She was more or less tricked into the marriage, but being the goddess OF marriage, she didn't have much choice but to stick it out through all her husband's philandering. She was the mother of Hephaestus, Hebe and Ares, and spent much of her free time trying to annihilate her husband's love interests and illegitimate children. The majority of her roles in Greek myths involved her attempts to preserve her marriage over the best efforts of Zeus - setting the many-eyed Argus to watch over Io, tricking Semele into asking to see Zeus's full godly glory, and so on.
She did have her good moments, though. She was crucial to helping Jason and the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece. When the Clashing Rocks were set to squish their entire ship like a particularly pesky mosquito, she kept the cliffs apart long enough for them to escape. Later, she sent Thetis and the Nereides to guide Jason and his crew through the perils of Charybdis, Scylla, and the Drifting Rocks.
So, certain 90's television shows aside, she wasn't all bad. She was just a very proud woman whose husband never quite learned to keep his toga on.
Goddess of: Marriage and childbirth
Spouse: Zeus
Children: Hephaestus, Hebe, Ares
Symbols: Peacock, diadem and veil
Hobbies: Hunting down and punishing her husband's mistresses and children
Roman Name: Juno
She did have her good moments, though. She was crucial to helping Jason and the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece. When the Clashing Rocks were set to squish their entire ship like a particularly pesky mosquito, she kept the cliffs apart long enough for them to escape. Later, she sent Thetis and the Nereides to guide Jason and his crew through the perils of Charybdis, Scylla, and the Drifting Rocks.
So, certain 90's television shows aside, she wasn't all bad. She was just a very proud woman whose husband never quite learned to keep his toga on.
Goddess of: Marriage and childbirth
Spouse: Zeus
Children: Hephaestus, Hebe, Ares
Symbols: Peacock, diadem and veil
Hobbies: Hunting down and punishing her husband's mistresses and children
Roman Name: Juno
Poseidon
Moody God of the Seas
Poseidon was the lord of the sea, the great Earth-Shaker, and creator of the horse. When the three brothers drew lots for which part of the world they would rule, Poseidon drew the sea. He took to his new kingdom well enough, and he became well-known as a temperamental god whose moods could change as swiftly as the realm he ruled.
A lot of the myths around Poseidon, like most of the male Olympians, involve women. For example, his tryst with Medusa in Athena's temple is what led to her becoming the snake-haired creature that could turn a person to stone with a well-placed glare. In another pivotal myth, he and Athena competed for Athens by presenting the people with gifts. His gift of a bitter spring didn't exactly beat Athena's olive tree.
As god of the sea, he was very important to the Greeks, whose peninsula was, of course, surrounded by water on three sides. He provided a rather stern and moody explanation for the temperamental seas and the occasional shaking of the earth.
God of: The sea, earthquakes, horses
Spouse: Amphitrite
Children: Aeolus, Triton, the Cyclops, Pegasus, Bellerophon, and Theseus, among others
Symbols: Trident
Hobbies: Looking for romance and building fantastic palaces on the bottom of the sea
Roman Name: Neptune
A lot of the myths around Poseidon, like most of the male Olympians, involve women. For example, his tryst with Medusa in Athena's temple is what led to her becoming the snake-haired creature that could turn a person to stone with a well-placed glare. In another pivotal myth, he and Athena competed for Athens by presenting the people with gifts. His gift of a bitter spring didn't exactly beat Athena's olive tree.
As god of the sea, he was very important to the Greeks, whose peninsula was, of course, surrounded by water on three sides. He provided a rather stern and moody explanation for the temperamental seas and the occasional shaking of the earth.
God of: The sea, earthquakes, horses
Spouse: Amphitrite
Children: Aeolus, Triton, the Cyclops, Pegasus, Bellerophon, and Theseus, among others
Symbols: Trident
Hobbies: Looking for romance and building fantastic palaces on the bottom of the sea
Roman Name: Neptune
Hades
Dark and Dour God of the Underworld
The third brother and the one who got kinda gypped in the domains department. Yep, Hades drew the short straw and got stuck with the Underworld, the Greek realm of the dead. His were the spirits of the dearly departed, and his duties included making sure the bad folks went to Tartarus and the VIPs ended up in the Elysian Fields.
The most well-known myth in which he played a major role told how he met his wife. As one of the most feared and unpopular of the gods, his dating prospects were frightfully grim, so when he saw Persephone prancing about in a field of flowers, he decided to skip the awkward small talk and go straight to kidnapping. Despite all his hard work, he only gets to see his wife part of the year, thanks to a compromise to make his mother-in-law/sister Demeter happy.
Thanks to being god of the dead, people kind of feared Hades to the point where they avoided saying his name and even averted their eyes when making sacrifices to him. No wonder he was so sulky all the time!
God of: The Underworld and the riches of the earth
Spouse: Persephone
Children: The Erinyes
Symbols: Sceptor, helmet of invisibility
Hobbies: Devising punishments and lounging in his ebony throne
Roman Name: Pluto
The most well-known myth in which he played a major role told how he met his wife. As one of the most feared and unpopular of the gods, his dating prospects were frightfully grim, so when he saw Persephone prancing about in a field of flowers, he decided to skip the awkward small talk and go straight to kidnapping. Despite all his hard work, he only gets to see his wife part of the year, thanks to a compromise to make his mother-in-law/sister Demeter happy.
Thanks to being god of the dead, people kind of feared Hades to the point where they avoided saying his name and even averted their eyes when making sacrifices to him. No wonder he was so sulky all the time!
God of: The Underworld and the riches of the earth
Spouse: Persephone
Children: The Erinyes
Symbols: Sceptor, helmet of invisibility
Hobbies: Devising punishments and lounging in his ebony throne
Roman Name: Pluto
Demeter
Goddess of Grain
Demeter, Zeus's older sister, was the goddess of the earth and grain. She taught humanity how to settle down and plant crops so they could stop wandering the earth.
Her most important myth comes from when Hades kidnapped her daughter, Persephone. For months, Demeter wandered around, looking for her lost daughter. Understandably distressed, she refused to let any crops grow until finally, Zeus demanded that Hades let Persephone go. However, Persephone had eaten part of a pomegranite (poor girl wasn't too bright), and Hades declared that Persephone would have to return to the Underworld for a third of the year. We call that third of the year "winter."
Other than that, Demeter tends to play bit parts here and there. Not much of a stagehog, our Demeter.
Goddess of: Grain, the harvest
Spouse: Far as I know, this dour lady never married.
Children: Persephone
Symbols: Sheaths of grains and a torch
Hobbies: Moping, watching the grain grow
Roman Name: Ceres
Her most important myth comes from when Hades kidnapped her daughter, Persephone. For months, Demeter wandered around, looking for her lost daughter. Understandably distressed, she refused to let any crops grow until finally, Zeus demanded that Hades let Persephone go. However, Persephone had eaten part of a pomegranite (poor girl wasn't too bright), and Hades declared that Persephone would have to return to the Underworld for a third of the year. We call that third of the year "winter."
Other than that, Demeter tends to play bit parts here and there. Not much of a stagehog, our Demeter.
Goddess of: Grain, the harvest
Spouse: Far as I know, this dour lady never married.
Children: Persephone
Symbols: Sheaths of grains and a torch
Hobbies: Moping, watching the grain grow
Roman Name: Ceres
Aphrodite
Goddess of Love and Beauty
Ah, the lovely lady Aphrodite... As the goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and *ahem* procreation, she was pretty darn popular among the mortals. She was also extremely popular among the male Olympians, which is why Hera decided she needed to be married off the second she stepped ashore. As soon as word went out that this beautiful new love goddess was in the market for a husband, all the younger gods signed up for consideration. Unfortunately, it wasn't up to Aphrodite... and Hera decided the best match for her was the down-to-earth smith god, Hephaestus.
Now, the Olympian lads weren't known for respecting the sacrement of marriage, and darned if Aphrodite was going to. She hooked up with most of the gods and a good number of mortals, but her favorite was the god of war, Ares. Since Aphrodite and Ares weren't even considerate enough to take their affair out of the house, Hephaestus trapped them in a golden net and called all of Olympus to come and see. The goddesses politely declined, but it was definitely the show of the century for all the gods!
While there's a little disagreement about Aphrodite's parents, she was often accompanied by Eros, and known for her various clashes with the other goddesses. She was also noteable for her role in starting the Trojan War.
Goddess of: love, beauty, pleasure, and sex
Spouse: Hephaestus
Children: Hermaphroditus, Eros (in some cases), Deimos, Phobos, and lots of others.
Symbols: Dove, apple, sea shell, and, of course, the mirror.
Hobbies: Pampering herself and scoping out the gentlemen
Roman Name: Venus
Now, the Olympian lads weren't known for respecting the sacrement of marriage, and darned if Aphrodite was going to. She hooked up with most of the gods and a good number of mortals, but her favorite was the god of war, Ares. Since Aphrodite and Ares weren't even considerate enough to take their affair out of the house, Hephaestus trapped them in a golden net and called all of Olympus to come and see. The goddesses politely declined, but it was definitely the show of the century for all the gods!
While there's a little disagreement about Aphrodite's parents, she was often accompanied by Eros, and known for her various clashes with the other goddesses. She was also noteable for her role in starting the Trojan War.
Goddess of: love, beauty, pleasure, and sex
Spouse: Hephaestus
Children: Hermaphroditus, Eros (in some cases), Deimos, Phobos, and lots of others.
Symbols: Dove, apple, sea shell, and, of course, the mirror.
Hobbies: Pampering herself and scoping out the gentlemen
Roman Name: Venus
Ares
Big-Talking God of War
Meet the loud-mouth of Mount Olympus! As the son of Zeus and Hera, he should have had a pretty prestigious place in mythology. Instead, everyone hoped this violent god of war wasn't bright enough to find his way to the party. About the only person who did like him, besides his own offspring, was Aphrodite... and they didn't exactly do a lot of talking.
Despite all his big talk, physical prowess, and position as god of war, Ares had the reputation as the consummate coward who set new speed records in running back to Daddy as soon as he got nicked by a sword, spear, arrow, or stray piece of paper. Besides his renowned affair with Aphrodite, Ares is best known for getting trapped in jar by a group of giants. The gods enjoyed his absence for months before someone finally convinced Hermes that the poor god had to be let out for air... eventually.
God of: War
Spouse: Ahaha.. ha... yeah, moving on.
Children: Deimos (Terror), Phobos (Fear), Harmonia
Symbols: Helmet and spear
Hobbies: Talking big, annoying his siblings, killing Aphrodite's other loves
Roman Name: Mars
Despite all his big talk, physical prowess, and position as god of war, Ares had the reputation as the consummate coward who set new speed records in running back to Daddy as soon as he got nicked by a sword, spear, arrow, or stray piece of paper. Besides his renowned affair with Aphrodite, Ares is best known for getting trapped in jar by a group of giants. The gods enjoyed his absence for months before someone finally convinced Hermes that the poor god had to be let out for air... eventually.
God of: War
Spouse: Ahaha.. ha... yeah, moving on.
Children: Deimos (Terror), Phobos (Fear), Harmonia
Symbols: Helmet and spear
Hobbies: Talking big, annoying his siblings, killing Aphrodite's other loves
Roman Name: Mars
Athena
Goddess of Wisdom
Athena was the daughter of Zeus and his first wife, Metis, the wisest of the gods. Someone went and told Zeus that if Metis gave him a son, he'd be more powerful than the king of the gods, so Zeus decided the best way to deal with the threat was to swallow the pregnant Metis whole.
Zeus obviously hadn't thought the whole thing through, because in due time, he ran into a little problem: a headache an entire truckload of Tylenol couldn't even touch. He called Hephaestus and demanded he do something about it. Apparently thinking that the king of the gods could use a little shut-eye, the smith god whacked him over the head. Imagine their surprise when a fully-grown (and clothed) Athena sprang forth!
Besides the rather odd circumstances of her birth, Athena was known for combining her mother's brains and her father's brawn together as a wise warrior goddess, specializing in defensive strategies. She took part in the war of the giants, and had a hand in the Trojan War. She also had a tendency to get rather touchy, as the likes of Tiresias, Arachne, and even Aphrodite soon found out.
Goddess of: Wisdom, war, arts and crafts, heroic endeavors, industry and justice.
Spouse: None. She was a virgin goddess.
Children: She adopted Erechtheus.
Symbols: Owl, Aegis, spear, shield, and a lovely helmet.
Hobbies: Strategizing, weaving, entering contests.
Roman Name: Minerva
Zeus obviously hadn't thought the whole thing through, because in due time, he ran into a little problem: a headache an entire truckload of Tylenol couldn't even touch. He called Hephaestus and demanded he do something about it. Apparently thinking that the king of the gods could use a little shut-eye, the smith god whacked him over the head. Imagine their surprise when a fully-grown (and clothed) Athena sprang forth!
Besides the rather odd circumstances of her birth, Athena was known for combining her mother's brains and her father's brawn together as a wise warrior goddess, specializing in defensive strategies. She took part in the war of the giants, and had a hand in the Trojan War. She also had a tendency to get rather touchy, as the likes of Tiresias, Arachne, and even Aphrodite soon found out.
Goddess of: Wisdom, war, arts and crafts, heroic endeavors, industry and justice.
Spouse: None. She was a virgin goddess.
Children: She adopted Erechtheus.
Symbols: Owl, Aegis, spear, shield, and a lovely helmet.
Hobbies: Strategizing, weaving, entering contests.
Roman Name: Minerva
Hephaestus
Craftsman of the Gods
On a mountain full of divinely beautiful deities, Hephaestus was the ugly duckling. Some sources say he was born crippled, but if he wasn't, the bumpy ride down the side of the mountain when his mother Hera tossed him off for being ugly did the trick. Because of this, Hephaestus was known as the lame god, and usually showed up in art as on the back of a donkey or leaning on a walking stick. Fortunately for him, he was rescued after his downfall by nymphs who took him to Lemnos to be raised by the kindly folk there.
He applied himself to blacksmithing and became quite the craftsman, creating objects of great beauty. However, he never forgot what Hera did to him, and decided to send her a little present: a fantastic throne. Hera was delighted, of course... until she sat down and found herself strapped in. None of the other gods could get her loose, and despite their best attempts, no one could get Hephaestus out of his workshop and back to Olympus.
Things were looking rather grim for Hera when Dionysus, back from his mad wanderings and not yet recognized as an Olympian, paid his big brother a visit. With a liberal application of wine, Dionysus managed to get Hephaestus drunk, somehow loaded him onto the back of a donkey, and took him up to Olympus, where he convinced him to free the queen.
Afterwards, Hera thanked Hephaestus with the worst present since Pandora's box: Aphrodite, as his wife. And we all know how well that went.
Other than that bit of drama, Hephaestus mostely stayed in his forge beneath Mount Etna in Sicily, crafting everything from Achilles' armor to Eros's arrows with the aid of his handy Cyclops assistants.
God of: fire, blacksmiths, craftsmen
Spouse: Aphrodite, and later, Aglaea
Children: Erechtheus, Eucleia (goddess of good reputation and glory), Eupheme (goddess of being well-spoken), Euthenia (goddess of prosperity and plenty), and a whole lot more.
Symbols: Hammer and tongs
Hobbies: Working... a lot.
Roman Name: Vulcan
He applied himself to blacksmithing and became quite the craftsman, creating objects of great beauty. However, he never forgot what Hera did to him, and decided to send her a little present: a fantastic throne. Hera was delighted, of course... until she sat down and found herself strapped in. None of the other gods could get her loose, and despite their best attempts, no one could get Hephaestus out of his workshop and back to Olympus.
Things were looking rather grim for Hera when Dionysus, back from his mad wanderings and not yet recognized as an Olympian, paid his big brother a visit. With a liberal application of wine, Dionysus managed to get Hephaestus drunk, somehow loaded him onto the back of a donkey, and took him up to Olympus, where he convinced him to free the queen.
Afterwards, Hera thanked Hephaestus with the worst present since Pandora's box: Aphrodite, as his wife. And we all know how well that went.
Other than that bit of drama, Hephaestus mostely stayed in his forge beneath Mount Etna in Sicily, crafting everything from Achilles' armor to Eros's arrows with the aid of his handy Cyclops assistants.
God of: fire, blacksmiths, craftsmen
Spouse: Aphrodite, and later, Aglaea
Children: Erechtheus, Eucleia (goddess of good reputation and glory), Eupheme (goddess of being well-spoken), Euthenia (goddess of prosperity and plenty), and a whole lot more.
Symbols: Hammer and tongs
Hobbies: Working... a lot.
Roman Name: Vulcan
Apollo
The Angsty Poet of the Gods
Apollo, son of Zeus and Leto and twin brother of Artemis, would have been a great guy during the Romantic period. He was the patron of music and poetry, endorsed archery as a sport, and had more tragic love stories than Lord Byron, Shelly, and Keats put together.
When he wasn't plucking the lyre, conducting the Muse Choir, or chasing after ladies (and the occasional lad), Apollo spent his time reminding humanity that he was, indeed, a god not to be messed with. In one of his best known acts, he slayed the dread Python, which was terrorizing the rural folk at Delphos. This act won him his very own oracle and the love of the farming community, but unfortunately, the Python was the beloved pet of the king, and as a god who was supposed to stand for good and right, he had to make amends. The king decided that having a god in his service was a good thing, and set him to the task of guarding his cattle for nine years, giving Apollo plenty of time to work on his poetry.
One thing Apollo simply couldn't abide was anyone dissing his mama... which Niobe was dumb enough to do. She claimed to be superior to Leto because she had born a whole slew of kids while Leto could claim only two. Not the best idea. In a fit of rage, Apollo and his sister set about slaying all of Niobe's brood with a hail of arrows. Remember, kids: don't go insulting the gods!
God of: Music, poetry, archery as a sport, healing, disease, and prophecy.
Spouse: None, but he did have plenty of loves!
Children: Aristaeus (demi-god of cattle and fruit trees), Asclepius (god of healing), Troilius (a prince of Troy)
Symbols: Laurel wreath, bow and arrows, lyre, raven.
Hobbies: Penning poetry, chasing nymphs, archery.
Roman Name: Apollo
When he wasn't plucking the lyre, conducting the Muse Choir, or chasing after ladies (and the occasional lad), Apollo spent his time reminding humanity that he was, indeed, a god not to be messed with. In one of his best known acts, he slayed the dread Python, which was terrorizing the rural folk at Delphos. This act won him his very own oracle and the love of the farming community, but unfortunately, the Python was the beloved pet of the king, and as a god who was supposed to stand for good and right, he had to make amends. The king decided that having a god in his service was a good thing, and set him to the task of guarding his cattle for nine years, giving Apollo plenty of time to work on his poetry.
One thing Apollo simply couldn't abide was anyone dissing his mama... which Niobe was dumb enough to do. She claimed to be superior to Leto because she had born a whole slew of kids while Leto could claim only two. Not the best idea. In a fit of rage, Apollo and his sister set about slaying all of Niobe's brood with a hail of arrows. Remember, kids: don't go insulting the gods!
God of: Music, poetry, archery as a sport, healing, disease, and prophecy.
Spouse: None, but he did have plenty of loves!
Children: Aristaeus (demi-god of cattle and fruit trees), Asclepius (god of healing), Troilius (a prince of Troy)
Symbols: Laurel wreath, bow and arrows, lyre, raven.
Hobbies: Penning poetry, chasing nymphs, archery.
Roman Name: Apollo
Artemis
Celibate Goddess of the Hunt
Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and Leto and the older twin sister of Apollo. At a pretty young age, she swore of men and took to the hills, determined to remain a virgin for all eternity. Out in the woods, she spent her time hunting the lions, bears, stags, and what have you with her contingent of celibate nymphs. And, of course, you have to have a healthy supply of beasties if you're going to hunt, so Artemis was also in charge of taking care of big game.
Artemis was very determined to remain an undefiled virgin, and woe to any man who threatened that. Poor Actaeon, for example, happened to stumble upon her favorite bathing pool and didn't stumble away fast enough. An irritated Artemis turned him into a stag and let his own hounds have at him.
Despite swearing off men, Artemis did become rather close to the giant hunter, Orion, who became her hunting companion and bodyguard. While in some versions of the myth, Artemis herself killed him, other versions say that Gaia or Apollo slew him. Either way, Artemis scattered his spirit among the stars to become the constellation Orion.
Goddess of: the hunt, wild animals, death and disease, healing, young girls, childbirth.
Spouse: None.
Children: None.
Symbols: Hunting bow and arrows
Hobbies: Hunting, animal rescue, fending off peeping toms.
Roman Name: Diana
Artemis was very determined to remain an undefiled virgin, and woe to any man who threatened that. Poor Actaeon, for example, happened to stumble upon her favorite bathing pool and didn't stumble away fast enough. An irritated Artemis turned him into a stag and let his own hounds have at him.
Despite swearing off men, Artemis did become rather close to the giant hunter, Orion, who became her hunting companion and bodyguard. While in some versions of the myth, Artemis herself killed him, other versions say that Gaia or Apollo slew him. Either way, Artemis scattered his spirit among the stars to become the constellation Orion.
Goddess of: the hunt, wild animals, death and disease, healing, young girls, childbirth.
Spouse: None.
Children: None.
Symbols: Hunting bow and arrows
Hobbies: Hunting, animal rescue, fending off peeping toms.
Roman Name: Diana
Hermes
The Jack of All Trades
Arguable no god had more responsibilities and areas of influence than Hermes, son of Zeus and Maia. Hermes was the ultimate nightmare child, the kind who would have had all his grade school teachers tearing out their hair. Not long after being born, little Hermes snuck off and stole the herd of cattle his brother Apollo was supposed to be watching. He managed to get all the cows to walk backwards to make them harder to track. Apollo eventually figured out the trick, but not before Hermes had slaughtered one of the bovines and constructed the lyre out of various cow parts and a tortoise shell.
Apollo, of course, was a wee bit miffed, and hauled his little brother off the Zeus. Unfortunately for Apollo, Zeus thought this was all hilarious. While Apollo argued his case, Hermes started playing the lyre, and Apollo offered to forget the whole thing if Hermes handed over the instrument.
Zeus, meanwhile, realized that Hermes had a bit too much energy and a little too much mischief to be left alone, so he dubbed him his personal messenger and gave him the oh so envious job of guiding the souls of the dearly departed to the Underworld.
Because of his role as messenger, Hermes spent quite a bit of time with his old man, and as his trusted envoy, ended up with the task of trying to protect his father's lovers and kids from Hera's detection. Most notably, he freed Io, who Zeus had turned into a cow, from Hera's servant Argus by telling him so many boring tales and playing such soothing lullabies that the giant went to sleep.
Hermes dealt with mortals quite often and liked helping them out whenever possible, whether it was giving Odysseus a few hints or helping Orpheus find his dead wife. Instances of his wrath are fairly few, so if you were going to run into an Olympian god, Hermes was probably the best you could hope for.
God of: Shepherds, fertility, travel, marketplaces, weights and measures, good luck, oratory, language, writing, athletes, thieves.
Spouse: None.
Children: Pan, Hermaphroditus, Abderus, and others.
Symbols: herald's staff, winged boots, winged hat.
Hobbies: Helping out, stealing things, dallying with nymphs.
Roman Name: Mercury
Apollo, of course, was a wee bit miffed, and hauled his little brother off the Zeus. Unfortunately for Apollo, Zeus thought this was all hilarious. While Apollo argued his case, Hermes started playing the lyre, and Apollo offered to forget the whole thing if Hermes handed over the instrument.
Zeus, meanwhile, realized that Hermes had a bit too much energy and a little too much mischief to be left alone, so he dubbed him his personal messenger and gave him the oh so envious job of guiding the souls of the dearly departed to the Underworld.
Because of his role as messenger, Hermes spent quite a bit of time with his old man, and as his trusted envoy, ended up with the task of trying to protect his father's lovers and kids from Hera's detection. Most notably, he freed Io, who Zeus had turned into a cow, from Hera's servant Argus by telling him so many boring tales and playing such soothing lullabies that the giant went to sleep.
Hermes dealt with mortals quite often and liked helping them out whenever possible, whether it was giving Odysseus a few hints or helping Orpheus find his dead wife. Instances of his wrath are fairly few, so if you were going to run into an Olympian god, Hermes was probably the best you could hope for.
God of: Shepherds, fertility, travel, marketplaces, weights and measures, good luck, oratory, language, writing, athletes, thieves.
Spouse: None.
Children: Pan, Hermaphroditus, Abderus, and others.
Symbols: herald's staff, winged boots, winged hat.
Hobbies: Helping out, stealing things, dallying with nymphs.
Roman Name: Mercury
Dionysus
God of Wine, Theatre, and Madness
Dionysus is the youngest of the Olympians, and the one with the most mixed reactions. Women loved him because he encouraged them to have a little fun and be free, while men though that was the worst thing ever, but greatly enjoyed his gifts of wine and theater.
His mother, Semele, was a mortal, which caused him no end of trouble. As such, she was at the top of Hera's hit list, and skeptical people loved to deny that Dionysus could ever be a god. He usually managed to convince them otherwise... even if it killed them.
His youth was... rough, to say the least. Despite his aunt and uncle raising him as a girl and then spending a stint on Mount Nysa in the care of Silenus as a goat, Hera always seemed to find him and wreak havoc. When she led to the death of his first love, Ampelus, Dionysus went mad himself, and took to wandering the world until either a spring of Zeus or the goddess Rhea cured him. He eventually took his place on Olympus after convincing Hephaestus into freeing Hera from the golden throne.
As an incredibly bi-polar god, he could be sweet as wine or vengeful as a hangover, as his cousin Penthus found out when he declared that Semele had just shacked up with some local boy rather than Zeus. A group of pirates who kidnapped him also ran afoul of his bad side. He killed the captain and turned the rest of the crew (save the one who recognized him as a god) into dolphins.
Dionysus did have a softer side. When Theseus deserted Ariadne on an island, Dionysus took her as his wife and treated her as a queen. And don't let the Roman Bacchus fool you - Dionysus was more often seen as a beautiful, effeminate youth than the drunken butterball of Fantasia.
God of: Wine, vegitation, theater, pleasure, madness.
Spouse: Ariadne.
Children: Deianaira (Hercules' wife), lots of others.
Symbols: Thrysos, drinking cup, grape vine, and leopards.
Hobbies: Partying, hanging out with the ladies, watching the show.
Roman Name: Bacchus
His mother, Semele, was a mortal, which caused him no end of trouble. As such, she was at the top of Hera's hit list, and skeptical people loved to deny that Dionysus could ever be a god. He usually managed to convince them otherwise... even if it killed them.
His youth was... rough, to say the least. Despite his aunt and uncle raising him as a girl and then spending a stint on Mount Nysa in the care of Silenus as a goat, Hera always seemed to find him and wreak havoc. When she led to the death of his first love, Ampelus, Dionysus went mad himself, and took to wandering the world until either a spring of Zeus or the goddess Rhea cured him. He eventually took his place on Olympus after convincing Hephaestus into freeing Hera from the golden throne.
As an incredibly bi-polar god, he could be sweet as wine or vengeful as a hangover, as his cousin Penthus found out when he declared that Semele had just shacked up with some local boy rather than Zeus. A group of pirates who kidnapped him also ran afoul of his bad side. He killed the captain and turned the rest of the crew (save the one who recognized him as a god) into dolphins.
Dionysus did have a softer side. When Theseus deserted Ariadne on an island, Dionysus took her as his wife and treated her as a queen. And don't let the Roman Bacchus fool you - Dionysus was more often seen as a beautiful, effeminate youth than the drunken butterball of Fantasia.
God of: Wine, vegitation, theater, pleasure, madness.
Spouse: Ariadne.
Children: Deianaira (Hercules' wife), lots of others.
Symbols: Thrysos, drinking cup, grape vine, and leopards.
Hobbies: Partying, hanging out with the ladies, watching the show.
Roman Name: Bacchus
Greek God Poll
A Popularity Contest Millenia in the Making!
Everybody's got one of the Olympians they like better than the others, for a variety of reasons. That's one of the great things about Greek mythology - despite being thousands of years old, there's still at least one personality that connects. Which begs the question...
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Did You Know...?
The Greek-Roman Connection
You may have noticed that each of the gods above has a "Roman name" listed. You may also have read a version of your favorite myth where Aphrodite was called "Venus" or Dionysus went by "Bacchus," as they do in Mary Pope Osborne's Favorite Greek Myths. Why is that?
Well, it's because of the Romans. The Romans are best known for turning a tiny little town of seven hills in the middle of Italy into the center of arguably the greatest empire in history. However, they're well known for one other thing: their religious policies. As they expanded, they ran into religions and gods other than their own. Rather than saying, "Hey, we rule now - forget your gods and come worship ours!," they figured that it couldn't hurt to just adopt the new gods into their own pantheon. After all, who wants to tick off a god?
When it came to the Greeks, though, something different happened. The Romans looked at all those fine Greek myths and how each and every deity came fully fleshed-out as if they were real people. Until then, the Roman religion didn't have a whole lot of myths - they focused more on rituals than backstory. Many of their deities were more ideas than someone they could almost see walking down the street. So they looked at their pantheon and said, "Hey, we have a god of war... and the Greeks have a god of war... why can't we just say they're the same god of war?"
By identifying their gods with the Greek ones, their gods gained a whole world of mythology and personality, while the Greeks gained a new name. Often times, authors choose to use the Greek or Roman names almost interchangeably, which can make reading mythology a little confusing if you're not aware of who's who.
If you're studying mythology, take some time to get familiar with the Roman version of things. You might learn something new!
Well, it's because of the Romans. The Romans are best known for turning a tiny little town of seven hills in the middle of Italy into the center of arguably the greatest empire in history. However, they're well known for one other thing: their religious policies. As they expanded, they ran into religions and gods other than their own. Rather than saying, "Hey, we rule now - forget your gods and come worship ours!," they figured that it couldn't hurt to just adopt the new gods into their own pantheon. After all, who wants to tick off a god?
When it came to the Greeks, though, something different happened. The Romans looked at all those fine Greek myths and how each and every deity came fully fleshed-out as if they were real people. Until then, the Roman religion didn't have a whole lot of myths - they focused more on rituals than backstory. Many of their deities were more ideas than someone they could almost see walking down the street. So they looked at their pantheon and said, "Hey, we have a god of war... and the Greeks have a god of war... why can't we just say they're the same god of war?"
By identifying their gods with the Greek ones, their gods gained a whole world of mythology and personality, while the Greeks gained a new name. Often times, authors choose to use the Greek or Roman names almost interchangeably, which can make reading mythology a little confusing if you're not aware of who's who.
Note: Not all of the Roman gods were exactly the same as their Greek counterparts. Mars and Ares are a good example. To the Greeks, Ares was an almost comical coward, a big talker who went running to Daddy as soon as he so much as got a paper cut. To the Romans, however, Mars was a noble warrior, the father of the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. He was the symbol of their people, and represented both war and agriculture to them. Which means that when it came to the parts where the Greeks and Romans disagreed, the Romans were really good at using a little artistic license to tweak the Greek myths and make them suit the Roman ideal.
If you're studying mythology, take some time to get familiar with the Roman version of things. You might learn something new!
Other Interesting Godly Folk
The Minor Leagues
Greek mythology is just full of deities, and the Olympians were just scratching the surface. There was a myriad of minor gods and goddesses that showed up in myths. Here's a list of some of the better known ones.
- Eris
The goddess of discord and strife. No wonder she follows Ares around! Her prize possession is a golden apple so beautiful that everyone wants to have it. That little apple led to the Trojan War. - Eros
Later associated with Cupid in the Roman pantheon, Eros was the Greek god love and desire. You'd recognize him by his arrows 'o love. His most well-known myth tells how he met his wife, Psyche. - The Fates
Also known as the Moirae, these three little old ladies were in charge of each person's destiny, from the time they were born until ol' Atropos snipped their life thread. - Hecate
Another important, but lesser-known, goddess, Hecate hung out around crossroads late at night and was known for her ties to the Underworld and her magic. A lot of authors like making obscure references to her. - Hestia
This little lady was Zeus's oldest sister and goddess of the hearth. She also hung out at Olympus, even if she wasn't considered an Olympian. She tended the sacred flame and, rather than choose between Poseidon and Apollo when they took a liking to her, vowed to remain a virgin forever. - Morpheus
Ah yes, this is a name you should recognize, whether it's from the Matrix movies or the Sandman graphic novels. Morpheus is the Greek god of dreams, son of Hypnos (sleep) and nephew of Thanatos (death). He doesn't actually feature in any myths of his own, but modern people seem to love him, anyways! - Nemesis
Not every deity can claim to have become a part of the English language, but Nemesis sure can! While the modern word "nemesis" means an adversary or opponant, the Greek Nemesis is goddess of divine justice and vengeance. Watch out for that whip! - Nike
Here's another name you probably recognize, thanks to a certain shoe brand. She was the Greek goddess of victory, and usually shown with wings. Good choice for a sports shoe! - Persephone
Ever wonder why we have winter? Well, the Ancient Greeks explained it with the story of Persephone, daughter of Demeter. This pretty young lady caught the eye of Hades, and what happened after that led to why we have the seasons. - Pan
Pan was the son of Hermes and a good friend of Dionysus. He also had a fascination with Aphrodite (but c'mon, what guy didn't?), and is the source of our word, "panic." - Thanatos
Thanatos was the Greek personification of Death and the twin brother of Hypnos ("Sleep"). Nice relation there, huh?
Great Books on Greek Mythology
Because you can never read enough on Greek Mythology!
Want to learn more about Greek mythology? For a nice, beautifully illustrated introduction to some of the timeless myths from antiquity, give Osborne's Favorite Greek Myths a try. It makes for an excellent addition to any child's library, especially if they're doing a Greek mythology unit in school.
For a more scholarly approach, the best book I can suggest is Classical Mythology: Images and Insights. My inner myth geek LOVES this book and its analysis of Greek mythology. Learn not only about the Greek gods, but about the world they inhabited and the people who paid them homage.
For a more scholarly approach, the best book I can suggest is Classical Mythology: Images and Insights. My inner myth geek LOVES this book and its analysis of Greek mythology. Learn not only about the Greek gods, but about the world they inhabited and the people who paid them homage.
Classical Mythology: Images and Insights
This is one of my favorite books on classical mythology. It was one of my college textbooks, and probably the most in-depth book on the Greek gods I've ever read. Includes translations of ancient Greek plays and poems, as well as analyzes of all the important gods. If you're really into the Greek gods, this is a must-have!
Amazon Price: $77.99 (as of 12/04/2009) 
Favorite Greek Myths
Beautiful illustrations by Troy Howell accompany Osborne's retellings of twelve of the most beloved Greek myths, from Midas and Narcissus to Cupid and Psyche. Osborne uses the the Roman names, but trust me, you won't mind.
Amazon Price: $14.39 (as of 12/04/2009)
Great Shows on Greek Mythology
If Reading's Not Your Thing...
Don't feel like curling up with a good book? Let's hear it for television! If you'd rather watch a video on Greek mythology, here's a few suggestions for your viewing pleasure:
In Search of History - The Greek Gods (History Channel)
Amazon Price: $18.49 (as of 12/04/2009)
The History Channel: Gods and Goddesses
Amazon Price: $18.49 (as of 12/04/2009)
Ancient Greece - Traditions of Greek Culture
Amazon Price: $22.49 (as of 12/04/2009)
Greek Mythology Links
Great Greek Mythology Sites on the Web
There are a LOT of websites out there on the Greek gods and Greek mythology. Some of them are pretty good. Others... not so much. So, to save you a little time, here's a few great places to start delving into the world of the Ancient Greeks!
- Encyclopedia Mythica
- This is THE place to start to get your mythology and folklore fix, regardless of which mythology you're interested in. And, of course, they've got a great Greek section. Fast, easy to use, and informative. Check it out!
- The Theoi Project: Guide to Greek Mythology
- Looking for serious, in-depth information on the gods? Want to read excerpts of the ancient myths (translated, of course)? Then this is the place for you! It's more complex and more scholarly than the Encyclopedia Mythica, but if you're serious about learning about the Greek gods, you'll have a hard time finding a site with more information than the Theoi Project.
- Mythweb
- Welcome to Mythweb, which is basically Greek Mythology Lite. If you just want a quick run-down of the major players in Greek mythology, this is the place for you. Cute illustrations, easy to navigate, definitely don't need to worry about being overwhelmed.
- Greek Mythology on Wikipedia
- Yeah, yeah, I know... Wikipedia isn't always the most reliable source around, but their article on Greek mythology gives an excellent overview of everything surrounding the mythology: where our information on it comes from, a survey of the structure of the mythological history, how the Greek and Roman myths compared, modern interpretations, and a nice list of references for you to check out. Definitely worth a look!
- Greek Mythology: From the Iliad to the Fall of the Last Tyrant
- This is a very nice site with its own dictionary of people, places, and things important in Ancient Greece, along with essays, a quick guide to the Immortals, an extensive list of books to read, and a wide selection of links in some way related to Ancient Greece. Spend some time here!
- Mr. Donn.org
- This is a great site for teachers and grade school students doing units or projects on Ancient Greece or Greek mythology. Cute graphics and lots of well-organized information can be found here.
Old School Mythology
Going Straight to the Source
From epic poet Homer to the playwrights Sophocles and Euripedes, check out how the ancient Greeks made use of their culture's myths and legends.
The Iliad (Penguin Classics)
The story of the turning point in the Trojan War, and the story that led to the discovery of the actual city of Troy.
Amazon Price: $9.23 (as of 12/04/2009)
The Odyssey (Penguin Classics)
A little lighter and more whimsical than its predecessor, the Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus, one of the heroes of the Iliad, and his long journey home to his wife. Cyclops, monsters, sorceresses, and gods a-plenty keep this story moving with the best of them!
Amazon Price: $9.36 (as of 12/04/2009)
Sophocles I: Oedipus The King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone (The Complete Greek Tragedies)
Sophocles is perhaps the best-known ancient Greek playwright. Is fate predetermined? Destiny inescapable? Check out the stories of Oedipus and his family to see what the ancient Greeks thought.
Amazon Price: $5.03 (as of 12/04/2009)
Aeschylus I: Oresteia: Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The Eumenides (The Complete Greek Tragedies) (Vol 1)
Political intrigue, love affairs, and a Lion King-like tale of a son avenging his father's death is told here in Aeschylus's Oresteia.
Amazon Price: $8.39 (as of 12/04/2009)
The Bacchae and Other Plays (Penguin Classics)
Okay, I gotta admit, The Bacchae is one of my favorite Greek plays. I've got a soft spot for Dionysus, and this was his starring role!
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 12/04/2009)
Need a Little Help?
Cliff's Notes
Okay, I'll admit it: sometimes, those old epic poems and plays can be a wee bit hard to follow. But fear not! Cliff's Notes has a handy dandy collection of guides and supplements ready and willing to explain who everyone is and what in the world is going on.
The Iliad (Cliffs Notes)
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Oedipus Trilogy (Cliffs Notes)
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
The Odyssey (Cliffs Notes)
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Great Modern Fiction Featuring Greek Mythology
One Way Classical Mythology Lives on Today
Greek mythology is filled with fascinating characters... a fact that hasn't escaped modern authors! If you're a mythology fan, reading each individual take on the gods can be incredibly fun. Here are some of my favorite books influenced by, stealing directly from, or featuring characters from Classical mythology. I'll be sure to add more as I run into them! ^_^
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)
The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series is a fantastic thrill ride filled with nods to Greek mythology and classic adventure. Percy Jackson is your not-so-typical kid. After being kicked out of six schools on working on his seventh, he learns that his father is actually a god, monsters want to kill him, and someone is framing him for the event set to start World War III! Definitely the best series out there based on Greek mythology. Great for grades 5-9.
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Summon the Keeper: The Keeper's Chronicles #1
Here's one for you adults out there. Claire Hansen is a Keeper, a person charged with fixing dimensional holes in reality. She's been summoned to the Elysian Fields Guest House to moniter a hole to hell, and she's about to get some interesting guests - among them, one of the most amusing versions of the Olympians I've ever seen! While they're not the focus, the story itself is fun, quirky, and an entertaining read. Check it out!
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Tales from the Odyssey #1: One-Eyed Giant, The
Here's another one for your myth-loving kids. From the author of the beloved Magic Tree House series comes "Tales from the Odyssey," Mary Pope Osbourne's retelling of different parts of the story of Odysseus. Sure to be a crowd pleaser with the youngsters. Reading level ages 9-12
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Pandora Gets Jealous
When 13-year-old Pandy needs a school project, she ends up with the mythical Pandora's box... and we all know what happens when someone gets that! Fortunately, the gods have given her a year to gather up all that divine badness, which is just what she's going to do! Reading level ages 9-12
Amazon Price: $11.21 (as of 12/04/2009)
Nobody's Princess
A new take on Helen of Troy, but this is no helpess damsel in destress we're talking about! Helen's going to make her mark on the world, and she's not about to do it by being a good, meek little princess.
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
For Your Viewing Pleasure...
Modern Adaptations of Greek Mythology on DVD
Greek mythology hasn't just made its way into modern fiction - it's made its way onto TV, too! Here's a sampling of a few of the shows featuring the gods, goddesses, and heroes of old without trudging through all those pesky pages!
Clash of the Titans (Snap Case)
Ah, this one's a classic! Not exactly faithful to the myth of Perseus - more like a Greek mythology potluck - but it's an enjoyable romp through epic storytelling. This one's got everything from Medusa to the Kraken, and some pretty good renditions of the gods here.
Amazon Price: $5.79 (as of 12/04/2009)
![Troy - The Director's Cut [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5129dbIr8IL._SL75_.jpg)
Troy - The Director's Cut [Blu-ray]
Alright, I'll admit it - I've never seen Troy. I know, I know, shock and amazement all around. But seeing as it's based on The Iliad, it deserves a place here.
Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Hercules (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
What can I say? In the grand tradition of turning that frown upside-down, Disney takes the none-too-happy tale of Hercules and makes it cute, comedic, and fit for the kiddies. And hey, they even fit in the traditional chorus in the form of soul-singing muses!
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Great Mythology Stuff from CafePress
Check out some sweet mythology-inspired merchandise from the marketplace of CafePress! Hermes says you should. ^_^
Ares - God of War Kids Hoodie
Price: 28.99
Diana Goddess of Hunt Women's Long Sleeve Dark T-S
Price: 29.99
Pallas Athena Small Poster
Price: 14.99
Perseus Journal
Price: 11.99
Greek Gods Mug
Price: 13.99
Reader Feedback
Like this lens? Got some good books to recommend? This is the place to do it! Comments and suggestions welcome. ^_^
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- Demaw Demaw Nov 21, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
- Very interesting reading. They show us how power corrupts. 5*
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- Greekgeek Greekgeek Nov 13, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
- Great lens! I have to admit I balked when I hit the Amazon ads before anything else, but that's just me... this is a thorough and informative guide to Greek myths!
Lensrolling it on some of my own Greece-related lenses, and rating!
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- Tipi Tipi Apr 3, 2009 @ 10:39 am
- Interesting lens, and very well done my dear! :) - susie
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- CelestialQ CelestialQ Nov 19, 2008 @ 12:28 am
- Nice lens! Informative but concise enough to read fully.
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- Susan52 Susan52 Oct 31, 2008 @ 7:11 am
- My children enjoyed studying Greek mythology. Wish I would have had this guide for them. Nice job!
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by Kitsune64
Hi! Kit here, also known as A. Meyer. I've loved Greek mythology since I was a child, and have made a hobby of studying it for years. My persona...
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