Special Sub-Topic: Greek Gods Click Here To Play: Greek Gods

Goddess of agriculture and fertility.

Demeter. The myth of Persephone (Demeter's daughter) and the Pomegranate Seeds explains why we have winter. Persephone was kidnapped by Hades (who was in love with her) and taken to the underworld. Demeter went mad with grief and refused to let anything grow. Zeus interceded, and now Demeter's grief is only felt for 3 months of the year.

Messenger of the deities, and protector of orators, writers, traders, and travellers.

Hermes. One of Hermes' duties was to guide the souls of the dead to the underworld.

Wife of Zeus, and the protectress of marriage, children, and the home.

Hera. Zeus and Hera were actually brother and sister - both children of Cronus and Rhea.

God of War

Ares. Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera, and the father of Deimos (Fear) and Phobos (Terror). He was often accompanied by his sister Eris (Goddess of Discord) and Hades (God of the Underworld).

God of the sea and of earthquakes.

Poseidon. A brother to Zeus, Poseidon was one of the original six Olympians. He was known as the Earth Shaker and Earth Encircler in Homer's writings.

Goddess of wisdom and the protectress in war of those who believed in her.

Athena. Athena is said to have sprung fully grown, and fully armed, from the head of Zeus. To show his favour, Zeus gave Athena his breastplate, shield, and thunderbolt.

Goddess of love and beauty.

Aphrodite. Aphrodite is, of course, the origin of the word 'Aphrodisiac.' Although she was married to Hephaestus, she was known to dally with others whenever his back was turned. She was also the mother of Ares' children.

God of fire and industry.

Hephaestus. Hephaestus was known as the lame god, and myth has it that Hera cast him from Olympia because of his disfigurement. Hephaestus got his revenge by fashioning a magic throne for Hera, which entrapped her. Hephaestus let her go after being allowed to take Aphrodite as his wife.

God associated with the sun, and of truth, reason, prophecy, music, intelligence, and poetry.

Apollo. Apollo had a dark side as well, being wrathful and spiteful. He got it back, though. In making fun of Eros (saying how puny his power was), Eros struck him with his gold-tipped arrow, causing Apollo to be irrationally in love with a nymph. Eros then struck the nymph with a lead-tipped arrow, causing disgust and repulsion toward Apollo. Needless to say, things didn't work out too well.

God and ruler of the underworld.

Hades. The Roman name for Hades is Pluto. This came from the Greek word Ploutos, which means wealth. Hades was considered wealthy both because of the number of souls in his domain, and because all precious metals came from the earth.