Major Greek Gods by Nandika Karnik

The Greek culture is very interesting and has many different gods they, unlike many gods they have bad sides and bad qualities along with their good ones. Did you know that all the Greek gods are related to each other in very interesting and weird ways? Read on to find out.

Zeus (Pronounce: zoos):- He was strong and has leader-like qualities and behavior, with long, often curly hair. He is the head/main god and he is the god of the sky, thunder and justice. He is the son of Kronos (A titan who ate his kids)and Rhea (A friendlier titan). His symbols are a thunderbolt, Aegis (The Aegis is his shield and has the face of Medusa molded on the front), an eagle, an oak tree and storm clouds. He is married to his sister, Hera. His famous kids are Ares, Persephone, Hephaestus, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Dionysus, Hermes, Helen of Troy and Hercules. He is described as an angry, furious, but he is still known for the heroic actions in saving his siblings from the wrath of his father. He also had many “lovers” proving he was somewhat of a romantic sympathetic type underneath his anger. He had kids with lots of immortals and mortals, he had 92 kids (41 immortal and 51 mortal.) His siblings are Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Hestia and Demeter.

Poseidon (Pronounce: Puh-side-un):- He was imposing and strong with long, blue hair. He was also described with dark brown hair. He represents the seas, oceans, earthquakes, storms and horses. His symbols are horses, his trident, a bull, Seafoam, and dolphins. He is married to Amphitrite (Pronounce: Am-fuh-trite-ee), who is a daughter of a Nereids. His famous kids are Theseus (Pronounce: the-See-us; His deeds are Poseidon and Aegeus and his mom is Aethra), Triton (His mom is Amphitrite), Polyphemus (Pronounce: Polly-famous, his mom is Thoosa (Pronounce: the-ooh-SA), a nymph), Arion (The fastest horse on land; Mom not confirmed) and Rhode (She is a sea-nymph and her mom is Aphrodite). The myths say that he was moody, he was either in a very good mood or a very bad mood. When he was in a good mood he was cooperative and very nice and friendly, but, when he was in a bad mood he could be very destructive, difficult, quarrelsome and even greedy. His dad is Kronos and his mom is Rhea. His siblings are Zeus, Hades, Hera, Hestia and Demeter.

Hades (Pronounce: Hay-deez):- He had gloomy features. He had a beard and dark hair falling over his brow. He represents the dead and the underworld. His symbols are his helm of darkness, Cerberus (He is a three-headed dog, who guards the underworld), scepter (an ornamented staff), a cypress tree, Narcissus, keys of Hades. He is married to Persephone (Pronounce: per-sef-uh-nee), the goddess of spring growth. His famous kids are ‎Macaria (Pronounce: Ma-kaRa; Mom is Persephone)‎ and Melinoe (Pronounce: Melenen-AEee; ; Mom is Persephone). He is described as dark, fierce, unpitying and cruel yet just. His dad is Kronos and his mom is Rhea too. His siblings are Poseidon, Zeus, Hera, Hestia and Demeter.

Hera (Pronounce: He-ra):– She was a beautiful, mature woman with big eyes and pierced lobes, she also had golden hair.She cared a lot about how she looked and dressed in a feminine fashion. She was the goddess of women, marriage, childbirth. Her symbols are the diadem (It is a jeweled crown, it is a shaped like a headband), the scepter, a pomegranate, a symbol of fertility, a lily, a peacock and cows. She is the sister and wife of Zeus. Her famous kids are Ares (Dad is Zeus), Hebe (Goddess of youth and her dad is Zeus) and Hephaestus (Dad is Zeus too.) She is described as horribly vindictive, manipulative, and cruel, yet, steadfast. She presided over marriages and births. Her parents are Kronos and Rhea. Her siblings are Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Demeter and Hestia.

Demeter (Pronounce: De-Me-Tur):- She is a rich-haired woman with golden tresses and slender feet. She was usually pictured holding a golden sword and dressed in a darkly colored book. She is the goddess of harvest, fertility and agriculture. Her symbols are bread, sheaves of wheat, lions, cornucopia (a horn of plenty), drakons (Huge serpents), torches, crocus flower, the narcissus, the myrtle and the daffodil. She isn’t married, but has kids. Her famous kids are Persephone (Dad is Zeus), Arion (He is a horse and his dad is Poseidon) and Plutus (Dad is Liasion, a Greek hero). She is described as modest, shy, generous, understanding and respectful, but also very fierce when angered. Her parents are Kronos and Rhea. Her siblings are Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera and Hestia.

Hestia (Pronounce: hes-tia):- Goddess Hestia was depicted as a bashful woman with red or brown hair. She is the goddess of hearth and home. Her symbols are a lit fireplace, a donkey, a crane and fire and flames. She is a virgin goddess, so she has no husbands or children. She is described as gentle, forgiving, peaceful, calm, and welcoming. Her parents are Kronos and Rhea. Her siblings are Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera and Hestia.

Athena (Pronounce: eh-thEE-na):- She is described with gray eyes and brown or golden hair. She is the goddess of wisdom and war, she represents the strategic side of war. Her symbols are owls, olive trees, helmet and spear and chariots. She is a virgin goddess and her children are brain children. Her most famous kid is Erichthonius (His dad is Hephaestus and he was born by mistake. Athena tried to keep him hidden, but unfortunately she couldn’t.) She is described as intelligent, watchful, reasoned and unemotional. Her parents are Zeus and Metis (A titan). Her half brothers and sisters are Ares, Persephone, Hephaestus, Apollo, Artemis, Dionysus, Hermes, Helen of Troy and Hercules from her father’s side. She is the first kid of Zeus.

Ares (Pronounce: air-rees):- He is described with brown hair and is supposed to be very buff. He is the god of war, he represented the violence and bloodshed side of war. His symbols are a sacred shield, a spear, a burning torch, a vulture and a dog. He isn’t married, but is dating Aphrodite. His famous kids are Eros, Anteros, Phobos, Deimos, Harmonia, Himerus, Adrestia (Mom for all is Aphrodite) and Alcippe (Mom is Aglaulus). He is described as difficult, dangerous and aggressive. His parents are Zeus and Hera. His siblings are Hebe and Hephaestus and his half-brothers and sisters are Athena, Persephone, Apollo, Artemis, Dionysus, Hermes, Helen of Troy and Hercules from his father’s side.

Hephaestus (Pronounce: Hef-es-tus):- He was ugly partially because he was born ugly and due to that his mother, Hera threw him from Olympus. He is the god of blacksmiths. His symbols are a hammer, an anvil, a crane, donkey and a pair of tongs. His famous kids are Erichthonius (Pronounce: er-reek-thon-yawe-s ; Mom is Athena or Gaia), Eucleia, Euthenia, Philophrosyne, Eupheme (For previous four Mom is Aglaea), the Cabeiri (Mom is Cabeiro) and Periphetes (Mom is Anticlea). He is supposed to be friendly, peaceful, kind and yet jealous and bitter. His parents are Zeus and Hera. His siblings are Hebe and Ares and his half-brothers and sisters are Athena, Persephone, Apollo, Artemis, Dionysus, Hermes, Helen of Troy and Hercules from his father’s side.

Apollo (Pronounce: uh-po-lo):- He has blond hair and is handsome, strong and youthful. He is the god of prophecy, healing, archery, sun and music. His symbols are pythons, a bow and arrow, a laurel wreath, a lyre and common ravens. His famous kids are Asclepius (The god of medicine; Mom is Coronis) and Troilus (Mom is Hecuba). He is energetic, truthful, kind, wise and cheerful, but could get jealous and upset if somebody talked bad about his mom. His parents are Zeus and Leto. His sister is Artemis and his half siblings are Athena, Persephone, Hephaestus, Dionysus, Hermes, Helen of Troy and Hercules from his father’s side.

Artemis (Pronounce: art-tem-miss):- She is lean, lithe and brown haired. She is the goddess of the moon, hunting, wild animals, the wilderness and childbirth. She was known for protecting unmarried girls. Her symbols are a pike, a bow, a cedar tree, a snake, a bear and a deer. She is a virgin goddess so she has no kids and husbands. She is a strong woman, who is also proud, individualistic, free-spirited, independant and kind. Her parents are Zeus and Leto. Her brother is Apollo, they are twins. Her half siblings are Athena, Persephone, Hephaestus, Dionysus, Hermes, Helen of Troy and Hercules from her father’s side.

Hermes (Pronounce: er-meez):- He was blonde, muscular and young. He is the god of shepherds, land travel, merchants, border crossings, weights and measures, oratory, literature, athletics and thieves, and known for his cunning and shrewdness. His symbols are winged sandals and helmet, the caduceus, a tortoise and a hawk. He isn’t married, but has kids. His famous kids are Angelia (Goddess of messages; No mother mentioned), Eleusis (Goddess of Eleusinian Mysteries(Secret Religious Rites); Mom is Daeira), Pan (Mom is the nymph Penelopea), Agreus (Mom is the sea-nymph Sose), Hermaphroditus (Mom is Aphrodite), Myrtilus (Mom is either Theobule or Myrto), Nomios (Mom is sea-nymph Sose), Priapus (Mom is Aphrodite), Autolycus (Mom is Chione), Pherespondos (Mom is the nymphe Iphthime), Lykos (Mom is the nymphe Iphthime) and Pronomos (Mom is the nymphe Iphthime.) He is considered a “trickster” due to his cunning and clever personality. His parents are Zeus and Maia. His half siblings are Athena, Persephone, Hephaestus, Dionysus, Apollo, Artemis, Helen of Troy and Hercules from his father’s side.

Dionysus (Pronounce: day-oh-neigh-sus):- He was a handsome young man with impressive hair (usually tresses falling below his shoulders.) He is the god of winemaking, wine, madness, grape harvest and theatre. His symbols are serpents, tigers, ivy, and wine. He is married to a princess named Ariadne. His famous kids are Oenopion, Thoas, Staphylus, Peparethus (Mom of all previous is Ariadne), Charites, Hymenaios and Priapus (Mom is previous Aphrodite, Priapus’ dad may be Hermes.) He was known for his lightheartedness, he always offered his help to anyone in need but he was, unfortunately, misunderstood a lot. His parents are is Zeus and the princess Semele. His half siblings are Athena, Persephone, Hephaestus, Hermes, Apollo, Artemis, Helen of Troy and Hercules from his father’s side.

Aphrodite (Pronounce: Af-er-diet-tea):- She was described as a highly attractive young woman who dressed elegantly and loved wearing jewelry. She curled eyelashes and a beautiful smile on her lovely face. She is the goddess of love, beauty and eternal youth. Her symbols are the girdle (She used it to compel love; It is a sort of a belt or sash tied around the waist), seashells and a mirror. She is married to Hephaestus, but loves Ares. Her kids are Rhode (Dad is Poseidon), Hermaphroditus, Priapus (Dad of previous two is Hermes), Eros, Anteros, Phobos, Deimos, Harmonia, Himerus and Adrestia (Dad of previous seven is Ares). She is described as weak, vain, sensual, unfaithful, deceptive, careless, she is also cruel and vengeful to mortals who neglected her worship, and kind and favorable to those who most supported her.; she is fearsome and formidable if her beauty isn’t given credit. Many Greek writers characterize Aphrodite and her influence as disgraceful. She is shown less as a beacon of love and more as a proponent of lust and desire. She is born from sea foam, so her father is Ouranos, she has no mom. Other legends suggest that she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. She has no siblings, according to the first legend, but according to the second legend her half siblings are Athena, Dionysus, Persephone, Hephaestus, Hermes, Apollo, Artemis, Helen of Troy and Hercules from her father’s side.

Sources:

www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_greece/zeus.php