Greek Gods

Zeus is the god of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods. He presides over the gods on Mount Olympus where he wields a terrible thunder bolt in which he uses to discipline those who displease him. Zeus is also known to punish those who lie or break oaths. Zeus was the youngest son of the Titans, Cronus and Rhea. When Zeus grew to maturity he dethroned Cronus. Zeus henceforth ruled the sky, and his brothers Poseidon and Hades were given power over the sea and the underworld. He is husband to his sister Hera and, he was the father of Ares the god of war; Hebe, the goddess of youth; Hephaestus the god of fire; and Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth. Many of his children were born to goddesses or mortal women after love affairs.

Hera, a beautiful and headstrong goddess, is the queen of the gods and the daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. She is the sister and wife of the god Zeus. Though Hera advised Zeus and bore him children, jealousy corupted her. She hated her husband’s adventures and schemed against his many wives and children. Hera was the goddess of marriage and the protector of married women. Her children were the gods Ares, Hephaestus, Hebe, and Eileithyia. Known for her vindictive nature, Hera never forgot an injury.

Poseidon is the son of Cronos & Rhea. He was known as the earth-shaker and was given the dominion of the sea. The Cyclopes gave Zeus the thunderbolt and Hades a helmet, gave Poseidon his trident. Cronos used to swallow his offspring because he learned that one day one of his children will over throne him. Poseidon was swallowed by his father as were Hestia, Hera, Hades, Demeter, and Zeus was the only one who escaped that fate. He lived in a golden underwater palace with his queen, Amphitrite, a beautiful sea goddess. Poseidon plays a prominent part in numerous ancient myths and legends. When he and Apollo were cheated by the Trojans, Poseidon’s revenge was endless. He sent a terrible sea monster to ravage the land, and during the Trojan War he helped the Greeks.

Aphrodite had no parents and rose out of the sea on a cushion of foam. She was so beautiful that love bloomed all around her. Aphrodite is the wife of Hephaestus, the god of fire. Aphrodite was not always true to her husband because she made love flare up among the gods. Aphrodite would often help young people in love. Atalanta, a virgin huntress who remained always under arms, used to force her wooers to race before her and if she caught them she would put them to death. If anybody could survive, she would marry him. But Melanion came to the race bringing the golden apples that Aphrodite had given him. He dropped the apples as he was running, and because Atalanta could not help to pick up the fruit she was beaten in the race.

Hephaestus is the god of fire and metalwork.