greek and roman gods: olympians (and minor gods)

Greek and Roman Gods:

Olympians (and minor gods)

Mr. Upchurch’s Mythology 101

Lectures 9

Also known as Classical

Mythology

Original Creators (from Choas)

The Titans

The Olympians

The Olympians1. Zeus

(Jove/Juptier)2. Hera (Juno)3. Poseidon

(Neptune)4. Hades (Pluto)5. Aphrodite

(Venus)6. Apollo (Apollo)7. Ares (Mars)

8. Artemis (Diana)9. Athena

(Minerva)10. Hephaestus

(Vulcan)11. Hestia (Vesta)12. Hermes

(Mercury)Sometimes:• Demeter (Ceres)• Dionysus

(Bacchus)

The Olympians1. Zeus

(Jove/Juptier)2. Hera (Juno)3. Poseidon

(Neptune)4. Hades (Pluto)5. Aphrodite

(Venus)6. Apollo (Apollo)7. Ares (Mars)

8. Artemis (Diana)9. Athena

(Minerva)10. Hephaestus

(Vulcan)11. Hestia (Vesta)12. Hermes

(Mercury)Sometimes:• Demeter (Ceres)• Dionysus

(Bacchus)

Zeus Hera Apollo

Pan

Aphrodite

Ares

Artemis

DionysusPoseidon

Hermes

Athena

DemeterHephaestus

Zeus (Jupiter, Jove)Domain:

King of the Gods/ Lord of the SkyRelationships:

Cronus & Rhea – parents; Hera – wife & sister; Poseidon & Hades – brothers

Symbols: Lightening bolt; Eagle; Oak Tree

• Important Information:King of OlympiansZeus’ shield contained Medusa.

Shield called aegis (protection)Olympics started in honor of ZeusOverthrew Cronus (was the one to

cast the death blow) to become king of the gods

Pegasus, once in Olympus, was know to retrieve Zeus’ thunderbolts

Extramarital Affairs: Approximately 60 (Including Primary Deities, Nymphs, and Mortals)

Hera (Juno)Domain:

Queen of Olympia; Goddess of Marriage

Relationships: Cronus & Rhea – parents; Zeus –

husband & brother; Poseidon & Hades – brothers

Symbols: Bird – peacock; Cow – is sacred

• Could ease childbirth• Punished unfaithful women• Fall of Troy – revenge against the

Trojans because of the Judgment of Prince Paris

• Sacred city – Argos• Very beautiful woman• Milky Way – milk from Hera from

when she fed Hercules• Heraia – athletic competitions for

women only• Iris, the goddess of the rainbow,

was her attendant and messenger

Poseidon (Neptune)Domain:

SeaRelationships:

Zeus & Hades- brothers; Amphitrite – wife

Symbols: Trident (three-pronged pitchfork)

• Gave horses to man• “Earth-Shaker”• House was under the sea, but he was at Mt. Olympus• Odyssey - delayed Odysseus’ return home

• Contrary to Percy Jackson, Poseidon did not have as many lovers as his brother. Though there were numerous affairs, they were nearly all with mortal women, and only recorded in genealogies without accompanying stories.

Hades (Pluto, Dis meaning rich)

Domain: Underworld

Relationships: Zeus & Poseidon – brothers;

Cronus & Rhea – parents; Persephone- wife

Symbols: Helmet of Invisibility (or

darkness)

• God of the dead, but not “death”• 3rd in power, under Zeus and Poseidon• Kidnapped Persephone, daughter of Demeter, thus creating the four seasons

Aphrodite (Venus)Domain:

Goddess of Love and BeautyRelationships:

Parents-Zeus & Dione or “Foam of Sea” Husband- Hephaestos

Symbols: Bird – dove, swan, sparrowTree – myrtle(heart – modern)

• Queen of laughter, Mistress of grace and pleasures

• Notoriously unfaithful to her husband

• Wife of Hephaestus (ugly, lame god)• Easily fooled/beguiled others (used

her sexuality to get her way)• Winner of the golden apple in the

Judgement of Paris – she had promised Paris the most beautiful woman in the world (Helen)

• Famous with Ares (god of war --- Love & War)

• Mother of Cupid (Eros)

Apollo (Apollo)Domain:

God of Archery, Prophecy, Medicine, and Music (also associated with all other sun gods)

Relationships: Parents- Zeus and Leto (Latona) Twin- Artemis

Symbols: Sun – sometimes; Lyre – small harp; Bird

– crow; Tree – Laurel

• Python –Killed large snake• Oracle (priestess) was at Delphi• Widely worshipped • Gave man the healing arts (medicine) • Created caduceus (ca-du-ceus)– staff wrapped with 2 snakes• Traded the caduceus to Hermes for the lyre

Ares (Mars)Domain:

God of WarRelationships:

Parents- Zeus and Hera Sister- Eris (Discordia); Lover- Aphrodite

Symbols: Shield with bloody spear , Vulture,

Dog

• Favored Trojans in Trojan War• Liked by Romans (warriors), but

not by Greeks (philosophers)• Coward – ran away when in pain• Wears armor (all the time) • Associated with Amazons

(women warriors) They came from the daughter he had with Aphrodite: Harmonia

• Planet – red, blood red• More important in Roman

Mythology—the father of Romulus and Remus

Artemis (Diana, Hecate, Cynthia, Selene)

Domain: Goddess of the Hunt, Wild

Thing, and the Moon (after her Grandmother Phoebe)

Relationships: Parents- Zeus and Leto (Latona) Twin- Apollo

Symbols: Silver arrows, deer, cyprus

Huntsman-in-Chief of Olympus

One of three virgin goddesses

(along with Athena and Hestia)Almost married the giant Orion (ended up being tricked into killing him)

Protector of Youth3 forms – (Ultimate picture of the

good and evil in the gods—opposite of her Twin)

1.Artemis – earth2. Selene/Cynthia –bright, light-side

moon (sky)3. Hecate – dark moon (underworld)

Athena (Minerva)Domain:

Goddess of Wisdom & Civilized Life (arts and agriculture)

(and sometimes war… but she preferred to talk things out)

Relationships: Parent- Zeus (sprung from his

head)Symbols:

Owl, Olive Tree, and the City of ATHENS

Born full-grown, in full armor, from Zeus’ head

Carried Zeus’ shield (aegis) and lightening bolt

Zeus’ favorite childParthenon was her temple“Grey-eyed or flashing-eyed Athena”

One of three virgin goddesses

Hephaestus (Vulcan)Domain:

God of the Fire and ForgeRelationships:

Parents- Zeus and Hera (or Hera only)

Wife- AphroditeSymbols:

Anvil/Hammer

Lived in a volcano – when volcano erupts, Vulcan is working at his forge

Considered very ugly, and lame (from being thrown out of Olympus by one of his parents)

Peace-loving and very popular with both humans and Olympians

Blacksmith to the gods (made their armor)

Famously crafted the armor of Achilles at the request of his mother Thetis.

Once had a thing for Athena

Hestia (Vesta)Domain:

Goddess of the Hearth and Home

Relationships: Parents- Chronus and Rhea Siblings- Zeus (always referred to as his

sister… which means Poseidon, Hades, and Hera, and Demeter would also be in this list).

Symbols: Hearth and Fire Within

First child born to Chronos and 1st swallowed—last spit out (thus oldest and youngest)

One of the 3 virgin goddessesConcerns with newborn children

being dedicatedEvery meal began and ended with an

offering to herNo distinct personality/storiesWas pursued by both Poseidon and

Apollo—and rejected bothHester of Scarlet Letter is an allusion

to Hestia

Hermes (Mercury)Domain:

God of Commerce and Market (Patron God of travelers, traders, merchants and thieves). Also

the god of animal husbandry, roads, travel, hospitality, heralds, diplomacy, trade, thievery, language, writing, persuasion, cunning wiles, athletic contests, gymnasiums, astronomy, andastrology.

Relationships: Parents- Zeus and Maia

Symbols: Winged Sandals and shoes, Caduceus

• Messenger of the Gods• Trickster, master thief• Inventive and wise from birth• Created the lyre for Apollo, traded for caduceus• Guide to Underworld• Always youthful

Demeter (Ceres)—sometimes included

Domain: Goddess of agriculture, grain, bread, and theharvest (the primary substance for mankind)

Relationships: Parents- Chronos and Rhea Siblings-Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, and Hera, and Hestia Daughter- Persephone

Symbols: Sheaves of wheat

Though a primary and significant

goddess, there are relatively few

myths about herFamous primarily for her daughter—Persephone.

-Stolen by Hades, she became the queen of the Underworld.

-Demeter’s search for her cause the earth to become barren.

-Hades was forced to surrender Persephone for half the year… thus creating the seasons. When she is on earth and Demeter is happy= Spring and Summer. When she is in the Underworld=Fall and Winter.

Dionysus (Bacchus)—sometimes included

Domain: God of Wine and Festivity

Relationships: Parents- Zeus and Semele (the only mortal to parent a god)

Wife- Ariadne (a-rē-ˈad-nē)Symbols:

Wine, leopard, pine-cone tip staff

Sometimes depicted as a trickster because of his unruly nature and connection with intoxication

Married Ariadne, after she had been abandoned by Theseus. Gave her a crown that later become a constellation

Some say he gave Midas his gold-touching powers

Rescued his mother from the Underworld

Eros (Cupid)Domain:

Mischievous God of Love (romantic)Relationships:

Parents: Choas or Aphrodite & AresSiblings: Anteros (avenger of unrequited love)Wife: Psyche (we’ll read this myth)

Symbols:Bow and arrow… sometimes the blindfold (love

is blind)Few Facts:

1. One of the Primary Greek Tricksters2. Was always portrayed as a child, until

Anteros was born

PsycheDomain:

Goddess of the Human SoulRelationships:

Husband: Eros/Cupid (we’ll read this myth)

Few Facts:1. Was once a mortal princess

with such beauty that men turned from worshiping the

gods to worshiping her

Hebe (Juventas)Domain:

Goddess of Youth and Cupbearer to the Olympians

Relationships:Parents: Zeus and HeraSiblings: AresHusband: Heracles (Hercules) –once he was

immortalFew Facts:

1. Her marriage reconciled Hera to Heracles

2. She was replaced as cupbearer by Ganymedes

IrisDomain:

Goddess of the Rainbow Relationships:

Parents: Titan Thaumas & the nymph ElectraSiblings: The Harpies (Monster Bird Women)

Symbols:Herald’s Staff and Water Pitcher

Few Facts:1. Portrayed as a young woman with wings2. Messenger of the gods to mankind, and

particularly of the goddess Hera3. Would take the form of a known individual

when sending messages to mortals

Pan (Faunus)Domain:

God of the shepherd, flock, and fertilityRelationships:

Parents: Zeus and Hybris or Hermes and ???Symbols:

Reed Pipe (Instrument)Few Facts:

1. Disliked by most (with the exception of those from Arcadia)

2. Portrayed as an unattractive goat-man3. Other in the company of Dionysus4. The word “panic” springs from his

tendency to frighten travelers

Thanatos (Mor)Domain:

Greek Personification of DeathRelationships:

Parents: Nyx (Night) and Erebus (Choas)Siblings: Hypnos (twin brother) and the Keres

(sisters)

Few Facts:1. Two large wings and a sword2. Very small role in mythology

3. Sometimes he is associated only with non-violent death, while his sisters are associated with violent and diseased

death

The Nine MusesDomain:

Goddesses of The ArtsRelationships:

Parents: Zeus and the Titan Mnemosyne (Memory)

Few Facts:1. Apollo, in later mythology,

became their leaderList on next page

• Clio (History)• Urania (Astronomy)• Melpomene (Tragedy)• Thalia (Comedy)

• Terpsichore (Dance)• Calliope (Epic Poetry)• Erato (Love Poetry)

• Polyhymnia (Songs to the Gods)

• Euterpe (Lyric Poetry)

The Three Graces/Charites (Gratiae)Domain:

Personifications of charm, beauty and grace Relationships:

Parents: Zeus and (titan) Eurynome or Dionysus & ???Few Facts:

1. Sources of inspiration in poetry and the arts

2. Originally, they were goddesses of fertility and nature, closely associated with the

underworld and the Eleusinian mysteries/fields

3. Personal attendants of Aphrodite and Hera (possible mothers of The Graces)

List on next

•Aglaia (Splendor)- Youngest and, according to Homer, the wife of Hephaestus (rather than Aphrodite)

• Euphrosyne (Mirth)- Wife of Hypnos (sleep)

• Thalia (Good Cheer)

The Three Erinnyes (The Furies)Domain:

Goddesses of vengeance Relationships:

Parents: Gaia and Uranus (from the blood of Uranus)

Few Facts:1. Pursued evil doers and tormented the

wicked in the Underworld2. Also known as “the angry ones”, “the

kindly ones” or “the solemn ones”3. Alecto, Tisiphone and Megaera

4. Very beautiful

The Fates or MoiraeDomain:

Controlled the destinies of mankindRelationships:

Parents: Choas (though some stories say Zeus and Themis, this is unlikely as they were more powerful than Zeus)

Few Facts:1. Portrayed as ugly and old and

unmerciful2. Honored among the gods for being

just3. Associated with Themis (Law)—

mother of Achilles

1. Clotho- “the spinner” spun the thread of life

2. Lachesis- “the measurer” chooses the lot in life one will have and measures off how long it is to be

3. Atropos- “the inevitable” at death, her shears cuts the thread of life. (Smallest and most feared)

The Three GorgonsDomain:

Monstrous women who turned anyone who looked upon them to stone

Relationships:Parents: Phorcys and Ceto (minor

titans)Few Facts:

1. Euryale ("far-roaming")2. Sthenno ("forceful")

3. Medusa ("ruler")—most famousMore on Medusa

Medusa• She is the only mortal. Early

myths do not account for this, as they claim she was born a gorgon sister. The later myth, however, that tells that she was a maiden cursed by Athena makes more sense.

• She was killed by Perseus • Out of her decapitated head

sprung Pegasus

NymphsDomain:

Spirits of NatureDryads (forests)

Naiads (springs and rivers)Nereid (the Mediterranean)

Oceanids (the sea)—sometimes still Nereids

Oreads (mountains)Limoniads (meadows)

Limniads (lakes, marshes and swamps) Napaea (valleys)

Few Facts:1. Always represented as young pretty girls

Satyrs [say-turs ] (Faun)Domain:

Minor gods of the woods and mountians

Few Facts:1. Half-human/Half-beast (usually either

just a goat-man like pan or a man with donkey ears, unturned noses and horse tails)

2. Often associated with Dionysus, Hermes, and Pan (sometimes

with Gaia and Rhea)3. Married Nymphs