Download Guide to the Gods of Olympus

Guide to the Gods of Olympus

The Titans The Titans were a powerful race of gods that ruled during the “Golden Age” before the Olympians. They descended from Gaea, the Earth goddess, and her son & husband Uranus, god of the sky. They are the parents of Cronus and Rhea, who are overthrown by their son Zeus and the Olympians in the Titanomachy (“War of the Titans”). This began the rule of the Olympians. The 12 Titan gods were Cronus, Rhea, Oceanus, Hyperion, Theia, Coeus, Phoebe, Lapetus, Crius, Mnemosyne, Tethys, & Themis.

Cronus devouring his offspring.

Zeus Roman Name:

Jupiter

Job/Role

God of the Sky, Ruler of the Gods

Weapon:

Thunderbolt

Animal:

Eagle

Interesting Facts: -Had numerous affairs -Defeated his father to become ruler of the gods -Brother of Hades and Poseidon -Zeus Video Otto Arantes Pessanha

Poseidon Roman Name:

Neptune

Job/Role

God of the Sea

Weapon:

Trident

Animal:

Horse

Interesting Facts: -Zeus’s brother -Gave the horse to mankind -Poseidon Video

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Hades Roman Name:

Pluto

Job/Role

God of the Underworld

Weapon:

Invisibility Cap

Animal:

Cerebrus (?)

Interesting Facts: -Wife is Persephone (whole other story) -Zeus’ brother -He is the king of the dead; he is not “death”. (That would be Thanatos [Greek] / Orcus [Roman]) -Hades Video Otto Arantes Pessanha

Hera Roman Name:

Juno

Job/Role

Goddess of Marriage and Women

Weapon:

Animal:

Peacock, Cow

Interesting Facts: -Wife of Zeus -Very jealous of his affairs. Since she couldn’t do much to him, she often took her anger out on his lovers. - Hera Video

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Athena Roman Name:

Minerva

Job/Role

Goddess of Wisdom Goddess of the City

Weapon:

carried Zeus’ weapons

Animal:

Owl

Interesting Facts: - She had no mother. She sprang, fully grown and in armor, from Zeus’ head -Athena Video

Otto Arantes Pessanha

Aphrodite Roman Name:

Venus

Job/Role

Goddess of Love and Beauty

Weapon:

Animal:

Dove

Interesting Facts: -Ironically, she is married to Hephaestus (Vulcan), the ugliest of the gods! -Sometimes considered the mother of Eros (Cupid) -Aphrodite Video Otto Arantes Pessanha

Ares Roman Name:

Mars

Job/Role

God of War

Weapon:

Animal:

Dogs and vultures

Interesting Facts: -Ironically, he is often portrayed as cowardly. -Much more popular with the Romans than with the Greeks -Son of Zeus and Hera -Ares Video Otto Arantes Pessanha

Apollo Roman Name:

Apollo

Job/Role

God of Truth, Medicine & Light. The Musician God

Animal:

Many, including dolphin and crow

Interesting Facts: -also called the Archer God -had a famous priestess at Delphi -Apollo Video

Otto Arantes Pessanha

Hermes Roman Name:

Mercury

Job/Role

God of commerce & science

Interesting Facts:

-Messenger of the gods -protector of thieves -Invented the lyre -known for wings on his sandals and hat, carries the Caduceus -appears more often in tales than any of the other gods

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Hephaestus Roman Name:

Vulcan

Job/Role

God of Fire, Blacksmith of the Gods

Interesting Facts: - He is ugly and lame - married to Aphrodite, goddess of Love and Beauty -Protector of smiths and artisans -Hephaestus Video

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Artemis Roman name: Diana

Job/Role: Goddess of the Hunt (later the Moon) Weapon: Bow and arrow

Animals: Snake and deer Interesting facts: -Is the daughter of Zeus & Leto (a mortal), and Apollo’s twin sister -Loved to hunt with arrows dipped in poison -Is a hunter, but ironically the protector of wild animals as well -Artemis Video

Demeter • Roman name: Ceres • Job/Role: Goddess of the Harvest • Symbol: Sheaves of wheat & the cornucopia (horn of plenty) • Animals: Many, serpents, pigs, and lizards • Interesting facts: Demeter has a daughter with Zeus, named Persephone. Hades falls in love with Persephone and kidnaps her, taking her to the underworld, leaving Demeter to wonder Earth looking for her. • Demeter Video

Hestia Roman Name:

Vesta

Job/Role

Goddess of the Hearth

Weapon:

Thunderbolt

Animal:

Eagle

Interesting Facts: -Zeus’ sister -Goddess of virgins -Hestia is only sometimes associated with the 12 Olympians