THE GREEK GODSTheban Plays

THE OLYMPIANS

There were many gods and goddesses in the Ancient Greek world.

Though they existed on the human plane and often interacted with humans, the gods resided atop Mount Olympus, a place of perfection and joy, feasting and music, untroubled by weather, and guarded a gate of clouds kept by the seasons.

There was a hierarchy among the gods, and a complex familial relationship.

The most powerful of the gods and goddesses were known as the Twelve Olympians.

ZEUS

Considered the king of the gods and more powerful than the rest of them put together

Defeated the Titans, granting the Olympians rule of the universe

Ruled the skies with his thunderbolt

Had many children, not all of whom were with his wife

Wore the Aegis on his breastplate

Symbol is the eagle

Tree is the oak

HERA

Zeus’ wife

Guardian of marriage, protector of women and childbirth

Often jealous of his “activities” and spent much of her time punishing the women who, often innocently, and been the objects of his affection

It is said that when Teiresias, who had briefly been changed from a man to a woman, was asked by Hera and Zeus who had the most pleasure in bed, he said women, without a doubt. In her anger, Hera blinded him, but Zeus responded by giving him inner sight.

POSEIDON

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Brother of Zeus

God of the Sea, also called “Earth-shaker” for causing earthquakes, and “horse-tamer”

Carries the trident as his weapon

Sailors prayed to him for calm weather, etc.

DEMETER

Goddess of the harvest and fertility

Responsible for the cycle of life mirrored in the cycle of the seasons

Also presided over law

Often shown with grain and fruits, or farming implements

ATHENA

Daughter of Zeus, born fully dress and armed from his forehead

Goddess of wisdom, heroism,civilization, justice, strategy, math, the arts, and crafts

Often seen ready for battle with an owl on her shoulder, and a jar of olive oil

Seen as protector of the cities, Athens in particular

APOLLO

Son of Zeus and Leto

God of music, light, healing and truth

Often shown as a beardless youth, with a lyre, python, raven, or bow and arrows

Phoebus means “bright”

ARTEMIS

Twin sister of Apollo

Goddess of the hunt and woods

Associated with the moon as Apollo is with the sun

Seen as the virgin protector of young girls

Shown with animals, bow and arrows

ARES

Son of Zeus and Hera

God of war and violence

Often feared as unpredictable and dangerous

Shown with helmet and spear

APHRODITE

Goddess of love and beauty

Born from the foam after Cronus castrated Uranus’ genitals and threw them into the sea

Married to Hephastus the smith to temper her beauty

Many lovers, many children

Often shown nude and described as vain, over-sensitive, and unpleasant

HEPHASTUS

Husband of Aphrodite

God of the forge, fire, smithing, and sculpture

Son of Hera and Zeus

Often shown with hammer and tongs, or at the forge

Created the lightning bolts for Zeus, and all the weaponry of Olympus

Described as hideously ugly and deformed, but also very even-tempered, the opposite of his wife in every way

HERMES

Messenger of the gods

God of travel, trade, sports

Often shown with winged sandals and/or helmet, traveling cloak, and caduceus

Conducted souls to the afterworld

Moved between gods and humans, earth and Olympus

Sometimes seen as a trickster

DIONYSUS

God of the grape harvest, wine, winemaking, madness and ecstasy

Last god accepted into Olympus

Protector of the “outsider,” as he was one himself

Possesses his initiates bodily

Called “twice-born” and associated with death/rebirth stories

Shown with grapes and cup

Father of drama and theater

HADES

God of the underworld, the dead, and riches

The eldest of the three brothers

Never visited Olympus

Cerberus is his companion and guardian of the underworld

Kidnapped Persephone, daughter of Demeter, to be his wife

Has dominion over all that is underground