The 12 Ruling Greek Gods and Goddesses Who Dwell on Mount Olympus


Zeus overthrew his
Father Cronus. He is the lord of the sky and the rain god. His weapon is a thunderbolt and he is married to
Hera.


Poseidon is the brother of Zeus.
He is lord of the sea and his weapon is the trident (which can shake the earth and shatter any object).


Hades is the brother of Zeus and Poseidon.
He is the ruler of the underworld, ruling over the dead. He has a helmet that makes him invisible.


Hestia is the sister of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. She is a virgin goddess, goddess of the
Hearth (symbol of the house).


Hera is the wife of
Zeus and is also his sister. She is the protector of marriage.


Ares is the son of Zeus and
Hera. He is the god of war, considered murderous, bloodstained, and cowardly.
His bird is the vulture and his animal is the dog.


Athena is the daughter of Zeus.
She is the goddess of the city, handicrafts, and agriculture. She is also the embodiment of wisdom, reason, and purity. Her tree is the olive tree and her bird is the owl.


Apollo is the son of
Zeus and Leto. He is the god of music, archery, healing, and the god of light. One of Apollo’s most important tasks is to drive the Sun across the sky with his fiery chariot.


Aphrodite is the goddess of love, desire, and beauty. Some say she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. Other accounts state she rose from the sea foam on a giant shell.


Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maia.
He is the messenger of
Zeus, fastest of the gods. He wears winged sandals, a winged hat, and carries a magic wand.


Artemis is the daughter of Zeus and Leto and her twin brother is
Apollo. She is the huntsman of the gods and the protector of the young. She is associated with childbirth, chastity, and the moon.


Son of Zeus and
Hera, Hephaestus is the husband of
Aphrodite. He is the only god to be physically ugly. He is the god of fire and the forge.