EPITHETS & ICONOGRAPHY FOR THE OLYMPIAN GODS
An epithet is an alternative name that usually refers to someone’s qualities, e.g., Richard the Lionhearted, Ivan
the Terrible, William the Conqueror.
Iconography is the collection of symbols and representations usually used in art to help identify the figure in a
painting.
Deity (god/goddess)
Epithet
Zeus
Cronides (son of Cronus)
Hera
Goddess of Hearth and Home
Queen of Heaven
White-armed
Poseidon
Hades
Athena
Apollo
Artemis
Aphrodite
Ares
Hephaestus
Hermes
Demeter
Earthshaker
The Hospitable one
Lord of Riches
Grey-eyed Athena
Pallas Athena
Goddess of Wisdom
Goddess of Righteous War
Phoebus Apollo
Golden Archer
Far Shooter
Goddess of the Hunt
Goddess of Virginity
Goddess of Love
God of (unrighteous) War
(coward)
God of Fire and Forge
Messenger
God of thieves and commerce
Mother Earth
Iconography
Portrayed as mature and kingly
Eagle
Thunderbolt
Aegis
Scales (weight)
Beautiful woman
Portrayed as grim man
Peacock
Cow
Portrayed as older man
Trident
Chariot w/ horses-sea creatures
Sea
Helmet of invisibility
w/ Persephone
Owl
Armor & helmet
Chariot
Spear
crow
Golden lyre
Silver bows and golden bow
Chariot pulling sun across the sky
Silver arrows
moon
Portrayed as beautiful, alluring
Dove
Clam shell
Magic girdle
vulture
Portrayed as older man
Physically ugly
Lame
Craftsman
Portrayed as young man
Winged sandals and hat
Caduceus
Portrayed as mature woman
Daughter is Persephone
Farm lands