Olympian Gods and Goddesses
GREEK
MYTHOLOGY
Mythology
 noun
 A body or collection of myths
belonging to a people and addressing
their origin, history, deities,
ancestors, and heroes.
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What is a myth, exactly?
 A traditional, typically ancient story
dealing with supernatural beings,
ancestors, or heroes that serves as a
fundamental type in the worldview
of a people, as by explaining aspects
of the natural world or outlining the
psychology, customs, or ideals of
society
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What is a myth, exactly?
A fiction or half-truth, especially one
that forms part of an ideology.
ideology- a body of ideas that reflects
the beliefs and interests of a nation,
political system, etc and underlies
political action…a philosophy of life.
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Zeus
King of the gods
Ruler of Mt. Olympus
God of weather
Dominating and powerful with a
soft spot for pretty women
Hurls thunderbolts when irritated
Aphrodite
Goddess of love and beauty
No formal duties besides being
lovely
Married to Hephaestus
(unwillingly); was unfaithful to
him
Apollo
God of the sun
In charge of moving the sun
across the sky
Hunter; patron of archery
Patron of the arts, especially
music, and medicine (had healing
powers)
Ares
God of war
Involvement with all warlike
activities and will intervene in war
Violent and eager to fight, is
indifferent to “right and wrong” in
battle
Artemis
Goddess of the moon
In charge of movement of moon
across the sky
Twin of Apollo
Mighty huntress; protector of
small children and animals
Athena
Goddess of wisdom and war
Preferred reason to violence,
except when pushed
Overseer of household crafts
Very competitive
Demeter
Goddess of the earth and
harvest
Responsible growth of
crops and fruits
Strong motherly instincts
Dionysus
God of wine and theater
Wild and fun-loving
personality
Has undesirable friends
Hephaestus
God of fire and artisans
Skilled craftsman and metal worker
Married to Aphrodite (against her
will)
Only crippled god/thrown down
Olympus by his mother Hera
Admired for his work
Hera
Queen of gods and protector of
women
Associated with marriage; spent
much time pursuing Zeus’ other
women
Jealous and vain; beautiful
Hermes
Messenger of the gods
Mischievous and a trouble-
maker
Protector of thieves
Winged helmet and sandals
Poseidon
God of the sea and
earthquakes
Giver of horses to mortals
His weapon in the Triton
(three-pronged fork)
Controlled the waves