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Greek Mythology is the body of myths and teachings that belong to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their culture.
Footprints of their mythology are left in the form of architecture, statues & the writings of classical authors like Homer and Hesiod.
Many of the myths are allegorical and teach moral lessons for the human experience and personifications of different aspects of the human psyche. They also offer explanations for natural phenomena and the mysteries of universal creation.
Including the 12 Greek Gods & Goddesses plus popular figures in Greek Myth.
The 12 Olympians of the Greek Pantheon
The main 12 Greek gods and goddesses, also known as the Olympians, were the principal deities in ancient Greek mythology, These deities were often depicted in art and literature, and played important roles in the myths and stories of ancient Greece. They were revered for their power and influence, and were seen as both benevolent and capricious, often interfering in the lives of mortals. Despite their divine nature, the Olympians were also depicted as having human-like emotions and flaws, making them relatable and complex characters in the pantheon of Greek mythology. Maybe our ancestors purposely integrated allegorical truths of the human condition into mythology so we remember? After all human beings have been storytellers since the birth of language. Encapsulating truths into tales, knowledge into allegories, memories into myth.
1. Zeus | King of the Gods
"The Dice of Zeus always falls Luckily"
Zeus is the sky and thunder God in ancient Greek religion, ruling as king of the gods on Mount Olympus. His name is cognate with the first element of his Roman equivalent Jupiter His mythology and powers are similar, though not identical, to those of Indo-European deities such as Jupiter, Perkunas, Perun, Indra, Dyaus, and Zojz.
He was respected as an allfather who was chief of the gods and assigned roles to the others.
Even the gods who are not his natural children address him as Father, and all the gods rise in his presence. Zeus is arguably one of the most well known figures in Mythology and for good reason... The whole world watches when he cracks open the sky.
2. Ares | God of War
"Ares hates those who hesitates"
Ares is the Greek god of war and courage. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. The Greeks were ambivalent towards him as he embodies the physical valour necessary for success in war but can also personify sheer brutality and bloodlust, in contrast to his sister, the armoured Athena, whose martial functions include military strategy and leadership.
An association with Ares endows places, objects, and other deities with a savage, dangerous, or militarized quality.
Although it would seem that a god who embodied war would be greatly respected and admired by the early Greeks, they seemed to have little use for Ares. This is likely because of his reckless and irresponsible behaviour that often led him to be rash and act on his impulses instead of patiently contriving a thorough battle plan. Ares ultimately represents the destructive force that exists within us all. A force that must be consciously integrated and alchemised into that which is constructive
3. Poseidon | God of the Seas
"The Sea does not like to be restrained"
Poseidon was one of the Twelve Olympians in ancient Greek religion and myth, god of the sea, storms, earthquakes and horse. He also had the cult title "earth shaker". however, it seems that he was originally a god of the waters. He is often regarded as the tamer or father of horses, and with a strike of his trident, he created springs which are related to the word horse. His Roman equivalent is Neptune.
Poseidon became lord of the sea following the defeat of his father Cronus, the world was divided by lot among his three sons; Zeus was given the sky, Hades the underworld, and Poseidon the sea, with the Earth and Mount Olympus belonging to all three. Poseidon was revered. As he was the gatekeeper to a world much bigger than our land; the seas.
4. Aphrodite | Goddess of Beauty & Love
"Sometimes Love and Chaos seem like the same thing"
Aphrodite is an ancient Greek goddess associated with love, lust, beauty, pleasure, passion, and procreation. She was syncretized with the Roman goddess Venus. Aphrodite's major symbols include myrtles, roses, doves, sparrows, and swans. Aphrodite was so lovely that only the three virgin goddesses – Artemis, Athena, and Hestia – were immune to her charms and power.
Unsurprisingly, the second she got on Olympus, she inadvertently wreaked havoc amongst the other gods, each of whom instantly wanted to have her for himself. So as to prevent this, Zeus hurriedly married her to Hephaestus, the ugliest among the Olympians. Of course, this merely alleviated the problem: Aphrodite didn’t plan to remain faithful So, she started an affair with someone as destructive and as violent as herself: Ares. When she wasn’t busy making other people fall in love, Aphrodite had some time to fall in love herself.
5. Hades | God of the Underworld
"The fear of death keeps mortals well in check"
Hades in the ancient Greek religion and myth, is the god of the dead and the king of the underworld, with which his name became synonymous. Hades was the eldest son of Cronus and Rhea, although this also made him the last son to be regurgitated by his father.
He and his brothers, Zeus and Poseidon, defeated their father's generation of gods, the Titans, and claimed rulership over the cosmos.
Hades received the underworld, Zeus the sky, and Poseidon the sea, with the solid earth, long the province of Gaia, available to all three concurrently. In artistic depictions, Hades is typically portrayed holding a bident and wearing his helm with Cerberus, the three-headed guard dog of the underworld, standing to his side. Would you dare enter the house of hades?
6. Hermes | The Messenger God
“If thou but settest foot on this path, thou shalt see it everywhere.”
Hermes is considered the herald of the gods. He is also considered the protector of human heralds, travellers, thieves, merchants, and orators. He is able to move quickly and freely between the worlds of the mortal and the divine, aided by his winged sandals. Hermes plays the role of the psychopomp or "soul guide"—a conductor of souls into the afterlife. In myth, Hermes functions as the emissary and messenger of the gods, and is often presented as the son of Zeus and Maia, the Pleiad.
Hermes is regarded as "the divine trickster". Hermes began as a god with strong chthonic, or underworld, associations. He was a psychopomp, leader of souls along the road between "the Under and the Upper world"
7. Artemis | Goddess of the Hunt
"The Animal Kingdom knows their Queen"
Artemis is the Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and wild animals. She is the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo.
Artemis is known for her fierce independence and strong will, and is often depicted carrying a bow and arrow. She is also associated with the moon and the hunt, and is often depicted with a crescent moon on her head. Artemis is known for her love of animals and the outdoors, and is often associated with the protection of young girls and women.
She is a powerful and skilled hunter, and is revered by many for her bravery and determination. Despite her tough exterior, Artemis is also known for her compassion and is often seen as a guardian and protector of those in need.
8. Dionysus | God of Wine, Pleasure & Festivity
“Riding the Leopard without being torn to pieces”
Dionysus is the Greek god of wine, pleasure, and festivity. He is the son of Zeus and the mortal Semele, and is known for his love of pleasure and enjoyment.
Dionysus is often depicted holding a goblet of wine and is associated with the grape harvest and winemaking. He is also associated with the theatre and is often depicted with a crown of ivy. Dionysus is known for his wild and unpredictable nature, and is often associated with the chaotic energy of the natural world.
He is revered by many for his ability to bring joy and celebration to life, and is seen as a powerful force of transformation and renewal. Despite his love of pleasure, Dionysus is also known for his dark side, and is associated with the destructive power of excess and indulgence
9. Apollo | God of Music & Poetry
"Within us all is the ideal man... Waiting to be carved out of the marble of possibility"
Apollo is the Greek god of the sun, music, prophecy, and poetry. He is the son of Zeus and Leto, and the twin brother of Artemis. Apollo is often depicted as a handsome and youthful deity, holding a lyre or bow and arrow.
He is known for his musical talents and is often associated with the arts, particularly music and poetry. As the god of prophecy, Apollo is also associated with oracles and divination, and is revered for his ability to see into the future.
He is revered by many for his ability to bring joy and celebration to life, and is seen as a powerful force of transformation and renewal. Despite his love of pleasure, Dionysus is also known for his dark side, and is associated with the destructive power of excess and indulgence
10. Athena | Goddess of War
“The Supreme Art of War is to subdue the Enemy without Fighting”
Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts. She is the daughter of Zeus and is often depicted wearing a helmet and carrying a shield and spear.
Athena is known for her intelligence and strategic thinking, and is often associated with the protection of cities and civilizations. She is also the patron goddess of crafts, particularly weaving, and is revered for her artistic skills and attention to detail. In addition to her associations with wisdom and crafts,
Athena is also a warrior goddess, and is known for her bravery and ferocity in battle.
Despite her warrior nature, Athena is also seen as a peacemaker and is often depicted holding an olive branch, symbolizing her desire for peace and harmony. She is a complex and multifaceted goddess, revered for her wisdom, courage, and artistic abilities.
11. Hera | Queen of the Gods
"You have to Rise above the squabbling and chaos..."
Hera is the Greek goddess of marriage, childbirth, and family. She is the wife of Zeus and the queen of the gods, and is often depicted wearing a crown and carrying a staff.
Hera is known for her strong will and determination, and is revered for her role as a protector of marriage and family. She is also associated with fertility and childbirth, and is often depicted with symbols of abundance and fertility, such as pomegranates.
Despite her role as the goddess of marriage, Hera is also known for her jealousy and vengefulness, particularly towards Zeus's many affairs and illegitimate children.
Despite her sometimes-difficult personality, Hera is also seen as a loving and nurturing figure, and is revered for her commitment to her family and her role as a protector of marriage and motherhood.
12. Demeter | Goddess of Agriculture
“Civilisation is built upon the timing of the Seasons”
Demeter is the Greek goddess of agriculture, grain, and fertility. She is the daughter of Cronus and Rhea, and is the sister of Zeus.
Demeter is often depicted holding a sheaf of wheat or a cornucopia, symbolizing her association with the abundance of the earth. She is revered as the giver of life and the provider of nourishment, and is associated with the cycles of the natural world, particularly the changing of the seasons.
Demeter is also known for her love and devotion to her daughter, Persephone, and is often depicted searching for her when she is abducted by Hades.
Despite her role as a nurturing and loving goddess, Demeter is also known for her fierce protectiveness and can be fierce when those she loves are threatened.
Popular Figures in Greek Mythology
Achilles | The Trojan War Hero
“The Gods envy us because we're Mortal... Everything is more beautiful because we're doomed”
Achilles was a legendary hero in Greek mythology, known for his bravery, strength, and skill in battle.
He was the son of the mortal Peleus and the sea nymph Thetis, and was considered one of the greatest warriors of all time. Achilles is most famous for his role in the Trojan War, where he fought on the side of the Greeks against the Trojans. He was known for his speed, agility, and strength, and was virtually unbeatable in combat.
However, Achilles was also known for his pride and his tendency to act impulsively, which ultimately led to his tragic death. Despite his flaws, Achilles remains a popular and iconic figure in Greek mythology, and is revered as a symbol of courage and strength
Medusa | The Infamous Gorgon
"Her Crown of Snakes sing to Auditorium of petrified eyes"
Medusa is a famous figure in Greek mythology, known for her ability to turn those who looked upon her face to stone. She was originally a beautiful woman, but was transformed into a monster by Athena as punishment for being raped in the goddess's temple.
Medusa's hair was turned into writhing snakes, and her gaze was said to be so terrifying that anyone who looked upon it was turned to stone. Despite her fearsome reputation, Medusa was also seen as a victim of circumstance and was sometimes depicted with a measure of sympathy.
In some accounts, she was eventually killed by the hero Perseus, who used her own reflection in a shield to avoid looking directly at her face while beheading her. Medusa has been a popular figure in art and literature throughout history, and continues to be a subject of fascination and mythological study.
Kratos | The Ghost of Sparta
"ZEUS! Your son has returned. I bring the Destruction of Olympus!"
Kratos is a fictional character from the God of War video game series, created by Sony Computer Entertainment's Santa Monica Studio. He is the main protagonist of the series, and is known for his ruthless, vengeful nature and his desire for power and revenge.
In the games, Kratos is depicted as a Spartan warrior who is tasked with defeating the gods of Greek mythology in order to seek retribution for the deaths of his family. He is known for his extreme strength and combat skills, as well as his use of powerful weapons such as the Blades of Chaos.
Despite his violent and aggressive nature, Kratos is also shown to have a more vulnerable side, and is driven by deep emotional pain and a need for redemption. Kratos is a complex and multifaceted character, and has become a fan favourite in the God of War series.
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