The Olympians Part I
The ancient Greeks believed that there were twelve gods who lived on Mount Olympus.
These twelve gods were called the Olympians These twelve gods were called the Olympians. They were the most important Greek gods.
Actually, there were more than 12 important gods— in fact, 14 different gods are sometimes called Olympians.
There is really a Mount Olympus in Greece.
The real Mount Olympus looks like this.
(Gods don’t really live there.)
Zeus
Zeus was God of the Sky.
Zeus was the King of the Gods, and sat on a throne at the top of Mount Olympus.
In many statues and paintings, you can see Zeus with a thunderbolt (lightning).
The Roman name for Zeus was Jupiter. (Like the biggest planet!)
Hera
Hera was Goddess of Marriage,
and the wife of Zeus.
Hera is often seen with peacock feathers.
The Roman name for Hera was Juno.
Poseidon Brother of Zeus
Poseidon was God of the Sea.
This weapon is a trident.
Poseidon was often seen with a trident and dolphins.
The Roman name for Poseidon was Neptune. (Like the planet!)
Hades Brother of Zeus
Hades was God of the Underworld—where souls go after they die, the Greeks thought.
Hades took Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, to the Underworld, to marry her. She did not want to go! Say per-SEF-uh-nee
Hades did not want anyone to leave the Underworld!
The Roman name for Hades was Pluto. (Like the planet!)
Hestia Sister of Zeus Say HES-tee-uh
A hearth is a warm place next to a fireplace.
For the Greeks, the hearth meant “home For the Greeks, the hearth meant “home.” So Hestia was Goddess of Hearth and Home.
Hestia was also Goddess of Fire.
The Roman name for Hestia was Vesta. (Like one of the biggest asteroids.)
Demeter Sister of Zeus Say dih-ME-ter
Demeter was Goddess of Agriculture, or farming, and showed humans how to grow food.
She was the goddess of plants and animals, and made everything grow.
Demeter often appeared with wheat and other grains.
The Roman name for Demeter was Ceres. (Like the biggest asteroid!) Say SEER-eez
The End