Greek Mythology

Zeus is god of the sky and weather Zeus is god of the sky and weather. Symbols of Zeus are his thunder-bolt, a winged spear or spear-bundle, his eagle, and he is generally shown bearded.

Hera is wife of Zeus and queen of heaven Hera is wife of Zeus and queen of heaven. She is goddess of marriage, woman's sexuality, and fertility. Hera is a vindictive and jealous goddess; she pursues and punishes anyone who Zeus manages to seduce. The union of Hera and Zeus produced several children: Ares (god of war), Athena (goddess of wisdom) and Aphrodite (goddess of love)

Gaea, a Titan and goddess of the earth, presided over the world's birth. The expulsion of the Titans by the Oylmpians left Demeter as the earth/mother-goddess who controlled the growth of wheat. She is a sister of Zeus and Hera. Wherever wheat was grown, her religion was strong.

Poseidon is god of the seas and earthquakes. Poseidon did not favor humans and was held responsible for much human misery, both storms at sea and earthquakes on land. Homer calls him "earth-shaker". He is often mentioned in Greek literature, and his favor, or more usually his disfavor, are responsible for the difficulties of heroes on land and sea. He hated Odysseus, which explains why it took Odysseus ten years to make his sea voyage home after the fall of Troy.  

King of the Dead, Hades shares the government of the world with Zeus (heaven and earth) and Poseidon (the seas). His name means "invisible", appropriate for his role.

Aphrodite In Greek mythology, the goddess of beauty and love, daughter of Zeus and Dione, an epitomization of all that is beautiful and pure in a woman.

Athena – Goddess of wisdom and warriors Protector of the Greek city state of Athens. Daughter of Zeus

Ares God of War The son of Zeus and Hera, Ares embodied, not just the act, but also the spirit of War. Disliked by most Olympians but loved by Aphrodite, Ares was a god of action and determination.

Apollo The immortal son of Zeus and Leto The name usually appears in the Greek texts as Apollo, its meaning, ’shining’ or ’bright’ and is generally considered the Sun god.

The Virgin Goddess of the Moon, twin sister of Apollo. Artemis The Virgin Goddess of the Moon, twin sister of Apollo. The children of Zeus and Leto, she and Apollo were born on the Island of Delos. Both are associated with the bow. Apollo is said to use the curved bow and Artemis uses the silver bow.

Greek Mythological Figures

The Cyclops were represented as one-eyed giants in Greek mythology The Cyclops were represented as one-eyed giants in Greek mythology. Cyclops were the sons of Uranus and Gaia.

Hermes was the son of Zeus and messenger to mortals Hermes was the son of Zeus and messenger to mortals. Hermes was protector of flocks and cattle, thieves, mischief makers and ambassadors. In his hand he carries a magical wand called the "caduceus", it was used to control the living and the dead. Today it is the symbol of the medical profession.

The river that separates the underworld from the world above: the Styx, which is the river of the unbreakable oath by which the gods swear. When a person dies, good or bad, their soul is led by Hermes. Then ferried across the river Styx by the ferryman. Upon arriving the soul is brought before 3 judges. The wicked are sent to everlasting torment and the good are sent to the Elysian Fields, which is a joyless but peaceful existence.

Achilles was the seventh son born to Thetis and Peleus Achilles was the seventh son born to Thetis and Peleus. His brothers had died in Thetis' attempts to make them immortal. She achieved this (almost) with Achilles by dipping him in the river Styx. The only spot left vulnerable was his heel by which she had held him. She then entrusted the child to Chieron, the Centaur and returned to the sea. Cheiron, the great teacher, taught Achilles many skills. He was well known as being such a fast runner that he could catch wild horses on foot.

Most people recognize this strongman by his Roman name, Hercules Most people recognize this strongman by his Roman name, Hercules. Heracles is probably the most famous and well-known of the Classical heroes. He was born to Zeus and a mortal mother, Alcmene. Zeus wanted to father a great champion.

Pegasus, the winged horse, was born from the blood of Medusa Pegasus, the winged horse, was born from the blood of Medusa. Zeus captured him for himself to carry his thunderbolts. He is sheltered in the heavenly stalls of Olympus

Centaur Half man and half horse. Cheiron was a tutor of Greek heroes including Heracles

Minotaur

The tale of the Minotaur begins with Minos, the king of Crete The tale of the Minotaur begins with Minos, the king of Crete. According to mythology, the god Poseidon sent King Minos a stunningly perfect white bull. This bull was meant to be a sacrifice to the great god of the sea. However, Minos valued the animal too much to use it as a sacrificial victim. Poseidon then punished King Minos by making Minos's wife, fall passionately in love with the bull. The result of this union was the birth of a monster, which was half man and half bull. He was referred to the Minotaur, or the bull of Minos. King Minos then tried to hide this horrible creature in a vast and convoluted maze - the labyrinth. So the Minotaur survived in the gloom of the labyrinth. Every year seven maidens and seven young men from Athens were offered to appease the appetite of the monster. And it was this horrible custom that eventually resulted in the Minotaur's death. For, according to the legend, the Greek hero Theseus volunteered to go to Crete in place of one of the seven youths.

As legend goes Theseus made his way into the Labyrinth to find the Minotaur. He had a ball of thread and allowed it to unwind so that he could re-trace his journey later. It wasn't long before he came across the Minotaur; the Minotaur was sleeping. Theseus jumped on the creature and pinned him to the ground. Then, Theseus proceeded to batter the beast to death.

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