The Ancient Greek Universe The Greek gods lived in an area possibly in the heavens above the earth or on a beautiful mountain on earth called Mount Olympus where they hold court and watch humans. The Underworld (called Hades) was a place inside the earth where the spirits of the dead had a shadowy and unpleasant dream-like existence. Elysian Fields was an pleasant in the underworld where heroes and the good went. Tartarus is deeper than Hades and the truly bad place where the spirit of wicked people existed in some form of punishment.

Zeus (Jupiter) Zeus, the king of the Greek gods, defeated his Father Cronus, drew lots with his brothers Poseidon and Hades, and won the draw, thus becoming the supreme ruler of the gods. He is lord of the sky, the rain god. His weapon is a thunderbolt which he hurls at those who displease him. He is married to his sister Hera, and they had Hephaestus, Ares He fathered by other women, Athena (?), twins Apollo and Artemis (Leto), Dionysis (Semele), Hermes (Maia). His mortal children included Heracles (), Perseus (Danae), Minos (Europa), Peleus (Achilles dad), Pollux and Helen (Leda) He is also known to punish those that lie or break oaths.

Hera ( Juno ) Hera, queen of the gods, is the protector of marriage and takes special care of married women. She once rebelled against Zeus but was punished. Through jealousy she often does cruel things against Zeus’s friends to hurt him (e.g. Heracles). Ares and Hephaestus are her sons

Poseidon (neptune) The brother of Zeus, he is the god of the seas. He was widely worshipped by sailors. He created the horse to please a girl with whom he was in love.

Hades Pluto Hades is the other brother of Zeus and drew the Underworld as his kingdom. He is greedy and likes to increase the number of the dead in his realm. Hades is also the god of wealth. Stole Persephone from her mother Demeter -> seasons

Hestia Vesta Virgin sister to Zeus and his brothers, she is not in many myths. She is the goddess of the hearth or fireplace and had an altar with a sacred fire continuously burning in every town.

Ares Mars the son of Zeus and Hera who both hate him, is the god of war. Ares is a coward but inspires bloodshed, destruction, and death. Unpopular with the other gods.

Aphrodite Venus is the goddess of love, desire and beauty. In addition to her natural gifts she has a magical girdle that compels anyone she wishes to desire her. She was born on giant seashell from the semen of Cronus genitals. Wife of Hephaestus the ugly god of the forge Had many lovers and including Trojan Anchises, Adonis, Hermes. Promised Helen to Paris for his Judgement which caused the Trojan war

Apollo Apollo is the god of the arts, playing a golden lyre; health, the Archer- far shooting with a silver bow; the god of light (sun), and the god of truth (Delphic Oracle), in general - Perfection Twin Bro of Artemis the huntress. V handsome! Had both female and male lovers Father of Asclepius (medicine) and Orpheus (music)

Artemis (Diana) Sister to Apollo, Artemis is the lady of all wild things, which (especially the deer) are sacred to her. She is the protector of the young. Associated also with the moon, she is a virgin goddess and the goddess of chastity.

Athena Minerva Favorite of her father Zeus sprang full grown in armor from Zeus’s forehead. She fiercely defends the home from outside enemies – goddess of just wars. She is the goddess of the city, handicrafts, and agriculture. She is the embodiment of wisdom, reason, and purity. Virgin (her temple in Rome became churchs to Virgin Mary) Tiresias saw her naked and was struck blid, but given the gift of Prophecy Patroness of Athens (and Sparta) Nike winged victory always with her

Hephaestus Vulcan Hephaestus is the only god to be physically ugly, and he is also crippled. He is the god of fire and the forge, using a volcano as his forge, and is the smith and armorer of the gods. He is the patron god of both smiths and weavers. He is kind and peace loving.

Hermes Mercury Hermes is Zeus’s messenger. Fastest of the gods, he wears winged sandals and a winged hat and carries a magic wand. He is the god of thieves, tricky & commerce. He is the guide for the dead to go to the underworld. He inventer of the lyre, the pipes, the musical scale, astronomy, weights and measures, boxing, and gymnastics. With Aphrodite they had Hermaphrodite

Dionysus Bacchus Son of Zeus The only olympian with a mortal parent (Semele) God of wine, ecstasy, theatre. Originated in the east – Nysa (India), Wore leopard or tiger skin Patron of drama festivals – early forms of his worship eg the ‘Great Dionysia’ was an annual religious in Athens where plays were judged.