The 12 Great Olympians

Cronus and Rhea Cronus was the youngest of the Titans, and was pictured as the ruler of the Titan dynasty. Cronus was the youngest of the Titans, and was pictured as the ruler of the Titan dynasty. After castrating his father at the instigation of his mother, he became the supreme ruler of the world. After castrating his father at the instigation of his mother, he became the supreme ruler of the world. He and his sister wife, Rhea, were the parents of the Olympians. He and his sister wife, Rhea, were the parents of the Olympians.

Why are they called Olympians? They were the 3 rd dynasty of gods They were the 3 rd dynasty of gods They succeeded The Titans They succeeded The Titans Inhabited the mountain called Olympus Inhabited the mountain called Olympus

Olympus Believed to be a mountain because referred to as such in many places. Believed to be a mountain because referred to as such in many places. the entrance to it was a great gate of clouds kept by the seasons. the entrance to it was a great gate of clouds kept by the seasons. Within were the Gods' dwellings, where they lived and slept and feasted on ambrosia and nectar and listened to the lyre of Apollo. Within were the Gods' dwellings, where they lived and slept and feasted on ambrosia and nectar and listened to the lyre of Apollo.

“No wind ever shakes the untroubled peace of Olympus; no rain ever falls there, or snow; but the cloudless firmament stretches around it on all sides and the white glory of sunshine is diffused upon its walls" - Homer “No wind ever shakes the untroubled peace of Olympus; no rain ever falls there, or snow; but the cloudless firmament stretches around it on all sides and the white glory of sunshine is diffused upon its walls" - Homer

Zeus Supreme ruler of Olympian Dynasty Supreme ruler of Olympian Dynasty Mightier than all others put together Mightier than all others put together Ruler of the sky, rain god and clouds Ruler of the sky, rain god and clouds “bright shining light of heaven” “bright shining light of heaven”

Hera Sister and wife of Zeus Sister and wife of Zeus Often referred to as his inferior Often referred to as his inferior She was the protector of marriage, and married women were her peculiar care. She was the protector of marriage, and married women were her peculiar care. Had 4 Children with Zeus Had 4 Children with Zeus Hephaestus : God of fire and the chief workman of the gods Hephaestus : God of fire and the chief workman of the gods Ares : God of war Ares : God of war Hebe : Goddess of youth and wife of Heracles in heaven Hebe : Goddess of youth and wife of Heracles in heaven Eileithyia : Goddess of childbirth Eileithyia : Goddess of childbirth

Poseidon Ruler of the sea Ruler of the sea He gained the rank or rating as ruler of the waves, by drawing lots at a Council Meeting of the Gods He gained the rank or rating as ruler of the waves, by drawing lots at a Council Meeting of the Gods Zeus took the upper world for himself, and gave the under world to his other brother, Hades. Zeus took the upper world for himself, and gave the under world to his other brother, Hades.

Demeter Demeter was the goddess of corn, fruit and agriculture in general and a goddess of fertility. Demeter was the goddess of corn, fruit and agriculture in general and a goddess of fertility. As such she was, in many regions, associated with Poseidon as the god of fertilizing water. As such she was, in many regions, associated with Poseidon as the god of fertilizing water. Had daughter with Zeus named Persephone Had daughter with Zeus named Persephone

Apollo Son of Zeus and Leto Son of Zeus and Leto Twin brother to Artemis Twin brother to Artemis Apollo's birthplace was the island of Delos (originally an island that floated, until Zeus chained it to the bottom of the sea so that Leto may be comfortable while giving birth to Apollo and Artemis. Apollo's birthplace was the island of Delos (originally an island that floated, until Zeus chained it to the bottom of the sea so that Leto may be comfortable while giving birth to Apollo and Artemis. Depicted with bow and arrow because he was seen as a very unforgiving god. Depicted with bow and arrow because he was seen as a very unforgiving god.

Artemis Goddess of the moon, hunting and chastity Goddess of the moon, hunting and chastity She also carried bow and arrows She also carried bow and arrows Artemis was the goddess of life, childbirth and of children after they were born, and of animals. Artemis was the goddess of life, childbirth and of children after they were born, and of animals. She was a great huntress She was a great huntress

Athene Also called Pallas Athene. Also called Pallas Athene. She was the Goddess of wisdom She was the Goddess of wisdom Like Zeus, Athene could send storms and rough weather Like Zeus, Athene could send storms and rough weather She was the mistress and Zeus was the master of thunder and lightning and she too would hurl thunderbolts to enforce her will and frighten her foes. She was the mistress and Zeus was the master of thunder and lightning and she too would hurl thunderbolts to enforce her will and frighten her foes.

Athene continued Athene invented the plow and the rake, and created the olive tree, services that made her the protector of agriculture Athene invented the plow and the rake, and created the olive tree, services that made her the protector of agriculture She was also a teacher. She was also a teacher.

Aphrodite goddess of love and beauty goddess of love and beauty Two different versions of birth Two different versions of birth Daughter of Zeus and Dione Daughter of Zeus and Dione Sprang forth from foam that formed around the limbs of the castrated Uranus Sprang forth from foam that formed around the limbs of the castrated Uranus

Hermes Messenger and herald of the gods Messenger and herald of the gods Hermes was frequently requested to speak in public, and to do a great deal of traveling; he therefore became the god of eloquence and speech, and the god of roads who would protect travelers like himself. Hermes was frequently requested to speak in public, and to do a great deal of traveling; he therefore became the god of eloquence and speech, and the god of roads who would protect travelers like himself. Son of Zeus and Maia (daughter of Atlas) Son of Zeus and Maia (daughter of Atlas)

Ares god of War god of War Son of Zeus and Hera Son of Zeus and Hera Very violent and had a horrible temper Very violent and had a horrible temper Other gods and goddesses couldn’t stand him Other gods and goddesses couldn’t stand him

Hephaestus Hephaestus Son of Zeus and Hera Son of Zeus and Hera god of fire and the chief workman of the gods. god of fire and the chief workman of the gods. He was lame and deformed so his parents were ashamed of him He was lame and deformed so his parents were ashamed of him Made his mother a golden throne that chained her in it and he had to be called again. Made his mother a golden throne that chained her in it and he had to be called again.

Dionysus born in Thebes, the son of Zeus and Semele born in Thebes, the son of Zeus and Semele god of wine and merry making god of wine and merry making Dionysus was the only god whose parents were not both gods Dionysus was the only god whose parents were not both gods

There were two other Olympian gods, though they are not usually included as part of the twelve There were two other Olympian gods, though they are not usually included as part of the twelve

Hades God of the underworld God of the underworld Persephone was his queen Persephone was his queen Hades was also known as the god of wealth and precious metal that lay hidden deep within the earth Hades was also known as the god of wealth and precious metal that lay hidden deep within the earth Son of Cronus and Rhea Son of Cronus and Rhea

Hebe The wife of Heracles in heaven The wife of Heracles in heaven The goddess of youth The goddess of youth Daughter of Zeus and Hera Daughter of Zeus and Hera

Sources Bierlein, J.F. Parallel Myths. New York:Ballantine Wellspring, Bierlein, J.F. Parallel Myths. New York:Ballantine Wellspring, Evslin, Evslin and Hoopes. The Greek Gods. New York: Scholastic Inc, Evslin, Evslin and Hoopes. The Greek Gods. New York: Scholastic Inc, Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. New York: Warner Books, 1969 Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. New York: Warner Books, 1969