1. Major Gods and Goddesses
The Odyssey
Major Gods and Goddesses

2. Zeus Position Symbol Other Notes King, God of land, sky, and justice
Thunderbolt, Oak Tree, Eagle, Shield
Known for all of his affairs

6. Hera Position Symbol Other Notes Zeus’s wife Goddess of Marriage
Golden Crown, Cow, Peacock
Moody and Temperamental

9. Hestia Position Symbol Other Notes
Goddess of Home and Hearth (fireside)
Sacred Fire, Hearth
Ancient Greek women took comfort knowing Hestia watched over them.

12. Poseidon Position Symbol Other Notes God of the Seas
Trident, Horse, Bull
Plagues Odysseus (puts a curse on him)

16. Hades Position Symbol Other Notes God of the Underworld and Wealth
Invisible Helmet, Pitchfork, Jewels
Tartarus =Underworld; faithful three headed dog called Cerberus

20. Demeter Position Symbol Other Notes Goddess of Grain and Harvest
Rake, Cornsilk, Grain
Ceres = Cereal

23. Aphrodite Position Symbol Other Notes Goddess of Beauty and Love
Roses, Dove, Myrtle Tree
“Foam-Born”; only God with unknown parents; was either kind or merciless

27. Ares Position Symbol Other Notes God of War Sword, Spear, Vulture, Dog
More important in Roman Mythology; was vain and self-centered; liked bloodshed

29. Apollo Position Symbol Other Notes
God of the Sun, Music, Poetry, Reason and the Hunt
Golden Chariot, Lyre, Sun, Silver Bow
Ideal of Greek Society; twin of Artemis

32. Artemis Position Symbol Other Notes Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon
Silver Bow and Arrow; Moon
twin of Apollo; opposite temperament of her brother…cold and pitiless

36. Athena Position Symbol Other Notes
Goddess of Wisdom and Law (Just Wars)
Armor (shield), Owl, Olive Branch
born directly out of Zeus’ brain (no mother); won a contest against Poseidon for Athens

40. Hephaestus Position Symbol Other Notes God of Fire and Forge (volcano)
Anvil, Hammer, Forge
Married to Aphrodite; only God with a limp (*from Zeus); made the first woman Pandora

44. Hermes Position Symbol Other Notes Messenger of the Gods
Winged Sandals and Helmet
Mercury in Roman Mythology; youngest of Zeus’ children and his favorite