Greek Mythology is a subject with various stories, myths and legends about the origins of the world. Greek Mythology, which became very important during the Ancient Greek period, as they provided a different perspective on the daily life of the people, has many gods and goddesses with different powers and qualities.
The 12 Olympian gods and goddesses, believed to live on the summit of Mount Olympus, have a very important place in Greek Mythology. In ancient Greek mythology, the Olympian Gods, who began to rule after Zeus defeated the Titans, their enemies, have various powers and qualities. The ancient Greeks built temples and sanctuaries all over the country to pay their respects to these gods.
Greek Mythology gods and goddesses that have been the subject of legends:
Father of the gods: Zeus
Zeus is the father of the sky, all other gods and humans, and is therefore the chief figure in Greek Mythology. The wife of Zeus, son of Kronos and Rhea, is Hera. Also known for his licentiousness, Zeus is the God with the most children. Zeus’ name is thought to come from the Ancient Greek word meaning ‘bright’. The word also has a close connection with various Latin words meaning ‘day’. He is usually depicted with a scepter in one hand and a lightning bolt in the other. These are symbols of his authority. Zeus, the most well-known among the gods of Greek Mythology, is highly associated with wisdom, awareness, authority, destiny and power.
Goddess of marriage: Hera
Hera is the wife of Zeus and also the goddess of marriage. For this reason, she is the goddess most associated with family and women among the goddesses of Greek Mythology. They had an unhappy marriage as Zeus had numerous affairs. Hera is a very ancient goddess, even older than Zeus. Hera is often depicted alongside Zeus as a very beautiful woman wearing a cylindrical crown and a veil. Like her siblings except Zeus, she is referred to as the eldest daughter of Kronos and Rhea, as she was swallowed by her father at birth and then emptied to be reborn.
Goddess of wisdom and war: Athena
She is often portrayed as a goddess of power and authority, with a beautiful but stern face, full lips, and a graceful build. According to researchers, the name of Athena is closely connected with the name of the city of Athens. Athena, like Artemis and Hestia, has never been in love with someone. Because of this, he has no children either. Athena, a war goddess associated with wisdom, was also very helpful to other gods and goddesses. Athena, who was also a master craftsman, designed very ornate and luxurious embroidered dresses for herself.
God of the sun and light: Apollo
Apollo is the god of the sun, music, poetry, prophecy, knowledge, order and beauty. Apollo, who takes place as much as Zeus in art and literature, is the only great god known by the same name in both Greek and Roman Mythology. Although the origin of the name Apollo is not known exactly, many Greeks argue that it means ‘destroyer’. Beardless and athletic, he is usually depicted with a laurel crown on his head and a bow and arrow in his hand. Apollo is the son of Zeus and Leto, one of Zeus’ numerous loves. It fed only on nectar and ambrosia, which was considered the food of the gods.
God of the seas: Poseidon
Poseidon is the wild and moody god of the seas. The name Poseidon is quite ancient. Various researchers have tried to make sense of it by translating it as ‘lord of the waters’. Plato, on the other hand, said that it means ‘the one who knows many things’. Although he is known today as the god of the seas, in ancient times he was known as the god of the earth and fertility. When his depictions are examined, he resembles Zeus with his dense curly hair and sharp eye structure. He is usually depicted riding in a chariot with four horses tied or on the waves with a gun in his hand. Poseidon is the second son of Cronus and Rhea after Hades.
God of War: Ares
Known as the god of war, Ares was not well liked by neither the gods nor the people because of his cruelty. In the artistic sense, he is often depicted with a helmet, shield, sword or spear. There are also works in which he is depicted with his sons Deimos and Phobos. The eldest child of Ares, Zeus and Hera, Ares is hated by almost everyone because he is a savage god. Even his father, Zeus, called him ‘the most hated of all Greek Gods’. The most famous relationship of Ares, who has a relationship with many women, is his relationship with Aphrodite.
Goddess of the hunt and bow: Artemis
Artemis is the Olympian goddess of hunting, wilderness, and the moon. Artemis, who was born a few days before her brother, helped her mother while her brother was born. After seeing her mother’s suffering during childbirth, she swore to remain a virgin. According to Plato, he said that the name Artemis was related to the oath she took and meant ‘unharmed’ in Ancient Greek. He is portrayed by almost all poets, sculptors and painters as a young and vigorous hunter, wearing a short tunic, carrying a bow and arrow.
goddess of agriculture: Demeter
Demeter, the middle daughter of Kronos and Rhea, is considered the goddess of agriculture, fertility, seasons and motherly love. It is known that Zeus, who had many relationships, was the fourth marriage. Generally, she is portrayed as having languid eyes and blonde hair. The name of Demeter consists of two parts, the second part (-meter) is connected with the meaning of ‘mother’. The first part (-de) means ‘mother earth’.
Goddess of love and beauty: Aphrodite
Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty, sexual pleasure and fertility. Aphrodite, who was with many gods, married only Hephaestus. She deceived Hephaestus with the god of war Ares. Aphrodite’s name is often associated with the Ancient Greek “sea foam”, which is also highly associated with the meaning of birth. If Apollo represents the ideal male body among the gods of Greek Mythology, then Aphrodite is certainly his most appropriate female counterpart. She is portrayed as a beautiful, enchanting, and incredibly unattainable goddess.
God of fertility and wine: Dionysus
Dionysus is the god of fertility and war. The only god with mortal parents, Dionysus is the son of Zeus and Semele. In most works of art, Dionysus is depicted next to things such as a vine, bull, panther, and goat. Kidnapped by Zeus’ great enemies, the Titans, Dionysus is swallowed by them and later saved by Zeus and reborn. Therefore, he is considered to have been born twice.
Messenger of the gods: Hermes
Known as the most cunning of the Olympian gods, Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maia. Most researchers think that the name Hermes derives from the Greek word ‘herma’ meaning ‘a pile of stones’. He was first portrayed by artists as a bearded man. However, later on, he began to be portrayed as an athletic and naked youth. Hermes, the messenger of the gods, is also the inventor of speech.
God of fire: Hephaestus
Hephaestus, the wife of the beauty goddess Aphrodite, is considered the god of fire. The exact meaning of the name Hephaestus is unknown. However, it is thought to be a very ancient god, as it resembles the word ‘Phaistos’. With a beard and a ball, Phaistos is sometimes depicted with an oval headdress and in almost all works with a hammer and anvil. He is also known as the ugliest god among the gods of Greek Mythology.
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