The Gods of Mount Olympus
Who Were the Gods of Mount Olympus? – Learn about how stories were used to tell us what happened in our history. Stories like Hercules and Achilles became heroes that we follow even today in video games and movies. Follow along as I take you down memory lane with our stories, told by people of all ages, through art and pictures from their times. This will teach you more about myths of Mount Olympus and who they were before they became Roman myths. In this article, you will learn more about myths about Mount Olympus, such as its mythical origins, as well as the identities of the myths that were eventually made into Roman stories.
The Myths of Mount Olympus were very peculiar, even by ancient Greek standards. Some viewed them as actual historical figures who were raised to great heights in order to be worshipped by mortals. The Greeks in ancient times believed that the gods in their pantheon resided at the top of Mount Olympus, the highest peak in Greece.
That is why, when it was reimagined, it was imagined as heaven. As soon as they ascended from Mount Olympus, the gods of Greek mythology acted with bias, quarreled among themselves, and looked after the world of humankind and all its people; led by Zeus (Jupiter), the gods and goddesses interested themselves in the ways in which mortals act and behaved.
Who are the main Gods?
The most famous of all the Olympian gods is undoubtedly Zeus, the king of all the gods. He is also known by many other names, including Jupiter, Jove, and even Thor. He is the son of Cronus and Rhea, and the brother of Hades and Poseidon. There are 12 Gods and Goddesses generally viewed as the most important. Athena, Aphrodite, Demeter, and Hera are just a few of them. Some others are Aphrodite (Venus), Apollo (Apollo), Ares (Mars), Artemis (Diana), Athena (Minerva), Demeter (Ceres), Dionysus (Bacchus), Hephaestus (Vulcan), Hera (Juno), Hermes (Mercury), Hestia (Vesta), and Poseidon (Neptune).
As Zeus’ brother, Hades ruled the underworld. With this, the Olympian gods were created. Coming from generations of gods that came before them. Earth (Mother Earth) was the first goddess, and she gave birth to a race of Titans, borne of her son Uranus. Titans led by the son of Uranus, Cronos, overthrew their father, Uranus, and their sons eventually overthrew them. Zeus and his brothers, Poseidon and Hades, took control of the sky, the sea, and the underworld, which had belonged to the Titans before they were overthrown..
Zeus, King of Gods
Zeus was the King of all gods in ancient Greek mythology. He ruled Mount Olympus and all of its inhabitants, whether they were Olympians or other mortals. Zeus was one of three sons born to Cronus and Rhea, who gave him his lightning bolt and a lightning shield that made him invulnerable. However, his wife Hera tricked him into swallowing a potion while he slept so she could free her lover Poseidon from being trapped under a rock. Zeus, therefore, was not as powerful as he once was when he awoke and had to battle with his brothers for dominance.
Persephone
Demeter and Zeus had a daughter, Persephone, who was abducted by Hades to be his bride in the underworld.
Hestia, Goddess of home and hearth
In Greek mythology, Hestia, Zeus’ sister, was goddess of the hearth. In Roman mythology, she is Vesta, a god more popular with the Romans, who venerated her by a corps of virgin priestesses known as the Vestal virgins.
Athena, Goddess of War
Athena, the daughter of Zeus and Metis, was the goddess of war and wisdom. Her philosophy differed markedly from that of Ares, the war-God. As per mythology, she is believed to have been born from Zeus’ head and she is often depicted wearing armor.
Poseidon
In mythology, Poseidon was the god of the ocean. Pictured here atop a fish, carrying his three-pronged trident. Poseidon had a long-lasting rivalry with Odysseus.
Cronos and Rhea
This couple might depict Zeus’ parents, Cronos and Rhea, who were banished to Tartarus, which is described as a dungeon deep in the underworld. Cronos, whose name means time, castrated his father Uranus with a sickle.
Hades
Hades, Zeus’ brother, was the god of the underworld and his wife was Persephone.
Ares, God of War
Ares was a God of War who led his army against Greece. Ares is also known as Mars and was recognized as a powerful god by both Greeks and Romans. He is one of several sons born to Zeus and Hera, making him one of four brothers. Although it can be argued that he could be considered a good god, he did not have many qualities people would look for in a god. Ares wasn’t particularly kind or loving, nor was he wise or insightful—in fact, most would consider him self-serving and only caring about war. Still, some might argue that without Ares’ presence there would be no battles to fight; that without someone to instigate violence there would be no will defend oneself or others from further violence.
Eros, God of Love
Eros was a god of love and sexual desire. He is portrayed as a beautiful winged youth in various arts, such as vase paintings and statues, most notably by Praxiteles. His mother Aphrodite blessed him with the power to excite love in all its forms, including heterosexual love (erotic), unconditional love (filial) and brotherly love (fraternal). It was said that those born under his sign are not interested in marriage or raising a family but would rather have short-term relationships, occasionally multiple affairs at once. They are often talented artists or musicians who appreciate philosophy and poetry.
Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty
Aphrodite was born out of Zeus’s testicles, and some myths say she is his daughter; other versions claim she is his lover. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite was called upon for love spells, fertility and beauty. While some credit her with creating love in others, she has also been known to be vengeful if someone doesn’t fall in love with her intended target.
Hephaestus, God of Fire
Hephaestus, the god of fire, was born lame after his mother Hera generated him out of wedlock. However, according to some sources, he was fathered by Zeus. He was later married to Aphrodite.
Hermes, Messenger of God
Hermes was a messenger god. Hermes would deliver messages between mortals and gods, which earned him his title as messenger god. He also served as a mediator in disputes among mortals. Hermes’ son Pan was half man, half goat (much like himself), but he had horns on his head. He held a pan-pipes and would play them when he roamed from place to place.
Dionysus, God of wine
Dionysus was God of wine, pleasure, fertility and madness. In Greek mythology, he is also a major Olympian deity. He is son of Zeus and either Semele or Demeter (depending on myth). Dionysus’ mother died when he was young, causing him to be raised by nymphs. Later in life, Dionysus discovered a potion which allows him to drink without getting drunk and became God of wine.
Hercules
Hercules was one of Zeus’ illegitimate sons. His mother and father didn’t care much for each other, but they wanted a child together—one who would have tremendous power. And Hercules certainly fit that bill. He had immense strength, even as an infant. But Hera, Zeus’ wife and sister (which is weird if you think about it), hated him for that power, so she sent two snakes to kill him when he was just 7 days old—he throttled them both with his bare hands! Because he killed two snakes on his own at such a young age, one could say he had some sort of relationship with snakes; although it was definitely not positive!
Demeter
Zeus’ sister Demeter was the Greek earth-goddess. Persephone was the daughter of her brother Zeus. The Mysteries of Eleusis were born out of her search for Persephone.
Ganymede
Ganymede, a young prince from Troy, was so infatuated by his beauty that Zeus descended in an eagle form to capture the beautiful youth as his cup-bearer at Olympus.
Artemis
Artemis is Apollo’s sister. She was also the goddess of hunting and archery. Wild animals were all in her control.
Cronos, the Child-Eater
Cronos (Saturn), the youngest Titan, was one of the children of Gaia/Uranus (the earth/the sky). Uranus hated Urnos and kept his children in Mother Earth. This caused her great pain. Cronos was given a sickle by her sister Rhea, and she encouraged him killing his father. He married Rhea after he did so. But, fearing that his own children might rise up against him, he swallowed their babies as soon they were born: Demeter (first), Demeter (second), Hades, Hades, Poseidon and Demeter. Rhea gave birth to Zeus at midnight, her sixth child. She then entrusted him to Gaia. She gave Cronos a rock to swallow in her place. Zeus asked Cronos to make him his cup-bearer when he had grown up. Mixing his father’s powerful emetic caused him to vomit up the stone and five of his older children. Zeus then led his sisters and brothers in war against the Titans. They were defeated and imprisoned to Tartarus in hell. Zeus ruled supreme among all gods.