If you were to become a Greek God, what would you want to be the God of and why?
As in many ancient religions, the Greeks strongly believed in Gods and Goddesses, who they thought had total control of people’s lives.
In case you’re thinking that these deities were better than humans, you’ll be surprised to find out they were not meant to judge human conduct, but rather become absolute forces that ordered the universe.
Are you aware that the figures from ancient mythology are as popular as the Greek Gods and that there are astrological features named after them?
In this article, we are going to provide you with comprehensive information about the famous Greek Gods and Goddesses.
12 Greek Gods and Goddesses
Each God and Goddess had its own name, characteristics, and purpose.
Here is an elaborated list of the 12 powerful Gods and Goddesses of Greek Mythology.
Zeus
Zeus was the father of the famous Greek hero Hercules. His weapon of choice was the thunderbolt.
As god of the sky and king of Olympus, he was considered to be the most powerful of all the Gods in Greek Mythology. Thus, he was worshiped in most ancient Greek homes, altars, and shrines.
Zeus’ primary original aspect was a weather god but later came to symbolize law, order, and fate. He was the god to look to as the arbiter of Justice.
Hera
Symbolized by the peacock, the cuckoo, the pomegranate, and the cow.
Hera was the queen of the Greek gods and married to Zeus. She was the goddess of marriage, childbirth, and women, hence acting as their protector.
She was responsible for heaven and earth’s entire existence, such as seasons and weather.
Her relationship with Zeus was characterized by her reputation of tormenting his many lovers.
Poseidon
Known well as the god of the sea and brother to Zeus, he was responsible for making the land fertile.
Sailors would pray to Poseidon before voyages to ensure safe passage. He is thought to be much like the sea, capable of being majestic, calm, and stormy by turns.
The Greek’s believed that sacrificing a horse would win Poseidon’s favor.
Demeter
The name is loosely translated to mean giver of grain or mother earth.
Demeter was considered to be the most generous of the goddesses for her kind services of giving the gift of harvest and making the soil fertile.
She controlled the growth of crops thus, Greek people prayed to her in the hope that their crops would grow successfully.
Ares
The son of Zeus and Hera, and was commonly associated with civil order. He was known as the god of war. He was cruel and cowardly and was not worshiped by many to the same extent as other Greek gods.
Symbolized by the dog and the vulture. He usually carried a blood-soaked spear.
Hermes
The youngest son of Zeus, who also served as his personal assistant and a messenger for his speed and trustworthiness. He was known to be an excellent communicator and very good at negotiations.
Hermes was the protector of travelers and merchants. Credited for the invention of boxing and gymnastics.
Hephaestus
He was another son of Zeus and Hera, best known as the lame god because of his crippled disability as a result of being thrown from Mount Olympus by his parents.
Hephaestus was a Greek god of fire, metalwork, and sculpture. Hence, he was more associated with blacksmiths and craftsmen.
He was well known for his healing abilities, as his priests could heal snake bites.
Aphrodite
Largely worshiped as the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite was also considered the goddess of war and the goddess of the sea.
In art, she is often depicted as a perfect eternally woman.
While she was very generous to her worshipers, she was also spiteful to those who denied her.
Athena
Athena was the daughter of Zeus, the goddess of war, handicraft and wisdom, with her sacred symbols being the owl and the olive tree.
Due to her kind and modest character, Athena was loved by many. Well known for being rational, a peacemaker and intelligent.
Athena is the patron of the Greek city, Athens.
Apollo
Although Apollo was an ancient Greek god of music, poetry, art, archery, and dance, he was also capable of barbaric acts. He played music for gods and goddesses on his golden lyre.
He is known for his intellectual abilities, being prophetic, a healer, and representing the sun. Apollo was one of the most widely worshiped and beloved Greek gods.
Artemis
The twin sister of Apollo, Artemis was considered to be the goddess of hunting and the goddess of childbirth, hence why she protected young girls prior to their marital age.
Amongst the rural population, Artemis was widely worshiped. She protected animals that were sacred to her i.e. bears and stags, she would punish those who harmed these animals.
Dionysus
Known as the Greek god of wine, theatre, and fertility, Dionysus learned how to cultivate grapes, thus becoming the first person to make wine.
He had the power to heal illness and was considered the protector of trees.
The ecstatic nature of his worship attracted many female followers but was not as popular amongst men.
Conclusion
There are actually a lot of gods in Greece, and any ancient Greek would know them and remember to honor them.
Although these deities were powerful, the Greeks believed they were vulnerable to human weakness, as seen in their doings.