The Twelve Olympian Gods and Goddesses of Greek Mythology

The Greeks didn't have a "Top Ten" list of deities - but they did have the "Top Twelve" - those lucky Greek gods and goddesses living on top of Mount Olympus.

Aphrodite - Goddess of love, romance, and beauty. Her son was Eros, god of Love (though he is not an Olympian.)
Apollo - Beautiful god of the sun, light, medicine, and music.
Ares - Dark god of war who loves Aphrodite.
Artemis - Independent goddess of the hunt, the forest, wildlife, childbirth, and the moon. Sister to Apollo.
Athena - Daughter of Zeus and goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts. Sometimes spelled "Athene".
Demeter - Goddess of agriculture and mother of Persephone (again, her offspring is not considered to be an Olympian.)
Hephaestus - Lame god of fire and the forge. Sometimes spelled Hephaistos. The Hephaestion near the Acropolis is the most beautifully preserved ancient temple in Greece. Mated to Aphrodite.
Hera - Wife of Zeus, protector of marriage, familiar with magic.
Hermes - The speedy messenger of the gods, god of business. The Romans called him Mercury.
Hestia - Calm goddess of home and homelife, symbolized by the hearth which holds the continually-burning flame.
Poseidon - God of the sea, horses, and of earthquakes.
Zeus - Supreme lord of gods, god of the sky, symbolized by the thunderbolt.

Hades, although he was an important god and the brother of Zeus and Poseidon, was not generally considered to be one of the twelve Olympians since he dwelled in the underworld.

All of the Greek gods and goddesses are getting more attention because of recent movies with Greek mythology themes: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief and the remake of the Ray Harryhausen classic, Clash of the Titans

Immortals Movie

More Fast Facts on Major Greek Gods and Goddesses:

The 12 Olympians - Gods and Goddesses - Greek Gods and Goddesses - Temple Sites - The Titans - Aphrodite - Apollo - Ares - Artemis - Atalanta - Athena - Centaurs - Cyclopes - Demeter- Dionysos - Eros - Europa - Gaia - Hades - Helios - Hephaestus - Hera - Hercules - Hermes - Kronos - The Kraken - Medusa - The Minotaur - Nike - Pan- Pandora - Pegasus - Persephone - Perseus - Poseidon - Rhea - Selene - Theseus - Zeus.
Pictures of other Greek Gods and Goddesses: Greek Deities Clip Art Images
Find books on Greek Mythology: Top Picks on Books on Greek Mythology
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