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The Twelve Olympian Gods and Goddesses of Greek Mythology

The "Top Twelve" list in the myths of Greece

By deTraci Regula, About.com

Columns at the Temple of Zeus, Athens

The imposing columns of the Temple of Zeus, Athens, Greece.

deTraci Regula, courtesy ACFP
The Greeks didn't have a "Top Ten" list of deities - but they did have the "Top Twelve" - those lucky deities 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.

More Fast Facts on Greek Gods and Goddesses:

The 12 Olympian Gods and Goddesses - The Greek Gods and Goddesses at Home (Temple Sites) - Aphrodite - Apollo - Ares - Artemis - Athena - Demeter- Eros - Hades - Hephaestus- Hera - Hercules - Hermes - Hestia - Medusa - Pan - Pandora - Pegasus - Persephone - Pluto (Hades) - Poseidon- Zeus.

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