Understanding Creation Myths/The 12 Olympians (Greek Myth)

In this lesson, you will understand who the Twelve Olympians were in Greek Mythology and how they came to power.

Introduction

The Twelve Olympians were the "ruling council" of the Greek gods. Each of the twelve gods represented an important factor in Greek lifestyle. For example, Aphrodite was the goddess of Love and Dionysus was the god of Wine. The Olympians were never particularly good rulers, they were always fighting and causing terrible things to happen on Earth. The Olympians were always on the edge of being overthrown because of their actions. The Olympians were named so because they ruled from Mount Olympus.

Readings

• Wikipedia: Twelve Olympians

Summary

The Twelve Olympians are listed below:

1. Zeus - the god of the Sky, Lightning and King of the gods.
2. Hera - the wife/sister of Zeus, goddess of Family, Marriage, and Queen of the gods.
3. Poseidon - the god of the Sea, the brother/boyfriend of Zeus.
4. Demeter - the goddess of the Harvest and Agriculture.
5. Athena - the goddess of Wisdom and the Arts, daughter of Zeus and Metis.
6. Ares - The God of War, Bloodshed, Violence, and Bullies.
7. Apollo - the god of the Sun, Music, the Arts, and Archery. son of Zeus and Leto, brother of Artemis.
8. Artemis - the goddess of the Moon, Hunting, and Feminism. Daughter of Zeus and Leto, sister of Apollo.
9. Hephaestus - The God of Blacksmiths and Fires. He is the blacksmith of the gods and has made many things like the Thrones of the gods, the Armour of Achilles,etc. He is crippled as Hera had thrown him off Mount Olympus when he was born because he was too ugly. Remarkably this peace-loving god is the husband of Aphrodite, the goddess of Beauty, although Aphrodite cheated on him with Ares.
10. Aphrodite - She is the goddess of Love, Beauty, and Sexuality. She is the wife of Hephaestus but has affairs with many other gods like Ares, Poseidon, and Dionysus. She is the mother of Deimos (god of Terror), Phobos (god of Fear) and Eros (god of Sexuality) .
11. Hermes - the god of Travellers, Thieves, and Cheeseburgers, as well as anything associated with travel or the road. Messenger of the gods.
12. Dionysus - the god of Wine, Theater and Ecstasy.

Each Olympian has a massive throne arranged in a U-shape a massive courtroom on Mount Olympus. Goddesses to the left (of Zeus) and gods to the right (of Zeus). In the centre of the U is a fireplace tended by Hestia, the goddess of the Hearth and the Home. If the flame dies out, which is kept alive by Humanity itself, all the gods will perish. She is in charge of making sure that the flames never go out. She used to be the Twelfth Olympian, but Dionysus, after becoming a god, took her seat. Hades is Poseidon and Zeus's brother, but he does not have is own throne, because he is kind of gloomy and his presence is not enjoyed on Mount Olympus. So he usually stays in his castle in the Underworld, except on December Twenty-First, the Winter Solstice. Every solstice, Winter or Summer, the gods hold a meeting. During only one of those councils, the Winter Solstice, the darkest day of the year, Hades participates in the council in a guest seat. We will grant honourary 13. and 14. spots to Hades and Hestia

13. Hestia - goddess of the Hearth and the Home. She is in charge of keeping the fireplace on Mount Olympus burning, or all living things will perish

14. Hades - god of Darkness, Death, Doom, and Gloom. King of the Underworld. Oversees the dead.

These gods have alternative names which the Romans used.

1. Zeus - Jupiter

2. Hera - Juno

3. Poseidon - Neptunus

4. Demeter - Ceres

5. Athena - Minerva

6. Ares - Mars

7. Apollo - Apollo

8. Artemis - Diana

9. Hephaestus - Vulcanus

10. Aphrodite - Venus

11. Hermes - Mercurius

12. Dionysus - Bacchus

13. Hestia - Vesta

14. Hades - Pluto