Olympian Gods - Upon Mount Olympus We Ruled Uncontested

 

The Olympian gods were the cornerstone of Greek religion and mythology. These gods represented nearly all aspects of Greek life, from love, to war, to wine, to the paranormal and unexplained. It was quite common for ancient (and even some medieval) civilizations to worship multiple deities, and the Ancient Greeks were more than happy to oblige. In total, there are twelve gods that are referred to as “Olympian Gods”.

All of the Olympian Gods are related in some way- another trait that is quite common in ancient mythology.

History of the Olympian Gods

The rise to power was not a peaceful one, and the Olympian Gods had to bear their own share of trials and challenges before being able to attain their place as the rightful gods. The Olympians came to rule after the overthrow of the Titans which, in essence, were the “parents” of the Olympians. Zeus’s father, Cronus (a Titan), would eat his children as they were born in order to preserve his position as the ruling Titan. Zeus’s mother, Rhea, tricked Cronus into eating a rock after finally succumbing to despair as the result of her many lost children.

Zeus would grow to overthrow his father (and all of the other Titans), banishing him to the underworld forever. After this took place the Olympian Gods were able to rule justly and rightly. The Olympian Gods are divided into two categories: first generation (children of the Titans), or second generation (children of first generation Olympians).

To learn more about each of the twelve Olympian Gods simply click on their name:

First Generation:

• Zeus - King of the Olympian Gods, lord of thunder and lightening. Zeus is commonly portrayed as a middle-aged man in prime physical condition with a robust white beard.

• Poseidon - God of the ocean and of earthquakes. Poseidon is often shown with his trident, a symbolic weapon.

• Hades - God of the underworld and death. Hades is often referred to as Pluto.

• Hestia - Goddess of home and fire. Hestia, though a first generation Olympian God, is not pictured frequently in modern media.

• Hera - Goddess of women and marriage, Hera is also the queen of heaven.

• Demeter - Goddess of the seasons, fertility, and agriculture. Demeter is often portrayed enjoying wine or grapes.

All of the first generation gods were doomed to be eaten by Cronus, but alas they were all thrown up after Cronus ingested a herb that he believed would make him invincible (which is odd considering that a Titan cannot be killed).

Second Generation:

• Apollo - God of prophecy and music. It is a wonder why the NASA space program was named after him.

• Aphrodite - Goddess of love and beauty.

• Ares - Perhaps one of the most famous gods, Ares is the god of war.

• Athena - Goddess of warriors, industry, and intelligence. Athena is also one of the Olympian Gods that has been frequently portrayed in modern media.

• Artemis - Goddess of the wilderness and the hunt. She is also the goddess of virginity and innocence.

• Dionysus - God of wine, or rather the cultivation of it.

• Hebe - Goddess of youth and the cupbearer of Olympus.

• Hermes - God of cunning, trickery, and thievery. He is also the messenger of heaven.

• Hephaestus - The smith of Olympus and producer of weapons and armor of incredible power and capability.