the greek gods

Zeus: god of the sky
Poseidon: god of the sea
Ares: god of war
Aphrodite: goddess of love
Hera: goddess of women
Demeter: goddess of the harvest
Athena or Athena: goddess of strategy
Apollo: god of the Sun, music and poetry
Artemis: goddess of the hunt
Hephaestus: god of fire
Hermes: the messenger god
Dionysus: god of wine

Zeus was the most powerful of the Greek gods. As god of the sky and king of Olympus, his temper affected the weather. Zeus also ruled over all other gods and goddesses, so he was worshiped in most ancient Greek homes through altars, shrines, and daily offerings. Zeus had the power to change his shape and was also married to the queen of the gods, Hera, but he had been unfaithful multiple times with beautiful women, having many semi-god children.

As god of the sea and brother of Zeus, Poseidon was one of the most powerful Greek gods. Like Zeus, Poseidon's temper controlled the seas, so sailors prayed to him before voyages to ensure safe passage, just as Zeus is very much a womanizer.

Son of Zeus and Hera, Ares was the god of war. He was a cruel god, so his parents did not like Ares and he was not worshiped to the same extent as other Greek gods. His sacred symbols included the dog and the vulture. Ares used to carry a bloody spear.

Aphrodite was largely worshiped as the goddess of love and beauty in many of the cities that made up ancient Greece. As the goddess of love and fertility, Aphrodite's symbols were doves, roses, swans and sparrows. It was believed that Aphrodite was the daughter of Zeus or that she had emerged from the sea on a shell.

Wife of Zeus, Hera was the queen of the Greek gods and also the goddess of marriage, women, families and birth, acting as their protector. However, Hera was known to be a vengeful goddess and that she would take it out on mortals for her jealousy of other goddesses. Hera's sacred animal was a peacock, two peacocks pull her from her chariot when they represent her in an image. She punished Zeus's lovers with severe punishments

As the Greek goddess of agriculture and harvest, Demeter controlled the seasons and the growth of crops. Therefore, the ancient Greeks worshiped and prayed to Demeter in the hope that her lands would produce successfully. Demeter taught mortal men how to grow corn, and the barrenness of winter was believed to be due to her sadness because her daughter Persephone had to live in the underworld with Hades during these months.

Daughter of Zeus, Athena was the goddess of battle strategy and wisdom, her sacred symbols being the owl and the olive tree. Athena had no mother, she was born directly from the head of Zeus wearing armor! As the goddess of strategy in battle, she is the female counterpart of Ares. Athena is the patron goddess of the Greek city, Athens.

Apollo was the ancient Greek god of the Sun, music, poetry, art, dance, archery and healing. Apollo played music for the Greek gods and goddesses with his golden lyre. Apollo also taught humans the art of medicine and is sometimes known as “the healer” for having the ability to cure people of illnesses, but also transmit infections to those who angered him.

Apollo's twin sister, Artemis, is another daughter of Zeus. As a goddess of the hunt, she wielded her bow and arrows and had a hunting dog as her companion. Among the rural population, Artemis was the favorite goddess. Goddess of animals, Artemis punished anyone who harmed any animal sacred to her, including bears and deer.

Hephaestus was the Greek god of fire, metalworking, and sculpture. Hephaestus was associated with craftsmen and blacksmiths, and was married to the goddess Aphrodite. Unlike other Greek gods and goddesses, Hephaestus had physical defects, being known as "the lame one", due to Hera expelling him from Mount Olympus. He is represented with a hammer and an anvil.

The youngest son of Zeus, Hermes, became the messenger of the gods because of his speed and reliability. He wore winged shoes, and so Hermes could fly and travel quickly. Hermes was the protector of travelers and merchants. He is credited with creating boxing and gymnastics.

Being an important part of ancient Greek culture, as the god of wine, Dionysus was very popular. He is another son of Zeus. As Dionisio grew up he learned to grow grapes, becoming the first person to make wine. Dionysus taught the population how to make wine and then ascended Mount Olympus, being the last of the twelve Greek gods and goddesses to arrive.

He was one of the sons of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. He had three sisters, Demeter, Hestia and Hera, as well as two brothers, Zeus (the youngest of them all) and Poseidon. Together they constituted the six original Olympian gods. His wife is Persephone, Persephone is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, Zeus offered Hades to take and marry Persephone