Major Gods and Goddesses Flashcards
Apollo
Apollo* seat on Olympus Arts, prophecy, light and healing Roman sun god Twin brother Artemis Son Zeus Symbols: sun, bow/arrow, lyre (cithara), laurel crowns
Aphrodite
Venus* seat on Olympus Love, beauty Wife of Hephaestus Born fully grown from sea foam Symbols: swan, goose, mirror
Ares
Mars* seat on Olympus
Hated god of war
Son of Zeus and Hera
Symbols: chariot, spear, throne of human skulls with human skin cushion
Artemis
Diana* seat on Olympus
Hunt; associated with childbirth, healing arts
Twin sister of Apollo
Symbols: moon, bow/arrow, young deer
Athena
Minerva* seat on Olympus Warrior goddess, war and wisdom, patron household arts Daughter of Zeus Sprang fully grown from Zeus' head Symbols: helmet/spear, aegis
Cronus
Saturn Titan sky god 2nd generation Supreme ruler of titans/father to many Olympians Reign was "golden age"
Demeter
Ceres* seat on Olympus Harvest, grain Sister to Zeus Mother to Persephone Symbols: sheaf of wheat
Dionysus
Bacchus* seat on Olympus
Wine, vegetation, madness, frenzy; patron dramatic arts
Symbols: crown grape leaves/oak, wine, bull/lion
Gaia
Terra
Mother Earth
Daughter of chaos; mother of Uranus (ouranos)
1st being and 1st generation besides chaos
Hades
Pluto Wealth and underworld Ruler of dead Brother to Zeus Husband to Persephone Symbols: invisibility helmet, bident, jewels
Hephaestus
Vulcan* seat on Olympus Lame god of forge, fabricator/blacksmith to gods Son Zeus(?) And Hera Husband to Aphrodite Symbols: fire and forge, metallurgy
Hera
Juno* seat on Olympus Marriage and childbirth Queen of Olympians Jealous wife and sister of Zeus Mother to Hephaestus, Ares, Hebe Symbols: sceptre, peacock, diadem
Hermes
Mercury* seat on Olympus
Quick witted, clever messenger of gods
Patron god of travelers, thieves and merchants, crossroads, medicine, escort of souls to hades, etc.
Son of Zeus
Symbols: winged helmet and sandals, caduceus (medical symbol)
Hestia
Vesta
Peace loving goddess of hearth, guardian of home
Sister of Zeus
Symbols: hearth, fireplace
Persephone
Prosperine Daughter of Zeus and Demeter Kidnapped by hades to be wife Goddess of springtime (spends half year underground and comes up in spring to live with Demeter) Symbols: flowers, pomegranates
