Gods of Greek Mythology

Zeus is the main god of Mount Olympus. His climb to the top was difficult. His father, Cronus was paranoid that he would be overthrown, as he himself overthrew his father, Uranus. To make sure Cronus’ offspring did not defeat him, after each of his children were born, Cronus devoured them whole. His wife, Titaness Rhea, became jealous when she saw all her sisters children. She began to plot on how to save her next child. When the next child was born, Zeus, Rhea hid the boy and gave Cronus a stone to eat. Zeus waited until he got bigger and stronger, and then challenged his father for power. Rhea tricked Cronus into throwing up Zeus’ brothers and sisters, and together they defeated Cronus and Zeus became the new leader. Zeus took the heavens for himself, gave the Underworld to his brother Hades, and the sea to his brother Poseidon. He took his sister Hera as his wife and ruled Mount Olympus.

Hephaestus is the smith god on Mount Olympus. He is the son of Zeus and Hera, but being the son of such major gods did not affect his luck. Hephaestus is the ugliest god on Mount Olympus. Hephaestus is so ugly, some stories say, that when his mother, Hera, saw him after his birth she threw him off Mount Olympus. His legs were permanently broken and twisted from the fall, leaving Hephaestus handicapped for life. Other accounts tell us that Zeus and Hera were arguing and Hephaestus sided with his mother. In anger, his father threw him down Mount Olympus. Either way, Hephaestus had trouble walking his whole life. To solve this problem, Hephaestus forged robots to help him walk. Hephaestus worked at the forge making various crafts for the other gods. Zeus married Aphrodite to Hephaestus upon her arrival to Mount Olympus. This event seemed to be luck finally working for him, but the union was not a monogamous one. The beautiful Aphrodite had trouble staying faithful and cheated on Hephaestus numerous times. In summary, Hephaestus was brilliant, but unsightly; had beautiful wife with a straying eye.

Hades is the god of the Underworld. His parents were Cronus and Rhea. When Zeus divided the realms to rule, Hades received rule over the Underworld. Hades was managed the souls that traveled to the Underworld after death, helped by such helpers as Thanatos and Hypnos, Charon, Cerberus, the Erinyes, and the Fates. He abducted his sister Demeter’s daughter, Persephone, and made her his wife. Zeus commanded that Hades return Persephone to her mother, but it was discovered that Persephone had eaten pomegranate seeds. Since Persephone had eaten food from the Underworld, she was bound to stay there forever.

Aphrodite is the goddess of love. She was created when Cronus was castrated and his member fell into the sea. Foam bubbled from the sea and out rose the beautiful Aphrodite. She was brought up to Mount Olympus and Zeus married her off to his son Hephaestus so the gods would not fight over her. She had many other lovers than her husband, such as Ares and Hermes. She is sometimes celebrated as the goddess of orderly affection, like Hestia, or the goddess of marriage, like Hera. But the love caused by Aphrodite was often urgent and unbridled. Love caused by Aphrodite did not need reason or common sense. She was the goddess of infatuation and sexual desire, of passion so great its sufferer is willing to put everything on the line for it. Aphrodite could tempt mortal and Olympian alike. As she was born of the sea, sailors often prayed to her for calm waters.

Hermes is one of the two messenger gods (the other being Iris, goddess of the rainbow). Hermes was worshipped by those who buy and trade. Hermes was god of thieves, mining, roads and travelers. He was responsible for maintaining land boundaries and guiding dead souls to the Underworld. He was the son of Zeus and the Titaness Maia. Hermes was much loved by mortals, who took pleasure in his cheeky antics. Hermes