Ancient Greek mythology is filled with different characters who all played an important role in Greek society and culture. Read about these gods, learn their stories, and see how the ancient Greeks understood their world.
Demeter, daughter of Chronos, mother of Persephone, and sister of Hera, may not be one of the better-known Greek gods and goddesses, but she is one of the most important. A member of the original twelve Olympians, she played a central role in the creation of seasons. Demeter was worshiped well before many of the …
Hermes, son of Zeus, wearer of winged sandals, was one of the most important and referred to of the Olympian gods. He was the protector of the baby Dionysus, ran messages from the underworld, and was the trickster god who gave Pandora her famous box. Among the ancient Greeks, Hermes was revered. Some of their …
Artemis is the Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and childbirth. She is the daughter of Zeus and Leto and the twin sister of Apollo. Artemis is often depicted as a young and athletic woman, carrying a bow and arrows, and accompanied by hunting dogs. Artemis was widely worshiped throughout ancient Greece, and various temples …
The Greek god Hephaestus was a famed blacksmith, renowned for the skill of metallurgy. Markedly the only conventionally unattractive of all the Greek gods and goddesses, Hephaestus suffered in life from a multitude of physical and emotional ailments. Hephaestus with his tragic character was arguably the most human-like of the Greek gods. He fell from …
Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation. She is one of the 12 Olympians and was born from the sea foam created when the Titan Cronus severed Uranus’ genitals and threw them into the sea. This goddess is known as the unwilling wife of the god Hephaestus, the lover of Ares, …
The Olympians of Greek mythology aren’t like the Olympians people know and love today. These mighty gods actually took center stage in the vast Greek pantheon – not at the Olympic games. According to the ancient Greek religion, there are twelve ruling gods that oversee the affairs of Mount Olympus and the fate of humanity …