The Olympian Greek Gods and Goddesses

By: Jazmin

Zeus is the ruler of all the Greek gods, and lord of the sky.

His symbol and weapon is the lightning bolt. Zeus’s animal is the eagle.

His job is to keep Olympus, the temple of the gods and goddesses, and the sky under control.

Zeus

Poseidon

• Poseidon is the Greek god of the ocean. In Greek belief he was the creator to horses and caused earthquakes.

• His symbol is the trident and the horse. The horse is also his animal.

• His job is to keep the sea balanced.

Hades

• Hades rules the underworld. He is married to Persephone. Hades was banned from Olympus so he later had no throne.

• His symbol is the Helm of Darkness. Hades' animals are the ram and Cerberus the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to the underworld.

• His job is the watch over the land of the dead and make sure no souls escape.

Hera

• Hera is the goddess of women, and marriage. She is queen of the heavens. Hera is Zeus’s wife.

• Her symbols are the pomegranate and the peacock feather. Hera’s animal is the peacock.

• Her job is to protect women in marriage.

Hestia

• Hestia is the goddess of the hearth and home. She gave up her throne for Dionysus when he became a god of Olympus.

• Her symbol is the fireplace, and her animal is the crane.

• She supervises over home life.

Dionysus• Dionysus is the Greek god of wine. He is son to Zeus.• His symbols are a grape vine, wine, the thyrsus; a staff from

a pinecone on a stick, and big predatory cats. His animal is the panther.

• Dionysus’s job was to teach the people the art of making wine. He could also cure madness, but could also turn a mortal crazy if they angered him.

Ares

• Ares is the god of chaotic war, mindless death, and violence.

• His symbols are the spear, and the helmet. His animals are the dog, and the vulture.

• Ares doesn’t have a job, but joins in wars and kills whoever he sees.

Athena

• Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom, warfare, strategies, war, justice, reason, and the arts. When she only joins war when it is for a just cause, unlike Ares.

• Her symbols are the owl, shield, and the olive branch. Her animal is also the owl.

• Her job as a goddess is to guide mankind toward wisdom, and fight for what’s right.

Apollo

• Apollo rules over music, medicine, health, prophecies, poetry, and archery.

• His symbols are bows and arrows, the laurel tree, the sun, and the lyre. His animals are the crow, the dolphin, and cows.

• Every morning he drives a chariot across the sky, and drags the sun with him.

Aphrodite

• Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty, and desire.

• She is symbolized by doves and roses. Her animal is the dove.

• Her responsibility as the goddess of love is to help all mortals and immortals fall in love.

Hermes

• Hermes is the god of shepherds, travelers, merchants, and thieves.

• His symbols are the caduceus, winged sandals, and the winged helmet. His animals are the tortoise and the bird.

• He is the messenger of the gods, and guides the souls of the dead to the underworld.

Artemis

• Artemis is the goddess of the moon, the hunt, women, maidens, animals, and wildlife. She is Apollo’s twin.

• Her symbols are cypress trees, dogs, trees, deer, falcons, and bows and arrows. Her animals are the deer and falcons.

• Her job is the protect women, animals, maidens, and cities.

Hephaestus

• Hephaestus is the Greek god of technology, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, blacksmiths, metals, fire, and forges.

• His symbols are fire, axe, pincers, and hammers. He is not symbolized by any animal.

• He crafts the weapons of the gods and goddesses. For example the silver bows and arrows used by Apollo and Artemis, and Athena’s spear.

Demeter

• Demeter is the goddess of agriculture, earth fertility, and harvest. She has a daughter named Persephone, goddess of springtime.

• He symbols are a bundle of wheat and grain. Her animals are the snake and the lion.

• Her job as a Greek goddess is to keep the earth fertile for harvest and to help nature grow.