Greek Mythology by Meliopoulos

The twelve Panhellenic Gods

Because people couldn't explain everything that was happening around them, they imagined that somewhere else there were other people, taller, stronger and more beautiful who could do things that ordinary people couldn't do. They called them gods. For they were believed to be immortal and all-powerful. Each place had its own local gods. But there were also some gods who were worshipped all over Greece. These were the Panhellenic Gods or as they are more commonly known, the Olympian Gods.

Zeus,

father of gods and men. This is the name given to him by our great poet Homer. He ruled heaven and earth with his power. For he had the thunderbolt in his hands to punish the evil gods and men. His most beautiful statue was in Olympia and it was made by the great Greek sculptor Phidias.

Neptune,

god of the sea. He has his golden palace in the depths of the sea and a multitude of lesser gods to serve him. But he also has the trident. And woe to those who travelled, when he lifted it and beat the waves, the wild sea rose and blackened as if to swallow up the ships.

Apollo,

god of the sun, music and divination. Handsome, tall and strong, he holds the lyre in his hands. He plays sweet tunes and the Muses sing with him. He gives us the light every morning. And when people want to know what will happen, they ask him in the oracle of Delphi, which was his.

Mars,

god of war. Fierce young man, always fighting with his weapons. He likes wars and destruction.

Hephaestus,

god of fire. Great craftsman-ironmonger. He works the metals in the fire, builds the shining palaces of the gods, makes their cars and everything else they need. He also prepares Zeus' thunderbolt. But he is lame and very ugly. And he's always working with hammer and anvil in the soot and smudges.

Mercury,

god of trade and letters, messenger of the gods. Light as a bird, he has wings on his legs and shoulders and flies wherever the other gods send him. And when men die, he leads their souls to Hades

Hera,

the goddess of marriage and wife of Zeus. But she protects the whole world and is the mother that everyone goes to her for protection.

Venus,

the goddess of beauty. She was born from the foam of the sea near Cyprus. She is the most beautiful goddess.

Athena,

the goddess of wisdom and work. She is the beloved daughter of Zeus, who taught women to weave and embroider. She protects Athens, which is named after her.

Artemis,

the goddess of hunting and forests. With her quiver on her shoulder she walks around the forests all day long and hunts. Her favorite animal is the deer. That's why the Greeks didn't kill it.

Demeter,

the goddess of agriculture, the protector of farmers. She taught people how to sow wheat and all other cereals, which they named for her.

Hestia,

the goddess of home and domesticity. Serious, measured and modest, she makes sure that homes have all the good things that people need.

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