THE OLYMPIANS
mount olympus in the titanomachy
The first Olympians were the children of Cronus and Rhea, for when Zeus led the uprising against their father, Mount Olympus would become the base of operations for Zeus and his allies. From Mount Olympus the allies of Zeus would face off against the Titans based on Mount Othrys.
Certainly Zeus, Hades and Poseidon were at this time to be found on Mount Olympus, although it is not clear whether Hera, Demeter and Hestia were there as well at this point.
It was though, after the Titanomachy that the term Olympian gods really came into its own.
Certainly Zeus, Hades and Poseidon were at this time to be found on Mount Olympus, although it is not clear whether Hera, Demeter and Hestia were there as well at this point.
It was though, after the Titanomachy that the term Olympian gods really came into its own.
|
the first olympians
After the Titanomachy Zeus, Hades and Poseidon would draw lots for the division of the cosmos. Hades would be given the Underworld, and there he would build his palace; Poseidon would be given the sea, and a palace was made beneath the Mediterranean; and Zeus was given heavens and earth, and so upon Mount Olympus Zeus would build. Zeus decided that there would be 12 ruling gods, just as there had been 12 Titans; and so the first five Olympian gods were quickly chosen.
Zeus -
Zeus was the youngest of the six siblings but was also the strongest. A natural leader after the Titanomachy he was given as his domain the land and the sky, and supreme ruler of Mount Olympus. He is considered the god of justice, although the stories told about him tell more often about his love affairs with goddesses and beautiful mortal women, the likes of Europa and Danae, rather than of any fighting or great deeds. Most of Greek mythology though can be traced back to an action of Zeus, as his love life produced scores of offspring, some of which were gods and some of which became the primary Greek heroes.
Zeus -
Zeus was the youngest of the six siblings but was also the strongest. A natural leader after the Titanomachy he was given as his domain the land and the sky, and supreme ruler of Mount Olympus. He is considered the god of justice, although the stories told about him tell more often about his love affairs with goddesses and beautiful mortal women, the likes of Europa and Danae, rather than of any fighting or great deeds. Most of Greek mythology though can be traced back to an action of Zeus, as his love life produced scores of offspring, some of which were gods and some of which became the primary Greek heroes.
Hestia -
The oldest of Cronus’s children, Hestia is the goddess who actually takes the least active role in the affairs of gods and men. Hestia was the goddess of the hearth and the home, but is remembered mostly for her virginity, when she turned down the advances of Apollo and Poseidon. Hestia also distanced herself from the quarreling of the other Olympians, and willingly gave up her place on Mount Olympus. Poseidon - Brother to Zeus, Poseidon was given dominance over the seas and waterways, following the defeat of the Titans. Like his brother though, Poseidon is more remembered for his love life and his children than for great actions or adventures, although his anger his also a central point to many stories. As a result of his anger he became known as the god of earthquakes, and it was as a result of his anger that Odysseus was forced to struggle home after the Trojan wars. Hera - Hera was the most powerful of the Olympian goddesses, and although sister to Zeus, was also his third wife. Intensely jealous the stories of Hera are often those of revenge against the lovers and offspring of her husband, but she could also be forgiving, and soon became known as the protector of marriage as well as the goddess of marriage and motherhood. |
|
Demeter -
The last of the five original Olympians, Demeter was the goddess of agriculture and fertility and the seasons of the year. Famed for her humble nature, Demeter gave birth to Persephone after a brief relationship with Zeus. The lives of Demeter and her daughter are intertwined, and the story of Persephone’s abduction by Hades, leads to the evolution of the growing seasons. When Persephone is in Hades it is winter time, as Demeter mourns the loss of her daughter, but when Persephone returns to Demeter, Demeter rejoices and the growing season commences.
The last of the five original Olympians, Demeter was the goddess of agriculture and fertility and the seasons of the year. Famed for her humble nature, Demeter gave birth to Persephone after a brief relationship with Zeus. The lives of Demeter and her daughter are intertwined, and the story of Persephone’s abduction by Hades, leads to the evolution of the growing seasons. When Persephone is in Hades it is winter time, as Demeter mourns the loss of her daughter, but when Persephone returns to Demeter, Demeter rejoices and the growing season commences.
more olympian gods
The only child of Cronus missing from the original list was Hades, who rarely left his domain, and so Zeus added to the original five Olympians with other family members. The choices were not always based on ability, but often based upon loyalty to Zeus.
Hermes -
Son of Zeus and the nymph Maia, Hermes was considered to be the most loyal of all of Zeus’s offspring and so was given the role as messenger of the gods. At the same time though he was also the god of tricksters and thieves, trade and sport, as messenger he is often seen as being the Olympian god who interacted most with mortals.
Apollo -
Apollo was the offspring of Zeus and the Titan Leto. Apollo was one of the most revered of all of the gods and was worshipped as the god of truth, archery, prophecy, music, poetry, healing and light. Importantly though he was also the god most associated with youth and the sun, and was thus associated with life itself.
Son of Zeus and the nymph Maia, Hermes was considered to be the most loyal of all of Zeus’s offspring and so was given the role as messenger of the gods. At the same time though he was also the god of tricksters and thieves, trade and sport, as messenger he is often seen as being the Olympian god who interacted most with mortals.
Apollo -
Apollo was the offspring of Zeus and the Titan Leto. Apollo was one of the most revered of all of the gods and was worshipped as the god of truth, archery, prophecy, music, poetry, healing and light. Importantly though he was also the god most associated with youth and the sun, and was thus associated with life itself.
|
Ares -
The god of war, Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera, closely associated with bloodshed and hatred, Ares figures prominently in the events of the Trojan War. He was though distrusted by the other Olympian gods, and was often in open conflict with them. Artemis - Twin sister to Apollo, Artemis is one of the most famous of Greek deities. Closely associated with the hunt and the moon, Artemis was also extremely easy to anger. Many of the stories that surround her are about her revenge on those who displeased her in some way. Athena - Athena was the virgin goddess, and daughter of Zeus and the Titan Metis. Similar to Ares, Athena is associated with warfare, but her stories will normally centre on the assistance that she provides to the mortal heroes, the likes of Perseus, in their quests and adventures. As a result Athena is normally associated with wisdom. Hephaestus - The Greeks gods and goddesses are normally portrayed as the most beautiful of all people, Hephaestus was the exception though. Son of Hera and Zeus, Hephaestus was deformed and ugly, and rejected by all other gods. Initially thrown out of Mount Olympus he was though eventually given the vital role of Blacksmith to the gods, and creator of all armour and weapons. An inventor of some not it was Hephaestus who created Talos for Zeus to give as a gift to Europa, Talos being a giant bronze robot who would guard Crete. |
Aphrodite -
Aphrodite is different from all of the second generation of Olympians, in that she was not born of Zeus, but was born as a result of Cronus’s actions in cutting of the manhood of his father, Ouranos. Arguably the most beautiful of all goddesses, she too was known for her love affairs despite being married to Hephaestus. As a result Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beauty and sex.
Aphrodite is different from all of the second generation of Olympians, in that she was not born of Zeus, but was born as a result of Cronus’s actions in cutting of the manhood of his father, Ouranos. Arguably the most beautiful of all goddesses, she too was known for her love affairs despite being married to Hephaestus. As a result Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beauty and sex.
The Olympians Family Tree
even more olympians
So 12 Olympians are named, but then confusingly even more gods were added to the list. Hestia would give up her place in the 12 to tend the hearth of Mount Olympus. At the time there was dispute amongst non-Olympian gods about their right to sit amongst the twelve. Hestia was replaced by Dionysus.
Dionysus -
Perhaps the most jovial of Greek gods, Dionysus was the god of parties and wine. Dionysus was given his seat in Mount Olympus when Hestia decided to leave. Dionysus is often central to stories of drink and merriment.
Heracles -
The hero of many stories, Heracles was also known as the favourite son of Zeus. Famed for his labours, Heracles would also assist the Olympian gods when the Gigantes revolted, and for his services he was made immortal as he burnt on his funeral pyre. Made an Olympian god, there is no record of who conceded their seat to make room for Heracles.
Dionysus -
Perhaps the most jovial of Greek gods, Dionysus was the god of parties and wine. Dionysus was given his seat in Mount Olympus when Hestia decided to leave. Dionysus is often central to stories of drink and merriment.
Heracles -
The hero of many stories, Heracles was also known as the favourite son of Zeus. Famed for his labours, Heracles would also assist the Olympian gods when the Gigantes revolted, and for his services he was made immortal as he burnt on his funeral pyre. Made an Olympian god, there is no record of who conceded their seat to make room for Heracles.