The Olympian Gods

  The Olympian gods are the deities of the Greek and Roman civilizations. The Greeks believed these gods controlled every aspect of life. The King of the gods was Zeus. The Greeks believed he was the god of thunder and the sky. One of his symbols was the thunderbolt which showed his controlling of the thunder and lightning and was Zeus’ weapon. His other symbols were the bull, eagle, and oak tree. Zeus’ also had a brother named Poseidon. Poseidon was the god of the sea, earthquakes and horses. His sign was the trident as well as the horse, bull and dolphin. He is also the middle son of Cronus and Rhea. The queen of the gods is Hera and the wife of Zeus. She is the goddess of marriage and family. Her symbols are the peacock, pomegranate, crown, cuckoo, lion and cow. Another goddess who sits at Olympus is Demeter. She is the goddess of fertility, agriculture and seasons. Another god who sits at Mt. Olympus is Dionysus. He is the God of wine, celebrations and ecstasy. His symbols include the grapevine, ivy, cup, tiger, panther, leopard, dolphin, and goat. Apollo also sits at Olympus. He is the god of light, music, poetry, prophecy and Archery. His symbols are the sun, lyre, bow and arrow, raven, dolphin, wolf, swan and mouse. Artemis the goddess of the hunt, virginity, childbirth, archery, the moon and all the animals also sits at Mt. Olympus. Her symbols are the moon, deer, hound, she-bear, snake, cypress tree and the bow and arrow.  Hermes also sits at Olympus. He is the messenger of the gods and the god of commerce and thieves. His symbols are the caduceus, winged shoes and cap, stork and tortoise. Athena also lives in Olympus. She is the virgin goddess of wisdom, handicrafts, defense, and strategic warfare. She is a virgin even though she has kids because they are all born from her brain. Her symbols are the owl and olive tree. Ares the god of war, bloodshed and violence lives in Mt. Olympus. His symbols are the boar, serpent, dog, spear and shield. The goddess of love, beauty and desire is named Aphrodite and she lives in Mt Olympus. Her symbols are the dove, swan, myrtle, and rose. The final god that lives in Mt Olympus is the master blacksmith and craftsman of the gods. He is also god of the fire and the forge. His name is Hephaestus and his symbols are the fire, anvil, ax, donkey, hammer tongs and quail. These are the 12 Olympian gods and what the Greeks believed they controlled in their aspects of daily life.