Greek Gods and Goddesses

Aphrodite
Goddess of Love, Beauty, Desire, and Fertility. In one version of her origins, she is the daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Dione; however, the most popular version is that she arose from sea foam (aphros) when the Titan Cronus castrated his father Uranus. Zeus, fearful a war would break out among the gods for Aphrodite's hand in marriage, forced her to marry the ugly Hephaestus, craftsman of the gods, though she proceeded to have numerous affairs with gods and mortals alike. Notable among these affairs are Ares, to whom she bore Eros ("love"), Harmonia ("harmony"), and the twins Phobos ("fear") and Deimos ("dread"); Hermes, to whom she bore Hermaphroditos; and the handsome mortal Adonis. During the Trojan War, Aphrodite lent her girdle, which had been fashioned by her husband Hephaestus and had the power to make its wearer irresistible to both gods and mortal men, to Hera, who then used it to distract Zeus so that Aphrodite and the other gods could interfere in the war. Sacred to her are the dolphin, the dove, the sparrow, the pomegranate, and the myrtle, and she is often accompanied by the three Charites, or Graces, who were the personifications of charm and beauty. Her Roman equivalent is Venus, though she's also been identified with Astarte, Inanna, and Ishtar.

Apollo
God of the Sun, Prophecy, Truth, Music, Archery, Healing, and Light. He is the son of Zeus and a Titaness named Leto, and the twin brother of Artemis. Through the mortal Coronis, he's the father of Asclepius, god of medicine and healing, and by Hecuba, wife of King Priam of Troy, he fathered the mortal Troilus, who was killed by Achilles during the Trojan War. Also notable among his love affairs are the nymph Daphne, who had her father Peneus, a river god, turn her into a laurel tree to escape Apollo's affections; and Cassandra, Troilus's half-sister to whom Apollo taught the art of prophecy, but when she spurned his advances, he cursed her so that none of her predictions would be believed. As the god of prophecy, he established many oracles, most notably the one at Delphi, and as the god of truth, he's incapable of lying. In his aspect as sun god, he drives a chariot through the sky each day, dragging the sun with it. As the god of music and poetry, Apollo is often seen with a lyre, which was given to him by Hermes, and is considered the leader of the Muses. In addition to the lyre, bows and arrows are his attributes, and the dolphin, swan, crow, and laurel tree are sacred to him. His Roman equivalent is also named Apollo, though he's also been identified with the Greek Helios and the Roman Sol.

Ares
God of War. He is the son of Zeus and Hera, and brother of Hebe, Hephaestus, Heracles, Eris ("strife"), and Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth. Through Aphrodite, he's the father of Eros ("love"), Harmonia ("harmony"), and the twins Phobos ("fear") and Deimos ("dread"), who often accompany him into battle, along with his sister Eris. Aside from Aphrodite, most of the gods despise him, including his own father, possibly because he's known for being bloodthirsty and cruel yet cowardly. One day, Hephaestus, having been alerted by Helios of his wife's infidelity, trapped Aphrodite and Ares in an invisible net the craftsman-god had fashioned himself, then invited the other gods to witness the compromised couple, thereby humiliating them. Eventually, the lovers were released, and Ares, embarrassed, immediately retreated to Thrace, the place of his birth. The dog and the vulture are sacred to him, and his attributes are a helmet and spear, which is often bloodstained. His Roman equivalent is Mars, who, as father of Romulus and Remus, was of greater significance than his Greek counterpart.

Artemis
Goddess of the Moon, the Hunt, Wild Animals and Wilderness, and Virginity. She is the daughter of Zeus and a Titaness named Leto, and twin sister of Apollo. In one version of her and Apollo's birth, she was born a day before her brother and proceeded to help their mother deliver him, which is why she's sometimes considered the goddess of childbirth, despite being an eternal virgin. Wild animals are sacred to her, but especially the deer, the bear, the boar, and the hunting dog. Her attributes are a bow and arrows, and her tree is the cypress. Her Roman equivalent is Diana, though she's also been identified with the Greek Titaness Selene and the Roman goddess Luna.

Athena
Goddess of War, Wisdom, and Arts and Crafts. She is the daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Metis ("wisdom"), who was said to be Zeus's first wife. Fearing a prophecy that any offspring with Metis would overthrow him, Zeus swallowed Metis, who, unknown to Zeus, was already pregnant. One day, he began to suffer headaches, and when Hephaestus cracked open Zeus's skull, Athena sprang full-grown and fully armed. Athena eventually became patron of Athens, after having competed with her uncle Poseidon for the title. Poseidon gave the citizens of the then-unnamed city a saltwater spring, and Athena gave them an olive tree, which provided food, oil, and wood. Prefering Athena's more useful gift, the citizens named the city after her, making her its patron. The owl and the olive tree are sacred to her, and her constant companion is Nike, goddess of victory. Her Roman equivalent is Minerva, though she's also been compared to the Egyptian Neith.

Demeter
Goddess of the Harvest, Agriculture, and Fertility. She is the daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and sister of Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, and Hestia. By Zeus, she is also the mother of Persephone, queen of the Underworld. One day, while Persephone was picking wildflowers, Hades appeared and abducted her to the Underworld, where he made her his bride. At the loss of her daughter, Demeter let living things wither and die, until finally, Zeus demanded Hades release Persephone. However, since Persephone had eaten a pomegranate from the Underworld, or by some accounts half of a pomegranate, she was to spend six months with her mother and the rest of the year with Hades, thus bringing about the seasons. Demeter's attributes are sheafs of grain and a torch, and items sacred to her include livestock, corn and grains, and the poppy. Her Roman equivalent is Ceres.

Dionysus
God of Wine and Fertility. He is the son of Zeus and the mortal Semele, though in some versions, his mother is Persephone or Demeter. While Semele was pregnant, she was visited by a jealous Hera in disguise, and as a result, later demanded that Zeus show himself in his true form. However, Semele, being a mortal, was scorched instantly upon seeing Zeus in all his glory, though Zeus was able to save the unborn Dionysus by sewing him into his thigh. Through Aphrodite, he's the father of the Charites, or Graces, and Priapus, god of fertility. As the god of wine, he can bring joy, ecstasy, and freedom from inhibitions, but he can also be dangerous and unpredictable and can drive someone mad. His attributes are the thyrsus, or fennel staff topped with a pine cone, and the grapevine. His Roman counterpart is Bacchus, though he's also been identified with the Roman Liber.

Eris
Goddess of Discord. She is the daughter of Zeus and Hera, and sister of Ares, Hebe, Hephaestus, Heracles, and Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth. Eris, whose name means "strife," often accompanies her brother Ares into battle, along with her nephews Phobos ("fear") and Deimos ("dread"). Her only attribute is a golden apple, known as the Apple of Discord, which indirectly caused the Trojan War. Her polar opposite is her niece Harmonia ("harmony"), and her Roman equivalent is Discordia, though she's also been identified with the Greek war-goddess Enyo.

Eros
God of Love and Desire. He is the son of Aphrodite and Ares, and the brother of Harmonia ("harmony"), the twins Phobos ("fear") and Deimos ("dread"), and Anteros ("love returned"). Through the mortal Psyche, he is the father of Hedone ("pleasure"), the goddess of sensual pleasures. His attributes are a bow and arrows, which can inspire feelings of either love or indifference. His Roman equivalent is Cupid.

Hades
God of the Underworld. He is the son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and brother of Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia, and Demeter. One day, while his niece Persephone was picking wildflowers, he abducted her to his domain and made her his bride. Eventually, however, Zeus demanded Hades return Persephone to her mother Demeter, who was wreaking havoc with nature, but since Persephone had eaten a pomegranate from the Underworld, or half of a pomegranate in some accounts, Hades was allowed to spend half the year with his queen. As god of the Underworld, which he became after drawing lots with Zeus and Poseidon, he reigns over the dead, and is sometimes considered the god of wealth due to the jewels that are found underground. The narcissus and cypress are sacred to him, and a helmet that can render the wearer invisible is his only attribute. His Roman equivalent is Pluto, though he's also been identified with the Etruscan Aita and the Chinese/Japanese Yama.

Hebe
Goddess of Youth. She is the daughter of Zeus and Hera, and sister of Ares, Hephaestus, Eris ("strife"), and Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth. In addition to being the goddess of youth, she was also cupbearer to the gods, though after her half-brother Heracles became a full-fledged god, she married him and was replaced as cupbearer by Ganymede, a Trojan prince. Her Roman equivalent is Juventas.

Helios
God of the Sun. He is the son of the Titans Hyperion, who is also considered a sun god, and Thea, and brother of Eos ("dawn") and Selene ("moon"). Some myths say he is the personification of the sun, while others insist he drives a chariot across the sky each day, pulling the sun with it. In fact, one myth says he once let his son Phaeton drive his chariot, but Phaeton lost control and fell to Earth. Another infamous myth includes Helios catching Ares and Aphrodite having an affair, and tattling on them to Hephaestus, who then caught the lovers in an invisible net. Yet another famous myth involves Helios catching Odysseus's men killing and eating his sacred cattle, then either punishing them or asking Zeus to punish them. His attributes are a whip and a globe, and sacred to him are roosters and eagles. He's often overshadowed by Apollo, and his Roman equivalent is Sol or Sol Invictus.

Hephaestus
God of the Forge and Technology. He is the son of either Zeus and Hera or just Hera, and brother of Hebe, Heracles, Ares, Eris ("strife"), and Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth. He is often depicted as lame, either because he was born that way or because he was tossed from Mt. Olympus one day. As the god of technology, he is said to have built machines to help him in his work, and possibly a wheelchair or chariot to help him get around. As the god of the forge, he's the patron god of blacksmiths and craftsmen, and is responsible for forging various items for mortals and the other gods, such as the bow and arrows used by Eros. In fact, when the sun god Helios informed Hephaestus that his wife Aphrodite was having an affair with Ares, Hephaestus forged an invisible net and trapped the lovers in it, before inviting the rest of the gods to witness the compromised couple. His attributes are, of course, a blacksmith's hammer, an anvil, and a pair of tongs, and his Roman equivalent is Vulcan, though he's also been identified with the Egyptian Ptah and the Norse Weyland the Smith.

Hera
Goddess of Marriage and Childbirth. She is the daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and sister of Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Demeter, and Hestia. Through Zeus, her brother and husband, she's the mother of Hebe, Hephaestus, Ares, Eris ("strife"), and Eilethyia, goddess of childbirth, and stepmother of Apollo and Artemis, Heracles, and Dionysus, among others. Most stories involving Hera highlight her jealousy over Zeus's numerous affairs and the illegitimate children produced by these unions. However, one story describes how she used her wiles and the girdle of Aphrodite, which made the wearer irresistible to both gods and mortal men, to seduce Zeus so that the other gods could meddle in the Trojan War. Her attributes are a pomegranate and a diadem, and her sacred animals are the cow and the peacock. Her Roman equivalent is Juno, though she's also been identified with the Egyptian Isis, the Egyptian Hathor, and the Celtic Danu.

Hermes
Messenger of the Gods. He is the son of Zeus and a nymph named Maia, and half-brother of Hebe, Heracles, Ares, Eris ("strife"), Apollo and Artemis, and Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth, among others. Through Aphrodite, he's the father of Hermaphroditus, and by the nymph Dryope, he sired the god Pan. As the messenger of the gods, he's also the god of travelers, shepherds and cowherds, sports and athletics, thieves, and commerce. He is credited with inventing the lyre and panpipes, and his attributes are a winged helmet, winged sandals, a purse or pouch, and a caduceus (a small staff entwined by two serpents). His sacred animals are the rooster and the tortoise, and his Roman equivalent is Mercury.

Hestia
Goddess of the Hearth and Home. She is the eldest daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and sister of Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, and Demeter. She was originally one of the twelve Olympians, but she gave up her seat to Dionysus. Little else is known about her except that she has sworn to remain a virgin forever, and is said to be the gentlest of all the Olympians. Her Roman equivalent is Vesta.

Pan
God of Nature, Music, and Fertility. He is the son of either Hermes or Dionysus and the nymph Dryope. He is often depicted as having the head and torso of a man, but the legs and horns of a goat. His attribute is a syrinx, or a set of pan pipes, and his Roman equivalent is Faunus.

Persephone
Goddess of the Underworld and the Harvest. She is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, and wife of Hades, king of the Underworld. One day, while Persephone was picking wildflowers, her uncle Hades abducted her to his domain, where he made her his bride. Her mother, Demeter, then grieved the loss of her daughter by letting living things wither and die, until finally, Zeus demanded Hades release Persephone. However, Persephone had eaten a pomegranate from the Underworld, or half of a pomegranate by some accounts, and therefore, was to spend six months with her mother and the rest of the year with Hades, thus bringing about the seasons. Her only attribute is a sheaf of grain, and her Roman equivalent is Proserpina.

Poseidon
God of the Sea and Earthquakes. He is the son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and brother of Zeus, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. By his wife, the sea-goddess Amphitrite, he's the father of Triton, a merman, though he's also said to have fathered the mythical Pegasus (by Medusa), the cyclops Polyphemus, the legendary hunter Orion, and Theseus, the hero who defeated the Minotaur. He is often depicted holding a trident, and riding a chariot drawn by hippocampi, or sea-horses. His sacred animals are fishes, dolphins, and horses, and his Roman equivalent is Neptune.

Selene
Goddess of the Moon. She is the daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Thea, and sister of Helios ("sun") and Eos ("dawn"). By her lover Endymion, she is said to have fifty daughters, including a nymph named Naxos, and by Zeus, she supposedly had the Nemean Lion and Pandia ("all bright"), the goddess of the full moon. Selene is often depicted as a pale-faced woman with long black hair, wearing robes, carrying a torch, and wearing a crescent moon on her head. After bathing in the sea each day, she journeys across the sky each night on her silver chariot, which is said to be pulled by either horses, oxen, or serpentine dragons. Her sacred animals are dogs, bulls, cows, and roosters, and her Roman equivalent is Luna.

Thanatos
God of Death. He is the son of Nyx ("night") and Erebus ("darkness"), and twin brother of Hypnos ("sleep"). He is considered the personification of Death, though is often overshadowed by Hades. He is sometimes depicted as an adolescent holding an inverted torch (which represents an extinguished life) in one hand and a butterfly or wreath of poppies in the other; however, he is also said to be winged, dressed in black, and carrying a sword. As the god of death, he guides souls to the Underworld, and can be either cold-hearted and merciless or the deliverer of a peaceful passing. His Roman equivalent is Mors.

Zeus
God of the Sky and Weather, and King of the Gods. He is the son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and brother of Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. By Hera, his sister and wife, he's the father of Hebe, Ares, Eris ("strife"), and Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth, though he's also fathered numerous other progeny by goddesses and mortals alike, notable among them being Apollo and Artemis, Heracles, Dionysus, Athena, and Hermes. After overthrowing his father Cronus, Zeus, despite being the youngest of his siblings, became ruler of the sky upon drawing lots with his brothers. Sacred to him are eagles, bulls, and oak trees, and his attribute is a thunderbolt. His Roman equivalent is Jupiter, though he's also been identified with the Etruscan Tinia, the Celtic Dagda, and the Norse Odin.


SOURCES: Greek Mythology.com, Mythweb, Encyclopedia Mythica, and Wikipedia