Gods Of Ancient Greece

2500 years ago, Greece was one of the pioneers in the ancient world. The Greeks were great writers, actors, athletes, thinkers, warriors,artists, architects and politicians. The early human settlement in Greece can be traced back to over 40,000 years. In around 1100BC, Greece found itself in a period called Dark Age. Such name is given to this period because no sufficient information is available about what happened during that time. 300 years after the dark age began, in around 800BC, the Greek civilization rose again.

Ancient Greeks were polytheists and had many deities, most notable and important among them were the twelve Olympians. They were called Olympians because it was believed traditionally that they resided on Mount Olympus. The gods were very human-like in appearance and would interact with human beings by taking human form. The gods and goddesses would have their own specific power over something. For example, Apollo was the god of art, music, and science, Poseidon was the god of the sea, Hermes was the messenger of the gods and god of diplomacy, thieves and games. Let us know more about the twelve Olympians.

Zeus

He was the king of the gods. He is popularly known to wield the thunderbolt. He could control the weather. Lightning was believed to be the sign of Zeus' presence by the ancient Greeks.

Hera

She was the wife of Zeus and also the queen of the gods. She was the goddess of marriage, women, childbirth, and family. She would always be envious of all the women Zeus had affairs with. She is known to take ruthless revenge on the girlfriends and illegitimate children of her husband.

Athena

She was the Goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare. She is associated with the city of Athens which is the present day capital of Greece.

Apollo

He was the god of music, arts, medicine, poetry, light. Pythian games, that also had poetry and music games were held in his honor. Ancient Greek poets would always invoke his protection.

Demeter

She was the goddess of the harvest, fertility, agriculture, nature and the seasons. For women and farmers, she was an important deity.

Poseidon

He was the god of the seas, water, storms, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Ancient Greeks feared him because of his furious temper and his ability to cause earthquakes. He was one of the siblings of Zeus.

Aphrodite

She was the goddess of love, fertility, beauty, and desire. She also turned a statue named Galatea into a real girl, which inspired Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw.

Hermes

The messenger of the gods and god of diplomacy, thieves and games. He is shown to carry a staff that caused men to fall asleep instantly.

Artemis

Goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, virginity, archery, childbirth, protection, and plague. She could inflict plagues on human beings and could also cause sudden death. She also had the ability to heal. She was the twin of Apollo.

Ares

He was the god of war, violence, bloodshed and manly virtues. He was the son of Zeus and Hera. Zeus complained that Ares was the most hated of all his children.

Hephaestus

He was the god of the forge, craftsmanship, invention, fire, and volcanoes. He got thrown out of Mount Olympus because of his inability to walk. He was married to the goddess Aphrodite.

Dionysos

He was the god of wine, fertility, festivity, ecstasy, madness, and resurrection. He was associated with theatre and drama.

Besides the twelve Olympians, there were many other gods and goddesses who were very important to ancient Greeks such as Hades, Hestia, Leto, Maia, Rhea, and many others. The gods played a very crucial role in the life of an ordinary Greek back then. Their actions and thoughts were inspired by the legends of these gods. Even today, these legends are read and enjoyed by people all over the world.