Greek God Asclepius: the god of medicine

Statue of Greek god of medicine
Asclepious holding his
snake-entwined staff.

Asclepius (or Vejovis in Roman Mythology) is the Greek God of medicine. He was initially included in the 12 Greek god Pantheon and was residing at mount Olympus before his death from the ruler of Greek gods, Zeus. He is well known for his symbol, a snake-entwined staff that remains a symbol of modern medicine today.

Birth

He is son of Greek god of light Apollo and the mortal Coronis, daughter of Phlegyas, King of the Lapiths. There are two variations of how his mother killed. In one version she was killed because she was unfaithful to god Apollo, and in the other version Coronis killed in labor. In any case, the unborn Asclepius was rescued by his father.

Childhood

Greek god Apollo carried his son Asclepius to the centaur Chiron to rise him. Chiron teaches him about the medicine. Moreover, in some point in history, one snake cleaned the ears of Asclepius in return of helping it. The snake also taught them the secrets of healing. With time, god Asclepius surpassed in knowledge his teacher centaur Chiron and his father god Apollo. According to Greek mythology, he was so powerful that he could bring someone back from the underworld.

Personal Life and death

God Asclepius is married with Epione, the goddess of soothing of pain. They have nine children: Hygieia, Telesphoros, Aglaea, Iaso, Aceso, Machaon, Panacea, Podalirius,  Aratus.

During his life, God Asclepius brought back Hippolytus back from the underwoold and got paid with gold. This in combination with the fear from Hades that no more souls will go to the underworld, lead Greek god Zeus to kill him. His father, god Apollo got angry with god god Zeus and he killed the Cyclopes that made the thunderbolts of god Zeus. In redemption, god god Zeus ordered the god Apollo to server the King of Thessaly Admetus for one year.

Greek God Dionysus: the god of wine and celebrations

Seated Greek god Dionysos holding out a kantharos
(Greek Cup) and drinking wine.

Dionysus is the Greek god of wine, celebrations, ecstasy, and of the art of theater. He is included in the 12 Greek god Pantheon and he is residing at mount Olympus. Symbols include the grapevine, cup, tiger, panther, dolphin, and goat. He is often considered as one of the youngest Olympian gods.

Birth

God Donysus is the son God Zeus and Semele, the daughter of king Cadmus of Thebes. The Greek goddess Hera, Zeus' wife, discovered the affair while Semele was pregnant. According to the myth, Hera appeared as an old crone (or as a nurse), and approached Semele. Semele not knowing that she was the goddess Hera told her that father of the baby was the god Zeus. Goddess Hera pretended not to believe her, and poisoned the mind of  Semele's mind with doubts. Semele demanded of Zeus that he reveal himself in all his glory as proof of his godhood.

Although Zeus initially tried to persuade her not to ask to reveal himself, he eventually agreed. Therefore, he revealed himself in bolts of lightning, killing every immortal that looked at him. According to Greek mythology, no mortal can see an undisguised god without getting killed. Zeus rescued the unborn Dionysus by sewing him into his thigh. A few months later, god Dionysus was born on in the island of Ikaria, where Zeus went to release the now-fully-grown baby from his thigh. 

In the Cretan version of the Greek Myth, god Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Persephone, the queen of the underworld. Again, the goddess Hera attempted to kill the child, by sending Titans. Zeus killed the Titans using his thunderbolts, but only after the Titans ate everything but the heart. Goddess of wisdom Athena (or in other versions Rhea or Demeter) saved his heart. Zeus used the heart to recreate him in his thigh, hence he was again "the twice-born". 

Childhood

According to the Greek myth, Zeus gave the infant Dionysus to the care of Hermes. One version of the story is that god Hermes transferred the child to King Athamas and his wife Ino, Dionysus' aunt. Hermes instructed the couple to raise the boy as a girl, to hide him from Hera's hate. 

When Dionysus grew up, he discovered the culture of the vine and the mode of extracting its precious juice. Unfortunately, goddess Hera did not like the children of Zeus and he struck him with madness. Thus, he had to explore and travel through various parts of the earth. He reached to India, which he stayed several years exploring the area.

Personal life.

Dionysus was exceptionally attractive. When Theseus abandoned the Cretan princess Ariadne sleeping on Naxos, Dionysus found and married her. God Dionysus and princess Ariadne had many children including: Oenopion, Staphylus, Thoas, Peparethus, Phanus, Eurymedon, Euanthes, Latramys, Tauropolis, and Ceramus. He also had affairs with other women including the Greek goddess of beauty, Aphrodite. 

Greek God Hermes: the messenger of the gods

Greek God Hermes,
Messenger of the gods.

Greek god Hermes is the Messenger of the gods; god of commerce, thieves, eloquence and streets. He is fast and cunning, allowing him to move unnoticed among the mortal humans. In the heroic poem of Iliad is known as "the bringer of good luck". He is sometimes acts as representative of the gods for transferring messages to mortals humans and the divine, and conductor of souls into the afterlife. Symbols include a staff entwined with two snakes (the caduceus), winged sandals and cap. He has six children: Pan, Hermaphroditus, Tyche, Abderus, Autolycus, and Angelia.

Birth and the invention of the Lyre

He is son of Greek God Zeus, ruler of the Gods, and the nymph Maia. According to Bibliotheca, Zeus mate with Maia. She later born god Hermes in a cave on Kyllene. He is the second-youngest Olympian, just older than Dionysus. After his birth, he escaped and made went to Pieria, where he stole some cattle that Greek God Apollo was tending. To avoid capturing, he created tracks that led them to Pylos. There, outside the cave he found a turtle feeding. He cleaned it out, and he stretched the strings made from the stolen cattle across the shell of the turtle, inventing the lyre and along with plectrum. However, god Apollo figured it out, grabbed Hermes and went to Zeus to complain. The rulers of gods laughed, ignored the complains, and didn't punish Hermes. To apologize for his actions, god Hermes gave to god Apollo his lyre.

Agent of Zeus

In many Greek Myths, Hermes was acting as the personal Messenger of Greek god Zeus. For example, in his wending god Zeus (with goddess Hera) invited all the Greek gods, the humans, and the animals to the marriage. For this task he used god Hermes, as he was responsible of delivering the messages. In other cases he was enforcer of Zeus. For example, he was responsible of chaining Prometheus as a punishment for stealing the fire or the slaying of the hundred eyed giant Argos Panoptes. Zeus also used him for other jobs including as Thief, Merchant, and Guide of the Dead.

Hephaestus: God of blacksmiths

Hephaestus at the Forge.

Hephaestus (Ἥφαιστος) is the Greek God of blacksmiths, craftsmen, fire and volcanoes. Symbols include fire, anvil, axe, donkey, hammer, tongs, and quail. Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera, although in another version of the Greek Myth, he is Hera's parthenogenous child. Hes is living in mount Olympous although initially he was thrown out of heaven due to his deformity.

Smithing God 

As a Greek smithing god, Hephaestus made all the weapons of the gods in mount Olympus and embedded with divine powers. He has his own palace in mount Olympus, containing his workshop. Hephaestus built automatons of metal to work for him, including twenty bellows that worked at his bidding. According to Greek Myths, he crafted the winged sandals and helmet of the messenger of Greek gods Hermes,  the famed girdle of Greek goddess of beauty and desire Aphrodite, Helios' chariot, and the bow and arrows of the Greek god of love Eros. He also crafted items for the mythical heroes including the armor of  Greek hero Achilles, and Hercules' bronze clappers.

Hephaestus hands in the new Achilles' armor to Thetis.

Hephaestus' Personal Life

During the first years in Earth, Hephaestus wanted to take revenge of Hera for rejecting him from mount Olympus. He sent gifts to Olympus, including a throne for Hera. But it was actually a trap, and Goddess Hera bound to the chair. Hera offered the hand of the, goddess of love, Aphrodite the god who could release her. God Ares attempted to bring Hephaestus back to Mount Olympus but he failed. Greek God of wine and celebrations, Dionysos suggested that Hephaestus should return and claim the prize of Aphrodite for himself. The problem is that  Aphrodite was the lover of Ares. This resulted in one of the most famous affairs, between Ares and Aphrodite.

Eventually, Hephaestus discovered Aphrodite’s affair with the God of the War Ares, with the help of Helios, the all-seeing Sun. He planned a trap and while Aphrodite and Ares lay together in bed. Hephaestus ensnared them in an unbreakable very small chain-link and dragged them to Mount Olympus to humiliate them in front of the all other gods for revenge. The gods laughed at the sight of naked lovers, and the god of the seas, Poseidon convinced Hephaestus to free them and that Ares would pay a fine.

Hephaestus also tried to rape goddess Athena. According to Bibliotheca, Athena visited Hephaestus for to ask for new weapons. During this period he was collapsed from the actions and Aphrodite and he started hunting Athena to and rape her. After he caught her, Hephaestus tried to rape her without success. At the end, he finished at the legs of Athena. Athena, cleaned herself and from the semen dropped to the earth, Erikhthonios born.

Greek God Ares: God of war

Greek God Ares holding a shield
and wearing a helmet.

Greek God Ares was the Greek God of war, violence, and bloodshed. He's is one of the most brutal Gods in the ancient Greek Mythology. He is included in the Greek Pantheon of 12 Gods and he is residing in the Mount Olympus. Symbols include the spear and shield, and less common are used the boar, dog, and vulture.

He is Son of Zeus and Hera, and he is the brother of Hebe and Eileithyia.
Most of the Gods didn't like him with one exception, Aphrodite.
After the Greek God of blacksmiths Hephaistos born, Hera cast him from heaven in disgust. Later, he sent gifts to Olympus, including a throne for Hera. But it was actually a trap, and Goddess Hera bound to the chair. Hera offered the goddess Aphrodite for marriage to the god who could release her. God Ares attempted to bring god Hephaistos back to mount Olympus but without success. God Dionysos suggested that Hephaistos should return and claim the prize of Aphrodite for himself. The problem is that  Aphrodite was the lover of Ares. This resulted in one of the most famous affairs, between Ares and Aphrodite.

Ares and Aphrodite have eight children: Erotes (Eros, Anteros, and Pothos), Phobos, Deimos, Phlegyas, Harmonia, and Adrestia. Moreover, Ares has numerous love affairs and abundant offspring are often alluded to. Famous consorts include the Muse Calliope, Demonice, Otrera, and Persephone.

Ares plays a limited role in Greek mythology. One the most famous involvement is on the Trojan War, where poet Homer describes in Iliad. Ares promised to goddesses Athena and Hera that he would fight with Achaeans against to Trojan. However, goddesses Aphrodite persuaded Ares to side with the Trojans. During the war, Diomedes fought with Hector and saw Ares fighting on the Trojans' side. Diomedes called for his soldiers to fall back slowly. Goddess Athena saw his interference and asked Zeus, for permission to drive god Ares away from the battlefield. God Zeus agreed with the request of goddess Athena and recovered god Ares. Hera mentioned to Zeus and other Greek gods that Ascalaphus (Ares' son) killed in the battle. God Ares got angry and requested to join the fight on the side of the Achaeans. Goddess Athena stopped him before entering again in the battle. Later, when Zeus allowed the gods to fight in the war again,  god Ares was the first to act, attacking goddess Athena for revenge.

Greek God Apollo: God of light, prophecy, music and arts, and poetry

Greek God Apollo.

Apollo (Ἀπόλλων, Apollō) is the god of inspiration, truth, light, healing, and poetry. Symbols include the Lyre, laurel wreath, python, and bow and arrows. He is the son of Zeus and Leto and twin brother of Artemis, the Goddess of the hunt. Apollo is the ideal picture of the kouros in ancient Greece: beardless and athletic appearance.

Birth and youth

Apollo is the son of Zeus and Lito, making Hera to jealous against Lito. She tried to band Leto from giving birth. One Greek Myth stats that Hera kidnapped Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth, to prevent Leto from giving birth. Lito found a place called Delos, that was not yet nor island nor mainland. She gave the promise to the people living there that her son would be always favorable toward the city. Afterwards, Zeus secured Delos to the bottom of the ocean, that later became sacred to Apollo.

During his youth, Apollo killed the dragon Python, which lived in Delphi, beside the Castalian Spring, where the emitted vapors from the spring caused the oracle at Delphi to give her prophecies. Hera sent the Python serpent to hunt Leto to her death across the world. To protect his mother, Apollo begged Hephaestus for a bow and arrows. After receiving them, Apollo cornered Python in the sacred cave at Delphi. Apollo killed Python but had to be punished for it, since Python was a child of Gaia. Hera then sent the giant Tityos to rape Leto. This time Apollo was aided by his sister Artemis in protecting their mother. During the battle, Zeus finally relented his aid and hurled Tityos down to Tartarus.

Other Myths

Greek God Apollo holding his Lyre.

God Apollo was involved in other Greek Myths, including the Trojan War. During the Trojan War, Agamemnon captured the Chryseis, the daughter of the priest of Apollo Chryses. Apollo shot arrows infected with the plague into the Greek encampment in retribution. He demanded her return, and the Achaeans complied, causing the anger of Achilles. Later, when Diomedes injured Aeneas, Apollo rescued him and he helped Paris in the killing of Achilles by guiding the arrow of his bow into Achilles' heel.

Apollo's son Asclepius, the god of medicine, resurrected Hippolytus from the dead, making Zeus to struck down him with a lightning bolt for transgressing Themis by stealing Hades's subjects. Apollo in revenge killed the Cyclopes and he would have been banished to Tartarus forever for this but was instead sentenced to one year of hard labor. During this time he served as shepherd for King Admetus of Pherae in Thessaly. Admetus treated Apollo well, and, in return, the god conferred great benefits on Admetus.

Personal life

God Apollo had many love affairs, mostly females and fewer males. Famous lovers are the nymph Daphne a nymph - daughter of the river god Peneus, Leucothea - daughter of Orchamus and sister of Clytia, Marpessa the Aetolian princess and a granddaughter of Ares, Castalia another nymph, Cyrene - daughter of Hypseus King of the Lapiths, Hecuba - the wife of King Priam of Troy, Cassandra - daughter of Hecuba and Priam, Coronis - daughter of Phlegyas king of the Lapiths. Famous Children are Asclepius, Troilus, Aristaeus, and Orpheus. Asclepius is the god of medicine, Troilus is involved in Trojan War, Aristaeus is a Greek Hero, Orpheus the Thracian musician and poet.

Greek God Poseidon: The God of the Sea

Poseidon holding a trident.

Poseidon (Ποσειδῶν) is one of the twelve Olympian Gods in Greek mythology. He is the the Greek God of the seas, earthquakes, and tidal wave. He is referred to as "Earth-Shaker" due to his role in causing earthquakes, and has been called the "tamer of horses". His symbols include the horse, bull, dolphin, and the famous trident. In Greek, Roman, and Hindu mythology, the trident is said to have the power of control over the ocean.

Poseidon was the Middle son of Cronus and Rhea. In most accounts he is swallowed by Cronus at birth but later saved, with his other brothers and sisters, by Zeus. He was brother of Zeus and Hades. Married to the Nereid Amphitrite, daughter of Nereus and Doris. Like almost all male Greek Gods he had many female and male lovers. With his wife and  sea-goddess Amphitrite he had two children, Triton and Benthesikyme. Triton is the messenger of the sea.


Poseidon had love with the mortal Tyro, disguised himself as the river god Enipeus, and from their union were born the heroes Pelias and Neleus, twin boys. With Alcyone, one of the Pleiades, he had five children: Aethusa, Hyrieus, Hyperenor, Hyperes, and Anthas. The Greek God Poseidon fell in love with the human mortal Cleito and created a dwelling sanctuary at the top of a hill. She gave birth to five sets of twin boys, the firstborn who being named Atlas, became the first rulers of Atlantis. Poseidon also pursued Demeter. She spurned his advances, turning herself into a mare so that she could hide. However, the Greek God Poseidon saw through the deception and captured her. Their child was a horse, Arion, which was capable of human speech. They also had a second child, Despoina. She was the goddess of mysteries of Arcadian cults Poseidon also had sexual intercourse with Medusa on the floor of a temple to Athena. The Greek Goddess Athena was furious and transformed  Medusa into a monster.

Greek God Hades: God of the underworld

Hades and his three-head dog
Cerberus or Kerberos.

Hades (ᾍδης or Άͅδης) was the ancient Greek god of the underworld and ruler of the dead. Hades is the oldest son of Cronus and Rhea. He has three sisters, the goddess of harvest Demeter, the queen of the gods and god of mariage Hera, and the goddess of home and hearth Hestia. Moreover,  he also has two brothers, Zeus the ruler of the gods, and Poseidon the ruler of the seas, collectively comprising the original six Olympian gods. He and his brothers Zeus and Poseidon defeated their father Cronus, during the 10 year Titan war. After the victory, Hades received the underworld, Zeus the air, and Poseidon the sea. Hades was often portrayed with his three-headed guard dog Cerberus.

Hades abducted his wife and queen, Persephone, daughter of Demeter. She was abducted by Hades while picking flowers in the fields of Nysa. Her mother, Goddess Demeter, cast a curse on the land, though the gods came to request she lift it. She was really angry and stated that she would desolate the planet earth until she sees her daughter again. Although, the Greek gods initially ignored her, the results were devastating in earth. Thus,  Zeus intervened and he requested that Hades return Persephone. Although Hades complied, he eventually he didn't allowed her to go back. Zeus proposed that Persephone would spend one third with her husband Hades in the underworld, and the rest of her time in earth. Thus, this created the seasons and every time that Persephone was going to the underworld, the winter was coming in earth.


Other mythical heroes that involvement with Hades include Theseus, Pirithous, Hercules. Theseus and Pirithous, King of the city Lapiths in Thessaly, planned to kidnap and marry daughters of Zeus. Theseus chose Helen and Pirithous choose Persephone. Together they kidnapped Helen and decided to hold onto her until she was old enough to marry. To steal Persephone was harder, because they had to travel to the underworld. Hades knew that Pirithous was desiring his wife Queen of the Underworld, Persephone and he planned a punishment for both of them. When Theseus and Pirithous eventually went to the underworld, they met with Hades. He offer them hospitality and food. However, as soon as they sat in their cursed chairs, snakes grab them their feet and held them there. The Greek Hero Hercules was able to save Theseus. However, Pirithous punishment was worse because he desired the Queen of the Underworld, Persephone. Thus, Pirithous  left forever trapped at the chair.

Greek God Zeus: The ruler of the gods and Mount Olympus

Zeus holding a thunder.

Zeus (Ζεύς, Δίας) is the ruler of the gods and ruler of Mount Olympus. He is god of the sky,  lightning, thunder, law order, and justice. Zeus is the last child of the titans Cronus and Rhea.

Birth

Cronus, his father, was swallowing his children because he was told that one of his children would overthrow him. When Rhea gave birth to Zeus, asked Gaia and Uranus for help in saving him by sending her to Crete to bear Zeus. After the birth, instead of giving Zeus to Cronus she gave him a huge stone to swallow thinking that it was one of Rhea's children. Cronus later was tricked from Rhea and Zeus and vomited up his five children and the stone which he had swallowed last. The five children joined Zeus and they waged a great war on the Titans for control of the Cosmos and overthrow Cronus.

Great War on the Titans (Titan War) 

The war lasted ten years, with the Olympian gods, Cyclopes, Prometheus and Epimetheus, on one side, and the Titans and the Giants on the other. Although Epimetheus and Prometheus are Titan they fought with Zeus against the other Titans. In many mythological stories Prometheus is characterized as ingenious and clever, and Epimetheus as foolish. Zeus was struggling with the war and asked help from the Hundred-Handed ones. He asked them to shake the earth, allowing him to gain the upper hand. After the Hundred-Handed ones freed, they were so thankful to Zeus that they gave him the glowing thunderbolt and lightning. Zeus used his thunderbolts at the Titans, throwing them into Tartarus. Zeus later battled Typhon, a son of Gaia and Tartarus, created because Gaia was angry that the Titans were defeated, and was victorious again.

Ruler of the World

After the great war with Titan, Zeus was shared the world with his elder brothers, Poseidon and Hades, by drawing lots. Zeus took the sky and air, Hades the underworld, and Poseidon the waters. Gaia (Earth) could not be claimed; he was left to all three, each according to their capabilities. Symbols include the thunderbolt, eagle, scepter, and scales. He is the Brother of Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia.

Personal Life

In most Greek Myth variations, he is married to goddess Hera. With her they three children Ares, Hebe, and Hephaestus. Other variations in Greek Mythology says that he also had Eileithyia, Eris, and Angelos. In addition Zeus had many affairs with various women, both mortal and immortal. We must note that of all the children Zeus spawned, Hercules was often described as his favorite. Most Greek myths say that Hera as jealous of Zeus affairs, making her a consistent enemy of Zeus' mistresses and their children by him, including Hercules.


Another famous immortal that had children is Mnemosyne, that was a Titaness, the daughter of Uranus and Gaia. She born the nine Muses: Calliope, Clio, Euterpe, Erato, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, Urania. Furthermore, Zeus mate also with Themis, another Titaness. She is the personification of divine order, law, natural law and custom. They had many children, including Astraea, the Nymphs of Eridanos, Nemesis, and the Horae (or Hours), the  goddesses of the seasons and the natural portions of time.

Other Olympian Gods that sometimes included in the Greek pantheon

Greek God Hades.

The are a number of Greek Gods that some times are included in the pantheon of Olympus. The reason is that there are different variation of the Greek myths and as a result in some areas the pantheon is different. The list also includes mythical heroes, such as Hercules.

Hades (or Pluto or Orcus): Greek God of the Underworld, dead and the riches under the Earth. He is the oldest son of Cronus and Rhea, brother of Zeus and Poseidon. He was born during the first period of Gods. Symbols include the Cerberus, cornucopia, sceptre, Cypress, Narcissus, and key. The reason that he is not included in among the twelve Olympians in the Mount Olympus is because as God of Underworld he was living there and not on the Mount.

Greek god medicine
Asclepius.

Heracles (or Hercules): One of the greatest Greek Heroes, son of Zeus. As we discussed earlier, he was poisoned. As his body burns, only his immortal side is left, allowing with the help of Zeus to rise to Olympus as he dies.

Persephone (or Proserpina): She is the Queen of the Underworld. Hades kidnapped her and she became his wife. She is daughter of Demeter and Zeus. Also Goddess of spring time. The Greek Myth says that she has to spend six months in the underworld each year, creating the seasons when for six months everything grows and flourishes then for the other six months everything dies. Her symbols include the pomegranate, Deer, Seeds of Grain, willow tree, waterfalls, rivers and springs.

Asclepius (or Vejovis): The God of medicine. The rod of Asclepius, a snake-entwined staff, remains a symbol of medicine today. He is son of god Apollo and Coronis and he has nine children: Hygieia, Iaso, Aceso, Aglaea, Panacea, Machaon, Podalirius, Telesphoros, Aratus.

Greek goddess Hebe. She was the 
cupbearer for the Gods and 
goddesses of Mount Olympus.

Eros (or Cupid): The God of sexual love and beauty. He is the son of Aphrodite and Ares, although there are many variation about his parrents. His symbols include Bow, Arrows, Candles, Hearts, Cupids, Wings and Kisses.

Hebe (or Juventas): She is the daughter of Zeus and Hera. Hebe was the cupbearer for the Gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus. Later, when she married to Greek hero Hercules, she was replaced. Hebe was supposed to have the power to give eternal youth. Her symbols include wine-cup, eagle, and the fountain of youth.

Pan (Faunus or Silvanus): He is the God of the wild, shepherds, nature of mountain wilds, rustic music, fields, groves, and wooded glens. He was considered to be the God of theatrical criticism and he was also companion of the nymphs. There are many variables about his parents including: Hermes and Driope, Aphrodite, Penelope, or Hecate.

The 12 Olympian Greek Gods

In Greek mythology, there are twelve Olympians Gods in the Greek pantheon, and another The seven that sometimes included as one of the twelve Olympians. They are residing atop a mythical Mount Olympus. The twelve as most commonly portrayed in art and poetry were Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes and either Hestia, or Dionysus. Hades, was not usually included among the Olympians because his realm was the underworld.

Here is a detailed list of Greek Gods:

Zeus.

Zeus: He is the king of the gods and ruler of Mount Olympus. He is god of the sky, lightning, thunder, law, order, justice. Zeus is the youngest child of Cronus and Rhea, though sometimes reckoned the eldest as the others required disgorging from Cronos's stomach. In most traditions, he is married to Hera, by whom he is usually said to have fathered Ares, Hebe, and Hephaestus. Symbols include the thunderbolt, eagle, oak tree, scepter, and scales. Brother and husband of Hera, although he had many lovers, also brother of Poseidon, Hades, Demeter, and Hestia.

Hera: Queen of the gods and the goddess of marriage and family. Symbols include the peacock, cuckoo, and cow. Youngest daughter of Cronus and Rhea. She is the wife and one of three sisters of Zeus. Hera was known for her jealous and vengeful nature against Zeus's lovers and offspring, but also against mortals who crossed her, such as Pelias. Paris also earned Hera's hatred by choosing Aphrodite as the most beautiful goddess.

Poseidon.

Poseidon: God of the seas, earthquakes, and tidal wave. He is referred to as "Earth-Shaker" due to his role in causing earthquakes, and has been called the "tamer of horses". Poseidon was the second son of titans Cronus and Rhea. In most accounts he is swallowed by Cronus at birth but later saved, with his other brothers and sisters, by Zeus. Symbols include the horse, bull, dolphin, and trident. Middle son of Cronus and Rhea. Brother of Zeus and Hades. Married to the Nereid Amphitrite, although, like most male Greek Gods, he had many lovers.

Demeter: Goddess of fertility, agriculture, nature, and the seasons. Symbols include the poppy, wheat, torch, cornucopia, and pig. Middle daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Demeter's virgin daughter Persephone was abducted to the underworld by Hades. She has eight children: Persephone, Despoina, Arion, Plutus, Philomelus, Eubuleus, Chrysothemis and Amphitheus. In addition some sources also include Dmia as 9th child.

Greek God Apollo.

Athena: Goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, mathematics, strength, war strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. Symbols include the owl, the olive tree, snake, Aegis, armor, helmets, spears, and Gorgoneion Daughter of Zeus and the Oceanid Metis, she rose from her father's head fully grown and in full battle armor after he swallowed her mother. Athena is known for her calm temperament, as she moves slowly to anger. She is noted to have only fought for just reasons, and would not fight without a purpose. Athena is portrayed as a shrewd companion of heroes, such as Hercules.

Apollo: God of light, prophecy, inspiration, poetry, music and arts, medicine and healing. Son of Zeus and Leto. Symbols include the Lyre, laurel wreath, python, raven, bow and arrows Twin brother of Artemis. Apollo was an oracular god, the prophetic deity of the Delphic Oracle. Medicine and healing are associated with Apollo, whether through the god himself or mediated through his son Asclepius. Apollo became associated with dominion over colonists, and as the patron defender of herds and flocks. As the leader of the Muses and director of their choir, Apollo functioned as the patron god of music and poetry. He has four children: Asclepius, Troilus, Aristaeus, and Orpheus.

Artemis: Goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, virginity and protector of young girls, bringing and relieving disease in women. In Greek mythology, Artemis was often described as the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo. Symbols include the moon, deer, hound, she-bear, snake, cypress tree, and bow and arrow. The deer and the cypress were sacred to her.

Ares: God of war, violence, and bloodshed. Symbols include the boar, serpent, dog, vulture, spear,
and shield. Son of Zeus and Hera, all the other gods, except Aphrodite, didn't like him. The deer and the cypress were sacred to her. Ares plays a limited role in Greek mythology. However, he has numerous love affairs and abundant offspring are often alluded to. When Ares does appear in myths, he typically faces humiliation. Famous children include: Erotes (Eros and Anteros), Phobos, Deimos, Phlegyas, Harmonia, and Adrestia.

Greek God Aris.

Aphrodite: Goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, procreation, and desire. Symbols include the Dolphin, Rose, Scallop Shell, Myrtle, Dove, Theogony, she was born when Cronus cut off Uranus's genitals and threw them into the sea, and she arose from the sea foam (aphros). According to Homer's Iliad, she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. Because of her beauty, other gods feared that she would interrupt the peace among them and lead to war. Thus, Zeus married her to Hephaestus, who, because of his ugliness and deformity, was not seen as a threat. Aphrodite had many affairs with gods, such as Ares, and men, such as Anchises. Sparrow, Girdle, Mirror, and Swan. There are two main stories about her origin. 

Hephaestus: God of blacksmiths, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metals, metallurgy, fire and volcanoes. Symbols include fire, anvil, axe, donkey, hammer, tongs, and quail. In Greek mythology, as a smithing god, Hephaestus made all the weapons of the gods in Olympus. He served as the blacksmith of the Greek gods. Hephaestus was the son of Zeus and Hera, although in another version, he was Hera's parthenogenous child, rejected by his mother because of his deformity and thrown out of heaven and down to earth. She married to Aphrodite, though unlike most divine husbands, he was rarely ever licentious.

Greek God Hermes.

Hermes: Messenger of the gods; god of commerce, thieves, eloquence and streets. He is described as quick and cunning, moving freely between the worlds of the mortal and divine. He is also portrayed as an emissary and messenger of the gods: an intercessor between mortals and the divine, and conductor of souls into the afterlife. Symbols include the caduceus (staff entwined with two snakes), winged sandals and cap, stork, and tortoise (whose shell he used to invent the lyre). Son of Zeus and the nymph Maia. The second-youngest Olympian, just older than Dionysus. He has six children: Pan, Hermaphroditus, Tyche, Abderus, Autolycus, and Angelia.

Hestia: Goddess of the hearth, architecture, and the right ordering of domesticity, the family, and the state. She was born into the first Olympian generation and was one of the original twelve Olympians. Some lists of the Twelve Olympians omit her in favor of Dionysus, but the speculation that she gave her throne to him in order to keep the peace seems to be modern invention. She was a daughter of the Titans Rhea and Cronus, and sister to Zeus, Poseidon, Demeter, Hera, and Hades. Hestia rejects the marriage suits of Poseidon and Apollo, and swears herself to perpetual virginity.  Zeus assigns Hestia a duty to feed and maintain the fires of the Olympian hearth with the fatty, combustible portions of animal sacrifices to the gods.

Dionysus: God of wine, celebrations, and ecstasy. Patron god of the art of theatre. Symbols include the grapevine, ivy, cup, tiger, panther, leopard, dolphin, goat, and pinecone. Dionysus had a strange birth that evokes the difficulty in fitting him into the Olympian pantheon. His mother was a mortal woman, Semele, the daughter of king Cadmus of Thebes, and his father was Zeus, the king of the gods. Married to the Cretan princess Ariadne. The youngest Olympian god, as well as the only one to have a mortal mother.

Mount Olympus: Home of the Greek Gods and Heroes

In Greek mythology, Mount Olympus is the home of the Olympian Gods and it was created after the Overthrow of Cronus, as described in Theogony. The war lasted ten years, with the Olympian gods, Cyclopes, Prometheus and Epimetheus, the children of Klymene, on one side, and the Titans and the Giants on the other. Zeus used his thunderbolts at the Titans, throwing them into Tartarus.

Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece. It is located on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia. Mount Olympus has many peaks (52) and exceptional biodiversity. The two highest peaks are the Pantheon, where most of the Olympian gods are living(2,918 meters - 9,573 ft) and Throne of Zeus where the ruler of the Gods Zeus was controlling the world (2,902 meters - 9,521 ft).

The Pantheon was the home and the place of discussions of all Gods. Mount Olympus was the home of the Twelve Olympian gods of the ancient Greek world in addition to minor Greek gods and deities. The Twelve Olympians included also Hera, Hestia, Demeter, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes, Aphrodite, Ares, and Hephaestus.  On Olympus' northern foot, the nine Muses were living. The nine Muses are the patrons of the Fine Arts, daughters of Zeus and the Titanide Mnemosyne : Calliope (Epic Poetry), Clio (History), Erato (Love Poetry), Euterpe (Music), Melpomene, (Tragedy), Polyhymnia (Hymns), Terpsichore (Dance), Thalia (Comedy) and Urania (Astronomy).

Mount Olympus, the home of the Olympian Gods.