Gods and Goddesses of Olympus..

[Hades]

Eh anyone who knows the mythology about Zeus and the rest of the Gods and Goddess of Greece ah? i mean really study it.

i dunno wat's wrong with me but i've recently been really addicted to the myth of greece....man so interesting plus with the history of trojan wars...wanna share share a bit??

[Hades]

Achilles was best known as the central figure in Homer's Illiad. Some say that without the help of Achilles, the Greeks would have never defeated the Trojans. Achilles was a great war hero that was sometimes known for his fits of rage and revenge. It seems as though his anger was as greatly known as his fits of prowess.

Birth: It was told that the son of Thetis would be greater than his father. Many wanted to have a son by Thetis, but did not want to take the chance of the prophecy coming true. Thetis was then quickly mated with a mortal man. Thetis was an intelligent sea-nymph who knew that her son was destined to be a hero that would die in battle. In order to make him invulnerable she bathed him in the river Styx. However, the place where she held the child (his heel) was not able to be bathed in the river. It was this spot that brought the injury that caused him his life. He was a mighty warrior at Troy, but was killed in battle when the young man Paris shot a poisoned arrow into his heel.

Disguise: When Achilles was growing up with the centaur Chiron, an oracle foretold that he would die a young man at Troy. His mother once again worried, and so dressed him up as a young woman and hid him in the court of King Lycomedes at Scyros. Other warriors knew from an oracle that Troy would not be captured without his help, and sought to show his true identity at court. This was done by Odysseus presenting gifts to all of the "maidens." All of the other women selected feminine gifts, while Achilles selected weapons (some say it was a reaction to a horn blown by Odysseus)...thus revealing his true identity.

Pronunciation: a-KILL-eez

Other Names: Pelides, Aeacides

Father: Peleus

Mother: Thetis

Wife: Deidamia

Lovers: Penthesilea, Patroclus, Deidamia, Briseis, Diomede, Iphigenia, Medea, Helen

Children: Neoptolemus

[Hades]

Hercules was considered one of the greatest heroes of mythology. He was known as a demi-god and personified great strength and courage. Hercule's performed great tasks from the moment of birth when he strangled two snakes that Hera sent to his bed to kill him. Hercule's was not always the great hero and was sometimes known for fits of madness. One day in a fit of madness he even killed his own children and his first wife Megara. In order to attone for this deed, Hercule's was to perform 12 labors for his cousin King Eurystheus.

Pronunciation: HE rah kleez

12 Labors: 1-The Nemian Lion-Hercule's trapped the lion in its own cave and strangled it with his own hands.
2-The Hydra of Lernea-The hydra was able to generate a new head each time one was cut off. With the help of Iolaus, Hercule's defeated the hydra by having the stumps burned each time they were cut off. He then dipped his arrows in the deadly blood and shot the Hydra.
3-The Wild Boar of Erymanthus-This was a beast that he had hunted through the snow. After defeating him, Hercule's returned the dead beast to the king who cowered in fright.
4-The Hind of Ceryneia-This was a special deer that had feet of bronze and antlers of gold. It took Hercule's 1 year to accomplish this task.
5-The Stymphalian Birds-These birds had wings, beaks, and claws of bronze. Hercule's scattered them by shaking a bronze rattle that Athena helped him to make.
6-The Augean Stables-These were the gross stables of King Elis of Augeus. Hercule's cleaned them by diverting the two nearby rivers and flooding the stables.
7-The Cretan Bull-This is a bull Hercule's captured that had been plaguing the island of Crete.
8-The Horses of Diomedes-These were wild beasts that Hercule's captured. It was said that they ate human flesh and that Hercule's fed them their master.
9-The Girdle of the Amazon-This was the girdle of Queen Hippoloyta of the amazons. Hercule's wooed her and took the girdle.
10-The Cattle of Geryon-This was a three-headed monster who had great cattle.
11-The Stealing of Cerberus-He was the three-headed dog of Hades. With the help of Hermes and Athena he was able to bring the dog to the land of the living.
12-The Apples of the Hesperides-These were golden apples that belonged to Hera. He was able to do this by tricking the god Atlas to perform the task and then resume his punishment of holding the Earth.

Father: Zeus

Mother: Alcmene

Silbings: Iphicles

Lovers: Deinira, Megara

Other Names: Herakles

[Hades]

Odysseus was a very popular hero in Greek and Roman mythology. He was perhaps best known as the hero in the Trojan war. The stories of the Illiad and the Odyssey depict both his fighting and part in the war as well as his incredible voyage home. Odysseus's part in the Trojan was huge and was evident in the great stock that Agamemnon put into his cunning. It is important to note that although he was an accomplished fighter, his leadership and planning skills were of the greatest importance during the 10-year war. It was Odysseus who came up with the idea for the Trojan Horse and the hiding of the troops inside it. Even though Troy fell in the end, the gods were incredibly upset by the slaughter and placed some blame on Odysseus; they made sure that he was the last warrior to return home. This strage voyage is documented in the Odyssey and has him known under his Roman name of Ulysses. Finally after a 10-year war and a 10-year voyage home, the hero finally made it home to find his home overcome by suitors trying to take his wife. With the help of some trusted servants and his son Telemachus he was able to retrieve his wife and his home.

Pronunciation: oh DIHS uhs

Other Names: Ulysses

Kingdom: Ithaca

Father: Laertes or Sisyphius

Mother: Anticlea

Wife: Penelope

Children: Telemachus

[Hades]

Aphrodite was known as the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. She represented the values of sacred love and marriage as well as female sensuality and desire.

Pronunciation: a-fro-DYE-tee

Story of Birth: She is sometimes called "Foam Born." This is because some want to associate her as a child of Gaea and Uranus. She was supposed to have emerged from the sea foam of the castrated Uranus. She was not thought to be the daughter of Zeus and Dione until she was migrated into the Greek religion. They then placed her with the other olympians.

Depicted: She is sometimes depicted riding a shell in many different pieces of art. One of the famous paintings is that of the Birth of Venus. She was also often depicted with the god Eros as an infant. The most famous statue of her was by the Greek Praxiteles and the Venus de Milo. There is also the painting by Botticelli called The Brith of Venus that is known around the world.

Origin: Possibly West Asia

Father: Zeus or Uranus

Mother: Dione or no woman

Husband: Hephaestus

Lovers: Ares, Poseidon, Hermes, Dionysus, Anchises, Adonis, Pygmalion, Nerites, Phaeton

Children: Phobos, Deimos, Harmonia, Eros, Rhodus, Herophilus, Eryx, Hermaphroditus, Priapus, Aeneas, Golgos, and Beroe

Other Names: Venus, Cyprian, Paphian, Anadyomene, Peligia, Dione, Pandemes, Ouranos, Androphones, Melainia, Epitymbridia, Kallipygos, Hera, Enoplios, Morphos, Ambologeia, Genetyllis

Special Objects: Magic Girdle

Plants: Myrtle Tree, Rose

Birds: Swan and Sparrow

Cult Center: Cytheia, Phoenicia

[Hades]

Apollo was known as the god of poetry, music, archery, prophecy, justice, law, order and the art of healing. He also happened to be associated with the care of different herds and crops. Ironically his main function is known as that of a sun-god.

Pronunciation: uh-POL-oh

Birth: Apollo and his twin sister Artemis were the result of another case of infidelity on the part of Zeus. His wife Hera was so enraged that she would not allow their mother Leto give birth anywhere. Leto eventually found sanctuary on the floating islands of Ortygia and Delos. Both children grew to adulthood within minutes of being birthed.

Depicted: He has been depicted many different ways and in many different paintings. One of the most famous is that of Apollo Belvedere, an ancient statue that resides in Rome.

Origin: Possibly non-European

Father: Zeus

Mother: Leto

Siblings: Artemis and Hermes

Lovers: Daphne, Coronis, Cassandra, Cyrene, Hyancinthus, Kyparissos, Dryope

Children: Aristaeus, Asclepius

Other Names: Kith Arodes

Special Objects: Bow and Arrows, Lyre

Plants: Laurel Tree

Animals: Crow, Dolphin

Cult Center: Delphi, Troezen

[Hades]

Ares was known as the unpopular god of war. For the Greek Ares war needed no reason at all. He was the happiest when surrounded by battle and violence. This love of violence was so bad that his own father declared his hatred of him. It is important to note, that the Greek Ares and Roman Mars have little resemblence to one another. Mars was well liked and sometimes associated with fertility and vegetation.

Pronunciation: AIR-eez

Origins: Thrace, Scythia

Depicted: He was often depicted wearing a golden helmet and riding a type of speeding chariot.

Father: Zeus

Mother: Hera

Siblings: Eris, Hephaestus

Children: Phobos, Deimos, Alcippe, Diomedes, Cyncus, Oenomaus, Remus, Romulus, Harmonia, Ixion

Lovers: Pelopia, Pyrene, Aphrodite, Rhea Silvia

Roman Name: Mars


Special Objects: Ancile, a sacred shield; a Spear; a Burning Torch

Animals: Vulture, Dog

[Hades]

Artemis was the virginal goddess of hunting, childbirth, chastity, and even sudden death. She is also associated with the moon on some occasions. Artemis always carried a special bow and arrow set that was created by the god Hephaestus. She was a very two-sided deity...on one hand she could be very kind and aid women in childbirth, and on the other hand she could be cruel and benevolent.

Pronunciation: AR-ti-mis

Birth: Artemis and her twin brother Apollo were the result of another case of infidelity on the part of Zeus. His wife Hera was so enraged that she would not allow their mother Leto give birth anywhere. Leto eventually found sanctuary on the floating islands of Ortygia and Delos. Both children grew to adulthood within minutes of being birthed.

Depicted: The Greeks depicted Artemis as very tall, slim, and athleticly beautiful. She was frequently pictured wearing a short tunic and carrying her trademark bow and arrows.

Father: Zeus

Mother: Leto

Siblings: Apollo

Other Names: Diana, Artemis of Ephesus

Special Objects: Bow and Silver Arrows, Fawn

Tree: Cyprus Tree

Animals: All, Especially the Deer and Bear

Other Names: Dea Anna

Cult Center: Arcadia, Crete, Asia Minor, Magna Grecia, Ephesus, Brauron, Attica

[Hades]

Athena was a very important Olympian. She was associated with many things; among them as the goddess of war, peace, compassion, architects, sculptors, horses, oxen, olives, prudence, and wise counsel. She was also the patron of the arts, crafts, spinning, weaving, and Athens.

Pronunciation: a-THEE-nuh

Birth: The popular story of her birth is that of springing fully armed from the head of her father Zeus. Zeus had previously swallowed her mother Metis, fearing that her child would one day rule the world. Another story tells of her birth involving a cloud. Zeus struck it with his head and caused Athena's birth. Yet another tale tells of her birth near the lake of Triton, and raised by three nymphs.

Father: Zeus

Mother: No mother, born of Zeus' forehead; indirectly Metis

Other Name: Minerva, Hephaistia

Special Objects: Aegis (a shield), Spear, and Helmet

Plants: Olive Tree

Animals: Wise Owl, sometimes the Snake

Cult Center: Crete, Mycenae, Athens, Rome

[Hades]

Hades was the Greek god of the underworld and also wealth. After his brother Zeus defeated his father Cronus, the three brothers drew lots to see who would rule what parts of the universe. Poseidon was assigned as the ruler of all watery domains, Hades received all of the underworld, and Zeus received all of the heavens. A very popular story of Hades involves his love of the goddess Persephone. He popped out of the earth in his chariot and carried her off down into the underworld

Pronunciation: HAY deez

Father: Cronus

Mother: Rhea

Siblings: Poseidon, Zeus

Loves: Persephone, Minthe

Other Names: Pluto, Dis, Orcus, Polydegmon, Plouton, Aidoneus

Trees: Cypress, Narcissus

Animals: Black Sheep

Symbols: Helmet, Sceptre, Cornucopia