Introduction to the Olympians
Zeus
After the fall of Cronus, his three sons, Zeus, Poseidon and Hades, drew lots to divide the domains. The three realms were the sky, the seas and the Underworld. Zeus drew the sky, which made him the ruler of the gods and the heavens both.
Depictions of Zeus often show him as wearing a helmet, wielding one of his thunderbolts, and protected by the aegis (a breastplate or shield).
As a ruler of gods and men, Zeus brought ultimate order to the universe. It was Zeus’ job to maintain that order and he was very capable in doing do. Zeus was known as a strict but fair ruler who firmly believed in justice.
Zeus did not allow his emotions or personal connections to affect his rule. If he felt he could not correctly choose the right course of action, he would bring up the issue with the rest of the Olympian Gods.
While Zeus often saw himself as the ultimate ruler of the Olympian Gods, once Athena, Hera and Poseidon gathered the other gods to capture Zeus under a net and become the ruler themselves. Unfortunately, once Zeus was caught, they couldn’t decide among themselves who the new ruler should be. While they were arguing among themselves, Thetis, a sea goddess, freed Zeus and he was understandably furious at the other Olympians. None of them wanted to stand up to him now. Zeus reclaimed his position as supreme ruler and forced all Olympians to vow that they would never challenge his power again.
Poseidon
Often considered second to Zeus, Poseidon was the powerful god of the sea. With a furious temper that was as changeable as the tide, most Greeks feared this god rather than respected him.
When the Olympian gods divided the domains, Poseidon became ruler of the seas. That being said, his power also extended to other bodies of water, such as lakes and fresh water springs. He also had the power to create horrible storms, earthquakes and landslides which gained him the nickname the Earth Shaker.
He is depicted as tall with a long straggly beard and always carrying his weapon, the trident, which the Cyclops made for him in the Titan War. Being the god of the sea and horses Poseidon is often depicted with sea creatures or horses.
Poseidon was never happy with his power and often looked for new ways to add to his domain by challenging other gods to be the patron of cities or islands.
Poseidon was married to a minor sea goddess called Amphitrite, the daughter of Nereus.
Originally Amphitrite was not impressed by her suitor as her Father was far more powerful and wanted nothing to do with Poseidon. She tried to hide from Poseidon in the deepest parts of the ocean but he always retrieved her. Eventually she agreed to be his wife.
Hades
Hades was one of the twelve original Olympians but as more gods were created he lost his seat on Olympus.
Hades was the god of the dead and the king of the Underworld. The Underworld was where all souls went after death and Hades saw to their appropriate punishment or reward for the life they had lived.
He rarely left his realm to visit the mortal world but once when he visited the land of the living he encountered the beautiful Persephone, daughter of Demeter and Zeus.
Hades fell in love and abducted her, taking her to the Underworld where she was his prisoner. Though her Mother searched for Persephone, she never found her daughter.
Eventually Demeter begged Zeus to intervene and free Persephone. Hermes was sent to the Underworld to collect her but unfortunately she had eaten food of the Underworld which meant that she could never leave.
Hades did allow a compromise – Persephone spent four months of the year with Hades in the Underworld and would be permitted to spend the rest of the year with her Mother. This explains why plants wither and die for part of the year, when Persephone is in the Underworld.
Hera
Hera was the greatest of the Greek Goddesses and Queen of Olympus. Sister and wife of Zeus, Hera was the goddess of family and defender of marriage.
She is often shown in a regal stance wielding her scepter and accompanied by her sacred bird, the peacock.
When Zeus started to court his sister, Hera was jealous of his previous loves and did not want to court Zeus because of his many past relationships. Zeus decided to trick Hera into being his wife. Zeus transformed himself into a cuckoo bird and created a giant storm. When Hera saw the little drenched bird she picked it up and nestled it in her clothes to keep it warm. Zeus then transformed back into himself and violated Hera. With no other choice, Hera agreed to be his wife.
Hestia
Hestia was considered the most compassionate, kind and generous Olympian god. Her worshippers regarded her the personification of goodness.
As Hestia was the goddess of the hearth she was worshipped in every house and she was thought to protect every home.
She was one of the original twelve Olympian gods but then she stepped down from this position to spend her time tending the sacred hearth of Olympus.
Hestia never took part in any dispute or war if she could avoid it. She never married or had any relationship with a man. Poseidon and Apollo both tried to court her which lead to rivalry sparking between them. Hestia not wanting to be the cause of a battle between Olympians, asked Zeus for help. Zeus granted Hestia permission to remain a virgin for life and after that Zeus, Poseidon and Apollo were fiercely protective of her chastity.
Demeter
Goddess of fertility, grain, the cycle of life and death and the harvest. As she is connected with the earth she spent most of her time near the soil instead of Mount Olympus, though she did still participate in the Councils and decisions.
For the ancient Greeks it was very important to keep Demeter happy as she would decide if they were to eat happily or starve that winter.
Though Demeter was known as a kind goddess, when she searched for her daughter Persephone, after her capture by Hades, the people of earth paid for her sadness as all the cops died and no flower would bloom.
Athena
Athena was the goddess of wisdom, war strategy and craft. Though she was not the most fierce fighter, with her on your side you could not fail.
When she was growing inside her mother’s womb, Zeus heard a prophecy that any son of Zeus and Metis would overthrow him and become ruler. Zeus’s solution was to swallow Metis. A couple of weeks later Zeus had a horrible headache and begged Hephaestus to take an axe and split open his head to see what the problem was. When he did this, Athena, the daughter of Zeus emerged in full armour fully grown.
