Hi guys, finally its Friday and what could be better after Friday? Weekend!

We're down to the last stretch of our Greek mythology series for this week and I must say that doing this series is one hell of an experience. Not only that I get to rekindle with an old interest but an opportunity to share the story to my kids.

To cap the week off, here's an introduction of the gods and goddesses who resides on the great mountain of Olympus.

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Greek mythology is partly religion and partly a way of describing the nature of the world. Mount Olympus in Greece is a remote and forbidding place, so in a way it would seem to be a fitting site for the Olympian gods, the rulers over mankind to carry out their own intrigues against one another and a pinnacle from which to observe mankind.

This article focuses on the major gods and goddess of Olympus but it is worth observing that analogous beliefs were held in many cultures.

Zeus

The most powerful of the gods became Zeus who gambled with his brothers and won the honor. Zeus is the supreme god, lord of the sky and associated with rain by the use of his weapon, lightning.

Poseidon

Brother of Zeus and lord and master of the seas. He is often called "Earth Shaker" because he is usually associated with earthquakes. Like Zeus, Poseidon has many lovers thus bearing several gods and demigods.

Hades

Considered as " The Unseen Ones" because Hades spent most of his days in the Underword. Anything associated with the underworld is credited to Hades. Aside from being god of the dead, he is also the god of wealth because of the precious metals derived from the earth. Hades is the elder brother of Zeus and Poseidon.

Hera

Hera is the Zeus's wife and sister. She is the goddess of marriage and married women. Zeus desired her and when unable to win her affections assumed the form of a bird. Hera feeling sorry for the bird held it to her breasts, at which point Zeus assumed his true point he raped her.

She rebelled against Zeus and lost and was required to swear to never rebel again, but she often plots against her husband-brother.

Demeter

Demeter is the goddess of harvest and fetility as well as protector of marriage. She is a daughter of Titans Cronus and Rhea and sister to the Lightning God Zeus and mother to Persephone. The name Demeter indicates "she is a mother".

Apollo

Apollo is Zeus's son. He is an archer who shoot a silver arrow. As the god of truth he cannot tell a lie. He is also associated with music portrayed playing a golden lyre.

On a daily basis, Apollo harnesses his chariot and drives the Sun across the sky.

Artemis

Daughter of Zeus and twin sister of Apollo. As Apollo is associated with the Sun, Artemis is associated with the Moon. Like her brother she hunts using a silver arrow.

Hephaestus

Hephaestus is the son of Zeus and Hera, although his origins are not quite certain . He is the god of fire and the patron of smiths who uses a volcano as his forge. He is not a fighter, but is kind. Physically, Hephaestus is physically unattractive and lame.

Ares

Ares is also a son of Zeus and Hera. As the god of war he is considered to be murderous but quite often acts cowardly.

Athena

Athena is the daughter of Zeus. Athena has no mother, having emerged fully grown and in armor from the forehead of her father. She is considered an inventive goddess having created numerous items including ships and chariots.

Aphrodite

There are several stories of her birth. One says that she is the product of the gentiles of Uranus who was castrated by the Titan, Cronus who cast them into the sea. Aphrodite emerged from the sea on a giant scallop shell and walked to shore which is how she is commonly portrayed.

Hermes

Hermes was the messenger god, who also specialized in flight, thievery, and trading. He was a son of Zeus, and wore winged boots. Hermes is considered as mans greatest ally.

Dionysus

He is known as the god of wine, exuberance and festivities. Dionysus is the youngest god and the last one to enter Olympus and often seen wandering the earth educating people how to cultivate vineyards.

Hestia

Hestia takes no part in the myths and legends. She is first born of the the Titan Gods Cronus and Rhea. Big sister to Zeus, Poseidon, Demeter, Hera and Hades. In each village and city a public hearth whose fire was never allowed to go out was dedicated to her.

These twelve reside on Mount Olympus which rises up from the earth's core. These gods appeared in many Greek mythological stories, and they are always linked with Mount Olympus thus, carrying the name Olympians, although Hades did not live there, and there were many other minor deities that appeared in Greek myths as well.

There you have it guys. Stay tuned next week for another mythical and historical adventure.

Ciao!

All images except the featured one are owned by N-Zero

Sources

_{Mythologian- Greek Mythology Pantheon
Rick Riordan - Meet the Greek Gods
Greek Gods and Goddesses}

Interested in the Greek Mythology? You may check my other posts for further reading.

• Mythical Creatures and Beasts of the Greek Mythology
• The Legend of Perseus
• Theseus: Greek Hero and Legendary King of Athens
• Mythical Creatures: The Centaurs
• Mythical Creatures: The Seductive Sirens
• Ancient Greek Myth: Theseus and the Minotaur