The Greek Gods Who Ruled the Universe

In Greek mythology, there were twelve Gods who ruled from Mount Olympus. Zeus was viewed as the king of the Gods and Hera his queen. This pantheon of twelve Gods and Goddesses are considered the Olympians, representing the nature of man and his need for war, love and death. Six male Gods existed in the pantheon, two (Zeus and Poseidon) were born of Titan Gods themselves and overthrew their father to rule the universe. Hades, their sibling, also fought by their side, but after the victory he was given rule of the Underworld, so never took a throne at Mt. Olympus with his brothers.

Zeus - King of the Gods

Zeus was King of the Gods and ruler of Mt. Olympus. He was the youngest son to Cronus and Rhea, Titans who were themselves children of Ouranos and Gaia, the sky and Earth in classical Greek mythology. Zeus overthrew his father Cronus with the aid of his two brothers, Poseidon and Hades in a battle that went on for ten years known as the Titanomachy, or more popularly as the Battle of the Titans. Zeus sired many of the deities in Greek mythology coupling with Goddesses, deities and mortals alike. Greek artists frequently portrayed Zeus either astride his throne ruling over Olympus or moving forward holding a thunderbolt above his head. The Roman version Zeus is Jupiter.

Poseidon

God of the seas, master of earthquakes and brother to Zeus and Hades. He was made ruler of the seas after the battle of the Titans. He is perhaps the most iconic of the Greek gods, his trident a familiar and pervasive symbol. The ancient Greeks believed he had the power to calm the seas and guarantee success for fisherman, but when angered would smash his trident into the ground causing earthquakes and tidal waves. He was a well regarded God and considered the protector of many Greek cities.

Apollo

Apollo was the most multi-dimensional of the Gods, seen as God of light and the sun; prophecy and truth; healing and medicine; music, art and poetry. Fathered by Zeus and the mortal Leto, he has a twin sister, the virgin Goddess Artemis. He was regarded as the most handsome of the Gods, always depicted as youthful and clean-shaven. He was thought to have both the ability to heal and to spread disease and famine. His symbols are the bow, lyre and laurel. He is also known as “Apollo” by the Romans.

Ares

Ares was the God of War. The Greeks viewed him more as the God of blood lust or slaughter. Ares was seen as unpredictable, chaotic and barbaric. It was his half-sister Athena who acted as goddess of strategic warfare. The vulture and dog were the sacred animals of Ares. The Roman God Mars was connected to Ares, but he was also seen as a God of agriculture and held in higher regard by mortals.

Dionysus

Born to Zeus and the mortal Semele in the city of Thebes, Dionysus was regarded as one of the gods of the epiphany or “gods that come.” He was the God of Wine and Revelry and fittingly a popular God frequently honored with celebrations in his name. Mythology contends that he was androgynous with long, thick hair. This could be the influence of one tale that tells the story that Zeus asked Hermes to hide the boy away to protect him from the vengeful Hera. Hermes took him to his mortal relatives and asked that they pretend that Dionysus was a girl to deceive Hera and protect him.

Hephaestus

Regarded as a gentle and compassionate God, he was the God of metal, blacksmiths, artisans, craftsman, metallurgy, volcanoes and fire. Thrown from Mt. Olympus by his mother Hera, he is the only God depicted as repulsive. He was depicted as a cripple due to the injuries he suffered in his fall from Mount Olympus. Hephaestus is credited with the creation of many of Greek mythology's most memorable weapons and tools including: Hermes’ sandals and helmet, the Aegis breastplate, the armor of Achilles, Helio’s chariot, Eros bow and arrow and the thrones at Mt. Olympus. The Romans named this god Vulcan.

Hermes

With wings on his sandals, Hermes was possessed of great speed and assumed the role of “messenger of the Gods” and transporter of souls to the Underworld. He was the only God permitted to walk the realms of Heaven, Earth and the Underworld. Like all Gods, he was possessed of fallibility: the impulse to steal. This trait earned him the honor of God of Thieves. Child of Zeus, Hermes was a trusted friend of the king of Gods and frequent confidant. He wore a “petasus” (a shallow, round hat) and was often portrayed with wings on his shoulders along with his famed winged sandals. The Roman incarnation of Hermes is Mercury.

Hades

Brother of Zeus and Poseidon, Hades fought alongside his brothers in the Titanomachy, assisting in the destruction of his father Cronus and begin the rule of the Olympic Gods. After they vanquised the Titans, Hades and his brothers divided rule of the world. Drawing lots, Zeus was given the sky, Poseidon the seas and Hades the underworld. While Hades is often depicted as a fiery, angry God, this is a distortion of the truth. In Greek mythology, Hades was a fair magistrate of the Underworld who sought balance in the Underworld, but was also not above displaying his considerable powers if crossed. Hades is is often associated with Cerebus, the three-headed canine that guards the underworld and the Helm of Darkness given to him by the Cyclops’ before the Battle of the Titans.