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The Olympians: gods of Mount Olympus
The Olympians are the main gods of Greek myth, said to live on Mount Olympus. Lists of the Twelve vary slightly, but a core group appears in most.
Who counts as an Olympian?
The Greeks themselves did not agree on one list of twelve. Most lists include Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus and Hermes, then either Hestia or Dionysus as the twelfth. Hades rules the underworld and is often not counted as an Olympian, since he does not live on Olympus.
The gods
| God | Rules | Roman name |
|---|---|---|
| Zeus | Sky, thunder, king of the gods | Jupiter |
| Hera | Marriage, queen of the gods | Juno |
| Poseidon | Sea, earthquakes, horses | Neptune |
| Demeter | Grain and harvest | Ceres |
| Athena | Wisdom, craft, strategic war | Minerva |
| Apollo | Music, prophecy, healing, the sun in later tradition | Apollo |
| Artemis | Hunting, wild animals, the moon in later tradition | Diana |
| Ares | War | Mars |
| Aphrodite | Love and beauty | Venus |
| Hephaestus | Fire, metalwork, craftsmen | Vulcan |
| Hermes | Messengers, travellers, trade | Mercury |
| Hestia / Dionysus | Hearth / wine and theatre | Vesta / Bacchus |
How they came to power
According to Hesiod, Cronus swallowed his children as they were born, afraid they would overthrow him. His wife Rhea hid the youngest, Zeus, and gave Cronus a stone wrapped in cloth instead. Zeus grew up, made Cronus release his siblings, and led them in a ten-year war against the Titans. See the Titans for the losing side. Afterwards, the brothers drew lots: Zeus took the sky, Poseidon the sea and Hades the underworld.
Family trees and rivalries
The gods are a quarrelsome family. Zeus is husband and brother to Hera. Athena is said to have sprung fully armed from his head. Apollo and Artemis are twins, children of Zeus and Leto. Aphrodite has different origins in different sources. In Homer she is Zeus's daughter. In Hesiod she is born from the sea foam after Uranus's castration. Hephaestus is her husband in some tales, and she has an affair with Ares.
Gods and humans
The gods take sides in human affairs, as the Trojan War shows: Hera, Athena and Poseidon back the Greeks, Aphrodite and Apollo favour Troy. Mortals who insult them get punished, and those they love get help but also trouble. These stories are told in the myths, and their favourites include heroes.
Worship
Ordinary Greeks worshipped these gods in temples, at festivals and in the home, with sacrifices and offerings. Cities had favourite patrons. Athens honoured Athena, whose temple, the Parthenon, stands on the Acropolis. Sculptures from it are in the British Museum; see museums.
We also recommend the entries for each god on Theoi, which collects ancient quotations.
Lesser-known gods
Beyond the twelve there are many other deities: Hades and Persephone in the underworld, Hecate, Pan, Nike (victory), the Muses, the Fates, Nemesis, Eros and Hebe. Every river, spring and hill could have its own spirit, and cities had their own local heroes and gods. If you want a complete reference, Theoi lists them all with the ancient sources.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hades an Olympian?
Usually not. Hades is a major god, brother of Zeus, but he lives in the underworld rather than on Olympus.
How many Olympian gods are there?
Twelve, traditionally, though lists vary: Hestia or Dionysus is often the twelfth.
Are the Roman gods the same as the Greek?
They were identified with each other, but Roman religion had its own traditions and stories.