God of the Sun Son of Zeus and Leto, born from a large egg Twin brother of Artemis Sacred Animals: dolphin, swan Symbols: the lyre (a musical instrument), the laurel tree, bow and arrows god of: sun, light, truth, music, medicine, and prophecy Lives in: Mt. Olympus Characteristics: youthful, handsome, beardless, artistic, helped men to communicate with the gods through the oracle (a place for prophecy) Roman Name: Apollo
Goddess of Strategic War, Wisdom Daughter of Zeus (She was born fully grown from Zeus’ head) Sacred Bird: owl (symbol of wisdom) Symbols: shield, spear, olive tree goddess of: strategic war, wisdom, arts and crafts, civilization, law and justice Lives in: Mt. Olympus Characteristics: Zeus’ favorite child, was crafty, and unforgiving when angered, vowed to never marry Roman Name: Minerva
Queen of the gods Wife to Zeus Mother to Ares and Hephaestus Sister to Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Demeter, and Hestia Bird: Peacock Sacred Animal: Cow Symbols: Pomegranate, Scepter, and diadem (tiara) goddess of: marriage, family, childbirth, kings, and empires Lives in: Mt. Olympus Characteristics: Extremely jealous of any woman or goddess who had contact with Zeus, very vindictive (vengeful) Roman Name: Juno
Goddess of the Moon Daughter of Zeus and Leto, born from a large egg Twin sister of Apollo Sacred Animal: deer Symbols: bow and arrows, stags, hunting dog, moon goddess of: the moon, the hunt, baby animals, forests, and archery Lives in: Mt. Olympus but spends most of her time in the forest Characteristics: beautiful, young, athletic, vowed not to every marry Roman Name: Diana
King of the Underworld Husband to Persephone Brother to Zeus, Poseidon, Demeter, Hera, and Hestia Sacred Animals: Three-headed dog, Cerberus Symbols: Drinking horn, Scepter, jewels, invisibility helmet god of: the underworld and death Lives in: The Underworld, also known as Hades Characteristics: greedy, unmoving, stern (strict), wealthy because he owned all the precious metals (gold, silver, and expensive jewels) Roman Name: Pluto
God of War Son of Zeus and Hera Brother to Hephaestus, Apollo, Artemis, and Athena Father to the warrior women, the Amazons and Eros (Cupid) Sacred Animals: Vulture and venomous snake Weapons: bronze-tipped spear, golden armor god of: war and violence Lives in: Mt. Olympus Characteristics: not liked by his parents, cheated with Aphrodite (who was married to Ares’ brother), violent, cowardly, and revengeful Roman Name: Mars
Messenger of the gods Son of Zeus and Maia Brother to Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Ares, Hephaestus Symbols: winged sandals and helmet, staff with two serpents god of: travel, trade, wealth, thieves, sleep Lives in: Mt. Olympus Characteristics: mischievous, always on the move, takes the souls of the dead to Hades or the Underworld Roman Name: Mercury
God of Fire and Metalworking Son of Zeus and Hera Brother to Ares, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes, and Athena Sacred Bird: Quail Symbols: Hammer, anvil, tongs god of: fire, metalworking, stone masonry, and sculpture Lives in: Mt. Olympus but works under a volcano Characteristics: peace-loving, kind, but ugly, lame in one-foot Roman Name: Vulcan
King or Father of the gods Husband to Hera Father to Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hermes, and Hephaestus Brother to Hades, Poseidon, Demeter, Hera, and Hestia Bird: Eagle Weapons: Thunderbolt and Scepter god of: rain, thunder, law, order, fate Lives in: Mt. Olympus Characteristics: Bad Temper, often cheated on his wife with other goddesses and women, afraid of Hera Roman Name: Jupiter
God of Wine, Theatre, and Ritual Madness Son of Zeus and human princess Semele (only Olympian god to have a human parent) Symbols: vines, grapes, leopard skin, theater god of: grapes, wine, winemaking, theatre, and ritual madness Lives in: Mt. Olympus (last god to enter Mt. Olympus) Characteristics: youthful, handsome, could be extremely kind or rage with anger Roman Name: Bacchus
King of the Sea Husband to Amphitrite Father to Triton (of Little Mermaid fame) and the Water Nereids Brother to Hades, Zeus, Demeter, Hera, and Hestia Sacred Animals: Bull, Horse, and Dolphins Weapons: Trident, Earthquakes god of: the sea, floods, droughts, and horses Lives in: The ocean, although is considered an Olympian god Characteristics: bad-tempered, moody, unpredictable (like the sea), greedy, and vengeful Roman Name: Neptune
Goddess of Love Does not have parents, washed up onshore in a seashell Wife to Hephaestus Mother to Eros (Cupid) through an affair with Ares Sacred Bird: dove, goose Symbols: apple, myrtle wreath, scallop shell, and mirror goddess of: love and beauty Lives in: Mt. Olympus Characteristics: very beautiful, self-centered, fickle Roman Name: Venus
