Ancient tablets from the Aegean culture give us the first clues about who the Greek gods and goddesses were. Mythology Ancient Greece became for the famous authors of Hellas. It still provides us with rich material for artistic imagination today. Like the powerful Olympian male rulers, the female divine hypostases have a strong character and remarkable intelligence. Let's talk about each one separately in more detail.
Artemis
Not all Greek goddesses can boast such a harmonious interweaving of fragility and grace with a decisive and tough character as Artemis. She was born on the island of Delos from the marriage of the powerful Zeus and the goddess Leto. Artemis' twin brother was the radiant Apollo. The girl became famous as the goddess of hunting and the patroness of everything that grows in forests and fields. The brave girl did not part with a bow and arrows, as well as a sharp spear. She had no equal in the hunt: neither a fast deer, nor a timid doe, nor an angry boar could hide from the dexterous goddess. When the hunt was going on, the forest was filled with laughter and cheerful cries of Artemis's eternal companions - the river nymphs.
Tired, the goddess headed to the sacred Delphi to visit her brother and, to the magnificent sounds of his harp, danced with the muses, and then rested in cool grottoes overgrown with greenery. Artemis was a virgin and religiously guarded her chastity. But she nevertheless, like many Greek goddesses, blessed marriage and childbirth. Symbols: doe, cypress, bear. In Roman mythology, Artemis corresponded to Diana.
Athena
Her birth was accompanied by fantastic events. It all started with the fact that the Thunderer Zeus was informed: he would have two children from the goddess of reason, Metis, one of whom would overthrow the ruler. Zeus couldn’t think of anything better than to lull his wife to sleep with gentle speeches and swallow her while she was sleeping. After some time, God felt a painful headache and ordered his son Hephaestus to cut off his head, hoping to get deliverance. Hephaestus swung and cut the head of Zeus - and from there came the divine Pallas Athena in a sparkling helmet, with a spear and shield. Her war cry shook Olympus. Until now, Greek mythology has never known a goddess so majestic and sincere.
The mighty warrior became the patroness of fair battles, as well as states, sciences, and crafts. Many heroes of Greece won thanks to the advice of Athena. Young girls especially revered her because she taught them the art of needlework. The symbols of Pallas Athena are an olive branch and a wise owl. In Latin mythology she is called Minerva.
Atropos
One of the three sisters - goddesses of fate. Clotho spins the thread of human life, Lachesis closely monitors the course of destinies, and Atropos mercilessly cuts the threads of human destiny when he considers the life of a particular earthling to be over. Her name translates as “inevitable.” In ancient Roman mythology, in which Greek goddesses have Latin counterparts, she is called Morta.
Aphrodite
She was the daughter of the god Uranus, patron of heaven. It is well known that Aphrodite was born from snow-white sea foam near the island of Cythera, and the wind carried her to an island called Cyprus. There the young girl was surrounded by the goddesses of the seasons (oras), crowned her with a wreath of wild flowers, and covered her with gold-woven robes. This gentle and sensual beauty is the Greek goddess of beauty. Where her light foot stepped, flowers instantly blossomed.
The Ori brought the goddess to Olympus, where she evoked quiet sighs of admiration. Jealous wife Zeus Hera hastened to arrange the marriage of Aphrodite with the ugliest god of Olympus - Hephaestus. The goddesses of fate (Moiras) gave the beauty only one divine ability - to create love around herself. While her lame husband was diligently forging iron, she delighted in inspiring love in people and gods, fell in love herself and patronized all lovers. Therefore, Aphrodite, according to tradition, is also the Greek goddess of love.
An indispensable attribute of Aphrodite was her belt, which endowed the owner with the power to inspire love, seduce and attract. Eros is the son of Aphrodite, to whom she gave her instructions. Symbols of Aphrodite are dolphins, doves, roses. In Rome she was called Venus.
Hebe
She was the daughter of Hera and Zeus, the sister of the bloodthirsty god of war Ares. By tradition, she is considered the goddess of youth. In Rome they call her Juventa. The adjective “juvenile” is often used today to define everything related to youth and adolescence. On Olympus, Hebe was the main cupbearer until the son of the Trojan king Ganymede took her place. In sculptural and pictorial images, the girl is often depicted with a golden cup filled with nectar. The goddess Hebe personifies the youthful prosperity of countries and states. According to myths, she was given in marriage to Hercules. They became the parents of Alexiaris and Aniket, considered patrons of youth and sports. sacred tree Hebes - cypress. If a slave entered the temple of this goddess, he was immediately granted freedom.
Gemera
The goddess of daylight, in contrast to Hecate, the patroness of cancer and nightmare visions, as well as sorcerers, the clever Hemera was the eternal companion of the sun god Helios. According to one mythical version, she kidnapped Cephalus and gave birth to Phaeton, who crashed on the sun chariot, unable to control it. In Roman legends, Hemera is equal to Diez.
Gaia
The goddess Gaia is the progenitor of all living things. According to legends, she was born from Chaos and ordered all the elements. That is why she patronizes the earth, the sky, and the seas, and is considered the mother of the titans. It was Gaia who persuaded her sons to rebel against Uranus, the progenitor of heaven. And then, when they were defeated, she “pitted” her new giant sons against the Olympian gods. Gaia is the mother of the terrible hundred-headed monster Typhon. She asked him to take revenge on the gods for the death of the giants. Gaia was the heroine of Greek hymns and songs. She is the first soothsayer at Delphi. In Rome she corresponds to the goddess Tellus.
Hera
A companion of Zeus, famous for her jealousy and spending a lot of time on eliminating and neutralizing her rivals. Daughter of the titans Rhea and Kronos, swallowed by her father and rescued from his womb thanks to Zeus defeating Kronos. Hera occupies a special place on Olympus, where the Greek goddesses shine in glory, whose names are associated with the duties of patronizing all spheres of human life. Hera is the patron of marriage. Like her royal husband, she could command thunder and lightning. At her word, a downpour could fall on the earth or the sun could shine. Hera's first assistant was the Greek goddess of the rainbow - Iris.
Hestia
She was also the daughter of Kronos and Rhea. Hestia, the goddess of the family hearth and sacrificial fire, was not vain. By right of birth, she occupied one of the twelve main places on Olympus, but she was supplanted by the god of wine Dionysus. Hestia did not defend her rights, but quietly stepped aside. She did not like wars, hunting, or love affairs. The most beautiful gods Apollo and Poseidon sought her hand, but she chose to remain unmarried. People honored this goddess and made sacrifices to her before the start of each sacred ceremony. In Rome she was called Vesta.
Demeter
The goddess of good fertility, who experienced personal tragedy when the underground god Hades fell in love and kidnapped Demeter's daughter Persephone. While the mother was looking for her daughter, life stood still, the leaves withered and flew away, the grass and flowers dried up, the fields and vineyards died and became empty. Seeing all this, Zeus ordered Hades to release Persephone to earth. He could not disobey his powerful brother, but asked to spend at least a third of the year with his wife in the underworld. Demeter rejoiced at the return of her daughter - gardens began to bloom everywhere and the fields began to sprout. But every time Persephone left the earth, the goddess again fell into sadness - and a fierce winter began. In Roman mythology, Demeter corresponds to the goddess Ceres.
Iris
Greek goddess of the rainbow, already mentioned. According to the ideas of the ancients, the rainbow was nothing more than a bridge connecting the earth with the sky. Iris was traditionally depicted as a golden-winged girl, and in her hands she held a bowl of rainwater. The main duty of this goddess was to spread the news. She did this with lightning speed. According to legend, she was the wife of the wind god Zephyr. The iris flower is named after the Iris, striking in its play of color shades. The name also comes from her name chemical element iridium, the compounds of which also differ in a variety of color tones.
Nikta
This is the Greek goddess of the night. She was born from Chaos and was the mother of Aether, Hemera and the Moira, goddesses of fate. Nikta also gave birth to Charon, the carrier of the souls of the dead to the kingdom of Hades, and the goddess of revenge Nemesis. In general, Nikta is connected with everything that stands on the verge of life and death and contains the mystery of existence.
Mnemosyne
Daughter of Gaia and Uranus, goddess personifying memory. From Zeus, who seduced her by reincarnating as a shepherd, she gave birth to nine muses who were responsible for childbirth and the arts. A spring was named in her honor, giving memory despite the spring of oblivion, for which Leta is responsible. It is believed that Mnemosyne has the gift of omniscience.
Themis
Goddess of law and justice. She was born to Uranus and Gaia, was the second wife of Zeus and conveyed his commands to the gods and people. Themis is depicted blindfolded, with a sword and scales in her hands, personifying an impartial fair trial and retribution for crimes. It symbolizes legal organizations and norms to this day. In Rome, Themis was called Justice. Like other Greek goddesses, she had the gift of bringing order to the world of things and nature.
Eos
Sister of Helios, the sun god, and Selene, the moon goddess, Eos is the patroness of the dawn. Every morning she rises from the ocean and flies on her chariot across the sky, causing the sun to wake up and scattering handfuls of diamond dew drops on the ground. Poets call her “beautiful-haired, pink-fingered, golden-throned,” emphasizing in every possible way the splendor of the goddess. According to myths, Eos was ardent and amorous. The scarlet color of the dawn is sometimes explained by the fact that she is ashamed of a stormy night.
Here are the main goddesses sung by the singers and myth-makers of Ancient Hellas. We talked only about the blessed goddesses who give creativity. There are other characters whose names are associated with destruction and sorrow, but they are a special topic.
This is a list of Gods of ancient Greece for general development :)
Hades- God is the ruler of the kingdom of the dead.
Antey- hero of myths, giant, son of Poseidon and the Earth of Gaia. The earth gave its son strength, thanks to which no one could control him.
Apollo- god of sunlight. The Greeks depicted him as a beautiful young man.
Ares- god of treacherous war, son of Zeus and Hera
Asclepius- god of medicine, son of Apollo and the nymph Coronis
Boreas- god of the north wind, son of the Titanides Astraeus (starry sky) and Eos (morning dawn), brother of Zephyr and Note. He was depicted as a winged, long-haired, bearded, powerful deity.
Bacchus- one of the names of Dionysus.
Helios (Helium)- god of the Sun, brother of Selene (goddess of the Moon) and Eos (morning dawn). In late antiquity he was identified with Apollo, the god of sunlight.
Hermes- son of Zeus and Maya, one of the most significant greek gods. Patron of wanderers, crafts, trade, thieves. Possessing the gift of eloquence.
Hephaestus- son of Zeus and Hera, god of fire and blacksmithing. He was considered the patron of artisans.
Hypnos- deity of sleep, son of Nikta (Night). He was depicted as a winged youth.
Dionysus (Bacchus)- the god of viticulture and winemaking, the object of a number of cults and mysteries. He was depicted either as an obese elderly man or as a young man with a wreath of grape leaves on his head.
Zagreus- god of fertility, son of Zeus and Persephone.
Zeus- supreme god, king of gods and people.
Marshmallow- god of the west wind.
Iacchus- god of fertility.
Kronos- titanium, younger son Gaia and Uranus, father of Zeus. He ruled the world of gods and people and was overthrown from the throne by Zeus...
Mom- son of the goddess of Night, god of slander.
Morpheus- one of the sons of Hypnos, god of dreams.
Nereus- son of Gaia and Pontus, meek sea god.
Note- the god of the south wind, depicted with a beard and wings.
Ocean- Titan, son of Gaia and Uranus, brother and husband of Tethys and father of all the rivers of the world.
Olympians- the supreme gods of the younger generation of Greek gods, led by Zeus, who lived on the top of Mount Olympus.
Pan- forest god, son of Hermes and Dryope, goat-footed man with horns. He was considered the patron saint of shepherds and small livestock.
Pluto- the god of the underworld, often identified with Hades, but unlike him, he owned not the souls of the dead, but wealth underworld.
Plutos- son of Demeter, god who gives wealth to people.
Pont- one of the senior Greek deities, the offspring of Gaia, the god of the sea, the father of many titans and gods.
Poseidon- one of the Olympian gods, brother of Zeus and Hades, who rules over the sea elements. Poseidon was also subject to the bowels of the earth,
he commanded storms and earthquakes.
Proteus- sea deity, son of Poseidon, patron of seals. He had the gift of reincarnation and prophecy.
Satires- goat-footed creatures, demons of fertility.
Thanatos- the personification of death, twin brother of Hypnos.
Titans- generation of Greek gods, ancestors of the Olympians.
Typhon- a hundred-headed dragon born of Gaia or Hera. During the battle of the Olympians and the Titans, he was defeated by Zeus and imprisoned under the volcano Etna in Sicily.
Triton- son of Poseidon, one of the sea deities, a man with a fish tail instead of legs, holding a trident and a twisted shell - a horn.
Chaos- an endless empty space from which at the beginning of time the most ancient gods of the Greek religion - Nyx and Erebus - emerged.
Chthonic gods - deities of the underworld and fertility, relatives of the Olympians. These included Hades, Hecate, Hermes, Gaia, Demeter, Dionysus and Persephone.
Cyclops- giants with one eye in the middle of the forehead, children of Uranus and Gaia.
Eurus (Eur)- god of the southeast wind.
Aeolus- lord of the winds.
Erebus- personification of the darkness of the underworld, son of Chaos and brother of Night.
Eros (Eros)- god of love, son of Aphrodite and Ares. IN ancient myths- a self-emerging force that contributed to the ordering of the world. He was depicted as a winged youth (in the Hellenistic era - a boy) with arrows, accompanying his mother.
Ether- sky deity
Goddesses of ancient Greece
Artemis- goddess of hunting and nature.
Atropos- one of the three moiras, cutting the thread of fate and ending a human life.
Athena (Pallada, Parthenos)- the daughter of Zeus, born from his head in full military armor. One of the most revered greek goddesses, goddess of just war and wisdom, patroness of knowledge.
Aphrodite (Kytharea, Urania)- goddess of love and beauty. She was born from the marriage of Zeus and the goddess Dione (according to another legend, she came out of the sea foam)
Hebe- daughter of Zeus and Hera, goddess of youth. Sister of Ares and Ilithyia. She served the Olympian gods at feasts.
Hecate- goddess of darkness, night visions and sorcery, patroness of sorcerers.
Gemera- goddess of daylight, personification of the day, born of Nikta and Erebus. Often identified with Eos.
Hera- the supreme Olympian goddess, sister and third wife of Zeus, daughter of Rhea and Kronos, sister of Hades, Hestia, Demeter and Poseidon. Hera was considered the patroness of marriage.
Hestia- goddess hearth and home and fire.
Gaia- mother earth, foremother of all gods and people.
Demeter- goddess of fertility and agriculture.
Dryads- lower deities, nymphs who lived in trees.
Ilithia- patron goddess of women in labor.
Iris- winged goddess, assistant of Hera, messenger of the gods.
Calliope- muse of epic poetry and science.
Kera- demonic creatures, children of the goddess Nikta, bringing troubles and death to people.
Clio- one of the nine muses, the muse of history.
Clotho ("spinner")- one of the moiras that spins the thread of human life.
Lachesis- one of the three Moira sisters, who determine the fate of every person even before birth.
Summer- Titanide, mother of Apollo and Artemis.
Mayan- a mountain nymph, the eldest of the seven Pleiades - the daughters of Atlas, the beloved of Zeus, from whom Hermes was born to her.
Melpomene- the muse of tragedy.
Metis- the goddess of wisdom, the first of the three wives of Zeus, who conceived Athena from him.
Mnemosyne- mother of nine muses, goddess of memory.
Moira- goddess of fate, daughter of Zeus and Themis.
Muses- patron goddess of the arts and sciences.
Naiads- nymphs-guardians of waters.
Nemesis- daughter of Nikta, a goddess who personified fate and retribution, punishing people in accordance with their sins.
Nereids- fifty daughters of Nereus and the oceanids Doris, sea deities.
Nika- personification of victory. She was often depicted wearing a wreath, a common symbol of triumph in Greece.
Nymphs- lower deities in the hierarchy of Greek gods. They personified the forces of nature.
Nikta- one of the first Greek deities, the goddess - the personification of the primordial Night
Orestiades- mountain nymphs.
Ory- goddess of the seasons, peace and order, daughter of Zeus and Themis.
Peyto- goddess of persuasion, companion of Aphrodite, often identified with her patroness.
Persephone- daughter of Demeter and Zeus, goddess of fertility. The wife of Hades and the queen of the underworld, who knew the secrets of life and death.
Polyhymnia- the muse of serious hymn poetry.
Tethys- daughter of Gaia and Uranus, wife of Ocean and mother of the Nereids and Oceanids.
Rhea- mother of the Olympian gods.
Sirens- female demons, half-woman, half-bird, capable of changing the weather at sea.
Waist- the muse of comedy.
Terpsichore- muse of dance art.
Tisiphone- one of the Erinyes.
Quiet- the goddess of fate and chance among the Greeks, companion of Persephone. She was depicted as a winged woman standing on a wheel and holding a cornucopia and a ship's rudder in her hands.
Urania- one of the nine muses, patroness of astronomy.
Themis- Titanide, goddess of justice and law, second wife of Zeus, mother of mountains and moira.
Charites- goddess of female beauty, the embodiment of a kind, joyful and eternally young beginning of life.
Eumenides- another hypostasis of the Erinyes, revered as goddesses of benevolence, who prevented misfortunes.
Eris- daughter of Nikta, sister of Ares, goddess of discord.
Erinyes- goddesses of vengeance, creatures of the underworld, punishing injustice and crimes.
Erato— Muse of lyrical and erotic poetry.
Eos- goddess of the dawn, sister of Helios and Selene. The Greeks called it “rose-fingered.”
Euterpe- muse of lyrical chant. Depicted with a double flute in her hand.
And finally, a test to find out what kind of God you are
tests.ukr.net
Which Greek god are you?
Vulcan - god of fire
In a world where there are so many deceivers, you are a true treasure. You may not be very attractive in appearance, but kind heart attracts any woman to you. You have true maturity, which all women so want to see and so rarely find in men. Intelligence and charm make you the man many ladies would like to marry. As for bed, here too you shine with many talents. Your passion is a true volcano, just waiting in the wings to erupt. The woman with you is a violin in the hands of a master. The main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise your partner may go crazy with happiness! One night with you is enough to say - you are the god of sex.
Olympus is a mountain range in Greece, which was revered as the abode of the ancient Greek gods. Maximum height the mountain is 2917 meters. Olympus is a sacred mountain. According to ancient times Greek mythology live here the gods of Olympus or Olympians. Zeus is considered the main god on Olympus.
Due to the fact that, as we have already discussed in, Greek mythology is quite similar to Slavic, since it comes from the Indo-European culture common to us, it is worth continuing to consider various aspects ancient Greek paganism in order to better understand our own paganism. It is also worth noting that the gods who inhabit the Greek Mount Olympus are most likely part of the beliefs that arose at a time when a certain part of the Indo-Europeans settled these lands and transferred ancient Indo-European beliefs to the area in which they settled. This is evidenced by the beliefs of other peoples who also inhabited high peaks a whole host of supreme gods. IN Ancient Rus' such a belief has not survived, apparently because most of central Russia is plains. Most likely, the gods inhabit sacred mountains from Indo-European mythology, the Slavs became gods who live in the sky.
According to ancient Greek mythology, the gods of Olympus are the third generation of gods. The first generation of gods were: Nikta (Night), Erebus (Darkness), Eros (Love). The second generation of gods were the children of Nyx and Erebus: Ether, Hemera, Hypnos, Thanatos, Kera, Moira, Mom, Nemesis, Eris, Erinyes and Ata; from Ether and Hemera came Gaia and Uranus; from Gaia came such gods as: Tartarus, Pontus, Keto, Nereus, Tamant, Phorcys, Eurybia, as well as the Titans, Titanides and Hecatoncheires (hundred-armed fifty-headed giants). All these gods, as well as their descendants, are very interesting from the point of view of mythology and faith, but we will only focus on children of the Titan Kronos and the Titanide Rhea.
Kronos and Rhea, as mentioned above, are gods of the second generation. There were 12 titans and titanides in total. All of them are sons and daughters of Uranus and Gaia. The six titan sons of Uranus and Gaia (Hyperion, Iapetus, Kay, Krios, Kronos and Oceanus) and six titanic daughters (Mnemosyne, Rhea, Theia, Tethys, Phoebe and Themis) married each other and gave birth to a new, third generation of gods . It is worth moving away from the narrative line here and noting that the gods cannot be humanized and everything cannot be taken literally. Marriages between gods, who are conventional brothers and sisters, cannot be understood as a forbidden relationship between relatives. In simple words, the gods do not have sex to give birth to sons and daughters. This can be understood as a connection between certain elements, as a result of which new element, or a connection between certain energetic or other entities, but in fact, all these assumptions are unlikely to have a real basis, since the essence of the divine is hardly accessible to human understanding.
The most interesting for us from the point of view of ancient Greek mythology are the children of the titan Kronos and the titanide Rhea. It was their children, who were called Kronids, who became the first gods of Olympus. Six gods, descendants of Kronos and Rhea: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades (not the god of Olympus), Demeter and Hestia. Next we will look at these gods in more detail. The descendants of Zeus also became Olympians ( main god Olympus): Athena, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes, Apollo and Artemis. There are 12 gods of Olympus in total.
So, what kind of gods lived on the sacred Mount Olympus?
Zeus- the supreme god of Olympus. In ancient Greek mythology, he is the god of the sky, thunder and lightning. In Roman mythology, Zeus was identified with Jupiter. In Slavic mythology, Zeus is similar to the god Perun, who is also the god of thunder and lightning, the ruler of the sky. In German-Scandinavian mythology, Zeus is also identified with one of the highest gods - Thor. Interestingly, the attributes of Zeus in ancient Greek ideas were a shield and a double-sided ax. The ax is also an attribute of Perun and Thor (mjolnir). Researchers suggest that the ax attribute appeared in this god in connection with one of his divine duties - a thrower of lightning that splits trees in half, as if the thunder god had struck from above with an ax. In ancient Greece, Zeus was not only the father of the gods, but also the father of all people.
Hera- the most powerful goddess on Olympus. She is the wife of Zeus. Hera is the patroness of marriages and women in childbirth. It is difficult to say which of the Slavic goddesses Hera can be identical with, since in her functions she is similar to both Makosh (the supreme goddess, patroness of marriages and women in labor), and with the woman in labor, Lada. It's interesting that Geru s human face began to be depicted in relatively late times, however, even after that she was often depicted according to ancient customs - with the head of a horse. In the same way, the ancient Slavs depicted Makosh and Lada as deer, elk or horses.
Poseidon- one of the most revered gods of Olympus. He is the patron saint of the seas, fishermen and sailors. After the gods defeated the Titans, Poseidon took possession of the water element. The wife of Poseidon is considered to be Amphitrite, a Nereid, daughter of the sea god Nereus and Doris. The son of Poseidon and Amphitrite is Triton. Extremely scant evidence of the existence of a sea god among the Slavs has reached us. All that is known is that in the Novgorod lands they called him the Lizard.
Demeter- goddess of Olympus, ancient Greek goddess of fertility and agriculture, birth and prosperity. In Ancient Greece, she was the most revered goddess, since the harvest, and therefore the life of the ancient Greeks, depended on her favor. The cult of Demeter is believed to be an Indo-European or even pre-Indo-European cult of the mother goddess. The Mother Goddess or Great Mother in the Indo-European era was Mother Earth. In our Slavic paganism, Demeter is certainly identical Slavic goddess Makoshi.
The daughter of Demeter is Persephone. Persephone is a complete correspondence to the Slavic goddess Morana. Persephone, despite the fact that she was the daughter of the revered Olympian goddess, was not involved in the gods of Olympus. Persephone is the goddess of the underworld of the dead, so she is not present on Olympus.
For the same reason, Hades (the son of Kronos and Rhea) is not considered one of the gods of Olympus. Hades is the god of the underworld of the dead. In Slavic mythology it corresponds to Chernobog.
Another goddess of Olympus is Hestia. Goddess of the hearth. Represents purity, family happiness and peace. Hestia was not only the patroness of the hearth, but also the patroness of the eternal flame, which should never go out. IN ancient world eternal flame was present at different nations, including the Greeks and Slavs. The eternal flame was maintained in honor of the gods and souls of dead people. As a phenomenon of eternal memory, the eternal flame has survived to this day.
Athena- goddess of war. Daughter of Zeus and the goddess of wisdom Metis. Athena inherited strength from her father Zeus, and wisdom from her mother. She was depicted in armor and holding a spear. In addition to her warrior traits, Athena is the goddess of wisdom and justice. According to legend, Athena gave the ancient Greeks the olive tree. For this reason, the olive wreath has always been awarded to famous warriors, heroes and winners. sports games and competitions.
Another god of war, also living on Olympus, is considered Ares. Son of Zeus and Hera. Athena and Ares are slightly opposite gods. If Athena is a fair goddess who advocates war for the sake of truth, then Ares is the patron of war for the sake of war, or even treacherous war. His companions are the goddess of discord Eris and the bloodthirsty goddess Enyo. Ares' horses are named: Flame, Noise, Terror and Shine.
Aphrodite- goddess of beauty and love. Daughter of Zeus and Dione. One of the twelve Olympian gods, that is, one of the most revered deities in the ancient Greek pantheon. In Rome this goddess was called Venus. And in our time, Venus is an image of beauty and love. Born from foam sea waters. Aphrodite is also considered the goddess of spring, the birth of life and fertility. The love power of this goddess is considered so strong that not only people, but also gods obey her. Aphrodite's husband was Hephaestus. Children of Aphrodite - Harmony and Eros.
Hephaestus- god-blacksmith, patron of the blacksmith's craft. Son of Zeus and Hera. In Slavic mythology, Hephaestus is compared to the god Svarog, who is also a blacksmith god who forged the Earth and taught people how to process metal. In addition to the fact that Hephaestus was the god of blacksmithing, he was also the god of fire. In Roman mythology, Hephaestus was called Vulcan. His forge is located in a mountain that breathes fire, that is, in an active volcano.
Hermes- god of trade, eloquence, wealth, profit. He is considered the messenger of the gods, a mediator between the gods and people. Hermes was also represented as the patron saint of all travelers. As a mediator between heaven and earth, Hephaestus is also considered a conductor of the souls of the dead to another world. Travelers, merchants, sages, poets, and even thieves appealed to this god for help and protection. Hermes has always been considered a cunning and rogue. IN early childhood he stole cows from Apollo, as well as a scepter from Zeus, a trident from Poseidon, tongs and Hephaestus, a belt from Aphrodite, arrows and a bow from Apollo, and a sword from Ares. Hermes is the son of Zeus and the nymph of the mountains of the Pleiades Maia. In terms of its divine characteristics, Hermes is very similar to Slavic god Veles, who is also represented as the patron of wealth and trade, a mediator between people and gods, and a guide of souls.
Apollo- Ancient Greek god, one of the Olympians. Apollo was also called Phoebus. Apollo is the god of light, the personification of the Sun. In addition, he is the patron of the arts, especially music and singing, and a healing god. In Slavic mythology, Apollo is very similar to Dazhdbog - the patron of sunlight, the god who gives light, warmth, and vital energy. The god Apollo was born from the union of Zeus (Perun) and Leto (Lada). Apollo's twin sister is the goddess Artemis.
Artemis- goddess of beauty, youth and fertility. Patroness of hunting. Moon Goddess. The Moon (Artemis) and the Sun (Apollo) are twin brother and sister. The cult of Artemis was widespread in Ancient Greece. In Ephesus there was a temple dedicated to Artemis. In this temple there was a statue of the many-breasted patroness of childbirth. In Slavic mythology, Artemis is compared to the daughter of Lada, the patroness of spring, beauty and youth - the goddess Lelya.
In ancient legends, people reflected their ideas about the world around them; they believed in the existence of Olympus, the heavenly and underground kingdoms. The mythology of Ancient Greece tells about the origin of gods and people most vividly. The Hellenes have preserved hundreds of legends about how cultural heroes were born and what they became famous for? and how their further fate unfolded.
What is mythology? The concept of gods and heroes
Translated from ancient Greek, the word “myth” means “narration.” This category may include tales about gods, exploits of heroes and natural phenomena. The myth was perceived as reality and passed on from generation to generation. It can be argued that it is one of the oldest forms of oral folk art.
The myth was the result of myth-making: all nature and the world consisted of intelligent beings forming a community. fetishized physical objects and forces, animated them. Supernatural powers were attributed to everything inexplicable that man encountered. The ancient Greek gods were anthropomorphic. They had human appearance and magical knowledge, could change their appearance and were immortal. Like people, the gods performed feats, suffered defeats and were dependent on seemingly less powerful creatures - the three goddesses of fate. The Moirai decided the fate of every heavenly and earthly inhabitant, so even Zeus did not dare to argue with them.
How is myth different from religion?
All ancient peoples, including the Greek and Roman, went through a stage from fetishism to idolatry. Initially, the objects of veneration could be objects made of wood and metal, which soon began to take on divine shapes, but the statues still remained bare stone without a soul or magical power.
Mythology and religion are similar concepts, and sometimes it is difficult to identify differences in them, since the second is an integral part of the first. In many national religions the objects of worship are anthropomorphic creatures endowed with supernatural power - these are the gods, the diversity of which can be traced in Roman and Greek cultures. The existence of any religion is unthinkable without mythology. Heroes fight, get married, give birth to offspring - all this happens with the participation of miraculous powers and magic. The moment a myth attempts to explain supernatural events, it begins to take on religious overtones.
Ancient mythology as an arsenal of the entire world culture
Friedrich Engels argued that without Greek and Roman influences there would have been no modern Europe. The revival of the ancient Greek heritage began during the Renaissance, when writers, architects and artists again began to draw inspiration from the plots of Hellenic and Roman legends. Today, museums around the world display majestic statues of gods and other creatures, and paintings can tell the story of a specific moment in a significant event. The topic of “mythology” was also of interest to the writers of the “Golden Age”. Pushkin and Derzhavin turned to antiquity, only to express their thoughts they used not a brush with paint, but a word.
It is curious that the myths of the Greek and Roman peoples formed the basis of world culture even many centuries later. Modern man has a different point of view regarding the origin of the Universe, but does not stop turning to ancient ideas and enjoys studying the cultural heritage of bygone times. The myth was the first attempt to explain the universe, and over the centuries it acquired not a religious, but an aesthetic character. The strengths of the heroes depicted in the “Odyssey” and “Iliad” also attract today’s men, and girls try to be like Venus, Aphrodite, and Diana in character and beauty. Unfortunately, many people do not pay attention to how firmly myth and mythology have become part of life. modern man. But they play a huge role in world culture.
Origin of the Earth
The ancient mythology of the Greeks and Romans amazes with its originality. Many people are still surprised how people could so skillfully imagine the creation of the world - or maybe it all really happened? In the beginning there was Chaos, from which Gaia, the earth, emerged. At the same time, Eros (love), Erebus (darkness) and Nyukta (night) occurred. Tartarus was born underground - a hellish place to which sinners were sent after death. From night and darkness came Ether (light) and Hemera (day). The earth gave birth to Uranus (sky), who took her as his wife and gave birth to six titans, who gave the world rivers, sea goddesses, the sun, the moon, and the wind. Now all the elements existed on the planet, and the inhabitants did not know misfortune until evil creatures appeared. The earth gave birth to three Cyclopes, whom jealous Uranus imprisoned in darkness, but the youngest, named Cronus, climbed out and took power from his father. The disobedient son could not remain unpunished, and mythology also tells about the further development of events. The goddesses and gods, whose names were Death, Discord, Deception, Destruction, Sleep and Vengeance, were born by Nyukta for the crime. This is how the ancient world appeared, according to the ideas of the ancient Greeks. The offspring of Chaos lived in the underworld and on land, and each had its own purpose.
Gods of Greek mythology
The ancient religion was significantly different from the current one, and if today representatives of the four main religious faiths believe that there is only one Creator, but several thousand years ago people had a different opinion. The Hellenes believed that the gods lived on the sacred Mount Olympus. Each had its own appearance and purpose. The mythology of Ancient Greece is represented by twelve main gods.
| Thunderer Zeus | Lord of the sky and the entire human, divine world, son of Kron. His father swallowed his children at birth - Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades and Poseidon. Zeus grew up in Crete and years later rebelled against Cronus, won victory with his giant assistants, and freed his brothers and sisters. |
| Hera | Goddess of family and marriage. Beautiful, but cruel, she punishes the lovers and children of her husband Zeus. So, she turned his beloved named Io into a cow. |
| Hestia | Patroness of the hearth. Zeus rewarded her for her vow of innocence and made her the goddess of sacrifice, which began ceremonial events. This is how the ancient saying arose - “start with Hestia.” |
| Poseidon | Brother of Zeus, ruler of the oceans. He managed to marry Amphitrite, the daughter of the sea elder Nereus, and so he began to rule the water element. |
| Hades | God of the underworld. In his retinue are the carrier of the souls of the dead named Charon and the judges of sinners - Minos and Rhadamanthus. |
| Athena | Goddess of wisdom and handicrafts. Born from the head of Zeus, she is therefore distinguished from the rest by her sharp mind. The cruel Athena turned Arachne into a spider, who decided to compete with her in weaving. |
| Apollo | Lord of the sun, could predict fate. His beloved Daphne did not reciprocate the handsome man's love. She turned into a laurel crown and began to decorate the head of Apollo. |
| Aphrodite | Goddess of beauty and love, daughter of Uranus. According to legend, she was born on the island of Crete. When Aphrodite emerged from the foam, the goddess of the seasons, Ora, was struck by the beauty of the girl and took her to Olympus, where she became a goddess. |
| Hermes | The patron saint of travelers, he knew a lot about trade. God, who gave people writing, earned the title of cunning since childhood, when in infancy he stole cows from Apollo. |
| Ares | Lord of War, son of Zeus and Hera. In his retinue are Deimos (horror), Phobos (fear) and Eris (discord). It is curious that not in every mythology of the world the god carried out his activities accompanied by assistants, but the Greeks paid special attention to this. |
| Artemis | Sister of Apollo, forest maiden, goddess of the hunt. Fair but fierce, she punished the hunter Actaeon and turned him into a deer. The unfortunate man was torn to pieces by his own dogs. |
| Hephaestus | Expert in blacksmithing, son of Zeus and Hera. The mother threw her newborn son from a high cliff, but the sea goddesses picked him up. Years later, Hephaestus took revenge on Hera and forged her a golden throne, from which she could not get out for a long time. |
Roman gods
Greek mythology has always been considered exemplary. The Roman goddesses had their own original names and purposes, and that was where their story ended. The people did not invent new legends and took stories from the Greeks as a basis, since their art was more vibrant and colorful. Roman culture was less rich, so many aspects were borrowed from the Hellenic heritage.
The Romans had Jupiter as their supreme god and Juno as his wife. They had the same responsibilities as in Greek mythology. The ruler of the sea is Neptune, and the patroness of the hearth is Vesta. The god of the underworld was Pluto, and the main military leader was Mars. The Roman counterpart of Athena was Minerva, an excellent predictor was Phoebus, and his sister Diana was the mistress of the forest. Venus is the goddess of love, born from foam. Mercury patronized travelers and helped people in trade. The blacksmith Vulcan was the Roman equivalent of Hephaestus. Thus, although Roman mythology was reputed to be poorer, the number of gods was the same as that of the Greeks.
Sisyphean labor, panic fear and others
A person’s speech becomes colorful through the use of proverbs, phraseological units and ancient mythology is felt not only in high literary style, but also in everyday life.
When talking about backbreaking and useless work, a person often uses a phraseological unit without even delving into its etymology, while the phrase has ancient roots. For disobedience to the gods, the son of Aeolus and Enareta was severely punished. For thousands of years, Sisyphus is forced to roll a huge stone up a mountain, the height of which has no limit, but as soon as he lets go of the unfortunate man’s hands, the block crushes him.
Surely each of us has experienced it at least once in our lives, and we owe this expression to the god Pan with the bizarre appearance of a man with goat legs. With its sudden appearance, the creature struck fear into travelers, and its sinister laughter made the blood run cold. This is how the expression " panic fear", meaning fear of something inexplicable.
People who do not know what mythology is allow themselves to show off their intelligence by using in their speech interesting phraseological units. In his epic, Homer devoted several stanzas to describing the uncontrollable laughter of the gods. The great ones often allowed themselves to mock something stupid and absurd, while laughing at the top of their lungs. This is how the expression “Homeric laughter” was born.
Mythological plots in the literature of recent centuries
It is fair to say about the influence on Russian poetry. Alexander Pushkin often turned to the ancient Greek heritage, and in his novel in verse “Eugene Onegin” you can read many stanzas where the names of Zeus, Juvenal, Circe, Terpsichore, Flora and other deities appear. Sometimes you can find individual words or entire expressions written in ancient Greek. This technique is relevant even in modern times, and often journalists, politicians and other influential figures prefer to speak in aphorisms. C`est la vie sounds much more solemn than a simple “such is life”, and a letter ending with the phrase Vale et me ama acquires greater value and depth of thought. By the way, Pushkin’s hero of the novel himself preferred to end his message with this phrase in ancient Greek.
The Russian poet Osip Mandelstam knew perfectly well what mythology was, and his craving for antiquity began with his first collection, “Stone.” The poems feature prominent images of Erebus, Homer, Odysseus, and also the Golden Fleece. The poem Silentium!, which means “silence” in Latin, arouses the reader’s interest with its title alone. The heroine in the lyrical text is the goddess Aphrodite, whom Mandelstam calls on to remain sea foam.
The founder of Russian symbolism, Valery Bryusov, admits that “Rome is closest to him,” which is why Roman mythology often appears in his poetic lines. In his works he recalls Agamemnon, Orpheus, Amphitryon, Orion, glorifies the beauty of Aphrodite and asks her to accept this verse; addresses the god of love Eros.
Gavrila Derzhavin openly adapted the ode of the Roman poet Horace “To Melpomene”. The main idea of the poem “Monument” is the eternity of the poetic heritage and recognition of his creativity. Several decades later, Alexander Pushkin writes a work of the same name and mentions Rome in the epigraph. Exegi monumentum translated from Latin means “I have erected a monument to myself.” Thus, the theme of immortality is revealed in three great poets: Horace, Derzhavin and Pushkin. Geniuses prove that literature and mythology can coexist, and thanks to their union, magnificent works are born.
Painting and architecture based on mythological themes
The painting by Pyotr Sokolov “Daedalus Tying the Wings of Icarus” is considered the pinnacle of fine art, and therefore was often copied. The work was written in 1777 and today is exhibited in the Tretyakov Gallery. The artist was struck by the legend of the great Athenian sculptor Daedalus, who, together with his son Icarus, was imprisoned in a high tower. The cunning man made wings from feathers and wax, and freedom seemed close... Icarus flew high towards the sun - the luminary scorched his aircraft, and the young man fell and crashed.
The Hermitage houses a unique panel that remained intact after a madman threw acid on it and stabbed it with a knife. It's about about "Danae" - a painting by Rembrandt. A third of the canvas was damaged, and restoration took more than twelve years. From mythology you can learn that Danae was imprisoned in a tower by her own father, when he was predicted to die at the hands of Perseus, his daughter’s son.
Ancient mythology was also of interest to Russian sculptors, who chose metal as a material for their work. The bronze sculpture “Marsyas” by Theodosius Shchedrin introduces another hero of ancient myth. The forest satyr showed courage and decided to compete with Apollo in the art of music. The unfortunate flute player was tied to a tree for his insolence, where his skin was torn off.
It is decorated with the marble sculpture “Menelaus with the body of Patroclus”, created based on the plot of the “Iliad”. The original statue was carved two thousand years ago. Patroclus, who went into battle with Hector instead of Achilles, immediately dies, and Menelaus holds his lifeless body and ponders revenge. Ancient mythology is often of interest to sculptors, since the subject of inspiration is man. The creators did not hesitate to depict the curves of a beautiful body, which were not covered by clothes.
"Odyssey" and "Iliad" as the pinnacle of ancient mythology
Ancient Greek epic works are studied in schools and universities, and the characters depicted in them are still borrowed by writers to create stories and novels. Ancient mythology is represented by the epic poems "Odyssey" and "Iliad", the creator of which is considered to be Homer. He wrote his works in the 8th century BC, and only two centuries later they were written down by the Athenian tyrant Peisistratus, and until then they were transmitted by word of mouth by the Greeks. The dispute over authorship arose due to the fact that parts of the epic were written in different periods of time, and the fact that Homer’s name translated means “blind” was also alarming.
The Odyssey tells the story of the adventures of the king of Ithaca, who was held captive by the Nymph Calypso for ten years, after which he decided to return home. Difficulties await the hero: he finds himself on the island of Laestrygonian cannibals and Cyclopes, swims between and descends into the underworld, but soon returns to his beloved Penelope, who has been faithfully waiting for him all the years and rejecting all the suitors.
The Iliad is a heroic epic that tells the story of the Trojan War, which arose due to the theft of Princess Helen. Odysseus also takes part in the action, appearing before readers in the image of a cunning and diplomatic ruler who skillfully wields oratory. Main character epic - Achilles. The main battles are fought by Hector, who dies a terrible death in the end.
Mythology of other peoples
The Greco-Roman heritage is the richest and most colorful, therefore it occupies a leading position in the history of world culture. Ancient mythology also existed among other peoples, and many stories are intertwined with each other. All objects of worship of the ancient Slavs, who were pagans until 988, were destroyed by princes who wanted to leave Christianity as a single religion. It is known that they had wooden statues of Perun, Dazhdbog, Khors. Less significant deities were analogues of Greek nymphs and satyrs.
In Egypt, mythology still has a place of honor. The gods Amon, Anubis, Imhotep, Ra, Osiris and others are depicted on the walls of pyramids and in other ancient temples. Today in this country, most people profess Islam and Christianity, but do not try to eradicate traces ancient religion and are sensitive to cultural heritage.
Myth is the basis of religion, and the current religious beliefs of small or large nations have connections with mythological stories. Each Scandinavian country has its own rich culture, and so do Indians, Latin Americans, Japanese, Caucasians, Eskimos, and the French. This heritage is passed down from generation to generation, either orally or in writing.
Where do they study mythology?
Acquaintance with the cultural heritage of the people begins in the lower grades of school. In Russia, children are introduced to Russians folk tales- from “Kolobok” to “Ivan Tsarevich and gray wolf". A few years later, the teacher tells them the fairy tales of Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm, and after finishing primary school boys and girls learn for the first time about the existence of ancient states - Greece and Rome. Myths and legends are studied through literature and fine arts. The children will learn about the creation of the world from the point of view of the ancient Greeks, get acquainted with the main deities and heroes. After studying the textbook “Mythology. Grade 6,” schoolchildren begin to understand and realize that many world religions are based on the legends of ancient peoples.
In high school classes, children make their first attempts to create sketches of ancient statues and study ancient subjects on the canvases of outstanding artists. In higher educational institutions, philology students study ancient literature and reread myths, realizing their role in the formation of world culture. They confidently define what mythology is and how it differs from religion. The main idea of such disciplines is that the younger generation does not forget ancient traditions and has complete knowledge that could be used in life and their future profession.
During Antiquity, mythology had a huge influence on people, closely fitting into everyday life and religious customs. The main religion of this period was pagan polytheism, which was based on a large pantheon of gods. The gods of ancient Greece had a special meaning and each played their role. IN different regions there was a cult of one or another god, which was largely determined by the peculiarities of life and way of life. This article provides a list and description of the gods.
The gods were humanized, endowed with anthropomorphic behavior. Ancient Greek mythology had a clear hierarchy - the Titans, Titanides and the younger generation of gods stood out, giving rise to the Olympians. The Olympian gods are the supreme celestial beings who lived on Mount Olympus. They were the ones who had the greatest influence on the ancient Greeks.
The ancient Greek gods of the first generation - ancient entities that gave rise to all living and nonliving things, are considered the creators of the world. They entered into a relationship, thanks to which other gods were born, who also belong to the first generation, as well as the titans. The progenitors of all the ancient Greek gods were Skotos (Mist) and Chaos. It was these two entities that gave rise to the entire primary pantheon of Ancient Greece.
The primary pantheon of gods of ancient Greece:
- Nyukta (Nikta);
- Erebus (Darkness);
- Eros (Love);
- Gaia (Earth);
- Tartarus (Abyss);
- Uranus (Sky).
Almost no descriptions of each of these deities have survived, since the Olympians later became key to the mythology of Ancient Greece.
Gods, unlike people, were allowed to enter into family relationships, so children were often the fruits of incest.
The deities of the second generation are the titans, thanks to whom the Olympian gods were born. These are 6 sisters and 6 brothers who actively married each other and fought for power. The most revered titans are Kronos and Rhea.
Olympian gods of Greece
These are the children and descendants of the children of Kronos and his wife Rhea. The Titan Kronos was originally considered the god of agriculture, and later of time. He had a harsh disposition and a thirst for power, for which he was overthrown, castrated and sent to Tartarus. His reign was replaced by the Olympian gods, led by Zeus. The lives and relationships of the Olympians are detailed in ancient Greek legends and myths, and they were worshiped, respected, and given gifts. There are 12 main gods.
Zeus
The youngest son of Rhea and Kronos, considered the father and patron of people and gods, personified good and evil. He opposed his father, overthrowing him into Tartarus. After this, power on earth was divided between him and his brothers - Poseidon and Hades. He is the patron of lightning and thunder. His attributes were a shield and an axe, and later an eagle began to be depicted next to him. They loved Zeus, but they were also afraid of his punishment, so they offered valuable gifts.
People imagined Zeus as a strong and robust middle-aged man. He had noble features, thick hair and a beard. In myths, Zeus was portrayed as a character in love stories who deceived earthly women, as a result of which he gave rise to many demigods.
Hades
The eldest son of Kronos and Rhea, after the overthrow of the rule of the Titans, became the god of the underworld of the dead. He was personified by people as a man over 40 years old who rode a golden chariot drawn by golden horses. He is credited with terrifying surroundings, such as Cerberus, a dog with three heads. They believed that he owned the untold riches of the underworld, so they feared and respected him, sometimes more than Zeus. Married to Persephone, whom he kidnapped, thereby causing the wrath of Zeus and the inconsolable grief of Demeter.
Among people they were afraid to say his name out loud, replacing it with various epithets. One of the few gods whose cult was practically not widespread. During the rituals, black-skinned cattle, most often bulls, were sacrificed to him.
Poseidon
The middle son of Kronos and Rhea, after defeating the Titans, took possession of water element. According to myths, he lives in a majestic palace in the underwater depths, along with his wife Amphitrite and son Triton. Moves across the sea on a chariot drawn by seahorses. Wields a trident that has enormous power. Its impacts led to the formation of springs and underwater springs. In ancient drawings he is depicted as a powerful man with blue eyes, like the color of the sea.
The Greeks believed that he had a difficult temper and a hot temper, which contrasted with the calmness of Zeus. The cult of Poseidon was widespread in many coastal cities of Ancient Greece, where they brought him rich gifts, including girls.
Hera
One of the most revered goddesses of Ancient Greece. She was the patroness of marriage and marriage. She had a tough character, jealousy and a great love of power. She is the wife and sister of her brother Zeus.
In myths, Hera is portrayed as a power-hungry woman who sends disasters and curses on Zeus's many lovers and their children, which leads to grins and funny antics on the part of her husband. She bathes annually in the Kanaf spring, after which she becomes a virgin again.
In Greece, the cult of Hera was widespread, she was the protector of women, they worshiped her and brought gifts to help during childbirth. One of the first deities to whom a sanctuary was built.
Demeter
Second daughter of Kronos and Rhea, sister of Hera. The goddess of fertility and patroness of agriculture, therefore enjoyed great respect among the Greeks. There were large cults throughout the country; it was believed that it was impossible to get a harvest without bringing a gift to Demeter. It was she who taught people to cultivate the land. She appeared to be a young woman of beautiful appearance with curls the color of ripe wheat. The most famous myth is about the abduction of her daughter by Hades.
Descendants and children of Zeus
In the mythology of Ancient Greece, they are of great importance born sons Zeus. These are gods of the second order, each of whom was the patron of one or another human activity. According to legends, they often came into contact with earthly inhabitants, where they weaved intrigues and built relationships. Key ones:
Apollo
People called him “radiant” or “shining.” He appeared to be a golden-haired young man, endowed with extraterrestrial beauty of appearance. He was a patron of the arts, a patron of new settlements and a healer. Widely revered by the Greeks, large cults and shrines were found at Delos and Delphi. He is the patron and mentor of muses.
Ares (Ares)
The god of bloody and brutal war, which is why he was often opposed to Athena. The Greeks imagined him as a mighty warrior with a sword in his hand. In later sources, he is depicted next to a griffin and two companions - Eris and Enio, who sowed discord and anger among people. In myths he is described as the lover of Aphrodite, in whose relationship many deities and demigods were born.
Artemis
Patron of hunting and female chastity. It was believed that bringing gifts to Artemis would bring happiness in marriage and make childbirth easier. She was often depicted next to a deer and a bear. The most famous temple was located in Ephesus, and later she was the patroness of the Amazons.
Athena (Pallas)
Highly revered goddess in Ancient Greece. She was the patroness of organized war, wisdom and strategy. Later it became a symbol of knowledge and crafts. She was depicted by the ancient Greeks as a tall and well-proportioned woman, with a spear in her hand. Temples to Athena were erected everywhere, and the cult of veneration was widespread.
Aphrodite
The ancient Greek goddess of beauty and love, later considered the patron of fertility and life. She had a huge influence on the entire pantheon; she had both people and gods in her power (except for Athens, Artemis and Hestia). She was the wife of Hephaestus, but she is credited with love affairs with Ares and Dionysus. Depicted with flowers of roses, myrtle or poppy, apple. Her retinue included doves, sparrows and dolphins, and her companions were Eros and numerous nymphs. The largest cult was located in the city of Paphos, located on the territory of modern Cyprus.
Hermes
An extremely controversial god of the ancient Greek pantheon. He patronized trade, eloquence and dexterity. He was depicted with a winged staff, around which two snakes were entwined. According to legends, he was able to use it to reconcile, wake up and put people to sleep. Hermes is often depicted wearing sandals and a wide-brimmed hat, as well as carrying a lamb on his shoulder. Often he not only helped earthly inhabitants, but also weaved intrigues, bringing citizens together.
Hephaestus
The blacksmith god, who is the patron of blacksmithing and construction. It was he who made the attributes of most of the gods, and also made lightning for Zeus. According to legends, Hera gave birth to him without the participation of her husband, from her thigh in revenge for the birth of Athena. He was often depicted as a broad-shouldered and ugly-looking man, lame on both legs. He was the legal husband of Aphrodite.
Dionysus
The youngest Olympian god, widely loved by the ancient Greeks. He is the patron saint of winemaking, vegetation, fun and madness. His mother is the earthly woman Semele, who was killed by Hera. Zeus personally carried the child from the age of 6 months, giving birth to him from the thigh. According to myths, this son of Zeus invented wine and beer. Dionysus was revered not only by the Greeks, but also by the Arabs. Often depicted with a staff with a hop pommel and a bunch of grapes in his hand. The main retinue is satyrs.
The ancient Greek pantheon is represented by several dozen major gods, deities, mythical creatures, monsters and demigods. The legends and myths of Antiquity have many interpretations, since different sources were used in the description. The ancient Greeks loved and respected all gods, worshiped them, brought gifts and turned to them for blessings and curses. Ancient Greek mythology was described in detail by Homer, who described all the major events and the appearance of the gods.