Greek Gods and Goddesses names and powers are listed from God of war Ares to the God of thunder Zeus. The 12 deities ruled the universe as the Olympic Pantheon.
The images and sculptures of gods were created by the ancient Greeks for worshipping.
The gods of the ancient Greeks are classified into various categories.
The first of these are the Olympian gods, Titan gods, and Primordial gods. These three represent the different generations of deities to rule the cosmos.
The next five divide the gods by sea, earth, the gods of the sky, the gods by domain, and the underworld. Similarly, the other consists of daemons spirits, and apotheosed mortals.
The complete Greek Gods family tree is displayed over eight indexed charts. Rhea is the mother of the gods Greek mythology and is also the Titaness daughter of the earth goddess Gaia and the sky god Uranus.
Many people are curious to know about who are the 12 major Roman gods. So, here are the Greek Gods list a-z which you may find interesting to read.
You may also like a list of Pagan holidays. Pagans are the Hellenismos believers of ancient Greeks.
A
Greek Gods and Goddesses names and powers are Ares with Strength, Aphrodite with love, and ten others. The Greek Gods ruled the universe as the Olympic Pantheon.
Many of the Greek Mythology gods are famous but some of them are still unknown to the people. Since Demigods don’t hold a place on the council of gods in Olympus they are the lesser-known gods of Greek mythology.
1. Ares
Ares is the Greek mythology god of courage and war. Ares is one of the twelve Olympians and the son of Hera and Zeus.
In Greek literature, Ares often portrays the physical or violent and untamed aspects of war. His symbols are the spear and shield. Ares was illustrated as both a coward and cruel but greatly feared among the Greek residents for his battle lust and violence.
Ares was often the subject of ridicule and scorn and was not always respected by the other gods. Though being the child of Zeus and Hera he was not liked by them which often made him feel outcast by the Olympians, excluding Aphrodite with whom he had a lengthy affair.
2. Aphrodite
Aphrodite is an ancient Greek goddess who is related to lust, beauty, love, passion, and pleasure. Doves, swans, sparrows, and roses are the symbols of Aphrodite.
In many of the city-states that made up Ancient Greece, she was worshipped as the goddess of love and beauty. When the severed testicles of her father Uranus were thrown into the sea by his son the Titan Cronus then she was said to have emerged from the foam.
The main festival of her was the Aphrodisia which was celebrated annually in midsummer. As a warrior goddess, she was worshipped in Laconia. Along with it, she was also the patron goddess of prostitutes.
She was married to the god of fire, metalworking, and blacksmiths Hephaestus. She was not loyal to her husband and had many relationships. She was a lover of the mortal shepherd Adonis and also the surrogate mother.
As the symbol of female beauty, she has been featured in Western art and has been in many works of Western literature.
3. Athena
Athena is an ancient Greek goddess who is related to warfare, wisdom, and handicraft with her symbol being the owl and the olive tree.
Athena is the female counterpart of Ares as the goddess of battle strategy. She is the patron god of the Greek city, of Athens as she was the protector of the people of that place.
In numerous works of art throughout history her iconic image, with shield, helmet, and spear has been preserved. Along with her battling strategies she was also known for her intelligence and strategic thinking, which often allowed her to deceive her opponents.
Differentiating from Ares she was skilled in the art of war and battle strategy and often helped heroes including Heracles, and Odysseus.
In Athens, during the month of Hekatombaion in midsummer her main festival Panathenaia was celebrated and on the Athenian calendar, it was recognized as the most important festival.
She was believed to be born from the forehead of her father Zeus without a mother. There was another story that Metis was swallowed by Zeus while she was pregnant with Athena. After that, she emerged from Zeus’ forehead when she was fully grown.
4. Apollo
Apollo was the ancient Greek god of the sun, music, poetry, art, dance, archery, healing, and many more. For the Greek gods and goddesses, he played music on his golden Iyre.
Apollo is known as The Healer as he has the ability to heal the disease of people and at the same time, he also spread the infection to those who angered him using arrows. Moreover, he also taught humans the art of medicine.
He is the son of Zeus and Leto, and the twin brother of Artemis. Apollo is the inventor of string music and the frequent companion of the Muses.
In Greece and the Greek colonies, many temples were dedicated to Apollo. The spread of the cult of Apollo is shown by the temples and also represents the evolution of Greek architecture. The sun, the bow and arrow, and the lyre are recognized as his symbols.
5. Artemis
Artemis is the goddess of hunting, nature, the wilderness, childbirth, the care of children, vegetation, and chastity. Apollo was the twin brother of Artemis.
She is often known as a young woman with a bow and arrows, accompanied by a hunting dog or deer. She haunted with silver arrows and loved all wild animals with a fierce passion. The cypress tree and the deer are identified as her symbols.
The ancient Greeks highly respected Artemis who was also considered a protector of young women and animals. As one of the primary goddesses of childbirth and midwifery, she was worshipped by them.
She was one of the three Greek virgin goddesses, who preferred to remain a maiden goddess and was sworn never to marry. Her worship spread throughout ancient Greece, with her multiple temples, and shrines, and she was one of the most widely venerated of the ancient Greek deities.
D
There are only two Greek gods starting with the letter D.
6. Demeter
Demeter is the Olympian goddess of harvest and agriculture controlling crops, grains, food, and the fertility of the earth. Demeter is also a goddess of health, birth, and marriage.
As per the Greek tradition, she is the second child of the Titans Rhea and Cronus, and sister of Hera, Hades, Hestia, Poseidon, and Zeus. As an infant, she was swallowed by her father and rescued by Zeus. Demeter bore Persephone, the goddess of fertility, with her brother Zeus, the God of Thunder and King of the Deities.
Demeter is worshiped and prayed for by the ancient Greeks in the hope their crops would grow. Mortal men were taught how to grow corn by Demeter and it was believed her sadness over her daughter Persephone having to live in the underworld with Hades causes the barrenness of winter.
Demeter’s influence can be seen in the images of harvest, especially fruit, grains, and flowers, which are all related to her. She provides grain for bread and blesses its harvesters as she is the corn mother the goddess of cereals.
7. Dionysus
Dionysus is the Greek god of wine, theatre, and fertility. Dionysus is popular among the Greek people as the god of wine.
He was the first person to make wine and learn to cultivate grapes. People were taught how to make wine by Dionysus. Then, being the last to arrive of the twelve Greek gods and goddesses he takes off to Mount Olympus
Dionysus was honored with springtime festivals that centered on theatre named Dionysia. Every March in Athens festivals of Dionysus were held which included the initial driving force behind the development of theatre in Western culture, the performance of sacred dramas enacting his myths.
Zeus and Semale, a mortal were the parents of Dionysus. His symbols consist of the snake, grapes, and ivy. He was often characterized as holding a thyrsus and followed by wild animals including tigers and panthers. Moreover, he was known for his wild and chaotic behavior.
H
Greek Gods whose names start with H are:
8. Hephaestus
Hephaestus is the Greek god associated with metalworking, blacksmiths, craftsman, and sculptors. Hephaestus was responsible for creating many weapons and tools used by the gods.
As per the myths he was physically weak and unattractive but was highly respected by the other gods for his skills. In the manufacturing and industrial centers of Greece, he was prayed as a smithing god.
The cult of him was based in Lemnos. His symbols are a smith’s hammer, fire, the anvil, and the donkey. After being exiled he was one of the Olympians to have returned to Olympus. Hephaestus is associated chiefly with volcanoes as his forge is said to be underneath one.
Zeus and Hera were the parents of Hephaestus and he was married to Aphrodite. The relationship between them broke due to her ongoing affair with Ares.
9. Hera
In Greek mythology, Hera was the queen of the twelve Olympians and Mount Olympus. Hera was related to marriage, women, family, and childbirth.
Titans Cronus and Rhea were the parents of Hera. And, Hera was the sister and wife of Zeus. She was popular for her jealousy and vengeful nature, particularly towards her husband’s many romantic interests.
Along with this she was also revered as a protector of women and was often called upon for assistance during childbirth. Her symbols include the peacock, cuckoo, and the cow. Sometimes she is shown holding a pomegranate as an emblem of immortality.
10. Hermes
Due to his speed and trustworthiness Hermes became the messenger of the gods. Hermens was the protectors of merchants and travelers.
Hermes is able to swiftly move between the divine and the mortal world through his winged sandals. Aside from his swiftness in movement, he is also known for his cunning and quick wit.
Additionally, he was related to luck and good fortune and was often advocated by merchants and traders for success in their endeavors. One of the cheekiest of the deities, he has often played pranks on other gods, demigods, and even normal mortals.
Hermes was associated with the satchel, the rooster, the winged helmet, the tortoise, as well as the palm tree, the goat, several kinds of fish, and incense. Meanwhile, his main symbol is the caduceus.
P
There is only one Greek god whose name start with P.
11. Poseidon
One of the Twelve Olympians in ancient Greek religion and mythology included Poseidon. Poseidon was the guardian of many Hellenic cities and colonies and was the protector of seafarers.
He was often recognized as a bearded and muscular figure, riding a chariot pulled by horses. He was often related to storms and natural disasters such as tsunamis, and earthquakes and was known for his volatile temperament.
Despite his temper, he was admired as a protector of sailors and was often called upon the assistance during sea voyages. He had a variety of roles, duties, and attributes. From the oldest Greek god of the sea Pontus, Poseidon is a separate deity.
Titans Cronus and Rhea gave birth to Poseidon as the fifth child out of six. Poseidon, alongside all his siblings but Zeus, was swallowed whole by Kronos, their father. However, Zeus, alongside Metis, fed the patriarch an elixir making him vomit out all his brothers and sisters.
Z
The last one in the alphabetical order of Greek gods is Zeus.
12. Zeus
In Greek mythology, Zeus is the God of Thunder and king of the Deities. Zeus was related to the sky and thunder.
Zeus, alongside his siblings, was the Greek gods who overthrew the Titans after a decade of battle. The Titans were then thrown and imprisoned in Tartarus
Determining a thunderbolt as a weapon Zeus was often embellished as a powerful and imposing figure. For maintaining order and justice in the universe Zeus was responsible as the Olympic ruler.
As he was the god of the sky and king of Olympus his temper affected the weather. Through shrines, altars, and daily offerings he was worshipped in most ancient Greek homes as he also rules over all the other gods and goddesses.
Zeus’s symbol is the lightning bolt. Cronus and Rhea gave birth to him as the youngest of his siblings. He was infamously known for having an extramarital relationship with his sister’s wife Hera.
Greek Mythology Books for Kids
Greek mythology stories for kids include a variety of books related to the history of Greek. To spend your time with your children it is a perfect way.
To make your children to be adventurous and imaginative then it is the best way to introduce them to Greek mythology. As Greek mythology is classic and is important to have a core collection of books that will stand the taste of time.
Many amazing and interesting tasks are accomplished by our Greek heroes in the tales of Greece. Greek mythology is filled with immortal gods, and beautiful goddesses, as well as a bevy of demi-gods, mortals, and weird creatures that children can find interest in.
Here are some of the list of Greek Mythology Books which may be liked by your kids.
- The Story About Chaos
- The Story of the Titans
- Stories of the Twelve Olympian Gods
- The Story of the 12 Labors of Heracles
- The Story of Perseus and the Gorgon Medusa
- Goddess Girls Book Series
- The Story of the Apple of Discord
- The Story of Jason and the Argonauts
- The Story of the Talos
- The Story of Theseus and the Minotaur.
Some FAQs
Do people still believe in Greek gods?
Yes, people today still worship the Greek gods as a cultural or traditional practice. This form of worship of the Greek gods is called Hellenism.
How many Greek gods are there in total?
In total, there were twelve gods and goddesses that ruled the universe in ancient Greek.