Greek mythology is one of the most popular in Western culture, and this is no coincidence. It has served as an inspiration for many writers and film directors, and it can be said that its main deities still remain important cultural references in societies derived from the Greco-Roman civilization and, by extension, in those around the world. The Greek gods are, therefore, universally known
Although Greek mythology does not properly represent a religion, it is based on a collection of myths and stories from the ancient Greeks, which tell what the origin of the universe would have been like, following the power of the Gods of Olympus.
The Greek Gods and their mythology are part of narratives that address great universal themes: love, greed, the desire to transcend, betrayals… These stories have been spread especially orally in the beginning, although the epic stories of their heroes have also been made known through prose.
However, to fully understand the morals and metaphors hidden in the mythology of Ancient Greece, it is necessary to understand who the most important Greek gods are. Let’s see a summary of each of them.
The culture of Ancient Greece developed one of the most interesting pantheons of gods in the history of Europe, and Their influence was such that even the Romans took these deities as references Greco-Roman culture arose, in part, from a mixture of these Greek influences, which have survived to this day, although the religion on which these icons and concepts linked to the sacred were based has already disappeared.
In this article we will get to know the most relevant Greek gods in mythology and see some of their characteristics. These deities are associated with the elements and feelings
1. Zeus: god of the Sky and Ruler of Olympus
In addition to being the God of Lightning, Zeus is also the supreme father of all deities and mortals who inhabit the earth. It is originally from the island of Crete where at birth he was rescued from the jaws of his father, Cronus.
Had it not been for the timely intervention of Rhea (his mother), Zeus would have been devoured by his father, like the rest of his siblings.
Rhea hid and raised Zeus until he became the greatest reference of the Greek Gods. However, it must be taken into account that despite being the main Greek god, he was much more humanized than the Judeo-Christian God, and was even described as an opportunist and an entity given to deception (especially taking the form of other beings). ).
2. Poseidon: god of the seas and oceans
This deity It has the power to control the fury of the waters, apart from causing earthquakes at will He is a native of the city of Rhodes, where he was raised by the Telchines (hybrid marine-terrestrial creatures).
The legend of the god Poseidon is very similar to that of his brother Zeus, he was hidden by his mother in a flock of lambs to prevent his father, Cronus, from devouring him.
Poseidon joins forces with Zeus to defeat Cronus, and This is how he receives his famous trident in addition to the custody of the seas and oceans.
3. Hades: god of the underworld
Hades was the eldest of the sons of the Titan Cronus He was devoured by his father, although he would later be rescued from death by Zeus. Joining forces with his brothers, Zeus and Poseidon, they managed to defeat Cronus.
Together they take over the universe and share it among themselves, Hades was given the underworld being relegated to a terrible loneliness, which led him to take the maiden Persephone (daughter of Zeus) into captivity, to force her to marry him.
He is usually associated with evil, but Hades can be seen as a noble god who always, no matter how confusing it seemed, sought to maintain in the world a proper balance between good and evil
4. Hermes: the messenger of the Gods
Hermes is the son of the God Zeus, due to his eloquence and charisma he earned the title of protector of thieves and God of borders. Born on Olympus, like his father he had informal relationships with a large number of women, thus leaving a vast descendant.
His greatest feat is having gone to the underworld, at the request of Zeus, to negotiate with his uncle (Hades himself), so that he would release his sister Persephone which he achieved thanks to his divine rhetoric.
5. Hera: Queen of the Gods
This deity was the older sister of the almighty Zeus, and at the same time his wife. He is given the responsibility of ensuring marriages and births in addition to providing special protection to all women.
He always had a noble and very human personality, despite his divinity. In honor of the Goddess Hera, festivals called “Matronalia” are celebrated, which take place on the first of March.
6. Hephaestus: Hero of the Gods
The artisans had their protector, Hephaestus The God of fire and forging work. He is the son of the Goddess Hera and the almighty Zeus, although this is not very clear. There are versions where it is indicated that he is only the son of Hera.
Hephaestus, except for the rest of the deities, was born without physical beauty, his appearance was so unpleasant at birth that his mother threw him from Olympus, and he was lame after the fall.
He was rescued from the sea by the Goddess Thetis (mother of Achilles) and raised by her on the island of Lemons.
7. Dionysus: god of wine and life
In the strict sense of the word, Dionysus turns out to be a demigod. Born to Zeus with a mortal named Semele, this Greek god also He is known as the sovereign of agriculture
The legend of Dionysus says that he was born twice, the first mortally and the second thanks to the divinity of his father.
On one occasion Zeus assumed his true form, and the lightning that fell killed Semele and Dionysus. The almighty god took the child, and placing it on one of his thighs, brought him back to life.
8. Athena: goddess of wisdom
She is one of the main and most influential Goddesses of Olympus. The stories say that she was born directly from the head of Zeus, once he swallowed his mother, Athena emerged with the help of Hephaestus, who opened Zeus’s head; hence his great abilities for science and strategy skills that also served her on the battlefield, where she was a relentless warrior.
The Goddess Athena, in contrast to her brother Ares, represents just causes.
In the stories of Greek mythology, the god Apollo represents perfection and beauty Of the sons of Zeus, Apollo was the most influential of them all.
He was not only the God of the Sun, but also of diseases and healing, of plagues and of antidotes against them. This Deity is the perfect balance between healthy and unhealthy.
Apollo He played a vital role during the Trojan War when the King of this city denied the Gods the promised offerings, it was he who released a deadly plague on Troy.
But his greatest feat, without a doubt, is having directed Prince Paris’s arrow towards Achilles’ heel, causing his death.
10. Artemis: goddess of the hunt
Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo. This goddess represents relief for women during childbirth. Like her brother Apollo, they are disowned by the goddess Hera, since both come from the infidelity of Zeus
As a child, among other whims, she asked her father to grant her the gift of eternal virginity, which was granted. For this reason, Artemis is a Goddess without any type of sexual desire.
Many hunting companions, including the mortal Orion, tried to steal her virginity. All of them, including Orion, ended up dead at the hands of the goddess.
11. Ares: god of War
Ares is the counterpart of his sister, the goddess Athena. This deity represents the purest and most visceral instinct of war, is violence at its finest. He is the founder of the city of Thebes, where the Spartans live.
Despite being the God of war, Ares was defeated on several occasions by his sister Athena. The anecdote is also known about when he was wounded by the hero Diomedes and had to return to Olympus to heal, leaving the Trojans without his help during the war.
12. Aphrodite: goddess of beauty and love
Lustful and full of passion, this is the Goddess Aphrodite. This deity rules over everything related to sex and reproduction. She is born from the sperm of the Greek titan Uranus, whose testicles were cut off by Cronus.
Emerges from the sea directly as an adult being desired by many men from the first moment.
Fearing a conflict on Olympus, Zeus decides to let Hephaestus stay with Aphrodite, but the Goddess never wanted to be with him, and it would be Ares who calms Aphrodite’s intense sexual desires.
Hephaestus, after the anger and disgrace represented by the adultery committed by Aphrodite, complained to the Gods of Olympus, but they ignored his complaints, and were envious of Ares.
