The Olympians

1. The Olympians

2. Zeus • Zeus was the god of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods. Zeus overthrew his father, Cronus. He then drew lots with his brothers Poseidon and Hades. Zeus won the draw and became the supreme ruler of the gods. He is lord of the sky, the rain god. • His symbol and weapon is a thunderbolt which he hurls at those who displease him. He is married to Hera but, is famous for his many affairs. • Zeus is also the archetype for many god-like figures today (that’s his connection to today). • http://www.greekmythology.com/Olympians/Zeus/zeus.html http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/PT-AM465_GOD_co_DV_20090909211040.jpg http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Zeus--greek-mythology-687267_1024_768.jpg http://www.davidlouisedelman.com/wp-content/uploads/the-architect.jpg

3. Athena • Athena is the Greek virgin goddess of reason, intelligent activity, arts and literature. Athena is the daughter of Zeus. She sprang full grown in armor from his forehead, thus has no mother. • She is fierce and brave in battle. She is also the goddess of war, the city, handicrafts, and agriculture. • She is the embodiment of wisdom, reason, and purity. She represents strong, confident women everywhere. • Some also say, that without Athena, colleges and freedom today would not exist. http://www.vroma.org/images/flood_images/athena.jpg http://wirednewyork.com/images/city-guide/liberty/liberty.jpg

4. Hera • Hera is the queen of the Olympian deities. She is wife and sister of Zeus. Hera was mainly worshipped as a goddess of marriage and birth. • The children of Hera and Zeus are the smith-god Hephaestus, the goddess of youth Hebe, and the god of war Ares. According to some sources, however, her children were conceived by slapping her hand on the ground - thus they were born, not out of love but out of lust and hatred. • Hera was known for being jealous of Zeus's affairs. She punished her rivals and their children. She placed two serpents in the cradle of Heracles; she drove the foster-parents of Dionysus mad, and tried to prevent the birth of Apollo and Artemis. • Her symbol, the peacock (the symbol of pride; her wagon was pulled by peacocks) and the cow (she was also known as Bopis, meaning "cow-eyed", which was later translated as "with big eyes") are her sacred animals. The crow and the pomegranate (symbol of marriage) are also dedicated to her. http://www.tqnyc.org/2006/NYC063035//HeraDrawing.jpg http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hera.html

5. Poseidon http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/poseidon.html Poseidon is a god of many names. He is most famous as the god of the sea, but is also the god of earthquakes and the god of horses. His symbols include: dolphins, tridents, and a three-pronged fish spear, . Poseidon was relied upon by sailors for a safe voyage on the sea. Poseidon was a very moody deity. In a good mood, Poseidon created new lands in the water and a calm sea. In contrast, when he was in a bad mood, Poseidon would strike the ground with a trident and cause earthquakes, ship wrecks, and drownings. Poseidon was similar to his brother Zeus in exerting his power on women and in objectifying masculinity. He had many love affairs and fathered numerous children. Connection to today: Navy, Disney’s TheLittle Mermaid, ? http://www.sandomenico.org/uploaded/photos/Library/Poseidon.jpg http://content8.flixster.com/question/30/15/02/3015022_std.jpg

6. Hermes • HERMES was the messenger of the gods and guide of dead souls to the Underworld. A prankster and inventive genius from birth, Hermes aided the heroes Odysseus and Perseus in their quests. Hermes was the son of Zeus and a mountain nymph. Hermes was extremely inventive, and on his very first day of life, he found the empty shell of a tortoise created the first lyre (harp/guitar). • Hermes' symbol of office as divine messenger was his staff, or caduceus. This was originally a willow wand with entwined ribbons, traditional badge of the herald. It can be found on ambulances today! • Unique fact: It was Hermes' job to convey dead souls to the Underworld. And as patron of travelers, he was often shown in a wide-brimmed sun hat of straw. • Hermes was arguably the most loved god of all, due to his constant aide and support while sending messages. http://www.mythweb.com/gods/Hermes.html

7. Artemis • Artemis - possesses an introverted and independent temperament (opposite to Athena)--represents the goddess of Nature--concerned with matters of the outdoors, animals, environmental protection, women’s communities--she is practical, adventurous, athletic and preferring solitude. She symbolizes regenerative earth power over all living things. She became known as the patroness of childbirth. • Artemis, armed with bow and arrow, (which is also her symbol) possesses the power to inflict plagues and death or to heal. She is known as the protector of little children, baby animals and, yet, she also loves the hunt. Her twin brother is Apollo. • Artemis is one of the ‘virgin’ goddesses. Due to her well-integrated masculine energy and independence, Artemis does not possess much need for a man to complete her. Artemis, the goddess, wasknown to shun men. http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/goddess_symbols_Artemis.htm

8. Demeter • DEMETER (dee-MEE-tur; Roman name: Ceres) was the goddess of agriculture, the Earth and Harvest. • Symbol: Demeter is often shown carrying a sheaf of wheat or grain. • Family / Background : Demeter was the sister of Zeus and the mother of Persephone. Persephone was gathering flowers one day when a huge crack opened up in the earth and Hades, King of the Dead, emerged from the Underworld. He seized her and carried her off in his chariot, back down to his realm, where she became his queen. Demeter was heartbroken and wandered the earth in search of her daughter. • Unique Fact: Hades was persuaded to surrender Persephone for one half of every year, the spring and summer seasons when flowers bloom and fruit begins to grow. The half year that Persephone spends in the Underworld as Hades' queen coincides with the fall and winter. • Today’s Connection: The 4 Seasons!

9. Aphrodite • APHRODITE (a-fro-DYE-tee; Roman name Venus) was the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. She was also a protectress of sailors. • Symbols Dolphin, Goose, Rose, Scallop Shell, Dove, Sparrow, Swan. • Family / Background Homer said that Aphrodite was the daughter of Zeus and Dione, although it’s written that she was born from sea-foam. • Unique Fact Aphrodite's primary function was to preside over reproduction, since this was essential for the survival of the community • Today’s Connection Dove symbol used in many products. Symbolizes beauty and sexuality (attraction).

10. Hephaestus • HEPHAESTUS (he-FEE-stus or he-FESS-tus; Roman name Vulcan) was the lame god of fire and crafts . • Symbols Fire, Hammer, Anvil and Tongs. • Family / Background He was the son of Zeus and Hera or, in some accounts, of Hera alone. He limped because he was born lame, which caused his mother to throw him off Mount Olympus. In other accounts, Zeus took him by the foot and threw him from Olympus to the earth far below. • Unique Facts Hephaestus accomplished numerous prodigies of craftsmanship, such as the marvelous palaces that he built for the gods atop Mount Olympus, or the armor that he made for Achilles during the siege of Troy. Hephaestus, being the most unfaltering of the gods, was given Aphrodite’s hand in marriage by Zeus. Hephaestus and Aphrodite had an arranged marriage and Aphrodite, disliking the idea of being married to unsightly Hephaestus, began an affair with Ares, the god of war. • Today’s Connection Movie – Beauty and The Beast, Arm and Hammer Baking Soda,

11. ares • ARES (AIR-eez; Roman name Mars) was the god of war, warlike frenzy and instigator of violence. He was bested by Heracles in battle and was almost killed when stuffed into a jar by two giants. • Symbols Spear, helmet, dog chariot and boar. • Family / Background He is the son of Zeus and Hera. He was a companion to Aphrodite. • Unique Facts Because of his cruel and war-like nature he was despised by all the gods, even his own father disliked him. Ares could be bloody, merciless, fearful and cowardly and possessed no moral attributes. Ares was of giant stature and had a loud voice, and surpassed the other gods in speed. • Today’s Connection Ares is also the name of NASA’s transport ship replacing the Space Shuttle. He appears in video games and movies.

12. Apollo • Apollo (Apollō) is the god of light, healing, music, poetry, prophecy and archery. Also, he god of light and the god of truth, who can not speak a lie. • Symbols thebow and arrow, the lyre, raven and python. • Family / Background Son of Zeus and Leto. Artemis is his twin sister. • Unique Facts One of Apollo's more important daily tasks is to harness his chariot with four horses an drive the Sun across the sky. He is famous for his oracle at Delphi. People traveled to it from all over the Greek world to divine the future. His tree was the laurel. The crow his bird. The dolphin his animal. • Today’s Connection Seventeen NASA spaceships were named Apollo. 17 NASA spaceships were named Apollo as the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York.

13. Dionyses • Dionysus (dy-ə-NY-səs ; Roman Names; Bacchus, Liber) He was the god of fertility and wine, later considered a patron of the arts. • Symbols Grapevive, leopard, skin, panther, tiger and leopard. • Family / Background He was the son of Zeus and Semele. • Unique Facts He invented wine and spread the art of tending grapes. He has a dual nature - bringing joy and divine ecstasy as well as brutal, unthinking, rage. Dionysus can drive a man mad. He is also one of the very few that was able to bring a dead person out of the underworld. • Today’s Connection Dionysus became one of the most important gods in everyday life. He became associated with several key concepts. One was rebirth after death. The other is the idea that under the influence of wine, one could feel possessed by a greater power.

14. Hades • HADES (Aides, Aidoneus, or Haides) was the King of the Underworld, the god of death and the dead. He presided over funeral rites and defended the right of the dead to due burial. Hades was also the god of the hidden wealth of the earth, from the fertile soil with nourished the seed-grain, to the mined wealth of gold, silver and other metals. • Symbols Sceptor (two-pointed staff), Darkness, Cerberus and Cypress Tree. • Family / Background Son of Cronus and Rhea. Brother to Poseidon, Demeter, Hestia, Hera and Zeus. • Unique Facts Hades was devoured by Kronos as soon as he was born, along with four of his siblings. Hades received the dark dismal realm of the underworld, as his domain. • Today’s Connection Evil, darkness and underworld.