The main gods of the ancient Greeks. List of gods of ancient Greece

Ancient tablets from the Aegean culture give us the first clues about who the Greek gods and goddesses were. The mythology of 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, the 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. The jealous wife of 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. The sacred tree of Hebe is the 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. Also from her name comes the name of the 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.

The mythology of Ancient Greece was of great importance for humanity and, first of all, for the development of culture. Ancient peoples were characterized by polytheism, that is, polytheism. The Greek gods were similar to ordinary people, since they did not have immortality and had vices. They lived on the highest Mount Olympus, where ordinary people could not get. In mythology there are many gods who had their own purpose and significance for humans.

Important gods of Greek mythology

The most important thing on Mount Olympus was Zeus, who was considered the almighty father of the gods. He was the patron of wind, thunder, lightning and other natural phenomena. He had a scepter, thanks to which he could cause storms and also calm them. Other important deities:

1. Greek Helios could see everything that was happening in the Universe, so he was often called all-seeing. The Greeks turned to him to find out important information. Helios was depicted as a young guy with a ball in one hand and a cornucopia in the other. One of the ancient seven wonders of the world is the Colossus of Rhodes, which is a statue of Helios. Every morning, the sun god rode into the sky in his chariot drawn by four winged horses and gave people light.
2. Greek god Apollo was the patron of many areas: medicine, archery, creativity, but most often he was called the god of light. His constant attributes are: lyre, larv and plectrum. As for animals, swans, wolves and dolphins were considered sacred to Apollo. This god was depicted as a young guy who always had a bow in his hands, since he was an excellent shooter, and a lyre. Various holidays and festivals were held in honor of this god.
3. God of dreams in Greek mythology - Morpheus. He had the ability to penetrate people's dreams, and in the form of any person. Thanks to his powers, the God of Sleep thoroughly copied his voice, habits and other qualities. Morpheus was imagined as a slender young man who had wings on his temples. There are a small number of images of this god in the form of an old man with a poppy in his hands. It was this flower that was a constant attribute of Morpheus, since it had soporific properties. The emblem of this god was the twin gates to the world of dreams. One half was made of ivory and it opened the entrance to false dreams, and the other half, made of horns, was responsible for true dreams.
4. God of healing in Greek mythology - Asclepius. In many images he is represented as an old man with a large beard. His attribute is a staff that entwines a snake, symbolizing the eternal rebirth of life. The image of a staff is still considered a symbol of medicine to this day. He knew all the medicinal properties of plants, discovered antidotes for bites, and also developed surgery. In honor of Asclepius, many temples were created, which certainly had a hospital.
5. Greek god of fire - Hephaestus. He was considered the patron of blacksmithing. He made various products that were used by other gods of Olympus. Hephaestus was born a sick and lame child. That is why his mother Hera threw him from Olympus. Hephaestus's products were not only durable, but also beautiful and as believable as possible. The god of fire was depicted as an ugly, but broad-shouldered man.
6. Greek was the ruler of the underworld. People did not consider him evil and portrayed him as a powerful older man. He had a big beard. In general, he was very similar to his brother Zeus. This god had several attributes. The main thing was the helmet, which gave invisibility. In his hands, Hades held a two-pronged pitchfork or a scepter with the heads of three dogs. Wild tulips were considered a symbol of the god of the underworld. The Greeks sacrificed black bulls to Hades.

Ancient Greece before the arrival of the Greeks was inhabited by Pelasgian peoples. They never assimilated further with the Greeks, disappearing into oblivion. Thanks to them, according to Herodotus, the ancient Hellenes arose a religion with the gods of Ancient Greece in its modern understanding.

Characteristic features of the religion of Ancient Greece.

With the emergence of the first statehood of Hellas, approximately 3000 BC, religion began to play an increasingly important role in the life of the ancient Greeks. The main gods were the titans, who personified the elements of nature.

The supreme god of the Titans, Kronos, killed his father in a struggle for power. He feared the same fate and therefore devoured his sons. One of them was saved by Rhea, the wife of Kronos. His name was Zeus. When Zeus grew up, he forced his father to return his swallowed sons from his womb and, joining forces with other gods, began the fight against the Titans.

Elder Gods

In these numerous battles, according to the myths of Ancient Greece, the gods led by Zeus won. After the victory, they divided power and went to live on the sacred Mount Olympus.

• Zeus began to rule the sky, lightning and thunder. He became the main one in the pantheon of twelve elder gods. All other gods obeyed him and considered him the most fair. The ancient Greeks erected a statue of Zeus; it was located on the island of Poseidon and reached 15 meters.

Rice. 1. Statue of Zeus on the island of Poseidon.

• He began to rule the seas and oceans Poseidon . He was married to the goddess Amphitrite, from whom was born a son, Triton. In anger, this god was terrible: he could cause a flood, or destroy a seaport with waves. Where Poseidon walked on the ground, spring water began to flow. This god was revered by all sea travelers and sailors.
• Hades did not want to rule the earthly world and went to Tartarus, where he began to rule the kingdom of the dead. On a chain at the entrance to the underworld sat his faithful three-headed dog Cerberus, who did not allow the living into Tartarus. Hades stole his beloved niece Persephone from Zeus and forced her to marry him. The ancient Greeks sacrificed a black bull to Hades. Usually it was placed in front of crevices or the entrance to a cave, which personified the entrance to the kingdom of the dead.
• The main female goddess among the Greeks was considered Hera . The last wife of Zeus was the patroness of marriage and severely punished married people for adultery. The ancient Greeks worshiped her and asked for the birth of strong and healthy children.
• He was the god of sunshine and the crown of male beauty. In addition to spiritual purity, this god was endowed with the abilities of a healer. Later, the ancient Greeks revered him as a patron of the arts, including music.

Rice. 2. Apollo.

The religion of ancient Greece did not carry symbols of immortality; the gods, like people, had completely human traits: they fell in love, suffered, were capable of mercy or betrayal. In the minds of the ancient Greeks, the gods conquered the world from the natural elements, made this world a better place and became its patrons and protectors.

• The god of all borders separating one from another and roads was Hermes . He had a sharp mind and resourcefulness, because he was the patron of trade, knew several languages ​​and stood out with brilliant manners. In addition to merchants, this god was revered by shepherds and travelers.
• Hephaestus - the god of fire - patronized the blacksmith's craft, and was himself considered an unsurpassed blacksmith. He was lame on both legs because, according to legend, he was thrown down by Zeus for helping Hera get out of her shackles.
• Ares - God of unjust wars. He was the son of Zeus and Hera. Zeus secretly hated him for his wild and unbridled temper. Ares loved wild games and could start a conflict without any reason. He was married to Aphrodite.

All Olympian gods and goddesses led a pleasure lifestyle, indulging in intrigue and passion. Each of the gods was powerful in its own way, so feuds very often ended in compromise.

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Lesser Gods

The elder gods had children, this generation was more numerous than the previous one, some of them:

• Dionysus - god of fertility and winemaking. He patronized grape growing and dancing. According to the legends of Ancient Greece, Hera hated Dionysus and drove him crazy. Wherever Dionysus appeared, he was accompanied by unbridled drunkenness, causeless fun and even murder.
• Helios - Sun God. This god performed the same functions as Apollo, was a solar deity, and at the same time the eyes of Zeus: he knew what and where was going on in the mortal world of people. In Greece, many statues were erected in honor of Helios, one of them is called the Colossus of Rhodes and was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The statue reached 33 meters and stood on the island of Rhodes in the Aegean Sea.

Rice. 3. Colossus of Rhodes.

• Iris carried out small and large orders of the gods. She carried messages and news about the gods of Olympus to people. The ancient Greeks also revered her as the goddess of the rainbow.
• Themis - goddess of justice, protector of the unjustly accused. Helped Zeus start the Trojan War. The Greeks depicted this goddess blindfolded, which meant her impartiality. The cornucopia in the hands of Themis meant the measure of retribution for those who appeared before her fair trial.

According to the religion of Ancient Greece, you can recreate a picture of the life of the ancient Greeks.
The following table provides a short list and description of the gods of Ancient Greece:

The veneration of the god Dionysus, which came from the north of the Balkans, developed separately from the rest of polytheism. Over time, this worship became monotheistic (monotheism - one god). Historians generally believe that the worship of Dionysus was the first harbinger of the formation of the Christian religion.

What have we learned?

The religion of Ancient Greece, which is studied in grade 5, unlike other religions, endowed the gods with human traits, which brought them closer to people and allowed contemporaries to better understand the life of the ancient Greeks. In addition, although the Greeks believed in an afterlife, this did not serve as the basis for them to worship the gods.

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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, gained possession of the 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 in 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, the born sons of Zeus are of great importance. 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.

Culture and religion in Athens have been closely intertwined since time immemorial. Therefore, it is not surprising that the country has so many attractions that are dedicated to the idols and gods of antiquity. There is probably nothing like it anywhere. But still, Greek mythology became the most complete reflection of ancient civilization. Gods and titans, kings and heroes from legends - all these are parts of the life and existence of ancient Greece.

Of course, many tribes and people had their own deities and idols. They personified the forces of nature, incomprehensible and frightening to ancient man. However, the ancient Greek gods were not only symbols of nature, they were considered the creators of all moral goods and guardians of the beautiful and great powers of the ancient people.

Generations of Gods of Ancient Greece

At different times there were different Lists of one ancient author differed from another, but it is still possible to identify common periods.

So, during the time of the Pelasgians, when the cult of worship of the forces of nature flourished, the first generation of Greek gods appeared. It was believed that the world was ruled by Mist, from which the first supreme deity appeared - Chaos, and their children - Nikta (Night), Eros (Love) and Erebus (Darkness). There was complete chaos on earth.

The names of the second and third generation Greek gods are already known throughout the world. These are the children of Nyx and Eber: the god of air Ether and the goddess of the day Hemera, Nemesis (Retribution), Ata (Lie), Mom (Stupidity), Kera (Misfortune), Erinyes (Revenge), Moira (Fate), Eris (Strife). And also the twins Thanatos (messenger of Death) and Hypnos (Dream). Children of the earth goddess Hera - Pontus (inner Sea), Tartarus (Abyss), Nereus (calm sea) and others. As well as the first generation of powerful and destructive titans and giants.

The Greek gods that existed among the Pelagestians were overthrown by the Titans and a series of universal catastrophes, the stories of which were preserved in myths and legends. After them a new generation appeared - the Olympians. These are the human-shaped gods of Greek mythology. The list of them is huge, and in this article we will talk about the most significant and famous people.

The first supreme god of Ancient Greece

Kronos or Khronov is the god and keeper of time. He was the youngest of the sons of the earth goddess Hera and the god of heaven Uranus. His mother loved him, cherished him and indulged him in everything. However, Kronos grew up to be very ambitious and cruel. One day, Hera heard a prediction that Kronos’s death would be his son. But she decided to keep it a secret.

Meanwhile, Kronos killed his father and gained supreme power. He settled on Mount Olympus, which went straight into the heavens. This is where the name of the Greek gods, the Olympians, came from. When Kronos decided to get married, his mother told him about the prophecy. And he found a way out - he began to swallow all his born children. His poor wife Rhea was horrified, but she failed to convince her husband otherwise. Then she hid her third son (little Zeus) from Kronos on the island of Crete under the supervision of forest nymphs. It was Zeus who became the death of Kronos. When he grew up, he went to Olympus and overthrew his father, forcing him to regurgitate all his brothers.

Zeus and Hera

So, the new humanoid Greek gods from Olympus became the rulers of the world. The thunderer Zeus became the father of the gods. He is the gatherer of clouds and the lord of lightning, the creator of all living things, as well as the establisher of order and justice on earth. The Greeks considered Zeus the source of goodness and nobility. The Thunderer is the father of the goddesses Or, mistresses of time and annual changes, as well as the Muses, who give people inspiration and joy.

Zeus's wife was Hera. She was portrayed as a grumpy goddess of the atmosphere, as well as a guardian of the hearth. Hera patronized all women who remained faithful to their husbands. And also, together with her daughter Ilithia, she facilitated the birth process. According to myths, Zeus was very loving, and after three hundred years of married life he became bored. He began to visit mortal women in a variety of guises. Thus, he appeared to beautiful Europe in the form of a huge bull with golden horns, and to Danae - in the form of star rain.

Poseidon

Poseidon is the god of the seas and oceans. He always remained in the shadow of his more powerful brother Zeus. The Greeks believed that Poseidon was never cruel. And all the troubles and punishments that he sent to people were deserved.

Poseidon is the patron saint of fishermen and sailors. Always, before setting sail, people prayed first of all to him, and not to Zeus. In honor of the lord of the seas, altars were smoked for several days. According to legends, Poseidon could be seen during a storm on the high seas. He appeared from the foam in a golden chariot drawn by dashing horses, which his brother Hades gave him as a gift.

Poseidon's wife was the goddess of the roaring sea, Amphitrite. The symbol is a trident, which granted complete power over the depths of the sea. Poseidon had a soft, non-conflicting disposition. He always sought to avoid quarrels and conflicts, and was unconditionally loyal to Zeus, unlike Hades.

Hades and Persephone

The Greek gods of the underworld are, first of all, the gloomy Hades and his wife Persephone. Hades is the god of death, ruler of the kingdom of the dead. They feared him even more than the Thunderer himself. No one could go down to the underworld without Hades' permission, much less return. As Greek mythology says, the gods of Olympus divided power among themselves. And Hades, who inherited the underworld, was dissatisfied. He harbored a grudge against Zeus.

Despite the fact that he never spoke directly and openly, there are many examples in legends when the god of death tried in every possible way to ruin the life of his crowned brother. So, one day Hades kidnapped the beautiful daughter of Zeus and the goddess of fertility Demeter Persephone. He forcibly made her his queen. Zeus had no power over the kingdom of the dead, and chose not to get involved with his embittered brother, so he refused the upset Demeter’s request to save her daughter. And only when the goddess of fertility, in grief, forgot about her duties, and drought and famine began on earth, Zeus decided to talk to Hades. They entered into an agreement according to which Persephone would spend two thirds of the year on earth with her mother, and the rest of the time in the kingdom of the dead.

Hades was depicted as a gloomy man sitting on a throne. He traveled on earth in a chariot drawn by hellish horses with eyes burning in flames. And at this time people were afraid and prayed that he would not take them into his kingdom. Hades' favorite was the three-headed dog Cerberus, who tirelessly guarded the entrance to the world of the dead.

Pallas Athena

The beloved Greek goddess Athena was the daughter of the thunderer Zeus. According to myths, she was born from his head. At first it was believed that Athena was the goddess of the clear sky, who dispersed all the black clouds with her spear. She was also a symbol of victorious energy. The Greeks portrayed Athena as a powerful warrior with a shield and spear. She always traveled with the goddess Nike, who personified victory.

In Ancient Greece, Athena was considered the protector of fortresses and cities. She gave people fair and correct government systems. The goddess personified wisdom, calmness and insightful intelligence.

Hephaestus and Prometheus

Hephaestus is the god of fire and blacksmithing. His activity was manifested by volcanic eruptions, which greatly frightened people. Initially, he was considered only the god of heavenly fire. Since on earth people lived and died in eternal cold. Hephaestus, like Zeus and other Olympian gods, was cruel to the human world, and was not going to give them fire.

Prometheus changed everything. He was the last of the Titans to survive. He lived on Olympus and was the right hand of Zeus. Prometheus could not watch people suffer, and, having stolen the sacred fire from the temple, he brought it to earth. For which he was punished by the Thunderer and doomed to eternal torment. But the titan was able to come to an agreement with Zeus: he granted him freedom in exchange for the secret of maintaining power. Prometheus could see the future. And in the future of Zeus, he saw his death at the hands of his son. Thanks to the titan, the father of all gods did not marry the one who could give birth to a murderous son, and thereby forever secured his power.

The Greek gods Athena, Hephaestus and Prometheus became symbols of the ancient festival of running with lit torches. The progenitor of the Olympic Games.

Apollo

The Greek sun god Apollo was the son of Zeus. He was identified with Helios. According to Greek mythology, Apollo lives in the distant lands of the Hyperboreans in winter, and returns to Hellas in the spring and again pours life into withered nature. Apollo was also the god of music and singing, since, together with the revival of nature, he gave people the desire to sing and create. He was called the patron of art. Music and poetry in Ancient Greece were considered the gift of Apollo.

Due to his regenerative powers, he was also considered the god of healing. According to legend, Apollo expelled all darkness from the sick with his sun rays. The ancient Greeks depicted God as a blond youth holding a harp.

Artemis

Apollo's sister Artemis was the goddess of the moon and the hunt. It was believed that at night she wandered through the forests with her companions, the naiads, and watered the ground with dew. She was also called the patroness of animals. At the same time, many legends are associated with Artemis, where she cruelly drowned sailors. To appease her, people were sacrificed.

At one time, the Greeks called Artemis the patroness of brides. The girls performed rituals and brought offerings to the goddess in the hope of a strong marriage. Artemis of Ephesus even became a symbol of fertility and childbirth. The Greeks depicted the goddess with many breasts on her chest, which symbolized her generosity as a nurse of people.

The names of the Greek gods Apollo and Artemis are closely related to Helios and Selene. Gradually the brother and sister lost their physical significance. Therefore, in Greek mythology, separate sun god Helios and moon goddess Selene appeared. Apollo remained the patron of music and the arts, and Artemis - of hunting.

Ares

Ares was originally considered the god of the stormy sky. He was the son of Zeus and Hera. But among the ancient Greek poets he received the status of the god of war. He was always depicted as a fierce warrior, armed with a sword or spear. Ares loved the noise of battle and bloodshed. Therefore, he was always at enmity with the goddess of the clear sky, Athena. She was for prudence and fair conduct of battle, he was for fierce skirmishes and countless bloodsheds.

Ares is also considered the creator of the tribunal - the trial of murderers. The trial took place on a sacred hill, which was named after God - Areopagus.

Aphrodite and Eros

Beautiful Aphrodite was the patroness of all lovers. She is the favorite muse for all poets, sculptors and artists of that time. The goddess was depicted as a beautiful woman emerging naked from the sea foam. Aphrodite's soul was always full of pure and immaculate love. During the time of the Phoenicians, Aphrodite contained two principles - Asherah and Astarte. She was an Asherah when she enjoyed the singing of nature and the love of the young man Adonis. And Astarte - when she was revered as the “goddess of heights” - a stern warrior who imposed a vow of chastity on her novices and protected marital morality. The ancient Greeks combined these two principles in their goddess and created an image of ideal femininity and beauty.

Eros or Eros is the Greek god of love. He was the son of the beautiful Aphrodite, her messenger and faithful assistant. Eros united the destinies of all lovers. He was depicted as a small, plump boy with wings.

Demeter and Dionysus

Greek gods, patrons of agriculture and winemaking. Demeter personified nature, which under sunlight and heavy rains ripens and bears fruit. She was portrayed as a “fair-haired” goddess, giving people a harvest deserved by labor and sweat. It is to Demeter that people owe the science of arable farming and sowing. The goddess was also called "earth mother". Her daughter Persephone was the link between the world of the living and the kingdom of the dead; she belonged to both worlds.

Dionysus is the god of wine. And also brotherhood and joy. Dionysus gives people inspiration and joy. He taught people how to cultivate the vine, as well as wild and riotous songs, which then served as the basis for ancient Greek drama. God was depicted as a young, cheerful youth, his body was entwined with a vine, and in his hands was a jug of wine. Wine and vine are the main symbols of Dionysus.