Greek mythology is a complex story of the intertwining life of gods, goddesses, mortal heroes and others that inhabited the ancient world. Today many of the names of the gods and goddesses are still well known, and although there are exceptions it is generally the Twelve Olympians who are best remembered, all under the leadership of the supreme god, Zeus.

The story of the Twelve Olympians actually begins in the “Golden Age” of Greek mythology when Cronus and the Titans were rulers of all. Cronus was fearful though that he would be overthrown by one of his own offspring, just as he had usurped his father. As a result as his wife, Rhea, gave birth to each of his children, he swallowed them so that they would be imprisoned in his stomach. Thus Hera, Hades, Poseidon, Demeter and Hestia were swallowed, and it was only Zeus who escaped this fate. Zeus was smuggled away by his mother to safety in Crete.

In Crete Zeus grew to maturity and led a rebellion against his father, firstly by releasing his siblings and then by taking part in the Titanomachy. The Titanomachy was the rebellion by the children of Cronus, and his allies, mostly the giants against the rule of the Titans. Ten years of fighting ended in victory for Zeus, and with his enemies confined to Tartarus, or given other tasks, Zeus was ready to rule from his throne on Mount Olympus.

There were originally five Olympian gods, these being the siblings of Zeus, Hestia, Hera, Poseidon and Demeter. Hades was not included because of his throne being positioned in the Underworld. A further seven gods were then added to ruling group, with Ares, Aphrodite, Athena, Hermes, Hephaestus, Apollo and Artemis, generally these are second generation Olympians and children of Zeus, although Aphrodite isn’t a child of Zeus. The twelve quoted Olympians though is a fluid list and changes over time, and also changes dependant on the resource being studied.

Zeus -
Zeus was the youngest of the six siblings but was also the strongest. A natural leader after the Titanomachy he was given as his domain the land and the sky, and supreme ruler of Mount Olympus. He is considered the god of justice, although the stories told about him tell more often about his love affairs with goddesses and beautiful mortal women, the likes of Europa and Danae, rather than of any fighting or great deeds. Most of Greek mythology though can be traced back to an action of Zeus, as his love life produced scores of offspring, some of which were gods and some of which became the primary Greek heroes.

Hestia -
The oldest of Cronus’s children, Hestia is the goddess who actually takes the least active role in the affairs of gods and men. Hestia was the goddess of the hearth and the home, but is remembered mostly for her virginity, when she turned down the advances of Apollo and Poseidon. Hestia also distanced herself from the quarrelling of the other Olympians, and willingly gave up her place on Mount Olympus.

Poseidon
Brother to Zeus, Poseidon was given dominance over the seas and waterways, following the defeat of the Titans. Like his brother though, Poseidon is more remembered for his love life and his children than for great actions or adventures, although his anger his also a central point to many stories. As a result of his anger he became known as the god of earthquakes, and it was as a result of his anger that Odysseus was forced to struggle home after the Trojan wars.

Hera
Hera was the most powerful of the Olympian goddesses, and although sister to Zeus, was also his third wife. Intensely jealous the stories of Hera are often those of revenge against the lovers and offspring of her husband, but she could also be forgiving, and soon became known as the protector of marriage as well as the goddess of marriage and motherhood.
. Demeter
The last of the five original Olympians, Demeter was the goddess of agriculture and fertility and the seasons of the year. Famed for her humble nature, Demeter gave birth to Persephone after a brief relationship with Zeus. The lives of Demeter and her daughter are intertwined, and the story of Persephone’s abduction by Hades, leads to the evolution of the growing seasons. When Persephone is in Hades it is winter time, as Demeter mourns the loss of her daughter, but when Persephone returns to Demeter, Demeter rejoices and the growing season commences.

The second generations of Olympian gods are mainly the offspring of Zeus, and were chosen for their abilities, and often for their loyalty to their father.

Hermes
Son of Zeus and the nymph Maia, Hermes was considered to be the most loyal of all of Zeus’s offspring and so was given the role as messenger of the gods. At the same time though he was also the god of tricksters and thieves, trade and sport, as messenger he is often seen as being the Olympian god who interacted most with mortals.

Apollo
Apollo was the offspring of Zeus and the Titan Leto. Apollo was one of the most revered of all of the gods and was worshipped as the god of truth, archery, prophecy, music, poetry, healing and light. Importantly though he was also the god most associated with youth and the sun, and was thus associated with life itself.

Ares
The god of war, Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera, closely associated with bloodshed and hatred, Ares figures prominently in the events of the Trojan War. He was though distrusted by the other Olympian gods, and was often in open conflict with them.

Artemis
Twin sister to Apollo, Artemis is one of the most famous of Greek deities. Closely associated with the hunt and the moon, Artemis was also extremely easy to anger. Many of the stories that surround her are about her revenge on those who displeased her in some way.
Athena
Athena was the virgin goddess, and daughter of Zeus and the Titan Metis. Similar to Ares, Athena is associated with warfare, but her stories will normally centre on the assistance that she provides to the mortal heroes, the likes of Perseus, in their quests and adventures. As a result Athena is normally associated with wisdom.

Hephaestus
The Greeks gods and goddesses are normally portrayed as the most beautiful of all people, Hephaestus was the exception though. Son of Hera and Zeus, Hephaestus was deformed and ugly, and rejected by all other gods. Initially thrown out of Mount Olympus he was though eventually given the vital role of Blacksmith to the gods, and creator of all armour and weapons. An inventor of some not it was Hephaestus who created Talus for Zeus to give as a gift to Europa, Talus being a giant bronze robot who would guard Crete.

Aphrodite
Aphrodite is different from all of the second generation of Olympians, in that she was not born of Zeus, but was born as a result of Cronus’s actions in cutting of the manhood of his father Uranus. Arguably the most beautiful of all goddesses, she too was known for her love affairs despite being married to Hephaestus. As a result Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beauty and sex.

As previously mentioned the list was fluid, certainly Hestia gave up her place in the twelve to tend the hearth of Mount Olympus. At the time there was dispute amongst non-Olympian gods about their right to sit amongst the twelve. Hestia was replaced by Dionysus. Other sources also include Heracles, the Greek Hero, as well as other important gods and goddesses.

Dionysus
Perhaps the most jovial of Greek gods, Dionysus was the god of parties and wine. Dionysus was given his seat in Mount Olympus when Hestia decided to leave. Dionysus is often central to stories of drink and merriment.

Heracles
The hero of many stories, Heracles was also known as the favourite son of Zeus. Famed for his labour it is not clear how he became a member of the twelve, unless it occurred after his death and funeral pyre.

The gods of Mount Olympus are central to the whole of Greek mythology, and nothing happens to mortal or immortal without the influence of at least one deity. The gods controlled the day and night, the growing season and all elements that provide life to man. It is not surprising that there was a cult of worship established, and the stories are so well known that their names live on even today.