Study Guide-Key Concepts

Zeus

God of the Sky and ruler of the gods.

Symbols of Zeus

Lightning Bolt.

Summary of Zeus

Born to Cronos and Rhea, he fought against the Titans and became the ruler of Mount Olympus.

Hera

Goddess of Marriage, Family, and Childbirth.

Symbols of Hera

Pomegranates, Peacock, Lotus Flower.

Summary of Hera

Catcher Zeus cheating; turned Io into a cow.

Athena

Goddess of War, Wisdom, and Peace.

Symbols of Athena

Helmet.

Summary of Athena

Born from Zeus' head; good weaver; turned Arachne into a spider.

Poseidon

God of the Sea, Earthquakes, and Horses.

Symbols of Poseidon

Trident, The Ocean, Horses.

Summary of Poseidon

Swallowed by Cronus; fell in love with Demeter.

Hades

God of the Underworld.

Symbols of Hades

Bident, Pomegranate, Narcissus Flower.

Summary of Hades

Abducted Persephone; stole Euridice; agreed to let Persephone spend six months with her mother.

Demeter

Goddess of the Harvest.

Symbols of Demeter

Sheaf of Wheat.

Summary of Demeter

Creator of winter and seasons; Hades abducted her daughter.

Artemis

Goddess of Wild Animals, Hunting, and Nature.

Symbols of Artemis

Bow & Arrow.

Summary of Artemis

Protected women and girls; punished wrongdoers.

Apollo

God of the Sun, Music, Dance, and Healing.

Symbols of Apollo

Bow & Arrow.

Summary of Apollo

Killed python; sacred to the top of Parnassus.

Hermes

God of Messengers.

Symbols of Hermes

Sandals, Roosters.

Summary of Hermes

Stole his half-brother’s cows; sent to kill Argus.

Hephaestus

God of Fire, Volcanoes, and Blacksmithing.

Symbols of Hephaestus

Hammer, Anvil, Tongs.

Summary of Hephaestus

Thrown off Mt. Olympus; blacksmith for beautiful jewelry.

Aphrodite

Goddess of Love.

Symbols of Aphrodite

Rose, Sea Shells, Pearls, Doves.

Summary of Aphrodite

Born out of the sea; all the gods wanted to marry her.

Eros

God of Love, Desire, and Fertility.

Symbols of Eros

Bow & Arrow, Lyre, Torch.

Summary of Eros

Born from Chaos or Aphrodite & Ares; mischievous.

Eris

Goddess of Discord and Strife.

Symbols of Eris

Golden Apple.

Summary of Eris

Threw the apple that started the Trojan War.

Hestia

Goddess of the Hearth and Home.

Symbols of Hestia

Fire.

Summary of Hestia

Tended to the fire and is seen as comforting.

Persephone

Goddess of the Underworld, Spring, Grain, and Harvest.

Symbols of Persephone

Pomegranate, grain.

Summary of Persephone

Abducted by Hades, she spends six months above and six months in the Underworld.

Ares

God of War and Battle.

Symbols of Ares

Helm (helmet).

Summary of Ares

Loved war and violence; not liked by Zeus; had children with Aphrodite.