FULL TOPIC GODS AND GODESSES

immortal

Someone who cannot be killed

polytheistic

Belief in many gods

pantheon

A collection of all the gods of any one religion

monotheistic

Belief in one God

syncretism

the merging of different religions, cultures or philosophies

epithet

an adjective or descriptive phrase describing the characteristic of that deity

animistic

the belief that natural phenomenon such as weather or animals have spirits

Ares

God of War

Zeus

King of Gods, God of Sky, Law, Lightening

Poseidon

God fo the Sea, Earthquakes, Horses

Hades

God of the Underworld, Death, Riches

Hera

Queen of the Gods, Goddess of marriage

Athena

Goddess of Wisdom, Arts and Crafts, Warfare, Strategy, Weaving

Artemis

Goddess of the Hunt, Wild animals

Apollo

God of the Sun, Music, Poetry, Plague, Medicine, Light, Knowledge

Aphrodite

Goddess of Beauty, Love

Hephaestus

God of Fire, Blacksmiths

Demeter

Goddess of crops, fertility

Hermes

Messenger God, Divine Herald, God of travellers, Thieves, Merchants, Money

Hestia

Goddess of the Hearth, Home

Dionysis

God of Wine, Winemaking, Theatre

Symbols of Zeus

Thunderbolt, eagle, oak tree, bull, sceptre

Symbols of Poseidon

Trident, dolphins, horses

Symbols of Hades

Sceptre, horn of plenty, helmet/cap of invisibility, Cerberus

Symbols of Hera

Peacock, pomegranate (symbol of fertility)

Symbols of Athena

Owl, helmet, shield, olive tree,

Symbols of Artemis

Bow and arrow, a quiver, hunting knives, deer, the cypress

Symbols of Apollo

Lyre, laurel leaves, python, raven, bow and arrow

Symbols of Aphrodite

Dove, pomegranate, swan, myrtle

Symbols of Hephaestus

Hammer, anvil, tongs

Symbols of Demeter

Cornucopia

Symbols of Ares

Dog, wild boar, vulture, armour and weapons

Symbols of Hermes

Crane, Caduceus (his staff), winged helmet, sandals

Symbols of Hestia

Fireplace, ass (donkey)

Symbols of Dionysis

Thyrsus (staff of fennel covered with vine and topped with a pine cone), grapevine, masks, leopard skin

How is Zeus presented in statues?

Standing, with one foot forward with a thunderbolt raised in his right hand; on a throne

How is Poseidon presented in statues?

Large beard, holding trident, large build, drawn lots with his brothers (to become king of the gods)

How is Hades presented in statues?

Holds sceptre and keys, Cerberus at his feet

How is Hera presented in statues?

Golden throne, holds a cup, royal lotus tipped sceptre

How is Athena presented in statues?

Only woman in armour, medusa, with owl

How is Artemis presented in statues?

Young girl, shorter skirts, carries bow and arrows, lunar crescent on her bow, at her feet often hounds and stags

How is Apollo presented in statues?

Youthful, holding lyre

How is Aphrodite presented in statues?

Youthful, holding scallop shells or mirrors, often sat on animals (swan, doves)

How is Hephaestus presented in statues?

Beard, with some blacksmith things

How is Demeter presented in statues?

Motherly figure, cornucopia

How is Ares presented in statues?

In armour

How is Hermes presented in statues?

Winged helmet, winged sandals, holding Caduceus

How is Hestia presented in statues?

Stern look, head covered

How is Dionysis presented in statues?

Effeminate youth, bearded, traveller, holding thyrsus, grapevines

How is Zeus described?

far-seeing; the loud-thunderer; son of Cronos; the highest and the best; cloud gathering; the son of Cronos of the dark clouds; the dark-clouded son of Cronos; father Zeus; wide-eyed and loud-thundering; Zeus the King; all-seeing; who is dark with clouds

How is Hades described?

son of Cronos; he who has many names; ruler of many; host of many; Cronos' many-named son; dark-haired; who rules those who have died; lord of the dead

How is Demeter described?

beautiful haired; lady of the golden sword and glorious fruits; the revered; bringer of seasons; giver of splendid gifts; the daughter of beautiful-haired Rhea; golden-haired; dark-veiled; of the beautiful garlands; delicate-ankled; Queen

How is Persephone described?

delicate-ankled; bloom-like girl; deep-bosomed; fair-eyed; revered; skilful