Classical Literature The Gods Zeus-Artemis

Zeus

Roman name is Jupiter
Lord of the Sky, Rain-god, Cloud gatherer
wielded the thunderbolt
divided the universe with his brothers
not omnipotent or omniscient
Poseidon and Hera duped him in the Iliad
fell in love with one woman after another
descending to all matter of tricks to hide his infidelity from his wife
When his worship spread to a town where there was already a divine ruler the two were slowly fused into one
His breastplate was the aegis
His bird was the eagle
His tree the oak
His oracle was Dodona in the land of oak trees
The god's will was revealed by the rustling of the oak leaves which the priests interpreted

Roman name is Neptune
Ruler of the sea
Zeus's brother and second only to him in eminence
God of the Sea
His wife was Amphitrite
Unfaithful to Amphirite
Poseidon had a splendid palace beneath the sea, but he was most often found in Olympus
He gave the first horse to man
Storm and calm were under his control
Commonly called "Earth-shaker"
Always shown carrying hid trident, a three-pronged spear, with which he would shake and shatter whatever he pleased
Connection with bulls

Roman name is Minerva
She was the daughter of Zeus alone
She is warlike only to defend the State and the home from outside enemies
Goddess of the City
Protector of civilized life, of handicrafts and agriculture
the inventor of the bridle, who first tamed horses for men to use
Inventor of weaving
Zeus's favourite child
She was trusted to carry the awful aegis, buckler, and his devastating weapon the thunderbolt
described as "gray-eyed" or "flashing-eyed"
Chief of the three virgin goddesses and was called the Maiden
Her temple is the Parthenon
Embodiment of wisdom, reason, purity
Athens was her special city
The olive created by her was her tree
The owl was her bird