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Monday, October 10, 2005

The Olympian Gods

There were a group of twelve ruling gods who ruled after the Titans were overthrown.

Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Hera, Ares, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, Hermes, Artemis, Hephaestus

Later Hestia gave her position of one of the ruling gods to Dionysus because she became tired of the petty problems between the other gods.

Other Gods

There were many Greek gods who were not part of the ruling counsil of Mt. Olympus.

Demeter, Persephone, Eros, Hebe, Eris, Helios, Thanatos, Pan, Nemesis, The Graces, The Muses, The Furies, The Fates

The Titans

Before the Olympian gods there were the Titans. The Titans were overthrown by Zeus before the creation of mankind.

Cronus, Gaea, Uranus, Rhea, Oceanus, Tethys, Hyperion, Mnemosyne, Themis, Iapetus, Coeus, Phoebe, Thea, Prometheus, Epimetheus, Atlas, Metis

Saturday, April 02, 2005

Perseus

Greek Mythology
Hero

Name: Persues

History:

There was a king named Acrisius, and he had a daughter named Danae.
Acrisius was told by the Oracle of Apollo that Danae's son would kill
him. To prevent his daughter from ever having children Acrisius
locked Danae in a bronze tower.

The tower was dark, and did not have any doors. Thus Danae did not
have any contact with the outside world and would never marry or have
any children. The tower did have a small window. One day Zeus
entered the tower through the window. He told Danae that he wanted
her to be his wife. Zeus promised that if she became his wife he
would turn her prison into vast rolling fields as beautiful as any
ever seen. Danae accepted Zeus' proposal.

Later Acrisius noticed light coming from within the tower. He had a
wall torn down, and saw Danae sitting with a baby on her lap. Danae
looked at her father and told him that she had named the baby Persues.
Acrisius was angry and locked Danae and Persues in a large chest and
cast them out to sea.

They floated to the island of Seriphos where they were rescued by
Dictys. Dictys was the king of Seriphos' brother. Perseus grew to be
a strong young man, and protected his mother from the king of
Seriphos, Polydectes. Polydectes wanted to take Danae as his wife,
but she refused.

Polydectes devised a plan to get rid of Persues so he could have
Danae. Polydectes pretended to marry another woman. Everyone on the
island was required to give him a wedding present, including Perseus.
Unfortunately Perseus did not have any money and was unable to bring a
gift. Polydectes called Perseus a lazy-good for nothing, which
enraged Perseus. Perseus then said he could get the king any gift in
the world. So Polydectes told Perseus to bring him the head of the
gorgon Medusa and Perseus agreed.

Perseus wandered aimlessly for days searching for Medusa. He realized
that he was in trouble because the gorgons were monstrous creatures.
Instead of hair they had serpents on their head, they had brazen
hands, and if you looked at one you would be turned to stone. Just
then Perseus was greeted by Athena and Hermes. Hermes gave Perseus
his winged sandals and the sickle which Cronos used to overpower
Uranus. Athena gave Perseus a reflective shield to protect him from
being turned to stone.

Hermes told Perseus to find the Graeae. He was to have them tell him
how to get to the Nymphs of the North. Perseus was to find the Nymphs
of the North and they would give him the cap of darkness, a magic
wallet, and they would tell him where the Gorgons' lair was.

Perseus found the Graeae. They were three old women who all shared,
and fought over, one eye. He stole the eye, and ransomed it for
information. They reluctantly agreed and told him where the Nymphs of
the North were. Perseus returned the eye and set out for the Nymphs
of the North.

Once he located the Nymphs of the North they gave him the cap of
darkness which allowed its user to turn invisible. They also gave him
the magic wallet, and told him where the Gorgons' lair was.

Perseus located the lair, which was surrounded by statues that were
once men. Perseus saw Medusa and her sisters asleep through the
reflection in his shield. He flew down and cut off Medusa's head with
the sickle. Her sisters awoke and attacked Perseus, but he was able
to escape without suffering any injury.

On his way back to Seriphus Perseus came across Atlas holding the
world upon his shoulders. Perseus felt sorry for Atlas and turned him
to stone so he would no longer feel the weight of the world upon his
shoulders.

He then saw a woman chained to a stone near the ocean. Perseus
contacted her and she told him that her name was Andromada. She told
him that her mother had boasted that she was more beautiful than
Nereids. This angered Poseidon so he said that she had to be
sacrificed to a sea monster. Just as Andromada told Perseus her story
a sea monster emerged from the sea. Perseas showed Medusa's head to
the sea monster and it turned to stone.

Perseus took Andromada home and asked her father, King Cepheus, if
they could wed. He agreed and Perseus took Andromada with him. On
their way they stopped at Larisa so Perseus could compete in some
games, but during the discuss competition Perseus accidentally hit an
old man in the stands and killed him. The old man was Acrisius, and
his death fulfilled the prophecy. After they morned Acrisius' death
Andromada and Perseus left.

When they arrived at Seriphus the first person they met was Dictys.
Dictys told them that Polydectes never truly married. He said that
since Perseus' mother refused to marry Polydectes he forced her to be
his hand-maiden. Perseus was angry and left Andromada with Dictys.

Perseus stormed the castle and warned everybody who was his friend to
shield their eyes. He then lifted Medusa's head and turned Polydectes
and his courtiers into stone. Perseus and Andromada married and lived
long happy lives. Their descendants became great kings, the greatest
of which was Heracles who was the strongest man in the world.

In the end Perseus was killed by Dionysus, and he and Andromada were
put into the sky as constellations.

Sunday, March 06, 2005

Metis

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Metis
Domain: The Planet Mercury

History:

Metis was seduced by Zeus and became pregnant with Athena. Before Metis gave birth, Zeus devoured her because he feared prophecies that her second child would overthrow him. It was said that Metis was the source of Zeus' wisdom, and that she advised him from inside his stomach. Athena later arose from Zeus' forehead armed and in full armor. Metis is not listed as Athena's mother because she was killed before Athena was born.

Atlas

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Atlas

History:

Atlas was Prometheus and Epimetheus' brother. He was a son of Iapetus. He did not fight with Zeus to overthrow the Titans with his brothers. Atlas led the Titans against Zeus because of Cronus' advanced age. When the Titans were defeated by Zeus, Atlas was punished by being forced to hold the world on his back.

Epimetheus

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Epimetheus
Domain: The Titan of Afterthought

History:

Epimetheus was considered to be a stupid Titan. His name meant afterthought. He was the brother of Prometheus and Atlas. He was the son of Iapetus. He faught along side Zeus with his brother Prometheus when Zeus overthrew the Titans. Some of the Greek myths stated Epimetheus and Prometheus created mankind under Zeus' instruction. Epimetheus also accepted Pandora as a gift from Zeus. Pandora was ultimately responsible for releasing evil into the world.

Prometheus

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Prometheus
Domain: The Titan of Forethought

History:

Prometheus was the wisest of the Titans. His name meant forethought, and he was able to see the future. He was Epimetheus and Atlas' brother. He was the son of Iapetus.

When Zeus rebelled against the Titans, Prometheus defected to fight along Zeus' side. Since Prometheus fought with Zeus he was spared the other Titans' fate.

Some of the myths stated that Prometheus and Epimethus were ordered to create mankind by Zeus. But it was know that Prometheus was the protector of mankind. Prometheus gave mankind several gifts, most notably he supplied them with fire.

Prometheus also tricked Zeus into letting men keep the best parts of the animals that were sacrificed to the gods. Because of this infidelity Zeus had Prometheus chained to a boulder. He had an eagle gnaw at his liver daily. Since Prometheus was an immortal Titan, his liver would grow back every day, and he would not die.

Prometheus agreed to advise Zeus which of his children would attempt to overthrow him in exchange for his freedom. But before he supplied Zeus with the information he was rescued by Hercules.

Thea

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Thea
Domain: The Titan From Which Light Emanates

History:

Thea was the Titan from which light emanates, she was regarded as being very beautiful. Thea was married to Hyperion, and was the mother of Helios, Eos, and Selene. They were the sun, dawn and the moon respectively.

Phoebe

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Phoebe

History:

Phoebe was married to Coeus. She was the Titan of the moon and was Leto's mother.

Coeus

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Coeus
Domain: The Titan of Intelligence

History:

Coeus was the Titan of intelligence and Leto's father.

Iapetus

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Iapetus

History:

Iapetus was Prometheus, Epimethus, and Atlas' father.

Themis

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Themis
Domain: The Titan of Justice

History:

Themis was the Titan of justice and order. Themis was the Fates mother. Themis was often depicted as being blind-folded and holding a scale. Hence the phrase "justice is blind".

Mnemosyne

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Mnemosyne
Domain: The Titan of Memory

History:

Mnemosyne was the Titan of memory. She was the Muses mother. Little more is known of Mnemosyne.

Hyperion

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Hyperion
Domain: The Titan of Light

History:

Hyperion was the Titan of light. He was responsible for creating the sun, the moon, and the dawn.

Tethys

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Tethys
Domain: The Rivers of Earth

History:

Tethys was the Titan Oceanus' wife. Together with her husband she produced the rivers of Earth. She was also the mother of the ocean nymphs.

Oceanus

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Oceanus
Domain: The Oceans and Rivers

History:

Oceanus was the water which covered the entire Earth. He and his wife Tethys were the parents of the ocean nymphs.

Rhea

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Rhea
Domain: The Wife of Cronus

History:

Rhea was the wife of Cronus and Queen of the Titans. Cronus would devourer their children after conception. To save her their son Zeus, Rhea tricked Cronus into eating a rock instead of Zeus.

Uranus

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Uranus
Domain: The First Ruler of the Titans, The Sky God

History:

Uranus is the son of Gaea. Uranus did not have a father, he was created by Gaea alone. Uranus and Gaea mated and produced the rest of the Titans. Uranus was the first ruler, and the sky god. His rule came to an end when Cronus castrated him. Cronus was encouraged to castrate Uranus by Gaea. It is unknown if Uranus died from his injury or if he simply withdrew from earth.

One account of Aphrodite's conception stated she emerged from the spot in the ocean where Uranus' flesh had fallen after the castration.

Gaea

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Gaea
Domain: Earth Goddess

History:

Gaea was the Earth goddess, or Mother Earth. She mated with her son Uranus to produce the other Titans. The worship of Gaea predated Greek Mythology.

Friday, March 04, 2005

Cronus

Greek Mythology
Titan

Name: Cronus

History:

Cronus was the lord of the Titans. He consumed his children to prevent them from overthrowing his rule. Cronus' wife deceived him and allowed their son Zeus to live. Zeus later overthrew his father and the other Titans who were lead by Prometheus. Cronus and the other Titans were children of the goddess Earth.

The Fates

Greek Mythology
Gods

Name: The Fates
Domain: The Goddesses of Destiny

History:

The three Fates; Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos, decided the destiny of men. Clotho would spin the thread of life. Lachesis chose a mans lot in life, and measured how long it would be. Atropos would cut the thread of life with her shears. The Fates pre-date the gods. It was possible that they even chose the fate of the gods themselves.

The Furies

Greek Mythology
Gods

Name: The Furies
Domain: Gods Who Punished Crime

History:

The Furies; Tisiphone, Megaera and Alecto, emerged from the blood of Uranus when he was castrated. They relentlessly persued wrong-doers to death. They drove many of the wrong-doers to suicide.
The Furies were also known as the Erinnyes.

The Muses

Greek Mythology
God

Name: The Muses
Domain: Goddesses of Music and Song

History:

The Muses are the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne. There were nine muses. Each Muse had a specialty. Clio was the Muse of history, Urania was the Muse of astronomy, Melpomene was the Muse of tragedy, Thalia was the Muse of comedy, Terpsichore was the Muse of dance, Calliope was the Muse of epic poetry, Erato was the Muse of love poetry, Polyhymnia was the Muse of songs to the gods and Euterpe was the Muse of lyric poetry. Their songs were known to bring joy to anybody who heard them.

The Graces

Greek Mythology
God

Name: The Graces
Domain: Known For Singing and Dancing for the Gods

History:

The Graces; Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and Thalia, are the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome. They are the goddesses of splendor, mirth, and good cheer respectively. Their primary purpose was to provide entertainment for the other gods by singing and dancing.

Nemesis

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Nemesis
Domain: The God of divine vengeance

History:

Nemesis was the Greek god of divine vengeance. Nemesis was a vigilante of sorts who avenged those who had been wronged.

Pan

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Pan
Domain: The Greek God of Goat-herds and Shepherds

History:

Pan was the son of Hermes and Penelope in some myths and the son of Zeus and the nymph Callisto in other myths. Pan was the god of goat-herds and shepherds. In appearance Pan is half goat and half man. The lower half of his body is that of a goat and the upper half is that of a man. He has goat horns and ears as well. He is playful and full of joy. Pan has an excellent music ability, and plays the pipes.

Thanatos

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Thanatos
Domain: God of Death

History:

Thanatos was the Greek god of death. Or more accurately he was the personification of death. Thanatos played little roll in the Greek Myths, he was overshadowed by Hades the lord of the Underworld.

Helios

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Helios
Domain: The Greek God of the Sun

History:

Helios could be considered the personification of the sun. He was the sun of Hyperion, but played little roll in the Greek Myths. Helios was overshadowed by Apollo who was the lord of the sun.

Eris

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Eris
Domain: The Goddess of discord

History:

Eris was the daughter of Zeus and Hera. She was the goddess of discord, and would cause problems for gods and man alike. Eris would often accompany her brother Ares into battle. During those occasions she would be accompanied by her son Strife.

Hebe

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Hebe
Domain: The Goddess of Youth

History:

Hebe is the daughter of Zeus and Hera. Hebe and Ganymede were the cub-bearers to the gods. Hebe was married to Hercules.

Eros

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Eros
Domain: The God of Love
Weapon: Darts or Arrows

History:

Eros is the son of Aphrodite. He is the god of love, but his primary domain was erotic, romantic, love. Eros' arrows have been magically treated to either give his victim uncontrollable love or complete disdain. Eros is often depicted as being blind, this was because love is often believed to be blind. In Roman Mythology Eros is depicted as a young boy, and was called Amor or Cupid.

Persephone

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Persephone
Domain: The Goddess of Springtime, The Queen of the Underworld

History:

Persephone was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. She was the goddess of Springtime. One day Hades abducted her and took her to the underworld to be his wife. A perpetual winter began because of Demeter's sadness. Eventually Hades agreed to let Persephone leave the Underworld for six months out of every year, thus the creation of seasons.

Saturday, February 26, 2005

Hestia

Greek Mythology
Goddess

Name: Hestia
Domain: The Goddess of the Hearth, Home and Family

History:

Hestia was Zeus' sister. She was the virgin goddess of the hearth, home and the family. She did not have a distinct personality, and did not play any major role in the myths.

Hermes

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Hermes
Domain: The Messenger of the Gods
Weapon: Caduceus (a willow wand with entwined snakes), The Helmet of Darkness (a helmet that endowed its wearer with invisibility), and Winged Sandals (sandals that allowed their wearer to fly)

History:

Hermes was the messenger of the gods. He also guided the souls of the dead to the Underworld. Hermes was a prankster and a genius from birth. Hermes was the son of Zeus and a mountain nymph. On his first day of life he created the lyre from a tortoise shell.

He aided Odysseus and Persues on their respective quests.

Hera

Greek Mythology
Goddess

Name: Hera
Domain: Queen of the Olympians

History:

Hera was the Greek god of marriage. She was also the queen of the Greek gods. Hera hated the Greek hero Hercules. Hercules was the son of Zeus and a mortal woman. Hera attempted to kill Hercules on several occasions. In contrast, Hera assisted Jason with his quest to retrieve the golden fleece.

The worship of Hera may be much older than her role in Greek Mythology. It has been written that some of the first deities were female, and that worship of Hera or a similar god stretched back to before written word.

Hephaestus

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Hephaestus
Domain: The Blacksmith of the Gods

History:

Hephaestus was the lame god of the blacksmiths. He was the son of Zeus and Hera. He was an ugly god so his mother Hera threw him from Mount Olympus causing him to go lame. There is another account that stated he intervened when Zeus and Hera were arguing and Zeus threw him from Mount Olympus.

Hephaestus created many remarkable things. He created the buildings atop Mount Olympus and also created the armor worn by Achilles during the Trojan War.

Zeus commanded Hephaestus to create the first woman, Pandora. Pandora married Epimetheus, which led to the myth of Pandora's box releasing all pain and disease into the world.

Dionysus

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Dionysus
Domain: The Greek God of Wine

History:

Dionysus was the Greek god of wine. Dionysus was the son of Zeus and the mortal Semele. Dionysus saved his mother from the Underworld after she had been killed by Zeus. He also endowed Midas with the power to turn anything he touched into gold.

Demeter

Greek Mythology
Goddess

Name: Demeter
Domain: Agriculture

History:

Demeter was the Greek goddess of agriculture. She was Zeus' sister and the mother of Persephone. Persephone was taken to the Underworld by Hades to be her queen. Demeter became distraught looking for her daughter, and the crops of the land began to die. An indefinite winter began. Hades was persuaded to return Persephone to Demeter for half the year. Whenever Persephone is with her mother it is spring and summer, whenever she is with Hades it becomes fall and winter.

Athena

Greek Mythology
Goddess

Name: Athena
Domain: Athens, The Greek Goddess of Wisdom
Weapon: Sword and shield

History:

Athena is the Greek goddess of the crafts and arts. She was the patron goddess of Athens. Athena later became the Greek god of wisdom.

Zeus was once married to Metis. It was prophesied that a son born to Metis would overthrow Zeus as he had overthrown Cronus. To prevent that from happening Zeus devoured Metis. Eventually Zeus began to have excruciating headaches. He summoned Hephaestus to assist. Hephaestus struck Zeus' forehead with an ax, and Athena emerged in full armor.

Athena assisted several heroes in their endeavors such as Perseus, Jason, Odysseus, and Hercules.

Artemis

Greek Mythology
Goddess

Name: Artemis
Domain: The Virgin Goddess of the Hunt
Weapon: Bow and Arrow

History:

Artemis was the virgin Greek goddess of the hunt. Artemis assisted women with childbirth, which was ironic due to the fact that she was a virgin goddess. In some variations of the myths it is said that Artemis' mother was pregnant with her and Apollo. It is said that Artemis was born first and helped her mother deliver Apollo. Artemis' arrows also dealt sudden death.

Artemis and Apollo were Zeus and Leto's children. Apollo was jealous of Artemis' relationship with Orion so he challenged her to an archery competition. Apollo had Artemis hit a target floating far out to see. Of course Artemis' aim was perfect and she hit the object which turned out to be Orion's head.

Ares

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Ares
Domain: The Greek God of War
Weapon: Blood-Soaked Spear
History:

Although Ares is an immortal, he had been bested by mortal heroes on several occasions. Hercules defeated him in combat. He was also almost killed when two giants stuffed him into a jar. Ares was also injured by another hero during the Trojan War.

Ares is often seen carrying a blood-soaked spear. It is said that his throne on Mt. Olympus is upholstered with human skin.

Apollo

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Apollo
Domain: The God of Prophecy
Weapon: Bow and Arrow

History:

Apollo was the Greek god of prophecy, healing and music.

During the Trojan War he helped Paris obtain revenge on the hero Achilles by helping Paris slay Achilles with an arrow.

Apollo was the Greek god of music, and was often seen playing the lyre. He did not invent the lyre. He was given the lyre by Hermes. Some say that Apollo created the lute, but he was far more proficient with the lyre. During a music competition Apollo competed against Pan. King Midus said he preferred Pan's music even though Apollo had won the competition. In retaliation Apollo made King Midus' ears resemble those of a donkey.

Aphrodite

Greek Mythology
Goddess

Name: Aphrodite
Domain: goddess of Love, Beauty and Fertility

History:

Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love, beausty and fertility. She also protected sailors. According to Homer, Aphrodite was the daughter of Zeus and Dione. According to the poet Hesoid, she was born of sea foam.

The Trojan Prince Paris was asked to judge who was the most beautiful goddess. Hera and Athena attempted to bribe him with power and vitory in battle, but Aphrodite bribed him with the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. She gave him the love of Helen of Sparta, who after Paris and Helen eloped became Helen of Troy. This caused the Trojan War. Aphrodite involved herself with the affairs of mortal man on several other occasions. She helped Jason retrieve the golden fleece from the King of Colchis by having the King's daughter fall in love with Jason.

Aphrodite was married to Hephaestus, but she was unfaithful to him with Ares the Greek god of war.

Hades

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Hades
Domain: The Underworld

History:

After the titans were overthrown by the Olympian gods, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades divided all of creation. Hades became the Greek god of the underworld. Hades was a greedy god, and refused to let any of his subjects leave his domain. The gates to the underworld were gaurded by Hades' three headed dog Cerberus.

Friday, February 25, 2005

Poseidon

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Poseidon
Domain: All water
Weapon: Trident

History:

Poseidon was the Greek god of the sea, and all water. After the overthrow of the titans, Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades divided the known world between each other. Poseidon was granted dominion over all water. Poseidon married a sea nymph named Amphitrite. He had the ability to change his shape into that of a horse when he felt it was necessary.

Poseidon had disputes with several Greek heroes. Odysseus refused to pay homage to Poseidon after the win of the Trojan War, and later blinded Poseidon's son the Cyclops Polyphemus. Because of Odysseus' actions Poseidon greatly delayed his return home, and helped caused great peril to his journey home.

Also Poseidon gave King Minos a bull from the sea which proved his divine right to rule Crete. King Minos was to sacrifice the bull, but changed his mind and kept the bull. Out of spite Poseidon and Aphrodite caused King Minos' wife Pasiphae to fall in love with the bull. The result was the half-man, half-bull monster called the Minotaur.

Zeus

Greek Mythology
God

Name: Zeus
Domain: Ruler of the Greek gods.
Weapon: A lightning bolt.

History:

In Greek Mythology Zeus was the son of the titan Cronus. Cronus devoured his children because it was prophesied that one of his children would overthrow his rule. Zeus survived because his mother tricked Cronus. Zeus grew up and overthrew the titans. Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades drew lots to see who would control each domain. Zeus won the honor of becoming the supreme lord of the Greek gods.

Zeus' wife was Hera. She was not interested in him originally, but he tricked her, then took advantage of her. Hera did not want to let it be known that Zeus had disgraced her so she agreed to marry him. Zeus was famous for his many affairs which produced offspring such as Hercules.