A Brief Guide to the Olympian Gods
The Olympian Gods are known to have come into existence led by Zeus. However, these were not the oldest Greek gods. The oldest are the ones that were led by Gaea and Uranus, Zeus’ grandparents. It is said Zeus’ father Kronos led a group of gods known as the Titans. It’s the Titans that overthrew Uranus after which, Kronos became the ruler of the gods. Kronos children (the Olympians), one of whom was Zeus overthrew the Titans and became rulers.
In ancient Greek mythology and religion, the twelve Olympians are the main deities of the Greek pantheon. They are Hera, Zeus, Demeter, Poseidon, Apollo, Athena, Ares, Artemis, Hermis, Aphrodite, and Either Dionysus or Hestia. According to tradition, they were called Olympians because they lived on Mount Olympus.
Much as Hades was a brother of the first generation Olympians (Poseidon, Zeus, Demeter, and Hestia) he was a major ancient Greek god too though his realm was the underworld. The underworld was far from Olympus and therefore not counted among the Olympians. There is a lot of mythology surrounding the Olympian gods. If this is your topic of interest, then tighten your seat belt and brace yourself for more revelation in this article.
Who Are Olympians?
Olympians were a race of gods, mainly consisting of a third and fourth generation of immortal beings. They were worshipped as the principal gods of the Greek pantheon and they derive their name from their residency on Mount Olympus. It is said they rose to supremacy in a ten-year-long battle between gods. In this battle, Zeus led his brothers to victory over the former generation of ruling gods (Titans).
It was a family of gods, whose main members were the first generation of Olympians that were Cronus and Rhea’s children. They are Poisedon, Zeus, Demeter, Hera, and Hestia together with Zeus’ off springs. They are Apollo, Athena, Ares, Aphrodite, Artemis, Hermes, Hephaestus and Dionysus. Hades was also Zeus’ brother but not considered an Olympian because he was a god of the underworld which was far from Olympus.
Usually, Olympic gods are contrasted to chthonic gods, Hades inclusive by the approach of sacrifice. It is said Hades received his sacrifices in a sunken chamber as opposed to an altar. Though the recognized number of Olympians gods was twelve, many other beings were residents of Olympus and thus must be considered Olympians. For instance, Heracles became an Olympus resident after his apotheosis. He married Hebe, another Olympian resident.
According to Hesiod, other Olympus residents were Styx’s children. They are Nike (Victory), Zelus (Envy), Bia (Force), and Cratos (Power). These had no house or dwelling apart from Zeus. Other Olympian residents include the Graces, the Muses, Dione, Iris, Eileithyia, Ganymede, and the Horae.
It is said the twelve gods were connected with twelve months by Plato. He considered Pluto one of the twelve in suggesting that the last month be devoted to the spirits of the dead and him. Also, Ennius, a Roman poet talks of Roman equivalents as six female complements protecting Vesta’s place. Vesta was also known as Greek Hestia that played an important role in Roman religion as a state goddess protected by the vestals.
Zeus was considered the most powerful of all and was the king of Olympus and the god of the sky. His symbols are the thunderbolt and the oak. Hera was the queen of Olympus and the goddess of marriage. She was Zeus’ sister and wife. Her symbols include a cow and a peacock. Poisedon was the second powerful god and god of the sea. His symbols are the trident and the horse.
Hades lived in the underworld and king of the dead. He was Persephone’s husband and Demeter’s daughter whom he kidnapped. Aphrodite was the goddess of beauty and love and the protector of sailors. Her symbols are the dove and myrtle tree. Apollo was the god of healing and music. He was an archer and son of Zeus.
Last Remark
The Olympian gods and goddesses were twelve and ruled the universe atop Mount Olympus. They came to power after Zeus their father went into battle and overthrew his father, Kronos. Kronos was the leader of Titans. It is said all the Olympians are related. Most of these Greek gods were adopted by Romans but with different names.