Gods And Goddesses Essay, Research Paper
Zeus is the god of the sky and ruler of
the Olympian gods. He presides over the gods on Mount Olympus where he
wields a terrible thunder bolt in which he uses to discipline those who
displease him. Zeus is also known to punish those who lie or break oaths.
Zeus was the youngest son of the Titans, Cronus and Rhea. When Zeus grew
to maturity he dethroned Cronus. Zeus henceforth ruled the sky, and his
brothers Poseidon and Hades were given power over the sea and the underworld.
He is husband to his sister Hera and, he was the father of Ares the god
of war; Hebe, the goddess of youth; Hephaestus the god of fire; and Eileithyia,
the goddess of childbirth. Many of his children were born to goddesses
or mortal women after love affairs.
Hera, a beautiful and headstrong goddess,
is the queen of the gods and the daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea.
She is the sister and wife of the god Zeus. Though Hera advised Zeus and
bore him children, jealousy corupted her. She hated her husband’s adventures
and schemed against his many wives and children. Hera was the goddess of
marriage and the protector of married women. Her children were the gods
Ares, Hephaestus, Hebe, and Eileithyia. Known for her vindictive nature,
Hera never forgot an injury.
Poseidon is the son of Cronos & Rhea.
He was known as the earth-shaker and was given the dominion of the sea.
The Cyclopes gave Zeus the thunderbolt and Hades a helmet, gave Poseidon
his trident. Cronos used to swallow his offspring because he learned that
one day one of his children will over throne him. Poseidon was swallowed
by his father as were Hestia, Hera, Hades, Demeter, and Zeus was
the only one who escaped that fate. He lived in a golden underwater palace
with his queen, Amphitrite, a beautiful sea goddess. Poseidon plays a prominent
part in numerous ancient myths and legends. When he and Apollo were cheated
by the Trojans, Poseidon’s revenge was endless. He sent a terrible sea
monster to ravage the land, and during the Trojan War he helped the Greeks.
Aphrodite had no parents and rose out
of the sea on a cushion of foam. She was so beautiful that love bloomed
all around her. Aphrodite is the wife of Hephaestus, the god of fire. Aphrodite
was not always true to her husband because she made love flare up among
the gods. Aphrodite would often help young people in love. Atalanta, a
virgin huntress who remained always under arms, used to force her wooers
to race before her and if she caught them she would put them to death.
If anybody could survive, she would marry him. But Melanion came to the
race bringing the golden apples that Aphrodite had given him. He dropped
the apples as he was running, and because Atalanta could not
help to pick up the fruit she was beaten in the race.
Hephaestus is the god of fire and metalwork.
He is the son of the god Zeus and the goddess Hera. Hephaestus was born
with bad luck and Hera threw him out of Olympus. He was rescued by the
sea goddess Theitis and her sisters where they lived secretly. Although
he could not walk, Hephaestus worked on his strength and his body grew
strong. Hephaestus became a wonderful craftsman and made beautiful objects.
When Hera heard of the wonderful work Hephaestus had produced, she regreted
her actions. She called him back to Olympus and allowed him to marry Aphrodite.
He became the worker of the gods and made Zeus his thunderbolts.
Athena is one of the most important goddesses
in Greek mythology. She sprang full-grown and armored from the forehead
of her father, Zeus, and was his favorite child. He entrusted her with
his shield and his principal weapon, the thunderbolt. Athena was a warrior
who hated war. She admired courage and fairness and sought peaceful ways
to settle fights. Athena invented the flute, the trumpet, farm tools, and
the olive tree. She taught the arts of cooking, spinning and weaving.
Hermes is the son of Zeus & Maia,
is the messenger of Zeus and the herald of the gods. Maia gave birth to
Hermes in a cave in Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. Hermes was born with
the dawn and while his mother slept in her cave, he slipped out of his
cradle and went looking for adventure. He was a tortioise, killed it, and
invented the lyre from its shell. As he taught himself how to play the
lyre, he saw his brother Apollo’s cows and stole them. When Hermes confessedhis
trick, Apollo was furious. He knew Apollo loved music, and offered him
the lyre for the cows. Apollo gave him the cows and more, and left happily
with the lyre. Heremes promised not to steal or lie again if Zeus gave
him a throne on Olympus. He grew up to be Zeus’s personal messenger and
helper. He traveled as fast as the wind on winged sandals. He used these
sandals to guide souls of the dead to Hades. Hermes led Athena, Hera, and
Aphrodite to Mound Ida to be judged by Paris in order to see who would
have the Apple of Eris.
Apollo is the son of the god Zeus and
Leto. When he was four days old, he asked Hephaestus to make him silver
bows and arrows. He then went off to kill the dreaded serpent Python that
Hera sent to kill his mother. Apollo was dangerous with his arrows and
punished the guilty; with the help of Artemis, his twin sister. He healed
the sick, cared for animals, and brought delight with his music. Apollo
was the protector of young men, the god of agriculture, and the god of
light and truth.
Artemis is one of the principal goddesses.
She is the daughter of Leto and the god Zeus. Her twin brother is Apollo;
god of the sun, music, poetry, and healing. She was the goddess of hunting,
wild animals, childbirth, nature, and the harvest. As a young child she
asked for a bow and arrows like Apollo’s, so they could hunt together.
She also asked to stay young forever and never have to marry. As the moon
goddess, she was sometimes identified with the goddesses Selene and Hecate.
Artemis was traditionally the protector of youth, especially young women.