Who Are the 12 Olympians in Greek Myth? A Deep Dive

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Greek mythology expert Julia VanderHoeven discusses the major (& minor) gods of Olympus
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From Zeus’ lightning bolts to Aphrodite’s famed beauty, Greek mythology is full of powerful, fascinating, and ambrosia-guzzling gods. But which gods are the noted “Twelve Olympians,” and what are their roles in ancient Greek lore? We’ll tell you everything you need to know in this deep dive on the Olympian gods and goddesses—including who the 12 Olympians are, how they came to be, how they’re all related to each other, and which other Greek deities you should know. Plus, we spoke to wikiHow’s mythology experts for their additional insights on the gods of Olympus.

The Twelve Olympians (Visual Infographic)

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An illustration of the 12 Olympian gods in Greek mythology.

Greek mythology expert Julia VanderHoeven lists Zeus, Hera, Demeter, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, and Hermes as the main Olympians. Dionysus and Hestia are interchangeable in the 12th spot. Hades, while important, is not an Olympian because he lives in the Underworld (not on Olympus).

Section 1 of 5:

The Twelve Olympians in Greek Mythology

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  1. Step 1 Zeus
    Zeus is arguably the most famous and influential god on Mount Olympus. He rules over all of the Olympian gods (including the Twelve Olympians), and he’s also the god of the sky, lightning, and thunder, shares VanderHoeven.[1] He resides on Mount Olympus, where he rules beside his wife and queen, Hera.[2]
    • Role: King of the gods; ruler of Mount Olympus; god of lightning, thunder, law, order, justice, and the sky.
    • Roman Equivalent: Jupiter
    • Main Symbols: Thunderbolt, eagle, oak tree, bull, scepter, and scales.
    • Spouse(s): Metis, Themis, Eurynome, Demeter, Mnemosyne, Leto, and Hera.

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Julia VanderHoeven is a Greek and Roman mythology and ancient history scholar who shares content under the handle @museofmythology on Instagram.

    Maria Souza is a comparative mythologist who hosts the Women and Mythology Podcast and authored Wild Daughters, a mythopoetic work that offers inspiration to women.

  2. Step 2 Hera
    Hera is the queen of all the Olympian gods, and she’s also known as the goddess of marriage, women, and childbirth. She lives on Mount Olympus, ruling over the gods beside her husband, Zeus, who is the king of the Gods. Most myths that involve Hera tell of Zeus’ many affairs and Hera’s jealous, often vengeful reactions to them.[3]
    • Role: Queen of the gods; goddess of marriage, women, childbirth, and family.
    • Roman Equivalent: Juno
    • Main Symbols: Peacock, pomegranate, crown, crow, and lotus.
    • Spouse(s): Zeus.
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  3. Step 3 Poseidon
    Poseidon is primarily the god of the sea, says VanderHoeven, although he also oversees earthquakes and storms.[4] Along with his brothers Zeus and Hades, Poseidon is considered to be one of the “Big Three” Olympians. He’s often depicted as moody, immensely powerful, and always with a commanding trident.[5]
    • Role: God of water, storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, horses, and the sea.
    • Roman Equivalent: Neptune
    • Main Symbols: Trident, dolphin, horse, and bull.
    • Spouse(s): Amphitrite.
  4. Step 4 Demeter
    Demeter’s main role is as a goddess of agriculture, as well as the harvest, grains, and fertility, according to comparative mythologist Maria Souza.[6] She’s sometimes referred to as the “Earth Mother,” but she’s the actual mother of Persephone, the springtime goddess who was abducted by Hades to become the Queen of the Underworld.[7]
    • Role: God of fertility, agriculture, nature, the seasons, and the harvest.
    • Roman Equivalent: Ceres
    • Main Symbols: Wheat, cornucopia, torch, poppy, pig.
    • Spouse(s): Zeus (according to some sources).
  5. Step 5 Athena
    “Athena is the goddess of wisdom, warfare, and strategy,” says Souza, as well as logic, reason, and handicraft. Souza also explains that Athena was not “birthed from a mother,” but actually out of the head of Zeus as a fully “grown adult woman wearing her warrior garments.”[8] As one of the major virgin goddesses, Athena has no romantic relationships on Mount Olympus, but she is the famed patron of the city of Athens.[9]
    • Role: Goddess of wisdom, warfare, and handicraft.
    • Roman Equivalent: Minerva
    • Main Symbols: Owl, olive tree, snakes, gorgoneion, shield.
    • Spouse(s): None.
  6. Step 6 Apollo
    Apollo is most well known as the god of the sun, but he also rules over music, prophecy, and healing. He’s the twin brother of Artemis, and the pair were born to Leto and Zeus. Apollo is often depicted as a civil, orderly, and “ideal” Greek male, with golden hair and an athletic stature. However, he also has a quick and vengeful temper (like most of the gods).[10]
    • Role: God of light, prophecy, philosophy, archery, truth, inspiration, poetry, music, arts, masculine beauty, healing, plague, and the Sun.
    • Roman Equivalent: Apollo
    • Main Symbols: Lyre, bow and arrow, raven, swan, wolf.
    • Spouse(s): None.
  7. Step 7 Artemis
    Artemis is the goddess of the hunt and the moon, as well as wilderness, wild animals, and childbirth. She is one of the virgin goddesses, and many of her myths revolve around being a protector of young women and a fierce, independent huntress. She’s also the twin sister of Apollo, the god of the sun.[11]
    • Role: Goddess of the Moon, the hunt, the wilderness, virginity, archery, childbirth, protection, and plague.
    • Roman Equivalent: Diana
    • Main Symbols: Moon, hound, bow and arrow, horse, deer, she-bear, snake, cypress tree.
    • Spouse(s): None.
  8. Step 8 Ares
    Ares is the god of war, but he’s associated with the bloody and violent aspects of war (rather than strategy and manipulation, like Athena). His brash personality made him largely unpopular with the other Twelve Olympians, although many myths tell of his ongoing affair with Aphrodite, who was married to Hephaestus. And, amongst humans, Ares was widely worshipped in Thrace and Sparta.[12]
    • Role: God of war, violence, bloodshed, and masculine virtues.
    • Roman Equivalent: Mars
    • Main Symbols: Spear, shield, vulture, serpent, dog, boar.
    • Spouse(s): None.
  9. Step 9 Aphrodite
    Aphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty, as well as desire and fertility. She’s able to influence both gods and mortals in their desires, and she’s depicted as immensely beautiful and irresistible. Despite her many affairs (including her long-running one with Ares), Aphrodite was only ever married to Hephaestus. In most tellings, Aphrodite is also the mother of Eros (otherwise known as Cupid).[13]
    • Role: Goddess of love, beauty, desire, pleasure, passion, fertility, and procreation.
    • Roman Equivalent: Venus
    • Main Symbols: Seashell, dove, myrtle, rose, sparrow, swan, dolphin, hand mirror.
    • Spouse(s): Hephaestus.
  10. Step 10 Hephaestus
    Hephaestus is the god of fire and metalworking, but he’s also associated with forges and stone masonry. In most myths, he’s shown as a divine blacksmith who creates the powerful weaponry used by all gods and heroes. Notably, he created Achilles’ armor, Zeus’ thunderbolts, Hermes’ winged sandals, and more. He is also physically disabled and often depicted with a “shrivelled” foot, which is unique amongst the Olympian gods.[14]
    • Role: Master blacksmith; craftsman of the gods; god of invention, craftsmanship, fire, volcanoes, and the forge.
    • Roman Equivalent: Vulcan
    • Main Symbols: Fire, anvil, axe, hammer, tongs, donkey, quail.
    • Spouse(s): Aphrodite, Aglaia.
  11. Step 11 Hermes
    Hermes serves as a messenger for the gods, often managing communications between Mount Olympus, the mortal realm, and the Underworld. He also watches over travelers, messengers, thieves, athletes, and commerce. He’s known for being clever and mischievous, and he often helps heroes and demigods in their myths. Hermes is usually depicted with his signature winged sandals and cap.[15]
    • Role: Messenger of the gods; guide of dead souls; god of travel, communication, commerce, diplomacy, thieves, borders, eloquence, and games.
    • Roman Equivalent: Mercury
    • Main Symbols: Caduceus, winged sandals, winged cap, tortoise.
    • Spouse(s): None.
  12. Step 12 Hestia OR Dionysus
    For the final spot in the Twelve Olympians lineup, we actually have two contenders: Hestia and Dionysus. Hestia is the goddess of the hearth, home, and domestic life, while Dionysus is the god of wine, fertility, theatre, and ecstasy. In early Greek myths, Hestia was part of the original Twelve, as she’s a child of Cronus and Rhea. She’s also represented as one of the only gentle goddesses who serves as an ally to humans, says Souza, rather than acting vengeful toward them.[16] However, Hestia faded out of mainstream recognition over time, so some sources replace her with Dionysus, who would be the youngest Olympian god.[17]
    • Role: Goddess of the hearth, fire, family, and domesticity. // God of wine, festivity, ecstasy, madness, resurrection, and the grapevine.
    • Roman Equivalent: Vesta // Bacchus
    • Main Symbols: Fire, fireplace, chaste tree, kettle, pig. // Ivy, grapevine, cup, tiger, leopard, dolphin, goat, pinecone.
    • Spouse(s): None. // Ariadne.
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Section 2 of 5:

Family Tree of the Twelve Olympians

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  1. Step 1 Zeus, Demeter, Hera, Poseidon, and Hestia are all siblings.
    These five gods were born to Cronus, the god of time and King of the Titans, and Rhea, Cronus’ Titaness sister and queen. Later, their children became the first Olympians. They also had another son, Hades, but he is not one of the twelve Olympians. Hades, as the god of death, resides in the Underworld, instead of on Mount Olympus with his siblings.[18]
  2. Step 2 Zeus and Hera had Ares and Hephaestus.
    Zeus and Hera married and became king and queen of the Olympian gods. They had four children total, but only Ares and Hephaestus became part of the twelve Olympians. The other two were Hebe, the goddess of youth and cup-bearer to the Olympians, and Eileithyia, the goddess of childbirth.[19]
  3. Step 3 Zeus also fathered Athena, Artemis, Apollo, Hermes, Dionysus, and Aphrodite.
    From different mothers (including some of his other wives), Zeus became the father of the remaining twelve Olympians. Athena’s mother is Metis, a Titan goddess of intelligence, VanderHoeven explains.[20] Following a prophecy that Metis’s son would overthrow Zeus, Zeus decided to turn Metis into a fly and swallow her. Metis was already pregnant, however, and the child (Athena) sprang out of Zeus’ head as a fully grown adult.[21]
    • Apollo and Artemis are twins, states VanderHoeven, and they were both the product of an affair that Zeus had with Leto, the Titan goddess of motherhood.[22]
    • Hermes was born to Zeus and Maia, one of the seven Pleiades nymphs.[23]
    • Dionysus was born to Zeus and Semele, a Theban princess and demigod.[24]
    • Aphrodite, in early myths, was born after the genitals of Uranus (the primordial Greek god of the sky) were cast into the sea. The genitals conjured the seafoam from which Aphrodite emerged. In later tales, however, Aphrodite was born to Zeus and Dione, a Titan goddess.[25]

    Want to learn more? Explore our complete family tree of the Greek gods.

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Section 3 of 5:

History & Origins of the Twelve Olympians

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  1. 1
    The Olympians are a group of Greek gods who lived on Mount Olympus. The Olympians are the third generation of deities described in Greek myth, but they were the primary group worshipped by ancient Greek societies and civilians. Their name comes from their home on Mount Olympus, from which they ruled after defeating the Titans, who were the previous generation of deities. Most of the Twelve Olympians were related, with many of them being siblings born to Cronus and Rhea (the rulers of the Titans). The remaining Olympians were mostly children of the original siblings, with the majority of them being fathered by Zeus.[26]
  2. 2
    There are 12 canonical Olympian gods, but other deities lived on Olympus. Traditionally, there are only 12 (or 13, with Hestia and Dionysus interchangeable) Olympian gods. However, many other minor gods, goddesses, and demigods lived atop Mount Olympus, so they could also be considered Olympians in a sense. According to some sources, other residents of Olympus included:
    • Heracles, or Hercules, a demigod son of Zeus who famously completed 12 labors.[27]
    • Hebe, the goddess of youth and a daughter of Zeus and Hera.
    • Zelos, the personification of zeal, dedication, rivalry, and jealousy.
    • Nike, the goddess of victory, competition, and triumph.
    • Kratos, the personification of brute strength and power.[28]
    • Bia, the goddess of force, might, and compulsion.
    • Iris, the goddess of the rainbow.[29]
    • Dione, a Titaness and Oceanid who represents ancient prophecy.
    • Ganymede, a Trojan prince whom Zeus abducted to be the gods’ immortal cupbearer.[30]
  3. 3
    There are multiple theories behind 12 being the canon number. While it’s unclear exactly why the ancient Greeks fixed the number of Olympians at twelve, there are some potential explanations. The number twelve likely held some type of religious or spiritual significance. Several other regions and civilizations worshipped groups of twelve gods, and this may have been due to the influence of Babylonian counting systems or other historical factors. Plato also theorized that the twelve gods were meant to correspond to the twelve months or “feasts” of the year, although he included Hades as one of the twelve.[31]
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Section 4 of 5:

Other Important Greek Gods & Goddesses

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  1. Step 1 Hades
    Hades is the god (and king) of the Underworld and its dead souls. He’s also associated with precious metals, gems, and other types of wealth that are hidden under the Earth. Hades is one of the “Big Three” Greek gods, as he’s the brother of Poseidon and Zeus. However, because he lives in the Underworld rather than on Mount Olympus, he’s not considered an “Olympian.”[32]
    • Role: King of the dead; ruler of the Underworld; god of hidden wealth.
    • Roman Equivalent: Pluto
    • Main Symbols: Three-headed dog, scepter, cornucopia, cypress, key, pomegranate.
    • Spouse(s): Persephone
  2. Step 2 Persephone
    Persephone is a maiden goddess of the springtime, although she’s also connected to vegetation and fertility. After being abducted by Hades, she spends half of the year in the Underworld, ruling as the queen of the dead. This is the Greek explanation for the seasons of the year; when Persephone is on Earth, it’s spring and summer, but autumn and winter come when she’s in Hades.[33]
    • Role: Queen of the underworld; goddess of spring, fertility, vegetation, and growth.
    • Roman Equivalent: Proserpina.
    • Main Symbols: Pomegranate, torch, sheaf of wheat, narcissus flowers.
    • Spouse(s): Hades.
  3. Step 3 Eros
    “Eros is the god of love and attraction,” explains VanderHoeven. “He actually started off as one of the primordial gods, as in, one of the first gods that ever existed in the universe. But, as myths developed, Eros became known as the son of Aphrodite.”[34] He also represents passion and sexual desire, and he’s usually depicted as a trickster-like, winged boy with a bow and arrow. Like Cupid, he can strike people with his arrow to make them fall in love.
    • Role: God of love, desire, and procreation.
    • Roman Equivalent: Cupid
    • Main Symbols: Bow and arrow, wings, torch.
    • Spouse(s): Psyche.
  4. Step 4 Nike
    Nike is the goddess of victory, often portrayed with expansive, powerful wings and a laurel wreath. She rules over both triumph in battle and sportsmanlike competitions, such as the Olympics, and she often served as a divine charioteer for the gods. Of course, in our modern world, she’s best known as the inspiration for Nike, the popular sportswear brand.[35]
    • Role: Goddess of victory and triumph.
    • Roman Equivalent: Victoria.
    • Main Symbols: Wings, laurel wreath, palm branch, staff of Hermes.
    • Spouse(s): None.
  5. Step 5 Pan
    Pan is primarily a god of the untamed wild, but he also looks after shepherds, flocks, traditional music, and fertility. As a satyr, he has a unique look; Pan’s body is half human and half goat. Specifically, his upper body (and face) is human, but he also has goat legs and horns. Famously, Pan invented the panpipes, and he’s also known for being a bit of a scoundrel who would chase nymphs around.[36]
    • Role: God of the wild, shepherds, flocks, and rustic music.
    • Roman Equivalent: Faunus.
    • Main Symbols: Flute, got horns, shepherd’s crook, pine wreath.
    • Spouse(s): Syrinx, Echo, and Pitts.
  6. Step 6 Hecate
    Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft and magic, as well as ghosts and nighttime. She also reigns over crossroads, doorways, and boundaries. Importantly, Hecate is a triple goddess, which is a common archetype in ancient mythologies. This means that Hecate represents all aspects of feminine life—including the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone.[37]
    • Role: Goddess of magic, witchcraft, ghosts, necromancy, crossroads, the moon, and the night.
    • Roman Equivalent: Trivia.
    • Main Symbols: Pairs of torches, keys, black dogs, serpents.
    • Spouse(s): None.
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Section 5 of 5:

Bonus: Greek Myth & Percy Jackson Quizzes 🏛️✨

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References

  1. ↑ Julia VanderHoeven. Greek and Roman Mythology Expert. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www2.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/homer/index.php?page=gods
  3. ↑ https://www2.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/homer/index.php?page=gods
  4. ↑ Julia VanderHoeven. Greek and Roman Mythology Expert. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ https://www2.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/homer/index.php?page=gods
  6. ↑ Maria Souza. Comparative Mythologist. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ https://www2.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/homer/index.php?page=gods
  8. ↑ Maria Souza. Comparative Mythologist. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ https://www2.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/homer/index.php?page=gods
  1. ↑ https://www.usu.edu/markdamen/1320anclit/chapters/03clgods.htm
  2. ↑ https://www.usu.edu/markdamen/1320anclit/chapters/03clgods.htm
  3. ↑ https://www.usu.edu/markdamen/1320anclit/chapters/03clgods.htm
  4. ↑ https://www.usu.edu/markdamen/1320anclit/chapters/03clgods.htm
  5. ↑ https://www.usu.edu/markdamen/1320anclit/chapters/03clgods.htm
  6. ↑ https://www.usu.edu/markdamen/1320anclit/chapters/03clgods.htm
  7. ↑ Maria Souza. Comparative Mythologist. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ https://www.usu.edu/markdamen/1320anclit/chapters/03clgods.htm
  9. ↑ https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/The_Myths/Titanomachy/titanomachy.html
  10. ↑ https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Hera/326162
  11. ↑ Julia VanderHoeven. Greek and Roman Mythology Expert. Expert Interview
  12. ↑ https://www.cornellcollege.edu/classical_studies/myth/athena/index.html
  13. ↑ Julia VanderHoeven. Greek and Roman Mythology Expert. Expert Interview
  14. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hermes-Greek-mythology
  15. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dionysus
  16. ↑ https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2005/2005.04.04/
  17. ↑ https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/The_Myths/Titanomachy/titanomachy.html
  18. ↑ https://www.history.com/articles/hercules
  19. ↑ https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Kratos/kratos.html
  20. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Iris-Greek-mythology
  21. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ganymede-Greek-mythology
  22. ↑ https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0166:book=8:section=828b
  23. ↑ https://www2.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/homer/index.php?page=gods
  24. ↑ https://www2.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/homer/index.php?page=gods
  25. ↑ Julia VanderHoeven. Greek and Roman Mythology Expert. Expert Interview
  26. ↑ https://www2.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/homer/index.php?page=gods
  27. ↑ https://www.usu.edu/markdamen/1320anclit/chapters/03clgods.htm
  28. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hecate

About This Article

Julia VanderHoeven
Co-authored by:
Julia VanderHoeven
Greek and Roman Mythology Expert
This article was co-authored by Julia VanderHoeven and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophie Burkholder, BA. Julia VanderHoeven is a Greek and Roman mythology and ancient history scholar. Julia is known as @museofmythology on Instagram, where she shares engaging and informative insights on mythology and history, with particular interest in Greek and Roman myths, and their influences on pop culture myths and memes. She has undergraduate degrees in French and Ancient World studies, a diploma in Latin, and a Master’s degree in Classics from Trinity College - Dublin. She is most interested in Greek mythology, doing her thesis on a feminist reading of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Although Julia now specializes in AI and its modern use in the corporate world as a Technology Consultant, she remains passionate about ancient history and culture. This article has been viewed 2,688 times.
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