Names of Greek Gods - Ancient Greek Gods

Of myth and mysteries, of stigmas and seduction, of glamor and passion, of love and hate…from Hades to Hera, and from Apollo to Aphrodite, Greek Gods have enthralled people. Greek mythology says that before the Gods appeared, there was nothing but chaos and darkness. An eerie darkness that filled the lives…then love…the creator of all started the creation of the world. Love opened her heart for light, and day started. From this love, light and day…Gaea, the earth appeared. And it all began…

Back in the days, when Gods were responsible for everything good or bad, the Greeks believed in simple concept worship the gods, make sacrifices to them and they will ensure that you are favorably blessed. Of all the Ancient Greek Gods, the most popular ones are the Olympians. These are the twelve supreme beings that lived on Mount Olympus.

• Aphrodite: love, beauty and passion, these are the words that best describe Aphrodite. She is who is also called Venus by the Romans, was created from the crystal waters of Paphos in Cyprus. She was considered the most beautiful Goddess and always carried with her a girdle, the seashell and a mirror. Her vanity was of utmost importance to her, and she was very amorous, but she was in a love affair with Ares, the God of war.
• Apollo: as most women want to be compared to Aphrodite, most men want to be compared to Apollo, the most beautiful God. He was the god of light, medicine and music. Apollo also had a gift of prophecy, which was given to him by his father Zeus at birth. The handsome Apollo carried with him a lyre, tripod and navel stone.
• Ares: the God of all things dark, the God of war, Ares was Aphrodite’s lover and father to many children. He was also called Mars and is the son of Zeus and Hera. Ares was always surrounded by dogs and carried a spear.
• Artemis: also called Diana, Artemis was the Goddess of moon, forest, childbirth and hunting. Ironically Artemis was a virgin and yet was associated with childbirth. She is the daughter of Zeus and mortal Leto.
• Athena: Goddess born of Zeus, she who is called Minerva, like Artemis was a virgin Goddess. She was the patron goddess of Athens and Goddess of wisdom, skill and war.
• Hades: Pluto he was also known as and was the ruler of the underworld and of the dead. He was always surrounded by darkness, death, silence and gloom.
• Hephaestus: This God of Fire and Forge was given the roman name of Vulcan. He was the son of Zeus and Hera and was rumored to be conceived before their nuptials. He was husband to Aphrodite, but never her true lover, because he lacked what Aphrodite prized, beauty.
• Hera: She, Juno is the Queen of the Gods and Goddesses, and wife to King of the Gods Zeus. She was the Goddess of Marriage and family. Hera hated her husband Zeus’s love child Hercules by a mortal woman.
• Hermes: He was the messenger of the Gods and quite naturally the Greek God of Trade. He was also called Mercury.
• Hestia: this Goddess of home and hearth was the eldest daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. She is also called Vesta by the Romans and was one of the three virgin Goddesses.
• Poseidon: He was the most feared, this God of the sea and earthquakes. Every time there was a storm, a quick prayer was sent to calm the wrath of Poseidon. He was named Neptune by the Romans.
• Zeus: King of the Gods, Zeus was the Greek God of the sky and was invincible. He was the ultimate authority on Mount Olympus and has the most power. He was called Jupiter by the Romans and was born of the Titans Cronus and Rhea.