Greek gods and goddesses: 15 of the most important deities of ancient Greece

Ancient Greece had a rich panoply of deities and making sense of the web of family trees can be challenging. Matt Doherty offers a guide to the most famous gods and goddesses of the Greek world – their origins, powers, passions, and how they were worshipped

A collage of ancient Greek art and mythology. Several marble busts of classical figures—gods and goddesses—appear across the composition, their pale stone faces arranged in overlapping layers. In the foreground, a silver coin shows Athena in profile wearing a crested helmet. At the centre, a colourful painted scene depicts Poseidon holding a trident and riding two hippocamps through stylised waves. To the right, a metallic statue of Hermes stands in a dynamic pose, identifiable by his winged helmet and caduceus. The background blends ocean imagery with classical sculpture, creating a dense, myth‑themed visual montage.

Published: July 17, 2026 at 12:28 PM

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According to ancient Greek mythology, the early universe was made of primordial gods (or Protogenoi) formed from the void of Chaos. Gaia (Earth) and Uranus (sky) then gave birth to 12 perfect beings – the Titans.

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Uranus became paranoid about the idea of his own children overthrowing him and decided to rule tyrannically. The Titan Cronus (Time) led a rebellion, castrating his father with a flint sickle and deposing him. Cronus then married his sister Rhea and she gave birth to the first of the Olympian gods, including Zeus.

Not content to be ruled, Zeus and his siblings eventually rebelled and fought an epic ten-year war called the Titanomachy, overthrowing Cronus in turn.

Ruling from Mount Olympus, these gods became known as the Twelve Olympians – among the most powerful gods in the Greek world. But there were thousands more gods than those dwelling in Olympus, for the Greeks had a god for just about every aspect of their lives.

All these deities were to be feared and respected. As beings, they were just as given to jealousies, rages and violence as humans. Their moods were often fickle, and great misfortune could come to any mortal who dared mock them. Read on to learn about the most important Greek gods.

Who are the most famous Greek gods and goddesses?

Zeus: King of the Greek gods and ruler of the skies

A large marble statue of a muscular, bearded man sits atop a rugged rock formation, holding a long staff or oar across his body. Water pours from beneath the sculpture, marking it as part of a fountain. Behind him rise architectural details and a warm reddish‑orange building façade. The figure’s powerful pose and flowing drapery evoke Baroque drama, characteristic of monumental fountain sculpture.

A statue of the Greek god Zeus in a fountain in Piazza Navona, Rome. Zeus was the very powerful god of the skies, and was known for his multitude of affairs and the resulting children | Credit: Dreamstime

Family: Youngest son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, husband (and brother) of Hera, father to Ares, Athena, Apollo and many, many other children

Roman equivalent: Jupiter

Zeus was king of the gods and ruler of Mount Olympus. His father was the Titan Cronos (time) who, fearing a prophecy that his own children would overthrow him, swallowed all of Zeus’ elder siblings.

Zeus’ mother Rhea hid her beloved youngest son on the island of Crete, giving Cronos a swaddled stone to swallow instead. When he grew older, Zeus returned to poison his father, making him vomit up all he had eaten. Zeus then led his brothers and sisters in a decade-long war against the Titans, eventually banishing them to Tartarus (the deepest abyss below the Underworld).

Zeus’ powers were myriad, including control of storms. His signature weapons were thunderbolts maintained for him by his blacksmith son, Hephaestus. He reigned in Olympus as the ultimate authority and dispenser of justice.

His long-suffering wife, Hera, endured his many affairs. Zeus had the ability to shapeshift when approaching lovers, appearing as a swan, bull or even a shower of gold. This shapeshifting was necessary when Zeus was wooing because being seen in his full, all-powerful godlike form by mortals proved fatal to them.

Because he was the god of the skies, the Greeks dedicated high places and mountaintop shrines to him. The Temple of Zeus at Olympia contained a huge, nearly 12-metre statue of him and was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Hera: Queen of the Greek gods and goddess of women

A carved stone bust of a solemn, long‑haired figure, the hair flowing down and adorned with leaf‑like decorations. Ornamental scrolls and stylised foliage flare outward from the shoulders, giving the sculpture an architectural, decorative quality. The textured stone surface stands out sharply against the dark background, emphasising the craftsmanship and classical, mythic character of the piece.

Wife (and full sister) of Zeus, Hera had many powers, particularly over women’s reproductive health. According to legend, the Milky Way was created from her breast milk | Credit: Dreamstime

Family: Daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, wife (and sister) of Zeus, mother to Ares, Hephaestus and others

Roman equivalent: Juno

Hera was the full sister of Zeus, born of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. Swallowed up by her father, she was eventually vomited out and joined her brother in the Titanomachy. After the war, she married Zeus and together they had several children.

She had authority over labour, able to speed up or slow pregnancy, and had the power to make those she hated lose their minds and murder their loved ones. She could also bestow wondrous gifts on mortals, whether she wanted to or not. When Zeus tricked Hera into suckling an infant Hercules, he gained superhuman strength. As Hera woke and realised her husband had got the better of her, she pushed the baby away. The milk that spurted out formed the Milky Way galaxy.

The Greeks adapted Hera from older fertility and Earth goddesses, eventually making her the wife of Zeus. She served as chief protector of the city-state of Argos. An athletic festival called the Heraea was held in her honour, consisting exclusively of footraces for unmarried young women.

Poseidon: God of the sea, who controlled storms and earthquakes

A Renaissance‑style fresco filled with mythic sea imagery. At the centre, a muscular, bearded figure stands on a shell‑shaped chariot drawn by rearing sea horses, holding a tall trident. Nearby, another figure rides in a golden chariot, while small winged putti hover above—one blowing a conch, another lifting a globe. Deep blue waves surge across the background, and a Latin banner unfurls overhead.

An Italian fresco depicts Neptune – the Roman name for Poseidon – riding on the sea with Christopher Columbus. In The Odyssey, Poseidon used his powers to take revenge on Odysseus | Credit: Dreamstime

Family: Brother to Zeus, married to the sea goddess Amphitrite, with whom he had a fish-tailed son named Triton

Roman equivalent: Neptune

Poseidon was a full brother to Zeus, swallowed by his father and rescued by Zeus at the beginning of the Titanomachy. Following the banishing of the Titans, Zeus and his brothers cast lots for the universe, granting Poseidon dominion over the seas and making him chief of the water gods.

He had the power to create catastrophic storms and tsunamis, as well as earthquakes. Unusually for a sea god, he also had mastery over horses, and many a Greek cavalryman would pray to Poseidon before a battle.

During the events of the Odyssey, Odysseus famously blinded Poseidon’s son – the mighty one-eyed Cyclops. Vowing revenge, Poseidon tried to destroy Odysseus and his men at every turn, sending violent storms and contrary winds to blow him off course into danger-filled lands. It takes Odysseus ten years to reach home.

The Mycenean Greeks likely worshipped Poseidon as an “earth-shaker” god. In their version of the mythology, Poseidon had only the power to cause earthquakes rather than to control the seas. However, as the Greeks increasingly relied on the sea for trade, he morphed into a water god. Sailors would frequently sacrifice horses or bulls to pray for a safe voyage.

Hades: God of death and ruler of the underworld

A weathered marble statue of a seated, bearded man draped in a heavy garment. His arms are partially missing, and the stone surface shows signs of age and erosion. Behind him, carved relief panels depict multiple human figures in active poses, creating a dense narrative backdrop. Light falls across the statue’s face and torso, emphasising the intricate carving and the solemn, classical expression.

Known for ruling the dark underworld, Hades instilled fear in everyone – even the mighty Zeus | Credit: Alamy

Family: Brother to Zeus, married to Persephone, whom he abducted to be queen of the underworld

Roman equivalent: Pluto

Hades was the eldest son of Cronus and Rhea. Rescued by Zeus during the war with the Titans, Hades and his two brothers cast lots for dominion of the universe. Zeus received the skies, Poseidon the seas, but Hades got the worst of the bargain by gaining the underworld, becoming the chief god of death. As he did not reside on Mount Olympus, he is not considered one of the Twelve Olympians.

Hades also possessed the Helm of Darkness, granting him invisibility and an aura of fear that even Zeus was wary of. A stern, pitiless jailer who ensured souls did not leave the underworld, he could summon the dead to do his bidding. His Roman name of Pluto means “rich one”, for Hades had dominion over all the minerals buried in the Earth, including gold and silver.

From the fifth century BC, the Greeks began to refer to him as Plouton, as pronouncing his name became a taboo that risked inviting his attention and perhaps hastening a person’s death. When it was necessary to pray to Hades, worshippers would look to the ground instead of the sky and pound their fists on the earth to get his attention.

Athena: Goddess of wisdom, warfare and crafts

A marble statue of Athena stands against a clear blue sky, wearing a crested helmet and ornate armour detailed with gold. She holds a tall spear in her right hand, and in her left, a small gilded figure of Nike balanced on a sphere. The white stone and bright gold accents create a striking contrast, emphasising the goddess’s poised, authoritative stance

A statue of the goddess Athena stands outside the Austrian parliament building in Vienna. Wise and independent, Athena was a great strategist – and Zeus’s favourite child | Credit: Dreamstime

Family: Born from the head of Zeus and half-sister to his other children, adopted mother to Erichthonius, an early king of Athens

Roman equivalent: Minerva

Fathered by Zeus and the Titan Metis (wisdom), Athena was to become the beloved patron of Athens. Zeus received a prophecy that his child by Metis would overthrow him, so he swallowed her when she was pregnant. Athena continued to mature inside Zeus, where Metis made her a set of armour. Eventually, the pain of her growth became so unbearable for Zeus that he was forced to crack open his skull, with Athena emerging fully formed, armoured and screaming an ancient war cry.

Despite this unusual birth, Athena became Zeus’ favourite child. She was one of the virgin goddesses of Greece, choosing never to marry but rather to concentrate on military strategy. Her powers included horrific curses, but her greatest asset was her wisdom – she fought with her head rather than her arm.

As patron of Athens (which bore her name), her most important festival – The Panathenaia – was held annually and featured athletic and musical contests, and the presentation of a new sacred garment (the peplos) to her ancient wooden statue.

Protector of Odysseus during the events of the Odyssey, it was Athena who guided his ship through the storms sent by Poseidon. On his return to Ithaca, she even took human form to fight on his side and deflect arrows aimed at him.

Apollo: God of the arts and leader of the muses

A carved stone relief of a reclining, curly‑haired youth holding a lyre. The figure is partially draped, resting amid ornate decorative elements, including stylised trees and patterned motifs on either side. The sculpted details emphasise a serene, classical atmosphere, highlighting the association with music and the arts.

An 18th-century bas-relief shows Apollo. It’s possible that celebrations of this prophetic god led to military mishaps at Marathon and Thermopylae | Credit: Alamy

Family: Son of Zeus and the Titaness Leto, twin of Artemis and father to Troilus, a Trojan prince

Roman equivalent: Apollo

Jealous of Zeus’ affair with the Titaness Leto, Hera forbade Leto from giving birth on solid land. Leto finally escaped to the floating island of Delos, which became fixed once Apollo was born.

He possessed unparalleled medical knowledge and musical abilities. Like Artemis, he was also a legendary archer, carrying a golden bow and arrows.

Also acting as the god of prophecy, Apollo was responsible for overseeing the Oracle of Delphi – the temple that Greeks looked to for good auguries when going to war. According to legend, the site was first founded by the Earth goddess Gaia and guarded by her serpent, Python. When Apollo arrived, he slew Python with his golden arrows and consecrated the site.

Apollo was the patron god of Troy, where he attempted to protect the city during the Trojan War. He intervened to cause a plague on the Greek army, healed wounded Trojan heroes and even guided the fatal arrow shot by Paris into Achilles’ heel.

In the Greek world, Apollo was venerated as the god of prophecy for his patronage of Delphi. The Spartan Carneia festival was dedicated to Apollo and the city state’s army was strictly forbidden from taking the field during celebrations. It is likely because of this that the Spartans turned up too late to fight the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC (although they did tour the battlefield to examine the Persian dead). Even more importantly, the Carneia once again prevented King Leonidas from taking the whole Spartan army to Thermopylae, forcing him to march to a hero’s death.

Artemis: Goddess of the hunt, moon goddess and the protector of chastity

A marble statue of a youthful figure with wavy hair bound by a headband. The figure wears a draped garment and raises the right arm to hold a quiver of arrows over the shoulder. The smooth carving and poised stance highlight the classical style and the sculpture’s refined anatomical detail.

Artemis, an eternally virgin goddess, became a key influence in the lives of young girls. In ancient Greece, a ritual dedication to her was performed to highlight transitions into womanhood | Credit: Dreamstime

Family: Daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Leto, twin of Apollo, an eternally virgin goddess who never married and had no children

Roman equivalent: Diana

Pregnant with twins by Zeus, the Titaness Leto sought refuge from a jealous Hera on the floating island of Delos. Leto gave birth to Artemis first, who immediately assisted in the birth of Apollo, her brother.

Her powers included complete mastery over wild animals and the ability to shapeshift into them. She also had incredible archery skills and the power to grant eternal youth to her followers.

Traumatised by her mother’s gruelling labour, Artemis asked Zeus at a young age to grant her eternal virginity.

According to legend, Artemis was a vengeful goddess who could not bear her honour to be slighted in any way. When the mortal queen Niobe boasted she was greater than Leto because she had 14 children – 12 more than the goddess – Artemis and her brother, Apollo, killed them all.

Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War, offended Artemis by killing a stag in one of her sacred groves. As punishment, she dispersed the winds that were to carry the fleet to Troy, leaving them becalmed. To appease Artemis, Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter to her and the winds swiftly returned.

In Ancient Greece, Artemis was worshipped through the Arkteia – a rite of passage ritual where young Athenian girls served the goddess. They would play-act as little bears at her sanctuary, dedicating their childhood toys and locks of their hair to her to represent their transition into womanhood.

Aphrodite: Goddess of love, beauty and passion

A marble group sculpture showing three figures. At the centre, a nude woman stands with her head turned slightly, holding a sandal in one hand. To her side, a goat‑legged male figure leans toward her, his horns and furry legs marking him as a satyr. Above them, a small winged child hovers between the pair, reaching down as if intervening. The trio stands on a rectangular base, the carving detailed and expressive.

As the famous goddess of love, Aphrodite (left) controlled all matters of love and lust. Her vain love for herself as “the fairest” is said to have started the Trojan War | Credit: Getty Images

Family: Possibly the daughter of Zeus and the water nymph Dione, wife to Hephaestus, mother to many children of both gods and mortal men.

Roman equivalent: Venus

The origins of Aphrodite are disputed. Hesiod states that when Cronus castrated his father, the primordial sky god Uranus, and cast his genitals into the ocean, the white foam that gathered around the flesh birthed Aphrodite. But Homer has her as yet another of Zeus’ illegitimate offspring, this time with the beautiful water nymph Dione.

Either way, she possessed a magical girdle imbued with the power to inflame passion. She was able to manipulate all aspects of love and lust, and cursed those who offended her with unrequited passions.

The epitome of eternal beauty, in Greek myth, it is Aphrodite’s vanity that sparked the Trojan War. Eris, goddess of discord, tossed a golden apple inscribed “to the fairest”. Multiple goddesses, including Aphrodite, all claimed it. They asked Paris of Troy to judge and Aphrodite bribed him by offering him Helen, the most beautiful mortal woman on Earth.

The Greeks preferred to give Aphrodite bloodless offerings such as frankincense and flowers. Although she was mostly worshiped by women as a peaceful goddess, the Spartans surprisingly venerated her as a warrior – Aphrodite Areia – and portrayed her wearing full armour as the perfect union of passion and martial skill. Spartans almost always did things differently from the rest.

Ares: God of war, battle and human courage

A marble sculpture of a seated man holding a sword, his body partly draped and one leg bent while the other extends forward. At his feet, a small child‑like figure reaches up toward him, touching the base of the statue. The pale stone stands out against the dark background, highlighting the detailed anatomy, flowing drapery, and expressive carving.

A marble statue of Ares from the Capitoline Museums in Rome. His level of bloodlust was particularly sadistic, earning ire from other Olympians | Credit: Topfoto

Family: A legitimate son of Zeus and Hera, brother to Hephaestus, he fathered many divine and semi-divine beings, including the first Amazon warrior women

Roman equivalent: Mars

Born as the legitimate son of Zeus and Hera, Ares represents the raw, unfiltered aspects of war and violence. He was despised by the other Olympians for his insatiable bloodlust.

The ancient Greeks feared Ares, for his presence brought death, disease, siege, and starvation, but the god himself was believed to be fascinated with mortals, especially those who showed courage.

As war god, Ares had power over the battlefield, able to inspire or drain courage in armies according to his personal whims. He possessed immense physical strength and was skilled in all weapons, including hand-to-hand combat.

During the Trojan War, most gods picked a side and stuck with it, but Ares changed allegiances at a whim to satisfy his gory impulses. While helping the Trojans, he brought on a direct confrontation with Athena. He got the upper hand and struck at her, but she was protected by her shield. She threw a stone, and he was knocked to the ground, only to be angrily led away by his lover, Aphrodite.

In ancient Greece, it is likely many of Ares’ altars were placed outside city limits to keep his violent tendencies from entering the walls. The Spartans chained a statue symbolising Ares down to show that his fighting spirit would never leave their city.

Hephaestus: Fire god and blacksmith to the gods

A close‑up of a weathered stone sculpture showing a muscular, bearded figure with long hair. The figure’s head is lowered and one arm is bent in a pose of strain or exertion. Cracks, peeling and erosion mark the surface, while dramatic lighting emphasises the contours of the muscles and the deep shadows across the face.

As blacksmith to the gods, Hephaestus was responsible for making several powerful weapons. Perhaps his most important creation, though, was that of the first mortal woman, Pandora | Credit: Dreamstime

Family: Son of Hera, brother to Ares, husband to his (often unfaithful) wife, Aphrodite

Roman equivalent: Vulcan

According to some traditions, Hephaestus was born from Hera alone, as an act of retribution for Zeus “giving birth” to Athena without Hera’s involvement.

But Hephaestus emerged ugly and possibly deformed. For a bunch of gods who prized beauty, the thought of accepting Hephaestus was too much and he was thrown from Mount Olympus. After landing on the island of Lemnos, he was rescued and raised by the sea goddesses Eurynome and Thetis. Eventually, he forced his way back to Olympus and trapped his mother in a golden throne. He then began crafting special weapons and armour for gods and men, famously bestowing Achilles with his impenetrable shield.

As a fire god, Hephaestus could withstand any amount of heat and was able to teleport himself through columns of flame. He could breathe life into inanimate objects and was responsible for creating the first mortal woman, Pandora, from clay.

Sick of his wife Aphrodite’s affairs, Hephaestus determined to catch his wife in the act. When Ares snuck into the marriage bed to lay with Aphrodite, little did they know Hephaestus had constructed an invisible bronze net over the bed. When the net trapped them, Hephaestus summoned the other Olympians to witness their humiliation.

Athenians celebrated the god by having the city’s blacksmiths march through the streets bearing their tools.

Hermes: Messenger of the gods, and the god of trade, travel and thieves

A circular decorative plate featuring a seated male figure wearing a winged helmet and a short tunic. He holds a staff entwined with two serpents, and a red cloak drapes over one arm. In front of him stands a small column topped with a flame. The border of the plate is patterned with a repeating Greek key design, and Greek lettering appears above the figure.

A decorative plate from Athens, featuring Hermes. His powers were wide-ranging, from incredible speed to the ability to control mortals’ dreams | Credit: Dreamstime

Family: Son of Zeus and Maia, one of the seven Pleiades, had many half-siblings. Never married, but fathered many illegitimate offspring

Roman equivalent: Mercury

When Zeus had another affair, this time with the nymph Maia, Hermes was the result. Incredibly quick-witted even by the standards of the gods, Hermes proved this as an infant by sneaking out of his cradle to steal Apollo’s cattle.

The most important power Hermes possessed was speed. Using a pair of magical winged sandals, he could run as fast as lightning across the world. Wielding a herald’s staff, the caduceus, he could induce sleep in mortals and send them important messages in their dreams. He was also responsible for safely bringing the souls of the dead to Hades and the underworld.

As well as inventing the lyre, Hermes also rescued one of Zeus’ lovers from Hera’s wrath. Fearing his wife would kill Io (another of his affairs), Zeus turned her into a cow. Hera hired the 100-eyed giant Argus to watch the cow for any sign it might be Io. Hermes came to the rescue, lulling Argus to sleep with his lyre, then slaying him.

The most famous way Ancient Greeks worshipped him was through “Herms”. These likely started as simple stone piles built by travellers to mark the way, but evolved into crafted pillars bearing his face and an erect phallus. As well as having directions carved into them, they would also serve as idols for offerings to be placed on.

Dionysus: God of wine and the theatre

A marble sculpture of a muscular man holding a small child on one arm. He lifts a cluster of grapes overhead, and the child reaches toward them with an outstretched hand. The white stone stands out sharply against the black background, highlighting the fine carving of hair, anatomy and drapery.

The god Dionysus holds a bunch of grapes in this statue, reflecting his invention of wine. His worshippers took this seriously, organising orgies and drinking parties in his honour | Credit: Dreamstime

Family: Son of Zeus and the mortal Theban princess Semele, married Ariadne, the princess of Crete, and had several semi-divine children by her

Roman equivalent: Bacchus

When Hera heard her husband had got the Theban princess Semele pregnant, she tricked Semele into asking Zeus to appear before her in his full form. Bound by an oath, Zeus did so, and Semele was instantly turned to ash. Distraught, he took the unborn child from her body and stitched him up in his thigh, where the child grew.

After Dionysus was born, Zeus hid him from Hera by sending him to be brought up by Seilenos, the god of drunkenness. Eventually, the young Dionysus was forced into the world of mortals. There, he was cared for by Semele’s sister and her husband. Hera was so enraged when she found out that she drove the couple insane, forcing them to kill their children and then themselves.

Dionysus had unmatched power over the grape and was responsible for inventing wine. He could produce states of euphoric ecstasy in followers he favoured and drive his enemies to violent madness. Like many Greek gods, he also had the power to shapeshift.

His most famous act was to give King Midas his golden touch. When Dionysus granted the greedy Midas a wish, the king asked that everything he laid hands on would turn to pure gold. Midas was initially thrilled, but became distraught after accidentally turning his daughter into a golden statue. Feeling pity, Dionysus told Midas to wash his hands in the Pactolus river to rid himself of his touch and restore his daughter to life.

Worshippers of Dionysus would engage in orgies and drinking parties clad in animal skins. The god was especially popular with marginalised groups, including women and enslaved people.

Hestia: Goddess of domestic life and protector of the family

A close‑up of an ancient Greek red‑figure pottery scene showing a seated figure in a flowing robe. The figure holds a leafy branch and sits on a stylised chair, outlined in fine red lines against a black background. The delicate detailing of the garment folds and contours reflects the precision of classical vase painting.

A sixth-century BC Greek vase shows Hestia, the goddess of domestic life. The most restrained of all the gods, Hestia was integral to the daily worship of ancient Greeks | Credit: Getty Images

Family: Eldest child of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, sister to Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, and Demeter, she never married or had any children of her own

Roman equivalent: Vesta

Hestia was the firstborn child of Cronus and Rhea, and the last to be vomited up when Zeus rescued his siblings from the stomach of Cronus. Both Poseidon and Apollo wanted to take her as a wife, but she resisted all attempts, swearing an oath to Zeus to remain a virgin forever.

Unlike many of the more tempestuous gods, Hestia’s powers were relatively peaceful. She had absolute authority over hearth and home, and she received the first and last offerings during sacrifice. Because of her commitment to peace and stability, Hestia exercised the most restraint of all the gods.

Greeks would worship Hestia daily by saying prayers over the hearths in their homes. Each city also had a central, communal fire located in the prytaneion (town hall). The first and last sacrifices of the day were dedicated to her.

Helios: Sun god and the god of sight

A round bronze medallion with a sculpted face in high relief. The face has large eyes, a prominent nose and slightly parted lips, framed by flowing, stylised hair that radiates outward. A ring of small raised dots encircles the outer edge, and the aged metal surface shows a mottled patina.

A c5th to 3rd-century BC bronze disc, depicting the head of Helios. Holding immense power, Helios created the cycle of day and night | Credit: Getty Images

Family: Son of the Titan Hyperion and the Titaness Theia, brother of Selene (goddess of the Moon) and Eos (goddess of the Dawn), had numerous lovers and many children

Roman equivalent: Sol

Helios is unusual among the Greek pantheon of gods in that he was born of two Titans and was not a brother to Zeus. Helios was responsible for causing the day/night cycle. Each dawn, he would ride across the sky in a golden chariot, only to descend into the Western Ocean at the closing of the day. Night would see him sail back around to the east in a boat crafted for him by Hephaestus, only to begin the ritual again the next morning.

As the sun god, Helios controlled the enormous power of daylight. He had omnipresent sight and was the guardian of all oaths – and he despised oathbreakers. Greek people would often swear “under the sun” as a nod to his power.

When his mortal son, Phaethon, begged his father to ride his chariot, Helios acquiesced. As Phaethon soared into the sky, he lost control of the horses. The chariot veered wildly, scorching deserts into the earth. Zeus was forced to strike down Phaethon with a thunderbolt.

Helios was especially worshipped on the island of Rhodes, where the people built a 32-metre statue, the Colossus, as a victory celebration after withstanding a long siege. It served to guard their harbour until it was sadly toppled by an earthquake in 226 BC.

During the events of the Odyssey, Odysseus’s starving men slaughtered Helios’ sacred cattle. Enraged, he appealed to Zeus, threatening to take the sun down into the earth to light the world of the dead instead. Zeus could not allow this and so struck Odysseus’s ship with a thunderbolt.

Demeter: Goddess of the harvest and the seasons

A classical‑style fresco framed by ornate architectural moulding. On the left, a reclining woman with golden hair rests on draped fabric, holding a bundle of wheat and a ribbon‑wrapped staff. On the right, a small winged child reaches toward a fruit‑laden branch. Soft blue‑grey tones fill the background, and decorative geometric and floral motifs border the scene.

A c1550s depiction of Demeter. She had great power over the lives of mortals as she could control the harvest – both famine and abundance were in her hands | Credit: Topfoto

Family: Daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, sister of Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, and Hestia, had children with her brothers Zeus and Poseidon

Roman equivalent: Ceres

Demeter was the middle daughter of Cronus and Rhea. After victory in the Titanomachy, she and her siblings formed the first generation of Olympian gods. When Zeus made love to her, the result was the birth of their daughter, Persephone. Demeter served as the queen of the harvest, dictating whether crops should grow or wither, and had the power to inflict terrible curses on mortals, such as habitual hunger.

Hades was determined to possess Persephone as his wife. With the blessing of Zeus, he abducted her to the Underworld. Demeter was distraught and neglected her duties, plunging the Earth into famine. Eventually, Zeus brokered a deal. Persephone was allowed to visit her mother for part of the year, but had to spend the rest of the year in the Underworld, during which the world would descend into winter.

As well as daily devotions and offerings, Ancient Greeks celebrated Demeter through the Thesmophoria festival. Exclusively for married citizen women, this multi-day ritual would involve camping in the wilds and fasting. Demeter was also worshipped during the famous Eleusinian Mysteries. It is possible that her worshippers ingested psychoactive substances to have hallucinogenic experiences and conquer their fear of death.

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Matthew Doherty is a writer, editor, and teacher, specializing in all things military history related. His work has been published in the UK Defence Journal and the Small Wars Journal

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