5104 EDU-092 Olympus Pre Visit Kit Gods F

OLYMPUS
Pre-Visit Kit
THE GRECO-ROMAN COLLECTIONS OF BERLIN
GODS AND GODDESSES OF ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME
Religion was a very important part of life in ancient Greece. The gods and goddesses of ancient Greek
mythology were depicted frequently in Greek art. Ancient Greeks could recognize the different gods and
goddesses by the attributes, objects, or symbols that were associated with each one.
Although there were hundreds of gods, goddesses, demi-gods, and heroes in Greek mythology, there were
12 major deities who were called the Olympian gods. Which 12 gods were included varied according to date,
sources, and tradition. It is also important to note that the names and attributes of each god varied slightly
depending on the region, however, these variations were accepted as part of the god.
The Roman interest in Greek culture led to the assimilation of the Greek pantheon into Roman culture.
The Roman names for each god are listed here in parenthesis.
ZEUS (JUPITER)
King of the Gods
POSEIDON (NEPTUNE)
God of the Sea
DEMETER (CERES)
Goddess of the Harvest
Symbols: thunderbolt, eagle, oak tree
Symbols: Sea, trident, horse, dolphin
Symbols: Sheaf of wheat
Zeus is the god of the skies and earth
and he is the ruler of the Olympian
gods. The Greeks believed that he was
the god of all natural phenomena in the
sky and the personification of nature.
He used his shield, the Aegis, to create
storms, and his thunderbolt to punish
those who displeased or defied him.
He is Hera’s husband and the father of
Apollo, Artemis, Hermes, Hephaestos,
Persephone, Ares, Athena, and
Dionysos, among others.
Brother of Demeter, Zeus, and Hades,
Poseidon is the god of the sea. He is
considered Olympian even though he
lives in his palace, Aegae, under the sea.
He is known for his bad temper and was
greatly feared for his ability to cause
earthquakes and make fresh water
gush from the earth.
Sister of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades,
and goddess of agriculture, Demeter
controlled the seasons and fertility of the
land. Her moods are linked to famines,
the growth of crops, and the seasons.
OLYMPUS
Pre-Visit Kit
THE GRECO-ROMAN COLLECTIONS OF BERLIN
GODS AND GODDESSES OF ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME
HERA (JUNO)
Queen of the Gods
Symbols: peacock, cow, wedding ring,
crown/diadem
Hera is the goddess of marriage and
women, and she is also the queen of
the gods. Her marriage with Zeus was
troubled and most of the myths regarding
her involve her plans of revenge and
outwitting Zeus. She is the mother of
Ares and Hephaestos.
ARTEMIS (DIANA)
Goddess of the
Hunt and Nature
Symbols: Moon, deer, silver bow
and arrows
Artemis is the goddess of hunting, the
crescent moon, and wilderness. She is
often portrayed with a quiver and wears
a short tunic so that she can run fast. She
is able to send plagues upon mortals,
but she can also heal. She is the twin
sister of the god Apollo.
HEPHAESTOS (VULCAN)
God of Fire and
Craftsmanship
APHRODITE (VENUS)
Goddess of
Love and Beauty
Symbols: hammer, tongs
Symbols: Dove, swan, scallop shell
Hephaestos was married to Aphrodite
and thrown out of Mount Olympus by
his mother Hera, due to his unsightly
appearance. Working underground
in volcanoes, he made metal into armour
for heroes like Achilles and Hercules.
Aphrodite is the goddess of love and
beauty. She is considered the most
powerful goddess as she was able to
bend the will of both men and gods.
She was the wife of Hephaestos, but
was in love with Ares. In some myths she
is also considered the mother of Eros.
ASCLEPIOS (AESCULAPIOS)
God of Medicine
APOLLO (APOLLO)
God of Light and Music
Symbols: rod with snake
Symbols: sun, lyre, bow, Laurel tree
Asclepios is the son of Apollo and
the god of medicine. His attribute,
a rod with a snake entwined around it,
continues to be a symbol for medicine
today. Zeus was annoyed with how
much healing that Asclepios was doing
so he struck him with a thunderbolt.
Apollo is the god of music, archery,
and prophecy. He also drives the
chariot of the sun. He is a vengeful
god and unpredictable. Apollo
is Artemis’ twin.
OLYMPUS
Pre-Visit Kit
THE GRECO-ROMAN COLLECTIONS OF BERLIN
GODS AND GODDESSES OF ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME
HERMES (MERCURY)
Messenger of the Gods
Symbols: Caduceus, winged sandals
Hermes is the son of Zeus and the
god of travel and business. He was the
messenger of the gods and guided the
souls of the dead to the underworld.
His appearance changed over time.
Originally he is shown as a nude youth,
but is later depicted as a bearded mad
in a traveller’s tunic.
ATHENA (MINERVA)
Goddess of Wisdom
and War
Symbols: owl, olives, armour
Athena is the goddess of war and
wisdom. Although she was fierce in
battle, she only participated in wars
to defend the city or state. She is the
daughter of Zeus and his favourite
child. She was even allowed to use his
weapons, including his thunderbolt.
DIONYSOS (BACCHUS)
God of Wine and Theatre
Symbols: grape vines and drinking cup
Dionysos is the god of festivity,
wine, and theatre. He is depicted as a
longhaired youth or older bearded man,
and is often accompanied by satyrs and
maenads. He is the son of Zeus.
All works are from the Antikensammlung der Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin, photographer Johannes Laurentius, unless otherwise noted. first page, left to right: Zeus, 2nd century AD;
Head of a male deity (Zeus?) (detail), 70–100 AD; Demeter (detail), c. mid-2nd century AD; second page: Hera (detail), 1st century AD; Vulcan (detail), Terrazza meridionale, c. 27 BC–14 AD.
Photographer Neil Harrison; Aphrodite (detail), c. 150 AD; Artemis (detail), 125–150 AD; Statue of a standing clothed man (Asclepios?) (detail), c. 150 AD; Apollo (detail), 100–125 AD;
third page: Hermes (detail), mid-2nd century AD; Athena (detail), 2nd century AD; Dionysos (detail), mid-to-late 1st century BC.
Illustrations © Doowah Design Inc. 2015