Meet the Greek Gods and Goddesses: Mythology for Kids

Long ago, people believed that powerful gods ruled the world from a magical palace in the clouds above Mount Olympus, the tallest mountain in Greece. The ancient Greeks believed that these gods had special powers and controlled different aspects of life. The exciting stories of these gods and goddesses are still told today, making up what’s known as Greek mythology.

Zeus

Zeus was the king of the gods, and he ruled the sky. He controlled the weather, especially thunder and lightning. Zeus was very powerful and could throw lightning bolts when he was angry. He cared about fairness and honesty and punished people who lied or broke promises.

Hera

Hera was the queen of the gods and the goddess of marriage and family. She was married to Zeus. The ancient Greeks respected her a lot and built big temples in her honor. The cow, lion, and peacock are symbols linked to Hera. She was an important protector of families.

Poseidon

Poseidon, Zeus’s brother, was the god of the sea and earthquakes. He lived beneath the ocean most of the time, and he carried a trident that he could use to shake the earth and create huge waves. Known for being moody and bad-tempered, Poseidon often sought revenge on those who upset him. Sailors prayed to him for safe voyages across the seas.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty. According to legend, she was born from sea foam near Paphos, Cyprus. The ancient Greeks believed that she had the power to make people fall in love. Aphrodite married Hephaestus, the god of metalwork and fire.

Hades

Hades was the older brother of Zeus and Poseidon and ruled over the underworld, the kingdom of the dead. Unlike other Greek gods, Hades rarely visited Mount Olympus. He stayed in the underworld, guarding the dead alongside his fierce, three-headed dog, Cerberus. Some ancient Greeks were so terrified of Hades that they refused to say his name out loud.

Hermes

Hermes was the messenger of the gods. He wore winged sandals and a winged hat, which helped him travel quickly between the mortal world and Mount Olympus. Hermes was also responsible for guiding souls to the underworld after death. Hermes was very smart and often helped Zeus to solve problems.

Demeter

Demeter, the goddess of farming, was closely tied to nature and the changing seasons. Her daughter, Persephone, lived in the underworld for part of the year, causing Demeter to be sad. The ancient Greeks thought that that’s why winter happens. When Persephone returned, spring and new life began.

Apollo

Apollo was the god of music, art, and medicine. He invented the lute and played the lyre, a small harp-like instrument. Apollo was known for his ability to heal people, but he could also bring disease. Apollo was known as a god of creativity and knowledge, and his talents inspired many.

Athena

One of Zeus’ favorite daughters was Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war. She protected heroes in battle and taught humans important skills like weaving. She was a fierce warrior, and she was also very smart. Her special symbol was the owl, which stands for wisdom.

• The Olympian Gods: This article introduces the main gods in ancient Greek mythology.
• Greek Gods and Religious Practices: Discover how ancient Greeks worshiped their gods through rituals, offerings, and ceremonies.
• Gods and Goddesses of the Greek and Roman Pantheons: Learn about the connections between ancient Greek and Roman gods, many of which are the same but have different names.
• Who Is Zeus? The King of Gods and Greek God of Storms: This article looks at Zeus’s role as king of the gods.
• Introduction to Ancient Greek Gods: Read more about the stories of the ancient Greek gods and how they influenced Greek citizens and their culture.
• Greek Mythology and the Olympics: If the name “Mount Olympus” sounds familiar to you, that makes sense: “Olympus” is related to “Olympics,” like the sporting events we see every two years. The first Olympics were held in ancient times to honor the Greek gods.
• Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom: This article looks at Athena’s role as the goddess of wisdom, strategy, and war.
• Hera, the Queen of the Gods: Learn about Hera, Zeus’s wife, and her powers as the goddess of marriage and family.
• Athena, the Greek Goddess of Wisdom: Dive deeper into Athena’s dual roles as a fierce protector in war and a teacher of crafts and other wisdom.
• Poseidon: The God of the Sea and Earthquakes in Greek Mythology: Read about Poseidon’s powers as the god of seas, his powerful trident, and his importance to sailors.
• Poseidon: The Powerful Greek God of the Sea: This article looks at Poseidon’s personality, his job as rules of the oceans, and his role in ancient Greek legends.
• Hades, the Greek God of the Underworld: Discover Hades’s role as ruler of the underworld, his association with death, and the myths surrounding his kingdom.
• Explore the Difference Between Greek and Roman Mythology: Compare Greek and Roman mythology to see how they’re alike and how they’re different.
• Aphrodite’s Origin: Learn about Aphrodite’s birth, her role as goddess of love, and her influence on relationships.

This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian