In classical-era mythology, there were twelve Gods who ruled from Mt. Olympus. Zeus was deemed the king of the Gods and Hera was considered his queen. This pantheon of twelve Goddesses and Gods are considered the Olympians, representing the basic nature of man and his capacity for war, love and death. The pantheon consisted of six male Gods, two (Zeus and Poseidon) were born of Cronus and Rhea, Titan Gods and overthrew their father to rule the universe. Hades, their brother, also fought by their side, but after the victory he drew the lot as ruler of the Underworld, so did not take a throne at Mt. Olympus with his brothers.
Zeus - King of the Gods
Zeus was King of the Gods and ruler of Mount Olympus. He was the youngest son to Cronus and Rhea, Titans who were themselves children of Ouranos and Gaia, the sky and Earth in classical Greek mythology. Zeus overthrew his father Cronus with the aid of his two brothers, Poseidon and Hades in a battle that went on for ten years known as the Titanomachy, or more popularly as the Battle of the Titans. Zeus fathered many of the characters in Greek mythology with Goddesses, deities and mortals alike. Greek artists often portrayed Zeus either sitting on his throne ruling over Olympus or striding forward holding a thunderbolt above his head. Jupiter is the Roman equivalent of Zeus.
Poseidon
God of the oceans, master of earthquakes and brother of Zeus and Hades. He was made ruler of the seas after the battle of the Titans. He is perhaps the most iconic of the Greek gods, his trident a familiar and pervasive symbol. The ancient Greeks believed he had the power to calm the seas and create bountiful fishing expeditions, but when angered would smash his trident into the ground causing earthquakes and tidal waves. He was a popular God and considered the protector of many Greek cities.
Apollo
Apollo was perhaps the most multi-faceted God, seen as God of light and the sun; prophecy and truth; healing and medicine; music, art and poetry. Fathered by Zeus and the mortal Leto, he had a twin sister, the virgin Goddess Artemis. He was considered the most fair of the Gods, always depicted as youthful and clean-shaven. He was thought to have both great capacity to heal and to spread disease and famine. His symbols are the bow, lyre and laurel. The Romans also name this god "Apollo."
Ares
The God of war was named Ares. The Greeks viewed him more as the God of blood lust or slaughter. Ares was seen as unpredictable, chaotic and barbaric. It was his half-sister Athena who acted as goddess of strategic warfare. The vulture and dog were the sacred animals of Ares. The Roman God Mars was connected to Ares, but he was also seen as a God of agriculture and held in higher regard by mortals.
Dionysus
Thought to be one of the Gods of the epiphany, or "gods that come," Dionysus is the son of Zeus and the mortal Semele. He was the God of Wine, Merriment and Ecstasy and naturally a popular God often honored with celebrations in his name. Mythology contends that he possessed an androgynous beauty and long, flowing locks. This could be the influence of one tale that tells the story that Zeus asked Hermes to hide the boy away to protect him from the the Goddess Hera who was infuriated by Zeus' infidelity. Hermes hid the boy with his mortal relatives and commanded that they raise the boy as a girl to deceive Hera and keep Dionysus safe.
Hephaestus
A gentle and compassionate God, he was the God of metal, blacksmiths, artisans, craftsman, metallurgy, volcanoes and fire. Thrown from Mt. Olympus by his mother Hera, he is the only God depicted as repulsive. He was depicted as a cripple due to the injuries he suffered in his fall from Mount Olympus. Hephaestus is credited with the creation of many of Greek mythology's most magnificent weapons and tools including: Hermes' sandals and helmet, the Aegis breastplate, the armor of Achilles, Helio's chariot, Eros bow and arrow and the thrones at Mt. Olympus. The Romans named this god Vulcan.
Hermes
Young and fleet of foot, Hermes was possessed of great speed and assumed the role of "messenger of the Gods" and bearer of souls to the Underworld. He was the one God permitted to walk the realms of Heaven, Earth and the Underworld. Like all Gods, he was possessed of fallibility: the impulse to steal. This shortcoming earned him the honor of God of Thieves. The son of Zeus, Hermes was a trusted friend of the king of Gods and frequent confidant. He wore a "petasus" (a shallow, round hat) and was often portrayed with wings on his shoulders along with his famed winged sandals. The Roman incarnation of Hermes is Mercury.
Hades
Brother of Zeus and Poseidon, Hades fought with his brothers in the Titanomachy, assisting in the destruction of his father Cronus and begin the rule of the Olympic Gods. After their victory in the battle of the Titans, Zeus, Hades and Poseidon divided rule of the world. Drawing lots, Zeus was given the sky, Poseidon the seas and Hades the underworld. While Hades is often depicted as a fiery, angry God, this is a distortion of the truth. In Greek mythology, Hades was a fair magistrate of the Underworld who sought balance in the Underworld, but was also not above displaying his considerable powers if crossed. Hades is associated with Cerebus, the three-headed canine that guards the underworld and the Helm of Darkness a gift from the Cyclops prior to the Battle of the Titans.
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