¨Religion¨

Greek mythology consists of stories told by the ancient Greeks about their gods and heroes, nature of the world and the origins and importance of religious practices. The largest Greek gods were the twelve Olympians:

Zeus - the god of sky and thunder, the highest ranking and most powerful ruler of Mount Olympus
Hera - the consort of Zeus, king of the gods, the goddess of marriage, fidelity
Poseidon - Hades along with the driver of the seas, oceans and earthquakes
Ares - the god of war, cruelty and murder
Hermes - the messenger god, also of guidance, travelers, shepherds, the crooks, comfort and
meetings
Hephaestus - the god of fire, the forge, manual labor, artisans and weapons
Aphrodite - the goddess of love
Athena - the goddess of wisdom, education and war, the protector of heroes
Apollo - the god of dance, arts, music, archery, prudence and male beauty
Artemis - the goddess of hunting, animals, chastity and the Amazons
Demeter - the goddess of earth, flowers and plants, food and agriculture
Hestia - Goddess of the warmth of home and family
Other important deities included:

Hebe - the goddess of youth and the helper of the gods
Helios - the sun god
Selene - the goddess of the moon
Hades - god of the underworld and the dead on the Queen
Persephone - the goddess of the underworld
Heracles - a hero and a demigod of extraordinary strength
Zeus's parents were Cronus and Rhea who were also parents of Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Hestia and Demeter.