Greek Gods and Goddesses

King of the Gods

God of the Sky and Lightning

• Zeus

• Aphrodite

• Hermes

• Ares

Answer explanation

Zeus was said to control the weather conditions. The ancient Greeks believed that when the weather was good, Zeus was content and happy. However, when it was bad, with rain and thunder, people believed that Zeus was angry.

Queen of the Gods

Goddess of Marriage

• Hermes

• Poseidon

• Hera

• Hestia

Answer explanation

Hera and Zeus had two sons, Hephaestus and Ares. When Hephaestus was born, he was so ugly that Hera couldn’t stand it and cast him out of Olympus. Hera was known for her cruel and jealous behaviour.

God of the Sea

• Zeus

• Hephaestus

• Demeter

• Poseidon

Answer explanation

Greece is known for the earthquakes that take place there. The ancient Greeks believed that Poseidon caused the earthquakes by striking the ground with his trident.

Goddess of Agriculture

• Demeter

• Aphrodite

• Athena

• Hermes

Answer explanation

Demeter had a daughter, Persephone. Persephone was once abducted by the god and king of the Underworld, Hades, and got married to him. Persephone lived for six months in the Underworld and the other six on the earth with her mother, Demeter. When Persephone was with her mother, Demeter was very happy and this happiness caused the weather to be lovely. However, when Persephone was away with her husband, Demeter was miserable so she caused the weather to be dry and cold. The ancient Greeks believed that this is how the seasons came to be: spring and summer when Demeter was happy, autumn and winter when she was sad.

Goddess of Home and Family

• Athena

• Hestia

• Apollo

• Hermes

Answer explanation

Hestia was one of the Twelve Gods of Olympus (Dodekatheon). According to one version of the Greek Mythology, Hestia lived on Olympus for a while but then she gave her place to god Dionysus. She went to live among the Greeks down on earth so she swapped places with Dionysus on the Dodekatheon.

Goddess of Love and Beauty

• Apollo

• Hestia

• Zeus

• Aphrodite

Answer explanation

Some versions of the mythology support that Aphrodite was born from the Titan Ouranos, Zeus’ grandfather. Aphrodite rose from the foam in the sea near Cyprus. Cyprus was considered her sacred island.

God of the Fire

• Hermes

• Zeus

• Apollo

• Hephaestus

Answer explanation

Hephaestus was cast out from Olympus by his mother, Hera, because he was an ugly baby. He lived among humans and he grew up to become a great blacksmith. He then went back to Olympus and got his place there as the blacksmith of the gods. He was such a talented blacksmith, that he made Athena’s shield, Eros’ arrows and Achilles’ armour.

God of War

• Ares

• Achilles

• Apollo

• Aphrodite

Answer explanation

Ares was bad-tempered. He loved to cause fights and that’s why he was the god of war. The Greeks didn’t like him very much.

Goddess of Wisdom and Warcraft

• Achilles

• Zeus

• Athena

• Aphrodite

Answer explanation

Once, the people of Athens, the capital of Greece, were looking for a god to protect them. Athena and Poseidon both wanted the job and gave gifts to them. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident and created a river that flowed into the sea for the Athenians to create ships and sail everywhere. Athena had a different gift to give. She hit the ground with her spear and an olive tree appeared. Athena told the people that they could use the olive tree’s wood to build houses and heat their houses as well as to eat olives and use the oil for cooking. The Athenians liked Athena’s gift best so they made her the protector of their city. Athens has got its name from the goddess Athena.

Goddess of Hunting and Archery

• Artemis

• Apollo

• Aphrodite

• Achilles

Answer explanation

Artemis was the first of the two children of Zeus and Leto. The god Apollo was her twin brother. According to a version, when she was born, she helped her mother give birth to her twin brother. Imagine a newborn helping their mother to give birth!