

Typically, she was surrounded by cows, peacocks, and lions. In most depictions, she’s portrayed as a royal-looking deity surrounded by the animals she sees as sacred.

As Zeus’ wife, she ruled Mount Olympus as Queen. Like Demeter, Hera wasn’t just Zeus’ sister.

She is the Olympian goddess of women, marriage, childbirth, and family. The mythology says that’s how the growing seasons came to be. But during the winter, when she’s in the Underworld, the soil is barren and lifeless. During that time, plants thrive, and the soil is fertile. Persephone decides to spend two-thirds of the year with Demeter. The final third of the year went to whomever Persephone chose. But for the second third of the year, she would spend time with Demeter. Persephone would stay in the Underworld for one-third of the year as his bride. Fearing the end of humanity, Zeus struck a deal with Hades. The event caused Demeter to mourn so much that she neglected her duties. Persephone was kidnapped by Hades and taken to the Underworld. Out of their brief relationship came Persephone. The latter responsibility earned her the epithet of Thesmorphos, or “bringer of divine law.”ĭemeter wasn’t just Zeus’ sister. The goddess also presided over sacred law and the cycle of life and death. She was responsible for grains and the overall fertility of the soil. Demeter is the Olympian goddess of harvest and agriculture. However, only five of them are direct siblings to Zeus. The ten-year battle resulted in Zeus taking the throne on Mount Olympus and banishing Titans to Tartarus. He was the last born from Hera but the first to survive.Īfter releasing the Olympians, Zeus raged war on the Titans. Interestingly enough, Zeus is both the youngest and oldest of his siblings. The surviving Olympian grew to maturity before challenging his father and forcing him to disgorge his brothers and sisters. Meanwhile, she gave Cronus a stone wrapped in a swaddling blanket. But upon the birth of Zeus, his mother, Rhea, hid him on the island of Crete. Cronus swallowed each of Zeus’ brothers and sisters. Zeus’ father, Cronus, swallowed his children at birth because he feared that they would take over his spot on the throne one day. The events surrounding their birth were a crucial part of the Succession Myth. This generation of gods did not become the principal deities of the Greek Pantheon by fate. To understand who the brothers and sisters of Zeus are, you have to know about the birth of the Olympians. He had several siblings who would become important figures in their own right. But he wasn’t the only one to emerge from the line of succession before him. He’s one of the most famous figures in Greek mythology, for better or worse.

He ends the Succession Myth, effectively ending a cycle of immortal battling over the throne and securing his place as the eternal rule of the cosmos! He’s the king of the gods and the ruler of Mount Olympus.
Zeus poseidon hades greek mythology download#
You can take away your own copy of the family tree when you download the Greek gods chart.Anyone familiar with Greek mythology knows how important of a figure Zeus is. Note that the tree shows only the 12 Olympians. The family tree pictured above is a great visual representation of these relationships. While the gods relationships and history is a complex web of love, disagreements, betrayal, violence and affairs is confusing to say the least, this ultimate guide will give you all the clarification you need.īe sure to download the Greek gods chart below before you proceed as it will help you on this fascinating process of discovery, uncovering the intricacies of Greek mythology. Unlike other gods that are all knowing and the pinnacle of human perfection, the Greek gods were a representation of humanity at its best and at its worst. Seven of Zeus and Hera’s children (both together and separately) became the second generation of Olympians. Four of these children Zeus, Hera, Demeter and Poseidon became the first generation of Olympian gods.Īphrodite was also a first generation Olympian, however she was born from Uranus (you’ll find out her story below). Together Uranus and Gaia had Cronus and Rhea (Titans).Ĭronus and Rhea had 6 children together, Zeus, Hera, Demeter, Poseidon, Hades and Hestia (note that Hades and Hestia were not Olympians). All of the Greek gods were descendants of Uranus (Sky) and Gaia (Earth). The twelve Olympian ‘Gods’ of Mount Olympus were the rulers of the earth after Zeus defeated the Titans in the Titan War.
