The Twelve Olympians
Before you view this, you should probably see History first. This will make things less confusing.
Anyways, this page includes a brief description of the Twelve Olympian gods, plus the two other major gods who aren't Olympians but still very important.
To see more detailed information on each of the individual Olympians, mouse over the Olympian Gods icon (the one you probably clicked to get here) and there will be a list of pages with each Olympian's name on one. Click on whichever Olympian you want to know more about, and Voila.
Anyways, this page includes a brief description of the Twelve Olympian gods, plus the two other major gods who aren't Olympians but still very important.
To see more detailed information on each of the individual Olympians, mouse over the Olympian Gods icon (the one you probably clicked to get here) and there will be a list of pages with each Olympian's name on one. Click on whichever Olympian you want to know more about, and Voila.
A Bit of Info in General on the Gods
This is just some general information on the gods (not necessarily only the Olympians):
The gods were created at around 1200 BC.
The Olympians lived on Mount Olympus. In the greeks' eyes, there were two Mount Olympuses - one was the real mountain in greece, and the other was a floating palace accessible only by the gods and those invited by gods.
The Greeks (the creators of the gods) gave them supernatural powers. Basically - well, how can I explain this? Let me think... OK! Sorry if this is lousy. Basically the Greeks took human characteristics, behaviour, traditions, etc. and - I guess you can say enlarged - them a lot and placed them into the characteristics of the gods. Make sense? Examples: Aphrodite has extraordinary and inhuman beauty, and believes very strongly in love. Apollo's a natural at poetry and music. Etc.
But along with good powers, the gods also took some dangerous flaws (again, 'enlarged'): Hubris, jealousy, etc. Examples: Since the day Hermes was born, he has had strong urges to steal (wonder if he's kleptomanic) for little reason, and likes to lie. Athena has great pride and punishes those who wound it are punished very severely.
They also took natural elements (sea, sky, death, etc.) and gave the Olympians control over them.
OK, if you don't get it, email me ([email protected]) or ask me in person if you know me.
The gods were created at around 1200 BC.
The Olympians lived on Mount Olympus. In the greeks' eyes, there were two Mount Olympuses - one was the real mountain in greece, and the other was a floating palace accessible only by the gods and those invited by gods.
The Greeks (the creators of the gods) gave them supernatural powers. Basically - well, how can I explain this? Let me think... OK! Sorry if this is lousy. Basically the Greeks took human characteristics, behaviour, traditions, etc. and - I guess you can say enlarged - them a lot and placed them into the characteristics of the gods. Make sense? Examples: Aphrodite has extraordinary and inhuman beauty, and believes very strongly in love. Apollo's a natural at poetry and music. Etc.
But along with good powers, the gods also took some dangerous flaws (again, 'enlarged'): Hubris, jealousy, etc. Examples: Since the day Hermes was born, he has had strong urges to steal (wonder if he's kleptomanic) for little reason, and likes to lie. Athena has great pride and punishes those who wound it are punished very severely.
They also took natural elements (sea, sky, death, etc.) and gave the Olympians control over them.
OK, if you don't get it, email me ([email protected]) or ask me in person if you know me.