Apollo

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This article is about the Greek and Roman god. For other uses, see Apollo (disambiguation) and
Phoebus (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Phobos (mythology).
Apollo

Apollo Belvedere, ca. 120–140 CE

God of music, poetry, plague, oracles, sun, medicine,
light and knowledge
Abode Mount Olympus
Lyre, laurel wreath, python, raven,
Symbol
bow and arrows
Parents Zeus and Leto
Siblings Artemis
Asclepius, Troilus, Aristaeus,
Children
Orpheus
Roman
Apollo
equivalent

Apollo (Attic, Ionic, and Homeric Greek: Ἀπόλλων, Apollōn (gen.: Ἀπόλλωνος); Doric:
Ἀπέλλων, Apellōn; Arcadocypriot: Ἀπείλων, Apeilōn; Aeolic: Ἄπλουν, Aploun; Latin: Apollō) is
one of the most important and complex of the Olympian deities in ancient Greek and Roman
 religion, Greek and Roman mythology, and Greco–Roman Neopaganism. The ideal of the
kouros (a beardless, athletic youth), Apollo has been variously recognized as a god of light and
the sun, truth and prophecy, healing, plague, music, poetry, and more. Apollo is the son of Zeus
and Leto, and has a twin sister, the chaste huntress Artemis. Apollo is known in Greek-
influenced Etruscan mythology as Apulu.

As the patron of Delphi (Pythian Apollo), Apollo was an oracular god—the prophetic deity of the
Delphic Oracle. Medicine and healing are associated with Apollo, whether through the god
himself or mediated through his son Asclepius, yet Apollo was also seen as a god who could
bring ill-health and deadly plague. Amongst the god's custodial charges, Apollo became
associated with dominion over colonists, and as the patron defender of herds and flocks. As the
leader of the Muses (Apollon Musegetes) and director of their choir, Apollo functioned as the
patron god of music and poetry. Hermes created the lyre for him, and the instrument became a
common attribute of Apollo. Hymns sung to Apollo were called paeans.

In Hellenistic times, especially during the 3rd century BCE, as Apollo Helios he became
identified among Greeks with Helios, Titan god of the sun, and his sister Artemis similarly
equated with Selene, Titan goddess of the moon.[1] In Latin texts, on the other hand, Joseph
Fontenrose declared himself unable to find any conflation of Apollo with Sol among the
Augustan poets of the 1st century, not even in the conjurations of Aeneas and Latinus in Aeneid
XII (161–215).[2] Apollo and Helios/Sol remained separate beings in literary and mythological
texts until the 3rd century CE.

Ares is a war god and god of violence in Greek mythology. He was not well-liked or trusted by
the ancient Greeks and there are few tales in which he plays a major role. Cults of Ares are found
mainly in Crete and the Peloponnese where the militaristic Spartans honored him. Athena is also
a war goddess, but was well-respected, as a polis protector and goddess of strategy instead of
Ares' forte, mayhem and destruction.

Ares appears in what one might call bit parts, overshadowed by heroes or other gods, and in
many battle scenes in Greek mythology. In the Iliad, Ares is wounded, treated, and returns to the
fray.

Artemis Profile & Fact File

Personality: Independent, loved sports and the hunt Statue of Artemis
Athletic, attractive usually wore a knee length
Appearance:
tunic called a chiton
The function of Artemis is described as being
Role & Function: the goddess of the hunt, archery, animals and
the moon
A Major goddess and one of the Twelve
Status:
Olympians
 Bow and Arrow, deer, hounds, bears, snakes,
Symbols:
the moon and the cypress tree
Gender: Female
Roman
The Roman name for this goddess was Diana
Counterpart:
Name of Unmarried - Artemis was known as the virgin
Husband: goddess
Name of Father: Zeus
Name of
Leto. Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo
Mother:

Names of
None
Children:

The Greek goddess Athena is usually portrayed as one of the most benevolent
goddesses . . .strong, fair, and merciful.

Athena is known as one of the three virgin goddesses, referred to as virgin

because they were able to remain independent, unswayed by the spells of
Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and the consequent pull of marriage and
motherhood. Romance and marriage did not feature in Athena's mythology. In
Greek mythology Athena was, in essence, the prototype of the contemporary
"career woman".

The birth of the Greek goddess Athena was more than

Goddess Gift
unusual, it was truly amazing!
Celebrate the
It was the headache to end all headaches! Zeus, the
Goddess Within.
mighty king of the Olympian deities, regretted having
swallowed his first wife, Metis. When Zeus had learned
Discover your
that she was pregnant, he feared that she was carrying
personal goddess
the son that had been prophesied to supplant him on
type and find your
the throne.
way to love,
success, and
Though swallowing Metis had seemed a good idea at
happiness on the
the time, it was now causing him great suffering which
Goddess Path.
eventually proved to be totally unnecessary.

Ready to risk anything to get rid of the pain that tormented him, he allowed
one of the other gods to split open his head, and . . . Voila! Out came, not the
son he feared, but a beautiful full-grown daughter, dressed in golden battle
armor, who instantly became the "apple of her father's eye".

A motherless child, the goddess Athena quickly became his favorite. Athena
was the only one of his children that Zeus ever entrusted with his magic shield
and the secret of where his lightening bolts were stored. The goddess Athena
remained his constant ally and fierce protector, promoting his interests,
serving as his advisor.

Although usually depicted holding a spear, her golden helmet pushed back to
reveal her elegant beauty, the Greek goddess Athena was known more for her
role as judge, diplomat, and mediator than for actually fighting in battle. Her
decisions were renowned for their fairness and compassion.

Athena:
Meditations on
the Greek
The goddess Athena was a superb strategist and many of goddess
the Greek myths recount tales of her help given to
various gods, goddesses, and heroes as they went into
battle or faced seemingly impossible tests.
Athena:
Activities to
Invoke the
Greek goddess
Although she was widely known in one of her roles as "Athena Goddess of
War", it was as a mediator and a planner that she excelled. She always worked
to prevent war, but once war had been joined the goddess Athena fought
efficiently for her side.

To prevent the Trojan War Athena descended from Olympus and walked
between the two armies, making both sides swear oaths to keep the
peace. Unfortunately a Trojan soldier named Pandaros, in an act of great
cowardice, violated his oath and let loose his arrow, thus starting the Trojan
War. Athena, Goddess of strategy, expressed her displeasure by helping the
other side to emerge victorious. Remember the Trojan Horse? Just one of
Athena's great ideas!

The Greek goddess Athena championed many heroes, Discover

offering them her advice and protection, helping them to
win their battles. In one of her most famous adventures the
Athena would assume the shape of various men, women,
and children to guide the wandering Odysseus. Her
protection allowed the suffering hero to finally return Goddess
safely to his home and family. Nike, the goddess who
personified Winged Victory, often accompanied the Within
goddess Athena. Not surprising, since "Athena, Goddess
of War" never lost a battle.
Other women, however, seldom feature as allies in the stories of Athena who
seems to have been firmly accepted as part of the patriarchy.

The most notable exception was her childhood friend, a girl called Pallas. The
two, both tomboyish, were inseparable as children, practicing their fighting
skills and sharing playful adventures. Once during a practice session, according
to Greek mythology Athena accidentally wounded Pallas. The injury eventually
proved fatal. In deep grief over the loss of her friend, Athena took Pallas' name
to add to hers. Thereafter she was often referred to as Pallas Athena, in honor
of her childhood friend.

The Greek goddess Athena was frequently called upon to settle disputes
between the gods or various mortals. "Athena Goddess of Wisdom" was known
for her superb logic and intellect. Her decisions were usually well-considered,
highly ethical, and seldom motivated by self-interest. Not only the goddess
Athena's decisions demonstrate her wisdom, but they revealed her great
compassion as well.

Once, when a man called Teiresias accidentally walked in upon the goddess
Athena while she was bathing (an act usually punished by death), Athena took
pity on the poor mortal. Not wishing his death, she instead covered his eyes
with her hands, thus simultaneously blinding him and giving him "inner sight",
i.e., the gift of prophecy. As a result he became one of the most revered
oracles in ancient Greece.

The Greek goddess Athena identified with the patriarchy Which Goddess
and usually cast her power and support on their side Are You?
during any dispute. In the first jury trial in recorded
history, she cast the deciding vote to acquit Orestes of Athena, Goddess
of Wisdom ?
the murdering his mother to avenge his father's
death. Athena was persuaded by Apollo's argument in Or one of the other
Orestes' defense that the death of a mother was of less intriguing
goddess archetypes?
importance than a father's death since the woman simply
nurtured the seed while it was actually the man who
Read about the
planted it. Goddess Quiz that
reveals Your Personal
Goddess Type
Motherless herself, the goddess Athena usually placed
patriarchal principles above maternal bonds.
.

Logical by nature, the goddess Athena rarely lost her cool. One exception where she
became "hot-headed" and again sided with the male power structure, is told in the story
of Arachne, a young mortal woman who challenged Athena to a contest to see who was
the best weaver. The goddess Athena was not at all upset about being challenged by a
 mortal and fairly judged Arachne's creation to be as flawless as her own.

But the subject matter of Arachne's tapestry offended her greatly for Arachne had
depicted the amorous and adulterous adventures of Zeus, Athena's father. Livid that
Arachne would dare to mock authority in such a way, Athena slashed the tapestry to
shreds and drove Arachne to hang herself. When she had quieted her emotions, Athena
took pity on the poor woman and let her live on by transforming her into a spider,
weaving her beautiful webs for eternity.

A goddess of many talents, "Athena Goddess of Crafts" was an expert artisan

herself. The goddess Athena was celebrated as the patron of weavers, potters,
goldsmiths, sculptors, musicians, and horsemen.Athena was credited with the invention
of the yoke and the bridle, the sailing ship, and the flute and trumpet.

The name of the Greek goddess Athena remains with us to this day since Athens,
Greece, was named in her honor, in appreciation of her gift to them, the olive tree. The
goddess Athena is recognized as the protector of cities.

Demeter Greek Goddess - Ceres Roman

Goddess
Information on the grain goddess Demeter. Demeter is the Greek goddess of grain and Ceres is
the name by which the Romans knew her. Worship of Demeter is generally based on the story of
the abduction of her daughter Persephone (Proserpina) as a result of which the earth experiences
winter each year.