THE (ROUGHLY) TWELVE OLYMPIANS (CLCV 3800: Classical Mythology)

Greek/ Roman Sphere Iconic Attributes Image Zeus/ sky, weather, king of gods thunderbolt, eagle Jupiter

Hera/ clouds & air, marriage, crown, throne, peacock, patera (that Juno childbirth, queen of gods round flat dish in her left hand)

Poseidon/ sea, earthquakes trident, fish, horses and chariot Neptune

Hestia/ hearth, fire hearth or altar flames; old woman; Vesta hair covered by veil or cloak



Hades/ Underworld, wealth, the dead scepter, dog Cerberus, Pluto wife Persephone, other underworld figures Demeter/ vegetation, grain, fertility sheaf of grain, sickle, poppy, torch, Ceres crown, daughter Persephone/Kore

Apollo/ music, poetry, prophecy, reason, bow & arrows, lyre, laurel wreath, Apollo medicine/disease beardless, tripod, mouse, raven

Artemis/ hunting, bears and virgins; bow & arrows, quiver, stag Diana later on: the Moon

Ares/ war; helmet, spear & shield, wolf, snake Mars in Rome: fertility, also

Athena/ wisdom & craft, war, patron of owl, olive tree, helmet, Minerva Athens spear, shield or aegis (goat-skin shawl, fringed with snakes) with Gorgon-head Hephaistos/ smith of the gods, fire, craft hammer, anvil, tongs, Vulcan working, lame (i.e. leaning on a stick, riding, leaning on someone’s shoulders, etc.)

Aphrodite/ sexual love, fertility dove, nudity, son Eros/Cupid Venus

Hermes/ messenger of gods; tricksters, wings (esp. on sandals or feet), Mercury thieves, business, travellers; travelling hat, caduceus (the staff in Psychopompos; his right hand) later on: magic

Dionysus/ wine, vegetation, unreason, thyrsus (that big “pine-cone-on-a- Bacchus poetry, prophecy, theater stick” thing in his right hand), wine cup, vine, grapes, ivy, animal skins, women’s clothing, leopards, lions, Maenads, Silenoi, satyrs