Zeus: Greek God of the sky. His symbols were lightning bolts and the eagle. Zeus was the ruler of the Olympian Gods.

Poseidon: Poseidon was the God of the sea. He could create floods and tidal waves when angered.

The Olympian brothers each received a weapon to battle the titans: Zeus received the lightning bolt, Poseidon received the trident and Hades received the helmet of invisibility -- after they defeated the Titans they drew lots to see who would rule what -- Zeus the sky, Poseidon the seas and Hades the underworld.

Hades: Hades was the God of the underworld and the older brother of Zeus. The weapon he used in the battle against the Titans was the helmet of invisibility.

Hers: The Greek Goddess of marriage and childbirth. Hera was the wife of Zeus and the Queen of the Olympians. Her sacred animals are the cow and the peacock.

Hestia: The sister of Zeus. The Goddess of hearth and home.

Aphrodite: Aphrodite is the Goddess of love, desire, and beauty. She was also the protector of sailors. She is the wife of Hephaestus. Her symbols are the dove, myrtle tree, sparrow, and swan.

Athena: Athena is the Goddess of reason, intelligent activity, arts, and literature. Her symbol is the owl. Athena was said to have sprang forth from Zeus’ head complete with helmet, armor, and spear. Athena preferred to settle disagreements peacefully using her wisdom, but she was a valiant warrior when necessary. Her symbols are the olive tree and the owl.

Ares: Ares is the God of War. He enjoys battle and slaughter. He is the son of Zeus and Hara. The dog and the vulture are his symbols.

Hephaestus: God of the Forge and of fire. Hephaestus is the blacksmith of the Gods. He is also a son of Zeus and Hera and married to Aphrodite.

Apollo: Apollo is the God of the sun and music. He drives the sun chariot across the sky every day. He is the son of Zeus and Leto, a nymph. His symbols are the laurel tree, crow, and dolphin. His twin sister is Artemis.

Artemis: Artemis is the Goddess of the moon. She is twin sister to Apollo, daughter to Zeus and Leto, the nymph. She rides her silver chariot across the sky and shoots her arrows of silver moon light to the earth below. Her symbols are the cypress tree and the deer.

Hermes: Hermes is the God of thieves and commerce. He was the swiftest God with the aid of his winged sandals and acted as messenger for the others. He is the son of Zeus and Maia, one of Atlas’ seven daughters.

Medusa: Originally, Medusa was the most beautiful of all the Gorgons. AS punishment for her feelings for Poseidon, her hair was turned to snakes and she became so ugly that any man that looks at her will turn to stone.

Charon: Charon was the ferry man who took souls to the underworld over the river Styx. He would only ferry the souls over if presented a bribe (usually a coin placed in the mouth of the dead).

Centaur: Centaur’s had the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse. They were Demi Gods who taught heroes to ride horses and use bows and arrows. They were considered to be wise, patient, and brave.

Cyclopes: Cyclopes were Demi-gods with a single eye in the middle of their forehead. They provided Zeus with his thunderbolts, Poseidon with his trident, and Hades with his helmet of invisibility.

Griffin: A creature with a Lion’s body and the head and wings of an eagle.

Minotaur: An evil monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man. He lived at the center of a Labyrinth designed by Daedalus for King Minos. The King sacrificed young Athenians to the Minotaur until it was finally killed by Theseus.

Phoenix: Phoenix was a bird that lived in Arabia. Only one Phoenix existed at a time. When it grew old it would burst into flames and a new bird would appear from the ashes.

Sirens: Women with birdlike bodies. They were legendary for luring sailors to their deaths with their beautiful singing voices. There were usually three named Peisinoe, Aglaope, and Thelxiepeia.

Hercules: Son fo Zeus and a mortal woman Alcemene. He was mortal, but stronger than all men and most Gods. His bravery and heroic deeds won him immortality and a place on Mount Olympus.

Pegasus: A horse with wings.

Pan: Son of the God Hermes. He is half goat and half man. He is the protector of goatherds and shepherds.

Demeter: Goddess of corn, grain, and the harvest. She is the daughter of Cronus and Rea, and sister to Zeus. She helped the crops grow. She is the Goddess of the earth, agriculture and of fertility in general.