How many gods and goddesses are in greek mythology?

Answer 1

There are many Greek gods and goddesses when you include the minor ones. But there were twelve main gods in Greek mythology know as the Olympians. They are:

1.Zeus

2.Poseidon

3.Hades

4.Hera

5.Demeter

6.Athena

7.Hermes

8.Apollo

9.Artemis

10.Ares

11.Aphrodite

12.Hephaestus

Some people will say that Dionysus (the god of wine) is also a major god instead of Hephaestus, but technically they are both major gods. Hestia can also be considered a major god, but she rarely is since in Greek mythology she gave up her throne for Dionysus.

Answer 2

well, you could say 12, for the 12 that sit a the table, as in Zeus, Hera, Posiden, Artemis, Apollo, Dionysus, Athena, Hades, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes, and Ares, but that would be narrow minded. There are loads of Greek gods, like Hecate, god of magic, or Nemesis, god of revenge, or even Mania, god of insanity. So, i suppose there are hundreds of Greek gods and goddesses.

Answer 2:

The main gods, the Olympians, are the following:

Zeus: is the supreme ruler of the gods. He is lord of the sky, the rain god. His weapon is a thunderbolt which he hurls at those who displease him. He is married to Hera but, is famous for his many affairs. He is also known to punish those that lie or break oaths.

Hera: is Zeus' wife and sister. She was raised by the Titans Ocean and Tethys.She is the Queen of the Gods and of the heavens; goddess of women, marriage, and motherhood.

Poseidon: is the brother of Zeus. After the overthow of their Father Cronus he drew lots with Zeus and Hades, another brother, for shares of the world. His prize was to become lord of the sea. He was widely worshiped by seamen. He married Amphitrite, a granddaughter of the Titon Oceanus.He is the Lord of the Sea; god of the seas, earthquakes, created horses.

Demeter:The central myth of Demeter, which is at the heart of the Eleusinian Mysteries, is her relationship with Persephone, her daughter. Goddess of fertility, agriculture, nature, and the seasons.

Hestia: is Zeus' sister. She is a virgin goddess. She does not have a distinct personality. She plays no part in myths. She is the Goddess of the Hearth, the symbol of the house around which a new born child is carried before it is received into the family.

Aphrodite: Some say she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. The other theory is that when Cronus castrated Uranus and tossed his severed genitles into the sea. Aphrodite then arose from the sea foam on a giant scallop and walked to shore in Cyprus. She is the wife of Hephaestus. The myrtle is her tree. The dove, the swann, and the sparrow her birds.She is the Goddess of love, beauty, desire, and fertility.

Apollo: is the son of Zeus and Leto. His twin sister is Artemis. He is the god of music, playing a golden lyre. The Archer, far shooting with a silver bow. The god of healing who taught man medicine. He is the Sun God; god of light, healing, music, poetry, prophecy, Archery and truth.

Ares: is the son of Zeus and Hera. He was disliked by both parents. He is considered murderous and bloodstained but, also a coward. When caught in an act of adultery with Aphrodite her husband Hephaestus is able publically ridicule him. His bird is the vulture. His animal is the dog.He is the God of War, frenzy, hatred, and bloodshed.

Artemis:is the daughter of Zeus and Leto. Her twin brother is Apollo. She is the lady of the wild things. She is the huntsman of the gods. She is the protector of the young. Like Apollo she hunts with silver arrows. She became associated with the moon. She is a virgin goddess, and the goddess of chastity. She also presides over childbirth, which may seem odd for a virgin, but goes back to causing Leto no pain when she was born. She became associated with Hecate. The cypress is her tree. All wild animals are scared to her, especially the deer. .Goddess of the hunt, of maidens, and the moon.

Athena: is the daughter of Zeus. She sprang full grown in armour from his forehead, thus has no mother. She is fierce and brave in battle but, only wars to defined the state and home from outside enemies..Goddess of wisdom, crafts, and strategic battle.

Hephaestus: is the son of Zeus and Hera. Sometimes it is said that Hera alone produced him and that he has no father. His wife is Aphrodite. Sometimes his wife is identified as Aglaia. He is the blacksmith to the Gods; god of fire and the forges.

Hermes: is the son of Zeus and Maia. He is Zeus messenger. He is the fastest of the gods. He wears winged sandals, a winged hat, and carries a cadecus. He is the god of thieves and god of commerce. He is the guide for the dead to go to the underworld. He invented the lyre, the pipes, the musical scale, astronomy , weights and measures, boxing, gymnastics, and the care of olive trees.

Other than these, there are many less noticed demi-gods, because Zeus himself had 87 children.