Author: Nathan

The most important god in Greek mythology is Zeus, who is both “King” and “Father of Gods and Men”. In this episode I cover how Zeus became king of the universe and how he consolidated his power, plus give details on some of his numerous children and his cults.

Today’s episode is a little different. It will cover a few different goddesses who inhabit Mount Olympos and pop up occasionally in the Greek myths. The most important is probably Hestia, who presided over a Greek home’s sacrificial fireplace. This made her receive a portion of every sacrifice. Other goddesses covered are Hebe, Eileithyia, Iris, Nike, Nemesis, Tyche, the Horae, the Muses, the Charites, and Eris.

Dionysus is commonly known as the Greek god of wine and imagined spending time in forest groves, drinking and partying with his worshippers. But there is also a more complicated, and even darker side to Dionysus. He is responsible for madness and frenzy, and apparently also world travel. Many Dionysus myths show an antagonistic relationship with humans, yet his cult was incredibly important in the ancient Greek religion. 

Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of desire, sex, and love. She causes desire in others, and takes a great joy in using this power, even on the other gods. There are two very different accounts of Aphrodite’s birth and some Greek philosophers attempted to rationalize this. Aphrodite had two important mortal lovers – Anchises and Adonis – and I discuss both of their myths here. 

This episode serves as a geography lesson of the ancient Greek underworld. I cover its ruler Hades and its other inhabitants. Hades largely remains within the underworld and there are not a lot of myths involving him. I also tie the discussion together with the previous two episodes dealing with Persephone. 

Demeter is one of the original six Olympians. She is a goddess of agriculture and fertility and is the mother of the goddess Persephone. After Persephone went missing, Demeter unsuccessfully searched for her and then wandered the Earth. This episode covers what she did in Eleusis and also discusses the Greek mystery cults Demeter was a central figure in.

Persephone is a goddess associated with nature and death. She was worshipped throughout Greece and had distinct local cults on the mainland,  Greek islands, and what is now Turkey and Italy.  Persephone, or Kore “Maiden” as she is also called, was the daughter of Demeter and Zeus. The myth of her abduction by Hades explains how she became Queen of the Underworld.

Ares was responsible for the chaotic elements of war and a lust for battle. He did not have many temples but was naturally very important to Greek soldiers when they were on military campaigns. Ares does not feature in many surviving Greek myths – his affair with Aphrodite is the most well-known. I also discuss what is strange about his Homeric Hymn and the Roman’s conception of him. 

Poseidon is known as the Greek god who ruled over the seas. But he was also the Earthshaker and the god of horses. Poseidon was very important in the general Greek religion. Greek colonists who travelled across the sea praised Poseidon for allowing them to reach their destinations safely. But there is also evidence Poseidon was much more important in the earlier days of ancient Greece, and this may be reflected in some of his myths.

Hephaestus was a god of craftsmen, responsible for blacksmiths, metal working, carpenters, and sculptors. In Greek myth, Hephaestus is often more of a supporting character, he stays in his workshop and creates things – typically armour – that are used by other people. This episode focuses on Hephaestus’ fall from the heavens, return to Mount Olympos, failed marriage to Aphrodite, and his fabulous creations.