Six goddesses ruled from Mt. Olympus according to the tales of classical-era mythology. Hera was both wife and sister to Zeus and is regarded as the queen of the Gods. The Greek mythology cast the goddesses as protectors and stewards of the feminine aspect. They are in control of love, fertility and the bounties of the Earth. Like their male counterparts, they can possess great wisdom and be prone to rash decisions.
Hera
Hera was both sister and wife to Zeus, both born to Cronus and Rhea. She was Goddess of women, marriage and childbirth. Many tales of Greek mythology center around the jealousy and retribution Hera plotted against the love interests romanced by Zeus and the offspring who were fathered by her powerful, but unfaithful husband. Herakles, son to Zeus and the mortal Alceme, was just one of many to incur the vengeful goddess' wrath. Juno is the Roman representation of Hera.
Demeter
Born the second daughter of Rhea and Cronus, Demeter was goddess of the lands who nourished the soil. Greek mythology cast her as the "bringer" of the seasons. Her central myth involved her daughter Persephone, who was abducted by Hades and forced to become his queen. Demeter was anguished and life stood still as her grief prevented the coming of the seasons. Zeus was swayed by the starving people and the other deities and he dispatched Hermes to return Persephone from the underworld. Although she was returned to her mother, Hades had tricked her, and by the rule of fates Persephone was forced to return for four months of every year as penance for eating the seeds that Hades had offered.
Aphrodite
She was the goddess of love, lust and sensuality and her beauty was unsurpassed. In Greek, her name translates to "risen from the foam" and legend suggests she was created after Cronus severed Ouranos' genitals and discarded them in the ocean. Other variations on her mythology suggest she was daughter to Zeus or Dione. Her legendary beauty was cause for concern amongst the Gods, who feared that they would go to war possess her. Zeus married her off to Hephaestus, God to the blacksmiths who was crippled and homely according to Greek mythology. This did little to deter her ability to use her beauty for meddle in the affairs of Gods and mortals. In Rome, Aphrodite was referred to as Venus.
Artemis
The Greek goddess Artemis was daughter of Zeus and the mortal Leto, and twin sister to Apollo. Artemis was one of the three Virgin Goddesses in Greek mythology. Artemis the Virgin Huntress' rule over nature was absolute and it was believed that she delivered fertility to the lands of all who worshipped her. As sister to Apollo, the sun God, she became connected to the Moon. She is identified with the Roman goddess Diana.
Athena
Tales of the origin of Athena vary, but it's generally agreed that she is the daughter of Zeus and Metis, a Titan consort of the king of Gods. In the predominant origin tale; Zeus, fearing the prophecy that claimed Metis' offspring may be more powerful than himself, swallowed the Titan goddess whole. Metis birthed and raised her child inside Zeus and sent her forth, springing from Zeus' head, a fully-formed woman armed for battle. Athena was the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge who taught women to sew and weave and men how to tend the lands and metal works. She is one of the three virgin Goddesses along with Artemis and Hestia. She was the patron of the city of Athens and Parthenon was built to honor her.
Hestia
The oldest daughter of Cronus and Rhea, she was one of the three virgin Goddesses along with Athena and Hera. She was pursued by both Poseidon and Apollo who wished her hand in marriage, but remained faithful to the vow of chastity she made to Zeus. Hestia was warmly regarded by those who worshipped her for her generous spirit and peaceful nature. Hestia remained for eternity in Mt. Olympus, never engaging in the wars and conflicts that occupied the other gods. She was the only deity to be worshipped in all temples regardless of their affiliation to a specific god.
Rob Mabry is a former military journalist, screenwriter, father of five and ecommerce entrepreneur. He owns the Balance Bikes 4 Kids, a specialty store offering a large selection of balance bikes and wood bikes that help young children learn to ride a bike by focusing on mastering balance first.
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