For questions regarding the Ancient Greek gods who lived on Mount Olympus.
Questions tagged [olympians]
23 questions
43
votes
3 answers
What is the difference between a God and a Titan?
In Greek mythology, the words "Titan" and "God" seem to be used interchangeably. For example, Zeus is a God, but Cronus (his father) was a Titan. So what is the difference between a Titan and a God in Greek mythology?
Dom
- 541
- 1
- 5
- 10
37
votes
4 answers
Why were there exactly 12 main Olympian Gods?
Did the ancient Greeks believe that the number 12 symbolized everything? Was it random that there were 12 Olympian gods and no more (or less)?
Shev
- 707
- 6
- 16
17
votes
5 answers
How did Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades decide who would rule what?
From Wikipedia article on Hades:
Zeus got the sky, Poseidon got the seas, and Hades received the underworld, the unseen realm to which the souls of the dead go upon leaving the world as well as any and all things beneath the earth.
I had read…
Ero Sɘnnin
- 3,453
- 2
- 24
- 50
11
votes
1 answer
Why was Hephaestus ugly?
In Greek mythology Hephaestus is said to be the only ugly god among Olympians, but why was this the case? I know he was born this way and later thrown of Olympus by Hera, but as a god he should've had the ability to change his appearance. So why…
Lymaba
- 563
- 5
- 14
11
votes
4 answers
Was Artemis a lesbian?
The material I was taught in school spoke of how Artemis never sought the company of man (romantically or sexually). Said material merely described the huntress as 'celibate', but this was sort of a PG, kid-friendly interpretation of mythology (for…
king of panes
- 449
- 1
- 4
- 10
11
votes
1 answer
Did the ancient Greeks believe the Olympians residence on Mt. Olympus to be a metaphor?
Did the ancient Greeks believe that the residence of the main Olympians on the top of Mt. Olympus to be literal? Or is Mt. Olympus used as a metaphor to explain that the gods resided on the highest point on Earth as understood by the Greeks? Do we…
Notaras
- 211
- 1
- 5
10
votes
2 answers
Who makes ambrosia?
I recently read that ambrosia, the food of the gods, is brought to Olympus by doves. But, who makes it? Is it natural to the earth (i.e. a plant)? Is there a deity that makes it and sends the doves to Olympus? What about nectar, the drink of the…
Andrew Johnson
- 6,755
- 4
- 42
- 100
9
votes
1 answer
What do we know of the rebellion against Zeus by Poseidon, Hera and Athena?
In the first book of the Iliad Achilles mentions that Thetis, his sea nymph mother, once saved Zeus from a rebellion by Poseidon, Hera and Athena:
Help your brave son, therefore, if you are able. Go to Olympus, and if you have ever done him service…
yannis
- 17,215
- 8
- 77
- 209
9
votes
2 answers
Is Zeus ever referred to as Earthshaker?
From my exposure to Greek mythology (The Iliad, The Odyssey, etc.) I had always seen/heard the god of the sea, Poseidon, referred to as Earth-Shaker. Zeus was always given other titles such as Zeus Cloud-Gatherer or Zeus Thunderer.
However, in the…
Alex
- 241
- 1
- 4
9
votes
1 answer
Why would an ancient temple be dedicated to both Poseidon and Artemis?
Why is this temple dedicated to both deities? I can't find a connection between them in either myth or theme.
user1276
8
votes
2 answers
Has Poseidon ever won a dispute with another Olympian?
It seems that every time Poseidon was in contest with another Olympian, he came up short. First, he lost dominion over the heavens to Zeus:
But when Zeus was full-grown, he took Metis, daughter of Ocean, to help him, and she gave Cronus a drug to…
yannis
- 17,215
- 8
- 77
- 209
6
votes
1 answer
Was Cadmus the only mortal whose wedding was attended by Olympians?
Cadmus married Harmonia. Their wedding was the first between mortals that was ever attended by Olympians, whose favor ensured Cadmus a long and successful reign.
Was Cadmus the only mortal whose wedding was attended by Olympians?
user28
6
votes
5 answers
Who are the twelve Olympian gods?
Everyone agrees that there are twelve Olympians, but the identities of the twelve seems to vary. What is the deal?
DukeZhou
- 14,202
- 4
- 43
- 106
5
votes
1 answer
Is Chiron older or younger than the Olympians?
Chiron is a half-brother to Hestia, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, and Demeter. He is the son of Cronus and Philyra, an Oceanid. But, when was this consummation made? Before, after or during Cronus and Rhea were parenting the next generation of gods?
Andrew Johnson
- 6,755
- 4
- 42
- 100
4
votes
1 answer
Why is Plato singling out Hestia, Zeus and Athena in Laws?
In Book 5 of Laws, Plato is singling out Hestia, Zeus and Athena while describing the ideal city:
The next thing to be noted is, that the city should be placed as nearly as possible in the centre of the country; we should choose a place which…
yannis
- 17,215
- 8
- 77
- 209