Who are the 12 Olympian Gods?

The twelve Olympian gods, in ancient Greek mythology, are the principal gods and goddesses in the Greek pantheon. They were said to live on Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece, and were considered to be the most powerful deities in the Greek world. The Olympian gods were considered to be immortal and had control over various aspects of the natural world, as well as the ability to intervene in human affairs.

The twelve Olympian gods are:

1. Zeus: the king of the gods and the god of the sky, weather, fate, and law. He was considered the most powerful of the Olympian gods and was often depicted wielding a lightning bolt as his weapon.
2. Hera: the queen of the gods and the goddess of marriage and family. She was the wife and sister of Zeus and was often depicted as a powerful and regal figure.
3. Poseidon: the god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He was considered the ruler of the seas and was often depicted holding a trident, a symbol of his power over the ocean.
4. Demeter: the goddess of agriculture, fertility, and the harvest. She was associated with the cycles of the seasons and was often depicted holding a sheaf of wheat, symbolizing the bounties of the earth.
5. Athena: the goddess of wisdom, warfare, and crafts. She was the patron goddess of the city of Athens and was often depicted wearing armor and carrying a shield.
6. Apollo: the god of music, poetry, prophecy, and the sun. He was often depicted as a handsome, young man holding a lyre or a bow and arrow.
7. Artemis: the goddess of the hunt, wilderness, virginity and childbirth. She was often depicted as a maiden, carrying a bow and arrow, and accompanied by animals.
8. Ares: the god of war and violence. He was often depicted as a fierce warrior and was associated with bloodlust and battle.
9. Aphrodite: the goddess of love, beauty, and sexuality. She was considered the most beautiful of the Olympian gods and was often depicted as a goddess of love and beauty.
10. Hephaestus: the god of fire, metalworking, and the patron of craftsmen. He was often depicted as a lame or disabled god and was associated with the forge and the creation of metal objects.
11. Hermes: the god of commerce, thieves, and messenger of the gods. He was often depicted as a young man wearing winged sandals and carrying a caduceus, a symbol of his power as a messenger.
12. Dionysus: the god of wine, fertility, ritual madness and religious ecstasy. He was often depicted as a young man holding a drinking cup or a thyrsus (a staff wreathed with ivy).

These gods and goddesses were important figures in Greek religion, and were the subject of many myths and legends. They were worshiped in temples and shrines throughout ancient Greece and played a central role in religious festivals and ceremonies. Their stories and characters continue to be retold in various forms, such as in books, films, and TV shows, and have become a part of the global cultural heritage.