My Big Fat Greek Mythological Family Tree

My new book is a tale of myth and legend, in fact, it re-tells all the myths and legends of Ancient Greece…well, not quite all of them, but ALL the ones that matter!

In my research, (yes believe it or not, my father wasn’t the sole source of my Greek information), I found out many interesting facts about the Gods and Greek heroes that I hadn’t known. For example, the number twelve features heavily in the Greek myths: twelve Olympian Gods, twelve Titans, twelve labours of Heracles (note the spelling!)

BUT did you know that there were in fact FOURTEEN gods who were considered at some point or another, to be the original OLYMPIAN GODS of Mount Olympus? It seems that the Greeks couldn’t quite decide who they favoured more.

So in order to avoid confusion, I thought that I would give you the lowdown of all the important Greek Gods who feature in my book as well as a family tree (this family tree chart took me absolutely AGES to create so please DO NOT point out any errors – I can’t bear having to draw any more infuriatingly small lines again!) Which Greek God would you be?

WHO’S WHO?

 ZEUS

King of the Gods, God of the Sky. Symbols include the thunderbolt, eagle, oak tree, sceptre, and scales

 HERA

Queen of the Gods, Goddess of Marriage and Family. Symbols include the peacock, pomegranate and lion

 POSIDEON

God of the Seas, Earthquakes and Waves. Symbols include the horse, bull, dolphin and trident

 ATHENA

Athena – Goddess of Wisdom, Crafts and Warfare. Symbols include the owl and the olive tree

 ARIES

God of War, Violence and Bloodshed. Symbols include the boar, serpent, dog, spear and shield

 APHRODITE

Goddess of Love, Beauty and Desire. Symbols include the dove, apple, swan and rose

 APOLLO

God of Light, Knowledge, Music and Poetry. Symbols include the lyre, raven and wolf

 ARTEMIS

Goddess of the Hunt, Virginity and Childbirth. Symbols include the moon, deer, bow and arrow

 HERMES

Messenger of the Gods, God of Commerce and Games. Symbols include winged sandals and the tortoise

DEMETER

Goddess of Fertility, Agriculture and Nature. Symbols include the poppy, torch and pig

 HEPHAESTUS

Blacksmith of the Gods, God of Fire. Symbols include the anvil, hammer, axe and donkey

 HESTIA

(Not always included in the original twelve Olympians, sometimes switched with Dionysus) Goddess of the Hearth and Domesticity. Symbols include the kettle

 DIONYSUS

Dionysus – God of Wine. Symbols include the grapevine, cup, ivy and goat

 HADES

Lord of the Underworld – was not always considered an Olympian, so doesn’t always make the cut!