The Origins
The Parthenon Marbles
Among all the different cultures to have existed, none have been more consequential, integral, and foundational to Western Civilization, then Greece. Western Civilization was built on Greek philosophy, Roman law, and Christian values. Greece is the birthplace of modern democracy, and their influence in our society today, cannot be overstated. Their impact extends across all aspects of our daily life.
Athenian Democracy Assembly
Almost all arts and useful sciences were given to us by the ancient Greeks: such as astronomy, mathematics, engineering, architecture, medicine, money, literature, and law. Even modern scientific language is mostly formed from Greek words. They were the first people in Europe to write books, and two long poems by Homer – about the siege of Troy and the adventures of Odysseus – are still read with pleasure though he lived more than seven hundred years before the birth of Christ.
Source: Graves (1961), p.1
Among all the great ideas given to us by the Greeks, it was their ability to tell stories, great and tragic tales that still live on thousands of years later. The Greek Pantheon is one of the largest and most complex mythological systems we have on Earth. These stories or “myths” help shape our understanding of morality, philosophy and even creation itself.
Rome conquered Greece about one hundred and fifty years before the birth of Christ, but the Romans admired Greek poetry so much that they went on reading it even after becoming Christians. Roman school education spread all over Europe and, in the end, was brought without much change from England to America. Every educated person had to know the Greek myths almost as well as he knew the Bible.
Source: Graves (1961), p.2
In ancient Greece, the Twelve Olympians were the most important deities. Their name comes from Mount Olympus, which according to tradition, was where the ancient palace once stood. Set atop the highest mountain in all of Greece, and surrounded by great walls, this magnificent structure was home to the most important family in all of antiquity (Graves, 1961, pp. 7-9).
Highest Peak on Mount Olympus
Still frame from - The 12 Olympians: The Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greek Mythology (World History Encyclopedia, 2021)
However, depending on which version of the myth you follow, there are fourteen principal deities often associated with Mount Olympus. The Olympians were elevated to such a high status, because they represented core aspects of life, such as power, war, and wisdom. Their stories help explain natural phenomena, rituals, and cultural values. These deities can be further classified into three distinct, though not always separate categories: gods of authority, gods of war and wisdom, and finally, gods of love and nature.
The Acropolis
The Greek Pantheon does not have a standard version or cannon. There are many competing – and often conflicting traditions, stories, and myths. Depending on the region and the ancestral traditions of its people, mythological narratives evolved over time, with certain gods and goddesses holding greater importance within specific cultures. Below is a family tree of the Greek gods based on commonly accepted traditions.
Family Tree of the Olympians
Still frame from - The 12 Olympians: The Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Greek Mythology (World History Encyclopedia, 2021)
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