Greek Goddess : Hestia

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Ever heard of the Olympian gods and goddesses?, more specifically the 12 Olympian gods? Well, they are the major deities of the Greeks, they are also known as Dodekatheon. These gods are said to live on Mount Olympus, with each possessing different powers. The twelve Olympian gods are Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Hestia, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus and Hermes. Zeus is the supreme god, he is the god of sky and thunder. He shared the world with his elder brothers, Poseidon and Hades, by drawing lots: Zeus got the sky and air, Poseidon the waters, and Hades the world of the dead (the underworld). But the one I admire the most is Hestia.

So, who is Hestia? She is part of the twelve Olympian gods and goddesses. Her Roman name is Vesta. Goddess of the hearth and of the right ordering of domesticity and the family; she was born into the first Olympian generation and was one of the original twelve Olympians, until she gave her throne to Dionysus in order to keep the peace, making her the most generous and gentlest of the gods. She is the first child of Cronus and Rhea, eldest sister of Hades, Demeter, Poseidon, Hera, and Zeus. Also the eldest of the Olympians.

Hestia is the youngest and the oldest in the family. She received the first offering at every sacrifice in the household. In the public domain, the hearth of the prytaneum functioned as her official sanctuary. With the establishment of a new colony, flame from Hestia's public hearth in the mother city would be carried to the new settlement. She sat on a plain wooden throne with a white woolen cushion and did not trouble to choose an emblem for herself. Most Greeks actually worship her. She is the most kind and humble of all the Olympian gods.

These traits of hers made me admire her from all the other Olympian gods and goddesses. That is how simple she is. She doesn't want any quarrels, so she gave her throne to Dionysus. Simplicity really is beauty.

Greek Goddess of Wilderness : Artemis

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ARTEMIS was the great Olympian goddess of hunting, wilderness and wild animals. Artemis was really Apollo's brother and described as the relation between a husband and wife so seldom it was said that it was Artemis was Apollo's wife. Artemis was like Apollo's female counterpart, armed with bow n arrows and sends death and plague among men, women and animals. She was beaten by Goddess Hera in a contest of gods during the Trojan War. She tricked the Aloadai Giants to kill each other who were planning to storm the Olympus. Artemis was really Apollo's brother and described as the relation between a husband and wife so seldom it was said that it was Artemis was Apollo's wife. Artemis was like Apollo's female counterpart, armed with bow n arrows and sends death and plague among men, women and animals.

Athena the Wise

Drawn by: Maria Christine P. Tuazon

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Who are the 12 Greek Gods and Goddesses of Mount Olympus? Who is your favorite among them? Each Gods and Goddesses have their unique and special traits. They also have interesting stories about their birth, parents, and life. All of them are interesting to study, but for me the most interesting is the Greek Goddess Athena.

Who is Athena?

Athena is the daughter of Zeus and Metis. Her Roman name is Minerva. Athena is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, just warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. Quite a mouthful right? That’s why I find her interesting.

They said that when Metis was pregnant with Athena, she was inside Zeus’ belly. Zeus taught that he was able to save himself from having a child that is much stronger than him, but he was wrong. He was too late. When Metis gave birth, Zeus’ head ached and he asked his son Hephaestus to open his head. When his head was opened Athena came out with her armor (Goddess of strength, strategy and skills) which is said to be from her mother. Even though all of that happened, they say that Athena is still the favorite daughter of Zeus. Because of that story I started to think that because of the way she was born, she was called the Goddess of Wisdom.