Greek Gods

Fun Facts About Greek Gods

• The Greek gods were terribly flawed, just like humans. For example, Zeus, the king of the gods, married his sister Hera, then frequently shapeshifted into animals in order to cheat on her.
• Poseidon once lost the patronage of Athens to Athena in a contest judged by the citizens. He produced a saltwater spring, but she offered them an olive tree. The Athenians voted for the olive tree.
• Ares, the god of war, was once trapped in a bronze jar by two giant brothers for thirteen months. He was only freed when Hermes intervened.
• Apollo was a petty god. When a satyr dared to challenge him to a music contest and lost, Apollo hung the satyr from a tree and flayed him alive.
• Athena was born fully grown and armed with a spear. She sprung from the forehead of Zeus after he swallowed her pregnant mother Metis.
• Hermes invented the lyre on the same day he was born. After stealing Apollo's sacred cattle, he constructed the instrument from a tortoise shell, cow intestines, and ox hides to bribe Apollo into forgiving him.
• Hades had some pretty cool stuff, including a Helm of Darkness that allowed him to become invisible. He also had a loyal, three-headed dog that guarded the Underworld's entrance.
• Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, once made the entire earth barren and refused to let anything grow because Hades kidnapped her daughter Persephone. This myth explains the seasonal cycles.