The Twelve Olympian Gods of Ancient Greece

Illustration

Simeon Netchev
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published on 01 October 2024
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This infographic illustrates the 12 Olympian Gods (Greek: Δωδεκάθεον, Dodekatheon), the principal deities of the Greek pantheon who reside on Mount Olympus, ruling over aspects of the natural world, human life, and cosmic order. Traditionally, they include Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes, and Dionysus, with Hades (brother of Zeus and Poseidon) excluded as he rules the underworld. The worship of these gods dates back to the Mycenaean period (c. 1600–1100 BCE), with the oldest known written mentions of the 12 Olympians appearing in the works of Homer and Hesiod around the 8th century BCE.

Variations of the 12 include Hestia instead of Dionysus and sometimes Leto, Heracles, or Asclepius.

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About the Author

Simeon Netchev
Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history teacher passionate about the human stories behind past events. He believes every image should tell a story and spark interaction, while each map leads on a journey, blending imagination with education.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Netchev, S. (2024, October 01). The Twelve Olympian Gods of Ancient Greece. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19516/the-twelve-olympian-gods-of-ancient-greece/

Chicago Style

Netchev, Simeon. "The Twelve Olympian Gods of Ancient Greece." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified October 01, 2024. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19516/the-twelve-olympian-gods-of-ancient-greece/.

MLA Style

Netchev, Simeon. "The Twelve Olympian Gods of Ancient Greece." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 01 Oct 2024. Web. 19 Feb 2025.

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