Theseus' Heroes Journey

Part 1

The story of Theseus begins with his parents, the King Aegeus of Athens, and the daughter of the King of Troezon, Aethra. They were married in secret, and after Theseus was produced as the king's heir, the king returned to Athens and told his wife that when their son reached manhood and could move the boulder that hid a sword and sandals he could return to Athens to claim his birthright. However, on her wedding night Aethra was also seduced by Poseidon on the coast, and laid with him. This produces Theseus’ godly blood, and so he becomes a demigod son of the King.

Ordinary World

Theseus resides with his mother, with no knowledge of who his father is. His mother had been secretly married to the King of Athens, his father, but also seduced by Poseidon, to produce Theseus. He was raised in Troezon by his mother and grandfather.

Part 2

When Theseus becomes of age, his mother tells him that he may meet his father if he is to move the boulder that hides the sword and sandals. At her challenge, he moves the boulder and claims his prize, eager to meet his father. She told him that he resided in Athens, and to take the sea to reach him rather than the robber infested roads.

Call to Adventure

Theseus, in Troezon, is set on a seemingly impossible task to know more about his father. He succeeds in moving the boulder and retrieving the sword and sandals that will lead him to his father.

Part 3

However, Theseus’s mother warns that he will likely not return home if he is to meet his father and that the only safe passage is through the sea so that they can avoid the robber infested roads on the way to Athens. Theseus refuses to follow this advice and crosses onto the roads to reach Athens rather than crossing the sea to his mother and grandfather's advice.

Refusal of the Call

Theseus refuses his mother and grandfather's advice of not meeting his father, and sets off on a dangerous road from Troezon to Athens to meet him.

Part 4

When Theseus finally reaches Athens after a long and challenging journey, he gets to meet his father the King of Athens, Aegeus. At first, his father does not recognise him, and the wicked stepmother Medea wishes to kill Theseus so her own sons reside on the throne. The king recognises the sword and sandals Theseus carries at dinner and stops his wife just before she poisons him with wine.

Meeting the Mentor

Theseus meets his father, King Aegeus, in Athens, who has since married the witch Medea who has bore sons. She wishes to kill him so that her sons will be the only heirs. Aegeus has dinner with his family, and upon recognizing that he is who he claims to be based on the sword and sandals, stops his wife from poisoning Theseus.

Part 5

A ship soon arrives while Theseus resides with his father, and soon enough he realises that it has saddened his father beyond belief, but he will not tell Theseus what troubles him. He soon learns that the king of Krete is demanding yearly sacrifices to the minotaur so that he is fed well after his eldest son died in Athens. Aegeus must send seven men and seven women to appease the king and prevent war each year. Theseus comes up with the idea that he himself will go as a male tribute to defeat the minotaur and prevent further sacrifices. His father refuses to send him at first but soon relents. They agree that should Theseus return safe, he will hoist white sails on his ship, so that the king will know of his state before his return. So, Theseus boards the ship and leaves for the labyrinth.

Crossing the Threshold

Theseus learns that each year, his father is forced by the king of Krete to send seven men and seven women to the labyrinth, after he is blamed for his eldest son dying in Athens, and Theseus offers himself so he may kill the minotaur. His father refuses at first but soon allows his son to go on. Theseus boards the ship to the island of Krete, and tells his father that if he should return home safe, he will hoist white sails so that his father knows before the ship docks.

Part 6

Their journey was met with no difficulty and no trials. And so, when Theseus arrived and was presented with other sacrifices in front of King Minos, he presented himself as the prince of Athens and the son of Poseidon. Minos, in an attempt to taunt Theseus’ proclamation of being the son of the god Poseidon, took off his ring and tossed it into the ocean so that Theseus would be forced to retrieve it. He dived into the water and began praying to Poseidon for assistance. The nymph Thetis appeared and returned the ring to him, and gifted him with an old crown. He returned these items to the king who laughed at him. 

As they would not approach the minotaur till the next day, the sacrifices were taken away, however, Theseus was visited in the night by the daughter of the King, Ariadne. She was well versed in the labyrinth and said if Theseus took her to Athens and made her his Queen, she would gift him something that would assist his journey in the labyrinth. Theseus agreed and received a ball of silk. She told him he would find his way back with it if he tied it to a rock at the beginning of the labyrinth and released the string as he travelled.

Tests, Allies, Enemies

Upon arrival Theseus is met by the test of King Minos who mocks him for proclaiming to be the Prince of Athens and son of Poseidon. He throws his ring into the ocean and orders Theseus to retrieve it. Theseus dives into the ocean and prays to Poseidon, and is greeted by the water nymph Thetis who returns the ring and gifts him an old crown. Theseus returns these items. 

Theseus makes an ally of Ariadne, the daughter of the king. She approaches him while the other sacrifices sleep and makes an alliance with him. If he returns to Athens with her as his Queen, she will assist him. He agrees and is gifted with a ball of silk, which she tells him to tie to a rock at the beginning of the labyrinth and slowly release so it can guide him to the entrance.

Part 7

The next morning the sacrifices are gathered at the entrance to the labyrinth. Upon being sealed inside, Theseus asks for all of them to trust and follow him, they agree. Theseus takes the string gifted to him by Ariadne and ties it to a rock, and as they venture towards the centre of the maze where the Minotaur resides, they slowly release the string so that they can guide themselves back to the entrance.

Approach the Innermost Cave

The sacrifices enter the labyrinth. Theseus ties the string to a rock at the entrance and asks for everyone to follow him. Oer Ariadne’s instructions, they release it as they approach the centre of the maze where the minotaur resides.

Part 8

When they meet the beast, they have found him so quickly that he still sleeps. Theseus approaches it, slowly, and then rips off one of its two horns after leaping onto the beast's head. He takes it into his hand and stabs the minotaur with it as it cries furiously. Theseus then runs a distance from the beast, as the others have done, and takes the horn covered in the beast's blood still. The minotaur is still moving and angry at Theseus. Theseus takes the horn and throws it like a javelin, lodging it in the beast's neck to kill it.

Ordeal

They find the beast still asleep. Theseus leaps onto its head and rips off one of its horns to stab it. He then runs a distance away to use it as a javelin to lodge in the beast's neck as it charges.

Part 9

Theseus and the sacrifices cheer at the defeat of the beast, and soon take the string to guide them to the entrance of the labyrinth. Upon their return, they greet the king and princess with news of the minotaur's defeat. With the princess at their side, they board the black-sailed ship for their return home.

Reward

The string guides them to the entrance of the labyrinth, and with Ariadne, they return to their ship to sail home.

Part 10

As they sail home, in one night Theseus has a vision of the god Dionysus. The god tells him that Ariadne is fated to be his bride, and if she is not left on the island that there will be a great price to pay. So, out of respect, they stop at an island and Theseus is forced to leave Ariadne there to become the god Dionysus’ bride. Before she meets Dionysus, she curses Theseus in anger of being abandoned, in turn, he does not know of her curse and grieves his loss.

Road Back

Theseus is warned by Dionysus to leave Ariadne on an island to become the god’s bride while they sail home. She is left on the island which saddens Theseus, but she curses him in anger.

Part 11

They continued home, but the crew, out of grief for losing Ariadne’s company, or from the curse of Ariadne, does not change the sails. Aegeus, Theseus’ father sees the black sails and assumes his son's death at the hands of the minotaur despite him being on the ship. Aegeus had been waiting on a cliff to best see his sons return, and upon seeing the sails, jumped from the cliff into what is now called the Aegean sea out of grief for supposedly losing his son.

Resurrection

Theseus’ grief at losing his lover to the god Dionysus and the crew's grief, or Ariadne's curse, lead them to forget to change the sails to white to signal Theseus’ safe return. Aegeus, who waited upon the cliffs for his son's return, jumped upon seeing the black sails and thinking his son was dead.

Part 12

As Theseus returns, the knowledge of his father’s death greatly saddens him, as it was at his own hand. However, he is praised and celebrated for the killing of the minotaur and the return of the other thirteen sacrifices, he is hailed as a great warrior for his adventures. He becomes king of Athens as the eldest son.

Return with the Elixir

Theseus returns and becomes the king of Athens.

Bibliography

Adventures of Theseus: https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net - Greek Gods & Goddesses, February 7, 2017

"Greeka" March 16, 2022. https://www.greeka.com/attica/athens/myths/theseus/

GreekMythology.com, T. Editors of Website. "Theseus Adventures." GreekMythology.com Website, April 14, 2021. https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/The_Myths/Theseus_Adventures/theseus_adventures.html.

The Twelve Olympians: A Basis

Greek Name: Artemis

Roman Name: Diana

Domain: The moon, Hunting and Wild Animals, Archery, and Children

Iconography: Deer, Bows and Arrows,

Creation Story: Artemis and Apollo were born to Pheobe’s daughter Leto by Zeus, who was cursed to never give birth on land and so sought a precious island which was the only place where she could give birth as it floated above the water. Artemis was born first, and helped her mother birth Apollo.

Greek Name: Apollo

Roman Name: Apollo

Domain: The Sun, Medicine, Music, and Archery

Iconography: Bows and Arrows, the Lyre

Creation Story: Artemis and Apollo were born to Pheobe’s daughter Leto by Zeus, who was cursed to never give birth on land and so sought a precious island which was the only place where she could give birth as it floated above the water. Artemis was born first, and helped her mother birth Apollo.

Greek Name: Hestia

Roman Name: Vesta

Domain: The Hearth, Home, Fire, Domesticity,

Iconography: Fire, Hearth

Creation Story: She was saved by Zeus, her brother, from her carnivorous father Kronos. Until the rise of Dionysus, she was deemed an Olympian, after which she abdicated.

Greek Name: Hermes

Roman Name: Mercury

Domain: Trade, Messengers, Thievery,

Iconography: Wand

Creation Story: As a newborn Hermes ran from his mother and stole cattle from Apollo. He pulled many tricks and created the lyre, so Zeus found him amusing and made him an Olympian.

Name: Athena

Roman Name: Minerva

Domain: Wisdom, War, Weaving, Crafts

Iconography: Aegis, her Shield, Owls

Creation Story: Athena was born by springing from the head of Zeus upon her birth, fully grown. She was to be born by Metis, however, paranoia from the prophecy about a second child of Metis overcame Zeus as he swallowed her to prevent a second child. He soon had an unbearable headache, and Hephaestus split his skull open to show Athena fully grown.

Greek Name: Ares

Roman Name: Mars

Domain: War, Courage, Battle lust,

Iconography: Helmet, Serpent

Creation Story: One of the first children born to Zeus by Hera

Greek Name: Hephaestus

Roman Name: Vulcan

Domain: Smiths, Fire, Metalwork

Iconography: Hammer

Hera, spiteful of Zeus’ affairs, proclaimed that she would have a child without him or any man, and gave birth to a crippled child, Hephaestus. She was in horror of his ugliness and threw him off Mount Olympus. He was raised by nymphs and was spiteful in turn to his mother.

Greek Name: Hades

Roman Name: Pluto

Domain: The Dead, the Underworld,

Iconography: Royal sceptre, Cornucopia

Creation Story: Hades was saved by Zeus, his brother, from his carnivorous father Kronos. He fought in the Titan war and when all was won, he drew straws with his brothers Zeus and Poseidon. After drawing the shortest straw, he became King of the Underworld.

Greek Name: Aphrodite

Roman Name: Venus

Domain: Love, Beauty, Procreation

Iconography: Conch shell

Creation Story: When the remains of the castrated Ouranos fell into the sea, they created seafoam from which Aphrodite emerged. The gods were taken by her beauty, but to prevent a war, Zeus ordered that she be married to Hephaestus.

Greek Name: Hera

Roman Name: Juno

Domain: Marriage, Women, Family

Iconography: Scepter, Cow

Creation Story: Was saved by Zeus, her brother and future husband, from her carnivorous father Kronos. She became married to Zeus when after she rejected him, he turned himself into an injured bird. When she held the bird to her chest, Zeus transformed and forced her to lay with him. She wed him out of shame and stays faithful as the goddess of marriage.

Greek Name: Demeter

Roman Name: Ceres

Domain: Grain, Bread, Agriculture

Iconography: Grain, wheat

Creation Story: Was saved by Zeus, her brother, from her carnivorous father Kronos.

Greek Name: Zeus

Roman Name: Jupiter

Domain: The Sky, Thunder and Lightning, Law and Order,

Iconography: Thunderbolt, Eagle

Creation Story: His carnivorous father Kronos ate his siblings before Zeus was hidden by his mother. He returned and freed his siblings by tricking his father into drinking poisoned wine and regurgitating his siblings.

Zeus' Origins: A Kahoot

https://create.kahoot.it/share/zeus-origin/194911b0-9da9-4276-b5af-ddaecab97604

The overthrowing of Ouranos by Kronos and his titan brothers brought in a new era of ruling. Kronos ruled over all with his sister and wife, Rhea, and each of the four brothers who assisted him now ruled a different corner of the world, the north, the south, the east, and the west. Upon the birth of Kronos’ first daughter, Hestia, Kronos’ own mother, Gaia, foretold that one of his children, a son, would overthrow him as he did to his own father. In his paranoia. He swallowed his first child, despite them being a daughter and not a son. This continued until Zeus was born and the defeat of Kronos was on the horizon. This Kahoot is designed to challenge the general knowledge of those generally interested and force them to think critically about what they’ve learned of the story of Zeus. This challenges the story of Zeus’ heritage, marriage and children, and how he came into power.

Between Māori Myth and Greek Titan Myth: Comparing the Birth of the Gods

The myths of Ranginui and Papatūānuku, the Sky Father and the Earth Mother of Māori legend, and the creation myth of their godly children can be compared to that of Kronos and Rhea, the Greek titan of time and titan of fertility, and their own children's birth.

Upon their birth, Ranginui and Papatūānuku’s sons were held tightly between the two, with no space to move or roam as the parents held each other tightly. Soon the sons began to anger as they wanted to have their own space to grow beyond the limitations of their parents, and they began to try and push their parents apart. Each son tried and tried by themselves, until their son Tānemahuta, who became the god of the forest, separated his parents from each other by pushing them apart with his legs rather than his hands like his brothers had tried. He forced his father into becoming the above and the sky, while his mother stayed as the earth, and with their separation came light.

Before the birth of Kronos’ children, he was told of a prophecy of his son overthrowing his reign. As his next child was born, a daughter, in his paranoia he ate the first child, Hestia. He continued to eat each child as Rhea birthed them. Upon the birth of Zeus, Rhea decided to instead present Kronos with rocks swaddled in blankets, while her newborn rested safely on the isle of Krete. He knew nothing of it, and years later, Zeus, his son, would return to free his siblings. He tricked Kronos into digesting poisoned wine and in turn, his father regurgitated all of his siblings who returned to Zeus’ side to oppose the titan's reign.

These myths can be compared through their messages of how the godly children escaped their parents to come into their power by separating them and defying their father. Their mother, who are both at least associated with the earth, are left to be close to their children, while the father is cast away. It is only once one specific son in each of these myths defies their father on their own do the siblings become free of imprisonment to escape and come into great power as they leave their parent's shadows to become greater than them.

The English Scholarship Pathway First Task: Literary Monsters - Gorgons

The English Scholarship Pathway First Task: Plant and Flower Symbolism - Hyacinths

I wonder...

How did Theseus' story begin?

Theseus' story begins with King Aegeus and his wife, Aethra, the parents of Theseus. Aethra became his wife by the means of her father, Pittheus, giving her over to his good friend Aegeus, because him, even having been married twice, had no heirs to the throne. After their secret wedding and having lain with the King, Aethra took a walk in the moonlight, which took her through the shallow waters of the sea to the Sferia island. There she met with the god, Poseidon, where he seduced her and took her on the exact same night that the king had. This was the result of Theseus' divine qualities. Soon after his son's birth, the king left to return to Athens, but not before giving Aethra instructions about 'his' son, the instructions he told her were to take Theseus, once he had reached manhood, and move the boulder the king had put his sandals and sword underneath. These items would prove useful later on to prove the boy's heritage. 
Once Theseus had reached the appropriate age his mother took him to the boulder and asked him to move it. Theseus completed this task with ease, lifting the boulder like a pebble, then fetching the sandals and sword of his fathers at his mother's request. His mother then told him that he needed to journey to Athens and meet his father. Aethra and her own father, who had helped raise Theseus, begged for him to travel to Athens through the sea, but Theseus denied them, taking the robber-and-thief infested roads instead, feeling no fear of the thieves and robbers that littered the road like trash.
Soon enough, Theseus encountered the first of his difficulties along his path, he had reached Epidaurus, a place sacred to the god Apollo and his son Asclepius. There he met the son of Hephaestus, Periphetes, known to bash the brains out of travellers with a club. Theseus was able to recognize Periphetes on site, as his grandfather, Pittheus, had described him to Theseus in detail. Periphetes, also known as The Cudgel Man, brandished a thick club, and upon seeing Theseus he told him of how he was going to kill him with the weapon. But, before he could strike Theseus began to complement the club. Periphetes, who often bragged, told the youth of how it was made entirely of brass. Though Theseus was not as dumb as he may have seemed, he countered how it couldn't have been made of entirely brass, proposing that it was actually made out wood, and covered in a sheet of brass instead. To prove him wrong, Periphetes handed the club to Theseus so he could inspect the club himself. As soon as he had the club though, Theseus delivered a strike to Periphetes' head, knocking him onto the ground straight away. Theseus decided to keep the club to use later.
Theseus soon encountered his next challenge, a man named Sciron blocked his path, demanding that to be let through, Theseus must wash his feet, claiming that the domain near the cliff's belonged to him. Curious, Theseus questioned the consequences of not doing as Sciron asked. Sciron soon replied that the consequence would be that he would cut Theseus' head off. Even so, Theseus could sense the man's weakness, and, smartly, agreed to wash the man's feet. As began to wash the man's feet, with the cliff face behind him, he looked into the water below him, seeing a gigantic turtle waiting at the bottom of the cliff face. As soon as he made the conclusion that this was the man who would most likely attempt to kick him down straight into the turtle's mouth, he grabbed onto Sciron and threw him down to the turtle instead.
The next challenge Theseus encountered included pine trees, even more attempted murder and a real murder. The man who caused such a challenge was none other than Siris, the Pine-bender (don't worry I've never heard of him either). As soon as the strange man looked upon Theseus he asked for help with an even stranger task, he asked Theseus to help him hold down a bent pine tree, but as soon as Theseus had a good grip on the pine Siris leapt back. The man expected the pine to catapult Theseus into the air, but he did not expect him to be able to hold such a tree down. Believing the pine must have snapped he walked behind the tree, but then Theseus let go, let the pine hit the man, knocking him out. Theseus then took two more pine tree's tying Siris' arms to one and his legs to the other, just as Siris had done to his own victims, letting him go to finish him off, his upper body being torn from his lower.
At this point, the sun had started to set, and it would soon be nightfall for Theseus. Thankfully, Theseus soon came across a house. Hoping the people inside would be kind enough to let him stay, he approached the home. After knocking on the door the man who answered introduced himself as Procrustes, and told Theseus that he had a magic bed that he could stay in for the night. But Theseus had heard of Procrustes and his 'magic' bed, the bed would fit anyone six feet perfectly, but if you were too short you would be bound to the posts and stretched to size, and if you were too tall you would be cut to size. But Theseus followed Procrustes to the room that held the bed. But as soon as they reached the room Theseus forced his host down onto the bed, cutting off his legs, and, to ease his pain, his head.
Travelling through the night Theseus soon reached the beautiful city of Athens. But, his father had married a sorceress named Medea, who predicted that Theseus would cause a problem between the king's relationship with her and how she wanted her own son, Medus to ascend to the throne. Because of her jealousy, she convinced Aegeus that Theseus had come to kill him, and suggested to invite him to a banquet and poison his wine, Aegus quickly agreed as he didn't recognize Theseus as his own son. Theseus eagerly attended the banquet, but as he went to drink the wine, Aegeus recognised the sword that hung off his belt, ordering for him to stop, finally recognising his own son. While Theseus and Aegeus celebrated at the discovery, Medea escaped, as to not be punished by the king.

https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/myths/adventures-of-theseus/
https://www.greeka.com/attica/athens/athens-myths/theseus.htm
https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/The_Myths/Theseus_Adventures/theseus_adventures.html

I wonder...

I wonder...

What are the stories of Artemis and Apollo?

Artemis and Apollo are two of the most famous Greek gods and goddesses from Greek mythology. They are known as the twin archers as they both have a bow as their weapon of choice. Apollo is the god of music, archery, medicine and the sun (mainly), while Artemis rules over archery (as well), hunting, forests and hills, childbirth and the moon. The pair were children over the god Zeus and the Titan Leto and when Hera found out about Leto's children's father being Zeus, she flew into a rage and cursed Leto so that she may not give birth on any land, cursing her to forever be pregnant. Leto searched and searched, prayed to every god, but still, she could never give birth. Eventually, she found the island of Delos, a floating island in the sea, not rooted to the ground, therefore Hera had not cursed her to not give birth on this land. She gave birth to her twins Artemis and Apollo on Delos and it became the twin's sacred land. It is said that Artemis was born ten days before her brother, growing in age all most instantly after birth and serving as her mother's midwife, this is the story that entitled her to the title of goddess of childbirth. Soon enough, Apollo was born and also aged to the same physical form as his sister.

Artemis and Apollo have always been close, to each other and their mother, but they also are willing to defend their mother's honour, and here is how they did so. Niobe was the daughter of Tantalus, a king, and when she grew of age she married King Amphion, the king of Thebes. This led to many tragic events in her life, but soon she and her husband had fourteen children together, seven boys and seven girls. At a later point, she attended a festival that was in honour of Leto, the mother of the divine twins, Artemis and Apollo, in a fit of envy she began to brag about her children, soon addressing herself as better than the mother of the divine twins, as she had raised fourteen children while Leto had only two. When the divine twins heard of this insult they made their descent and confronted Niobe, the seven boys of Niobe were murdered by Apollo and the seven girls of Niobe murdered by Artemis. The dead bodies of Niobe's daughters laid unburied for nine days. There are two different spectacles of how Amphion's life was ended, some say he was so devastated and depressed he committed suicide, others say that he was also murdered by Apollo's arrows, with his seven sons. So saddened by her families death, Niobe ran to the top of Mount Sipylus, weeping and praying for the gods to end her anguish, Zeus felt pity, turning her body to rock and therefore, her feelings. But even in this form, she continued to cry and weep for her family. Her tears pouring from the rock like a stream, to forever remind people of her mistakes and regrets. 

https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/goddesses/artemis/

https://www.infoplease.com/language-arts/mythology/classical-mythology-night-hunters-artemis-and-apollo

https://www.greeka.com/greece-myths/niobe.htm

https://www.google.co.nz/searchq=artemis+and+apollo&rlz=1CAACAJ_enNZ690NZ691&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhte6G6HeAhUSbo8KHdQgBEgQ_AUIDigB&biw=1366&bih=618&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=B-uypManXy4txM:

The English Scholarship Pathway First Task: Greek and Roman Gods

I have gotten the chance to travel along the English Scholarship Pathway, in hopes that I choose to take Scholarship English in year 13. The first of the tasks is to read through a book called 'In Perspective'. From this book, there are different lots of information on different subjects such as numbers in literature or the works of Shakespeare. We are to choose three different subjects of these options, study them and do some extra research, then we are to share the information on our blogs. 

Out of all the options I have decided to go with these three:

1. Greek and Roman gods
2. Literary monsters - Gorgons
3. Plant and Flower symbolism - Hyacinths

This post will only feature my first option and I will be putting the other two up on another date.

Greek and Roman gods

picture link

Honestly, with Greek and Roman gods, I won't have to do much actual research because I can just look at my own blog posts for references.

Greek and Roman myths were narratives and sometimes even depictions that were thought to explain beginnings, the past and how heroes and people handled their own difficulties. As the Roman Empire expanded they took the concepts of these gods from the Greeks and fit them into their own form of mythology. The myths and legends are usually quite similar or even exactly alike except for one part, the Romans have almost completely different names for the gods and heroes. Some names are similar such as Heracles (Greek) and Hercules (Roman).

I have decided that I will do a small section on each of these god, goddesses and their counterparts -

Aphrodite or Venus, Apollo, Ares or Mars, Artemis or Diana, Athena or Minerva, Demeter or Ceres, Dionysus or Bacchus, Hades or Pluto, Hephaestus or Vulcan, Hera or Juno, Hermes or Mercury, Hestia or Vesta, Poseidon or Neptune and Zeus or Jupiter.

Aphrodite or Venus

Greek - Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty and desire. She was forced to marry Hephaestus and there are many versions of the myth where this happens, the two most well-known are where Zeus forces Aphrodite into marriage with Hephaestus to stop the gods from fighting for her hand and the second where Hephaestus rigs Hera's throne and it straps her down until Hephaestus gets Aphrodite's hand in marriage (and it is said in some myths that this was before Hephaestus had a place among the gods and he demanded that as well). Even though married, like most gods, she cheats on her husband, often with Ares, god of war, murder and bloodshed. She has had numerous children with Ares, but none to name with Hephaestus's blood. One of her most famous children with Ares was Eros, the god of sexual love and beauty as well.

Roman - Venus is the goddess of love, beauty and desire. She was forced to marry Vulcan and there are many versions of the myth where this happens, the two most well-known are where Jupiter forces Venus into marriage with Vulcan to stop the gods from fighting for her hand and the second where Vulcan rigs Juno's throne and it straps her down until Vulcan gets Venus's hand in marriage (and it is said in some myths that this was before Vulcan had a place among the gods and he demanded that as well). Even though married, like most gods, she cheats on her husband, often with Mars, god of war, murder and bloodshed. She has had numerous children with Mars, but none to name with Vulcan's blood.  One of her most famous children with Mars was Cupid, the god of sexual love and beauty as well.

Apollo

Greek - Apollo was the god of music, poetry, art, oracles, archery, plague, medicine, sun, light and knowledge. He is the son of Zeus along with his twin sister Artemis, goddess of the hunt. Apollo was one of the few gods that the Romans kept the same name.  In Greek mythology, he was most widely known as the god of light. In Greek myth's, he wasn’t known as much as the god of light, as he was the god of healing and prophecy. Although, in Greek myth's his son, Asclepius, is the god of medicine as well as Apollo.

Roman - Apollo was the god of music, poetry, art, oracles, archery, plague, medicine, sun, light and knowledge. He is the son of Jupiter along with his twin sister Diana, goddess of the hunt. Apollo was one of the few gods that the Romans kept the same name.  In Greek mythology, he was most widely known as the god of light. In Roman myth's, he wasn’t known as much as the god of light, as he was the god of healing and prophecy. Although, in Roman myth's his son, Vejovis, is the god of medicine as well as Apollo.

Ares or Mars

Greek- Ares was the god of violence and war. He was another child of Zeus and Hera. He was more known to represent the bloodlust and violence in war, rather than the strategy and intelligence like his sister, Athena. Ares was most well known for being Aphrodite's lover, even while she was married to Hephaestus. Ares wasn't mentioned in too many stories and even when he was he was often being ridiculed, like the instance where Hephaestus caught him and Aphrodite together, trapping them in an unbreakable net, leaving them there for the gods to make fun of.

Roman - Mars was the god of violence and war. He was another child of Jupiter and Juno. He was more known to represent the bloodlust and violence in war, rather than the strategy and intelligence like his sister, Minerva. Mars was most well known for being Venus' lover, even while she was married to Vulcan. Mars wasn't mentioned in too many stories and even when he was he was often being ridiculed, like the instance where Vulcan caught him and Venus together, trapping them in an unbreakable net, leaving them there for the gods to make fun of.

Artemis or Diana

Greek - Artemis was the goddess of wild animals, the moon, the hunt, chastity and childbirth. She is the daughter of Zeus along with her twin Apollo, god of light. Artemis was most well-known for leading The Hunters of Artemis, the hunt are a band of all-female warriors who wield bows and have sworn off of all romance. The warriors are of any species, demigod, nymph or mortal mainly. Artemis is also known for being an eternal maiden and having been forever without children, instead, leading the young women in her hunt. She was often accompanied by her hunting wolves as well as her huntresses.

Roman - Diana was the goddess of wild animals, the moon, the hunt, chastity and childbirth. She is the daughter of Jupiter along with her twin Apollo, god of light. Diana is known for being an eternal maiden and having been forever without children. It is unknown whether Diana leads a hunt like her Greek counterpart, Artemis.

Athena or Minerva

Greek - Athena was the god of wisdom, weaving, the arts, warfare and reason. She is also known to be the favourite daughter of Zeus. She was one of the most unique goddesses, one of the reasons being her birth. Athena was born from a crack in Zeus' skull after Hephaestus struck him there because of his splitting headache. Sometime before Athena's birth, Metis, her mother had bore a child with Zeus, then the Oracle of Delphi predicted that shall Metis have a male child, he shall succeed Zeus, panicked Zeus took Metis and swallowed her whole, after time Athena was born and grew while in Zeus' body. 

Roman - Minerva was the god of wisdom, weaving, the arts, warfare and reason. She is also known to be the favourite daughter of Jupiter. She was one of the most unique goddesses, one of the reasons being her birth. Minerva was born from a crack in Jupiter's skull after Vulcan struck him there because of his splitting headache. Sometime before Minerva's birth, Metis, her mother had bore a child with Jupiter, then the Oracle of Delphi predicted that shall Metis have a male child, he shall succeed Jupiter, panicked Jupiter took Metis and swallowed her whole, after time Minerva was born and grew while in Jupiter's body. 

Demeter or Ceres

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Greek - Demeter was the goddess of agriculture, wheat and harvest. Demeter is most well-known for her daughter Persephone and when Persephone was kidnapped by Hades for him to take her as his bride. She was ever so protective over Persephone because she was known to be Demeter's only godly child and she didn't want her to be taken away by another god. Eventually, Persephone was taken by Hades and made his wife. Demeter refused to let crops grow until her daughter was returned to her, but Hades wouldn't let her go. Zeus decided to settle the argument by letting Persephone stay with Demeter for half of the year and the other half with Hades. When Persephone is with Hades is when winter occurs and Demeter refuses to let crops grow.

Roman -  Ceres was the goddess of agriculture, wheat and harvest. Ceres is most well-known for her daughter Proserpina and when Proserpina was kidnapped by Pluto for him to take her as his bride. She was ever so protective over Proserpina because she was known to be Ceres' only godly child and she didn't want her to be taken away by another god. Eventually, Proserpina was taken by Pluto and made his wife. Ceres refused to let crops grow until her daughter was returned to her, but Pluto wouldn't let her go. Jupiter decided to settle the argument by letting Proserpina stay with Ceres for half of the year and the other half with Pluto. When Proserpina is with Pluto is when winter occurs and Ceres refuses to let crops grow.

Dionysus or Bacchus

Greek - Dionysus was the god of wine, madness and festivity, he was one of the later known gods and unlike the others mentioned, he was born a demigod to a mortal mother, Semele, princess of Thebes. The mother, like most of Zeus' girlfriends, was killed, and while Dionysus was still premature, Zeus cut his thigh open and put the baby in there until he was of age. After this one of the legends was that the baby demigod was sent to live with a mortal couple or Semele's sister, who, to protect his identity, pretended in public that Dionysus was not male, but a female. This confused Hera and it took her much longer to find baby Dionysus. After the caretaker's death, Hermes took the baby up to Mount Nysa where he was raised by nymphs and lived happily, until, of course, he discovered that the world wasn't and still isn't all sunshine and rainbows.

Roman - Bacchus was the god of wine, madness and festivity, he was one of the later known gods and unlike the others mentioned, he was born a demigod to a mortal mother, Semele, princess of Thebes. The mother, like most of Jupiter's girlfriends, was killed, and while Bacchus was still premature, Jupiter cut his thigh open and put the baby in there until he was of age. After this one of the legends was that the baby demigod was sent to live with a mortal couple or Semele's sister, who, to protect his identity, pretended in public that Dionysus was not male, but a female. This confused Hera and it took her much longer to find baby Dionysus. After the caretaker's death, Hermes took the baby up to Mount Nysa where he was raised by nymphs and lived happily, until, of course, he discovered that the world wasn't and still isn't all sunshine and rainbows.

Hades or Pluto

Greek - Hades was the king of the Underworld, god of riches and the dead (not death itself that's Thanatos). Because Hades didn't leave his realm too often there aren't many stories about him besides the telling of him kidnapping his now queen, Persephone and his involvement in the Titanomachy, there's also his minor involvement in the story of Orpheus as he went to retrieve his wife, Eurydice, from the Underworld. It is a little-known fact that of the three brothers Hades is actually the eldest, but in a way also the youngest as he was the last of the males to be regurgitated by Kronos. Have fun eating after that fact!!

Roman - Pluto was the king of the Underworld, god of riches and the dead (not death itself that's Mors). Because Pluto didn't leave his realm too often there aren't many stories about him besides the telling of him kidnapping his now queen, Proserpina and his involvement in the Titanomachy. It is a little-known fact that of the three brothers Pluto is actually the eldest, but in a way also the youngest as he was the last of the males to be regurgitated by Saturn. Have fun eating after that fact!!

Hephaestus or Vulcan

Greek - Hephaestus was the god of blacksmiths, fire and volcanoes. He was one of the few immortals known not to be beautiful, instead, crippled, with a forever scarred face and limp legs. There are many myths about how this came to be, one of the most believable (and my personal favourite), was where Hera, enraged because of her husbands constant cheating, decided she would try to make Zeus jealous, and conceived a baby without a father, after time she gave to her child. Only to look at him and see pure ugliness, enraged by his imperfection, she cast him off of Mount Olympus, thankfully the child survived and was raised by the sea nymphs, becoming a blacksmith and often crafting the women jewellery.

Roman - Vulcan was the god of blacksmiths, fire and volcanoes. He was one of the few immortals known not to be beautiful, instead, crippled, with a forever scarred face and limp legs. There are many myths about how this came to be, one of the most believable (and my personal favourite), was where Juno, enraged because of her husbands constant cheating, decided she would try to make Jupiter jealous, and conceived a baby without a father, after time she gave to her child. Only to look at him and see pure ugliness, enraged by his imperfection, she cast him off of Mount Olympus, thankfully the child survived, only breaking both of his legs from the impact, and was raised by the sea nymphs, becoming a blacksmith and often crafting the women jewellery.

Hera or Juno

Greek - Hera was the Queen of the heavens and goddess of marriage. Hera was often known to be vengeful when it came to the women that Zeus courted, whether it was their fault or Zeus'. She was known to be quite petty and never forget an insult, she was able to get the mother of Dionysus killed before he was even born by convincing Semele, girlfriend of Zeus. to ask him to reveal his true godly form to her while she was pregnant with her son, Dionysus. Hera, disguised as an elderly woman, tricked the woman when Semele admitted she was secretly dating the god. Hera, enraged, thought of a plan, she convinced the girl that any man could pretend to be Zeus, telling her that if she wanted to know for sure, she needed to ask Zeus to reveal his true godly form to her. When Semele next saw Zeus she asked her question and Zeus obeyed her request, but by merely looking at the godly light he admitted as he transformed, she was incinerated on the spot. What a great wife and sister Zeus has there!

Roman - Juno was the Queen of the heavens and goddess of marriage. Juno was often known to be vengeful when it came to the women that Jupiter courted, whether it was their fault or Jupiter's. She was known to be quite petty and never forget an insult, she was able to get the mother of Bacchus killed before he was even born by convincing Semele, girlfriend of Jupiter, to ask him to reveal his true godly form to her while she was pregnant with her son, Bacchus. Juno, disguised as an elderly woman, tricked the woman when Semele admitted she was secretly dating the god. Juno, enraged, thought of a plan, she convinced the girl that any man could pretend to be Jupiter, telling her that if she wanted to know for sure, she needed to ask Jupiter to reveal his true godly form to her. When Semele next saw Jupiter she asked her question and Jupiter obeyed her request, but by merely looking at the godly light he admitted as he transformed, she was incinerated on the spot. What a great wife and sister Jupiter had there!

Hermes or Mercury

Greek - Hermes was the god of trade, thieves, travellers, sports, athletes, border crossings and a guide to the Underworld. He was born as another demigod son of Zeus, born to a mother named Maia, the eldest of the seven Pleiades. He was best known for, on the day of his own birth, he snuck out of his crib and stole some of the god Apollo's sacred cattle. The thieving demigod was born at dawn and, while his mother slept, invented the lyre out of a tortoises shell and was playing it perfectly, he had done these things by midday. He then wanted to explore and while searching came across Apollo's cattle herd. the demigod realized his hunger and decided he would take some of the cattle back to the cave he and his mother lived in. Eventually, Apollo discovered Hermes thievery and tracked him down with his gift of prophecy. When Apollo went to Mount Olympus with the case, Zeus found it so amusing that he made Hermes a god. The new god soon was able to quell Apollo's anger by offering him his invention, the lyre, which became a symbol of Apollo.

Roman - Mercury was the god of trade, thieves, travellers, sports, athletes, border crossings and a guide to the Underworld. He was born as another demigod son of Jupiter, born to a mother named Maia, the eldest of the seven Pleiades. He was best known for, on the day of his own birth, he snuck out of his crib and stole some of the god Apollo's sacred cattle. The thieving demigod was born at dawn and, while his mother slept, invented the lyre out of a tortoises shell and was playing it perfectly, he had done these things by midday. He then wanted to explore and while searching came across Apollo's cattle herd. the demigod realized his hunger and decided he would take some of the cattle back to the cave he and his mother lived in. Eventually, Apollo discovered Mercury's thievery and tracked him down with his gift of prophecy. When Apollo went to Mount Olympus with the case, Jupiter found it so amusing that he made Mercury a god. The new god soon was able to quell Apollo's anger by offering him his invention, the lyre, which became a symbol of Apollo.

Hestia or Vesta

Greek - Hestia was simply known as the goddess of the hearth. She was not a very popular or knowledgeable goddess, despite being the first born, although she is also considered the youngest due to the fact she was the last to be regurgitated by Kronos. Because of Hestia lack of myths based or including her, she is known to be quite a peaceful goddess, only having minor inclusion in the Titanomachy and the myth of Dionysus becoming an Olympian. She was known to stay atop Mount Olympus and simply tend to the hearth's flame, never to see them die out. Hestia was also known to be one of the three eternally maiden goddesses, including herself, Athena and Artemis.

Roman - Vesta was simply known as the goddess of the hearth. She was not a very popular or knowledgeable goddess, despite being the first born, although she is also considered the youngest due to the fact she was the last to be regurgitated by Cronus. Because of Vesta lack of myths based or including her, she is known to be quite a peaceful goddess, only having minor inclusion in the Titanomachy and the myth of Bacchus becoming an Olympian. She was known to stay atop Mount Olympus and simply tend to the hearth's flame, never to see them die out. Vesta was also known to be one of the three eternally maiden goddesses, including herself, Minerva and Diana.

Poseidon or Neptune

Greek - Poseidon was the god of the sea's, earthquakes and horses. He, as well as Zeus, was known to have many children, demigods, gods and monsters alike. Poseidon namely was the father of the fastest horse to ever live, Arion, the first pegasus, Pegasus and many others. Poseidon had pegasus by the now gorgon, Medusa, but long before her curse she was a beautiful mortal woman, there are many different versions of this myth, but I am going to tell this one as it is the most god-like. Medusa was the priest of Athena and by law sworn to maidenhood, but her beauty swayed Poseidon and he decided he must have her. So he chased her down and Medusa ran and hid in the temple of Athena. But, this didn't stop Poseidon, he forcibly took her inside of the temple of Athena. Athena took this a great insult and since she couldn't harm Poseidon she cursed Medusa and turned her into a gorgon. Although in a later myth, when Perseus cut off the gorgons head, the two children of Poseidon sprung from her freshly severed neck, Pegasus and Chrysaor.

Roman - Neptune was the god of the sea's, earthquakes and horses. He, as well as Jupiter, was known to have many children, demigods, gods and monsters alike. Neptune namely was the father of the fastest horse to ever live, Arion, the first pegasus, Pegasus and many others. Neptune had pegasus by the now gorgon, Medusa, but long before her curse she was a beautiful mortal woman, there are many different versions of this myth, but I am going to tell this one as it is the most god-like. Medusa was the priest of Minerva and by law was sworn to maidenhood, but her beauty swayed Neptune and he decided he must have her. So he chased her down and Medusa ran and hid in the temple of Minerva. But, this didn't stop Neptune, he forcibly took her inside of the temple of Minerva. Minerva took this a great insult and since she couldn't harm Neptune she cursed Medusa and turned her into a gorgon. Although in a later myth, when Perseus cut off the gorgons head, the two children of Neptune sprung from her freshly severed neck, Pegasus and Chrysaor.

Zeus or Jupiter

Greek - Zeus was the king of the sky and the gods, god of weather, law and order, destiny and kingship. Zeus was known very well for his numerous affairs and his numerous children including, Ares, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Persephone, Hebe, Hermes and many others, not just gods either or only demigods. But, Zeus is not just well known for his affairs, but how he defeated his enemies, namely Typhon and Kronos. I would have told the story of Zeus defeating Typhon, but I couldn't find my preferred version of the myth. So, I will explain how Zeus sired his son Perseus, you didn't see that one coming did you? Well here goes. So, Acrisius had only his daughter and he soon received a prophecy saying that his grandson would kill him, so he did the logical thing, he locked his daughter away in a deep hole with the only light coming from the open grate that Danaë, Acrisius' daughter, couldn't reach. So, what did Zeus do, he went and fell in 'love' with her and decided he must have her. With that, he sent his body down into Danaë's prison in the form of a golden shower, and while down there, Zeus took her, then disappearing. When Acrisius found out about his daughter's pregnancy he took her and her soon-to-be-son, Perseus and locked them in a chest casting it into the sea. Perseus and Danaë lived, having had washed up on the land of Seriphus, where Danaë raised Perseus.

Roman - Jupiter was the king of the sky and the gods, god of weather, law and order, destiny and kingship. Jupiter was known very well for his numerous affairs and his numerous children including, Mars, Minerva, Apollo, Diana, Proserpina, Juventas, Mercury and many others, not just gods either or only demigods. But, Jupiter is not just well known for his affairs, but how he defeated his enemies, namely Typhon and Cronus. I would have told the story of Jupiter defeating Typhon, but I couldn't find my preferred version of the myth. So, I will explain how Jupiter sired his son Perseus, you didn't see that one coming did you? Well here goes. So, Acrisius had only his daughter and he soon received a prophecy saying that his grandson would kill him, so he did the logical thing, he locked his daughter away in a deep hole with the only light coming from the open grate that Danaë, Acrisius' daughter, couldn't reach. So, what did Jupiter do, he went and fell in 'love' with her and decided he must have her. With that, he sent his body down into Danaë's prison in the form of a golden shower, and while down there, Jupiter took her, then disappearing. When Acrisius found out about his daughter's pregnancy he took her and her soon-to-be-son, Perseus and locked them in a chest casting it into the sea. Perseus and Danaë lived, having had washed up on the land of Seriphus, where Danaë raised Perseus. 

I'm done!!!!!! I've finished!!!!!!!!