The ancient Greeks worshiped many goddesses, each of which was responsible for a specific area of life. The most powerful and powerful were considered the ancient Greek goddesses who are part of the Olympic pantheon. But in addition to the Olympic deities, there were many so-called "younger" goddesses, also revered by the ancient Greeks.
Olympic goddesses
The queen of gods and people, the youngest daughter of the titans Kronos and Rhea, sister and wife of the thunderer Zeus, the supreme goddess Hera was the patroness of marriage and family, the protector of women and motherhood, and also personified marital fidelity. The diadem and the one-prong served as the symbols of Hera.
The eldest daughter of the titans Kronos and Rhea, the goddess of the family hearth and sacrificial fire, Hestia was the bearer and protector of chastity. She protected peace and harmony in the family, patronized foreigners and the suffering. Hestia's attribute was a torch.
The middle daughter of the titans Kronos and Rhea, the goddess of the earth and fertility, Demeter patronized the farmers and protected all life on earth. The symbols of the goddess were a staff in the form of a stem and a sickle.
The daughter of the all-powerful Zeus, the warrior maiden Athena was the goddess of just war, wisdom, knowledge, sciences, arts, and crafts. The ancient Greeks believed that Athena's presence on the battlefield disciplined and encouraged soldiers. The sacred symbol of Athena's wisdom was the owl and the aegis with the head of the Gorgon Medusa.
The goddess of the moon, daughter of Zeus from the titanide Leto, virgin and eternally young Artemis patronized the hunt and all life on Earth. Girls worshiped the goddess as the protector of female chastity, and married women asked her to bestow happiness in marriage and help successfully resolve childbirth. The attributes of Artemis were a deer and a bow with arrows.
The daughter of the sky god Uranus, the goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite personified eternal spring and life. The ancient Greeks also worshiped Aphrodite as the goddess of fertility, marriage and childbirth. The symbols of the goddess of love were an apple, a dove and a rose.
Lesser ancient Greek goddesses
The queen of the dead, the goddess Persephone, was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, as well as the wife of the ruler of the underworld, Hades. Persephone patronized the forces of spring: the awakening of vegetation and the germination of sown grain. The daffodil flower served as the symbol of Persephone.
The daughter of Hera and Zeus, the goddess of youth, Hebe, served as a cupbearer on Olympus. Later, Hebe was married to Hercules, who received immortality as a reward for his exploits. The sacred attribute of Hebe was the cypress.
The daughter of the titans Persus and Asteria, the goddess of moonlight, darkness and night visions, Hecate patronized magic, sorcery, shepherding, horse breeding and social activities of people (in courts, in disputes, in popular gatherings, etc.). In addition, Hecate gave an easy road to travelers and helped abandoned lovers. The symbols of Hecate were the crossroads and the serpent.
The daughter of the underwater giant Tavtamant and the oceanids Electra, the rainbow goddess Iris served as the messenger of the gods. Her attributes are a rainbow and an iris flower.
The goddess of fierce war, Enio, was part of Ares' retinue. She awakened rage in the soldiers and sowed confusion on the battlefield.
Nike, the winged goddess of victory, was the companion of Athena. Nika personified the successful result not only of military enterprises, but also of sports and musical competitions.
Goddess Ilithia patronized childbirth. At the same time, it could serve as both a saving and a hostile force.
