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The 12 Olympians were the major gods and goddesses with prominent roles in Greek mythology. Although being an Olympian meant a throne on Mt. Olympus, some of the major Olympians spent most of their time elsewhere. Poseidon lived in the sea and Hades in the Underworld.
Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Dionysus, Hephaestus, Hera, Hermes, Poseidon, and Zeus are the names of the Olympian gods on the Parthenon frieze, according to the Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World. However, Elizabeth G. Pemberton, in "The Gods of the East Frieze of the Parthenon" (American Journal of Archaeology Vol. 80, No. 2 [Spring, 1976] pp. 113-124), says that on the East frieze of the Parthenon, in addition to the 12 are Eros and Nike.
Name: Greek - Zeus; Roman - Jupiter
Family
Parents: Cronus and Rhea
Foster Parents: Nymphs in Crete; nursed by Amalthea
Siblings: Hestia, Hera, Demeter, Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus. Zeus was the youngest sibling and also the oldest -- since he was alive before the regurgitation of the gods by Papa Cronus.
Mates: (legion:) Aegina, Alcmena, Antiope, Asteria, Boetis, Calliope, Callisto, Calyce, Carme, Danae, Demeter, Dia, Dino, Dione, Cassiopeia, Elare, Electra, Europa, Eurymedusa, Eurynome, Hera, Himalia, Hora, Hybris, Io, Juturna, Laodamia, Leda, Leto, Lysithoe, Maia, Mnemosyne, Niobe, Nemesis, Othris, Pandora, Persephone, Protogenia, Pyrrha, Selene, Semele, Taygete, Themis, Thyia [from Carlos Parada's list]
Wives:Metis, Themis, Hera
Children: legion, including:
Moirai, Horae, Muses, Persephone, Dionysus, Heracles, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hebe, Hermes, Athena, Aphrodite
Role of Zeus
For Humans: Zeus was god of the sky, weather, law and order. Zeus presides over oaths, hospitality, and suppliants.
For Gods: Zeus was king of the gods. He was called the father of gods and men. The gods had to obey him.
Canonical Olympian?Yes. Zeus is one of the canonical Olympians.
Name: Greek - Apollo; Roman - Apollo
Family
Parents: Zeus (Jupiter) and Leto (Latona)
Sibling: Artemis
Mates: Marpessa, Chione, Koronis, Daphne, Arsinoe, Kassandra, Kyrene, Melia, Eudne, Thero, Psamathe, Philonis, Chrysothemis
Children: Aristaios, Asclepius, Chariclo, Corybantes, Scylla, Agreus, Amphiaraus, Amphissos, Amphithemis, Anios, Apis, Brankhos, Delphos, Doros, Dryops, Eleuther, Epidauros, Eriopis, Erymanthos, Hilaera, Iamos, Idmon, Ileus, Ismenos, Centauros, Keos, Chairon, Coronos, Cycnus, Lapiths, Laodokos, The Leukippides, Linos, Lykomedes, Lykoras, Melaneus, Miletos, Mopsos, Onkios, Orpheus, Parthenos, Philammon, Philanderos, Phoibe, Phylakides, Polypoites, Pythaeus, Syros, Teneros, Tenes, Troilus, Trophonius, Zeuxippus
Role of Apollo:
Apollo was the god of music, poetry, prophecy, light, plague, and healing; later, the sun.
Canonical Olympian? Yes, Apollo is a canonical Olympian.
Name: Greek - Ares; Roman - Mars
Family
Parents: Zeus and Hera, later Hera without Zeus)
Siblings to Note: Eris (Strife), Hebe, and Eileithyia.
Mates: Aphrodite, Aerope, Agraulos, Althaia, Asterie, Astyokhe, Atalante, Chryse, Cyrene, Demonike, Dotis, Harmonia, Harpina, Ilia, Otrere, Pyrene, Pelopia, Phylonome, Protogeneia, Sterope, Tereine, Telphousia, Triteia,
Children: Aeropus, Alcippe, Alkon, The Amazons, Anteros, Antope, Ascalphus, Cycnus, Deimos, Diomedes, Dryas, Eros, Euenos, Enyalios, Harmonia, Hippolyte, Ialmenos, Ismenian Drakon, Lyckastos, Lykos, Melanippus, Meleager, Molos, Nisos, Oinomaus, Oxylos, Parrhassios, Parthenopaios, Penthesileia, Phlegyas, Phobos, Portheus, Pylos, Romulus, Remus, Tereus, Thestios, Thrassa
Role of Ares
For Humans: Apollo was the god of war, especially its destruction and slaughter, but he was also called upon as the savior of cities.
For Gods: Ares was hated and tried but acquitted for murder.
Canonical Olympian? Ares is a canonical Olympian and is usually included in lists of the 12.
Name: Greek - Dionysus, Bakchos; Roman - Bacchus
Family
Parents: Zeus and Semele/Dione
Foster Parents: Ino and Athamas; Nymphs of Mt. Nysa
Mates: Ariadne, Althaea, Physcoa, Aphrodite, Nicaea, Aura, Pallene,
Children: Eurymedon, Thoas, Staphylus, Oenopion, Peparethus, Phlias, Ceramus, Deianira, Narcaeus, Priapus, Pasithea, Telete, Iacchus
Role of Dionysus:
Dionysus was god of wine, intoxication, madness, inspiration and prophecy, theater, and revelry.
Canonical Olympian? Dionysus is a canonical Olympian, having received the rightful owner Hestia's throne, but he's not in all lists.
Name: Greek - Hermes; Roman - Mercury
Family
Parents: Zeus and Maia
Siblings: All the children of Zeus are his siblings, but Hermes has a special younger-brotherly relationship with Apollo.
Mates: Agraulos, Akalle, Antianeira, Alkidameia, Aphrodite, Aptale, Carmentis, Chthonophyle, Creusa, Daeira, Erytheia, Eupolemeia, Khione, Iphthime, Libya, Okyrrhoe, Penelopeia, Phylodameia, Polymele, Rhene, Sose, Theoboula, Thronia,
Children: Angelia, Eleusis, Hermaphroditos, Oreiades, Palaistra, Pan, Agreus, Nomios, Priapos, Pherespondos, Lykos, Pronomos, Abderos, Aithalides, Arabos, Autolycus, Bounos, Daphnis, Ekhion, Eleusis, Euandros, Eudoros, Eurestos, Eurytos, Kaikos, Kephalos, Keryx, Kydon, Libys, Myrtilos, Norax, Orion, Pharis, Phaunos, Polybos, Saon,
Role of Hermes
For Humans: Hermes is the god of eloquence, commerce, cunning, the inventor of the alphabet, numbers, astronomy, music, the art of fighting, gymnastics, the cultivation of the olive tree, measures, weights, and more, he sends refreshing sleep, conducts dreams, is the herdsman of the dead, the protector of travelers, the giver of wealth and luck, the protector of sacrificial animals, and patron of gymnastic games, among other things.
For Gods: Hermes is credited with inventing divine worship and sacrifice. Hermes is the herald of the gods.
Canonical Olympian? Yes, Hermes is a canonical Olympian.
Name: Greek - Hephaestus; Roman - Vulcan
Family
Parents: Hera alone or Zeus and Hera
Foster Parents: The nymphs Thetis and Eurynome after Hera dropped the sickly infant from Olympus.
Wife: Aglaia or Aphrodite or Charis
Other Mates: Antikleia, Cabeiro, Aetna, Thaleia
Children: the Cabeiroi, Eukleia, Eupheme, Ocresia, The Palikoi, Philophrosyne, Thaleia, Ardalos, Erikhthonios, Kaikalos, Kakos, Kerkyon, Olenos, Palaimonios, Periphetes, Philammon, Philottos, Pylios, Rhadamanthys, Servius Tullius, Spinther
Role of Hephaestus:
Hephaestus was the god of fire and smiths.
Canonical Olympian? Hephaestus is usually one of the Olympians and is one of the canonical 12.
Name: Greek - Poseidon, Kronios; Roman - Neptune, Saturnius
Family
Parents: Cronus and Rhea
Foster Parents: Telchines Nurse: Arne
Siblings: Hestia, Hera, Demeter, Hades, and Zeus. Poseidon had a claim to the oldest brother since there was a tradition that a horse was given Papa Cronus to swallow, while Poseidon was safely brought up elsewhere.
Mates: Amphitrite Medusa, Chrysaor, Demeter, Thoosa, Iphimedeia, Tyro, Periboia, Amymone, Pitane, Euryale, Aithra [Source: Timothy Gantz]
Children: Triton, Rhode, Benthesicyme, Pegasus (famous flying horse), Chrysaor, Areion (Adrastos' horse), Polyphemus, The Aloadai (Otos and Ephialtes), Neleus and Pelias, Nausithoos, Nauplios, Euadne, Orion, Theseus (possibly) [Source: Timothy Gantz]
Role of Poseidon:
Poseidon was the god of the sea. He could create storms and earthquakes. He created the horse and taught mankind to use horses.
Canonical Olympian? Yes, Poseidon is one of the canonical Olympians.
Name: Greek - Aphrodite; Roman - Venus
Family
Parents: Zeus and Dione or Uranus alone; later myths suggest the following 2 couples: Cronus and Euonyme, and Uranus and Hemera
Birth: Born from the foam from the severed genitals of Uranus or the more normal way, if born from a couple. Another version has her hatched from an egg.
Husband: Hephastus
Mates: Ares, Dionysus, Hermes, Poseidon, Nerites, Anchises, Adonis, Butes, Phaon, Phaethon
Children: Anteros, Beroe, Deimos, Eros, Erotes, Harmonia, Hermaphroditos, Himero, Iakkhos, Peitho, Phobos, Pothos, Priapos, Rhodos, Aeneas, Astynoos, Eryx, Herophilos, Lyros
Role of Aphrodite:
Aphrodite is a goddess of love, sexuality, and beauty.
Canonical Olympian?Aphrodite is one of the canonical Olympians and appears on most lists.
Name: Greek - Athena; Roman - Minerva
Family
Parents: Zeus and Metis
Birth: Born from the head of Zeus, assisted by Hephaestus, Prometheus, Hermes, or Palamaon
Foster Parent: Pallas
Mates: Hephaestus, sort of
Children: Erichthonius
Role of Athena:
Athena is a goddess of wisdom and crafts, war and strategy, and inventions in science, industry, art, and agriculture. She is best known as the olive-giving patron of her namesake Athens.
Canonical Olympian? Yes. Athena is a canonical Olympian.
Name: Greek - Artemis; Roman - Diana
Family
Parents: Zeus and Leto
Sibling: Apollo
Mates: None
Children: None
Role of Artemis:
Artemis is a goddess of the hunt, wild animals, childbirth, healing and plague, and later, the moon.
Canonical Olympian? Artemis is one of the canonical Olympians, but is not on all lists.
Name: Greek - Demeter; Roman - Ceres
Family
Parents: Cronus and Rhea
Foster Parents: Oceanus and Thetys, among others
Siblings: Hestia, Demeter, Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus.
Mates: Zeus, Poseidon, Iasion, Carmanor
Children: Persephone, Dionysus, Despoena, Arion, Plutus, Philomelus, Eubulus
Role of Hestia:
Demeter was goddess of fertility, grain, and agriculture. She presided over the Eleusinian mysteries, and was associated with law and order.
Canonical Olympian? No. Demeter is sometimes included in the list of the Olympians.
Name: Greek - Hera; Roman - Juno
Family
Parents: Cronus and Rhea
Foster Parents: Oceanus and Thetys, among others
Siblings: Hestia, Demeter, Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus
Mates: Zeus
Children: Ares, Hephaestus, Eileithyia, Hebe
Role of Hestia
For Humans: Hera was goddess of marriage. In later myth, Hera is treated as the queen of heaven, the female counterpart of Zeus
For Gods: Queen
Canonical Olympian? Yes. Hera is one of the canonical Olympians.