Greek Gods – List, Symbols and Key Myths
Greek mythology is thousands of years of stories about gods, heroes and monsters that still live on in art, language and pop culture. We talk about "Pandora's box", an "Achilles' heel" and a "Trojan horse", and the Nike brand is named after the Greek goddess of victory. Below you will find a list of the Greek gods and their symbols, the most famous heroes and myths – and next to each figure, a silver coin from our collection. The Greeks put the same gods on their own money; see our guide to ancient Greek coins.
Who were the Greek gods?
According to myth, the Olympian gods took power after a victorious war against the Titans, the older generation of deities led by Cronus. His son Zeus became ruler of the sky and shared the world with his brothers: Poseidon received the seas and Hades the underworld. The gods lived on Mount Olympus; they were immortal, yet they quarrelled, fell in love and took revenge just like people.
The Olympian gods – list and symbols
There are usually twelve Olympian gods. Each had a domain and attributes – objects or animals by which they can be recognised on sculptures, vases and coins.
| God | God of | Symbols | Roman name | Coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zeus | king of the gods, sky and thunder | thunderbolt, eagle, sceptre | Jupiter | Zeus – The Great Greek Mythology 3 oz |
| Hera | marriage and family, queen of the gods | peacock, diadem, pomegranate | Juno | Hera 3 oz |
| Poseidon | the sea, earthquakes, horses | trident, horse, dolphin | Neptune | Poseidon – god of the sea |
| Athena | wisdom, strategy, crafts | owl, olive branch, aegis | Minerva | – |
| Apollo | light, music, poetry, oracles | lyre, bow, laurel wreath | Apollo | Apollo 2 oz |
| Artemis | the hunt, wild nature, the moon | bow and arrows, deer | Diana | Artemis – Goddesses |
| Ares | war and courage in battle | spear, helmet, shield | Mars | Ares 2 oz, Ares and Mars |
| Aphrodite | love and beauty | dove, rose, seashell | Venus | Eros and Psyche |
| Hermes | messenger of the gods, merchants, travellers | winged sandals, caduceus | Mercury | Hermes 3 oz |
| Hephaestus | fire and metalworking | hammer, anvil | Vulcan | Hephaestus 3 oz |
| Demeter | agriculture and harvest | ears of grain, torch | Ceres | Demeter 2 oz |
| Dionysus | wine, festivity, theatre | grapevine, cup, thyrsus | Bacchus | Dionysus – Gods |
Some lists include Hestia, goddess of the hearth (Roman Vesta), instead of Dionysus – see the Hestia 3 oz coin.
Hades and other important deities
- Hades – brother of Zeus and ruler of the dead. He did not live on Olympus, so he is usually not counted among the Olympians. His companion is the three-headed dog Cerberus – Hades 2 oz coin,
- Hecate – goddess of magic, crossroads and the night – Hecate 2 oz,
- Themis – goddess of justice with scales and a sword, still a symbol of the courts – Themis – Goddess of Justice,
- Nike – the winged goddess of victory – Nike 2 oz,
- The Charites (Three Graces) – goddesses of grace and joy – Three Graces – Celestial Beauty.
The most famous heroes and myths
Perseus and Medusa
Perseus, son of Zeus, cut off the head of Medusa – the Gorgon whose gaze turned people to stone. He looked at her only in the reflection of his shield. Medusa's head, the gorgoneion, later became a symbol of protection on shields and coins. Our newest coin: Perseus & Medusa 2 oz (T&S Coin, 2026), and from earlier issues Medusa 2 oz and Perseus – Demigods. Read the full story in Medusa and Perseus – the Myth and the Symbol.
Heracles and the twelve labours
The strongest of the heroes had to complete twelve impossible tasks – defeat the Nemean lion and the Lernaean hydra, or capture the Cretan bull. See Heracles – The Great Greek Mythology and the Cretan Bull from the Twelve Labours of Hercules series.
Odysseus and the Trojan horse
It was Odysseus who came up with the wooden horse in which the Greeks hid to take Troy. His ten-year journey home is told in Homer's "Odyssey". Coins: Odysseus – Homer's Odyssey (2026), Trojan Horse 5 oz and Odysseus 2 oz.
Achilles and his shield
The bravest warrior of the Trojan War was invulnerable – except for his heel, hence the "Achilles' heel". In the "Iliad" Homer describes his shield forged by Hephaestus. See Shield of Achilles 4 oz, Shield of Achilles 2 oz and Achilles – Demigods. Read the full story in Achilles and the Trojan War.
Prometheus, Pandora and Orpheus
- Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans, for which Zeus chained him to a rock – Prometheus 3 oz (more in Prometheus and the Titans),
- Pandora opened a jar that released all the evils of the world – only hope remained inside – Pandora's Box 5 oz,
- Orpheus went down to the underworld for his beloved Eurydice, but looked back and lost her forever – Orpheus 1 oz.
Jason, Medea, Theseus and Icarus
- Jason and Medea – the Argonauts' quest for the Golden Fleece – Jason & Medea and Medea's Legacy with Ruby (2026),
- Theseus and Ariadne – defeating the Minotaur in the labyrinth thanks to Ariadne's thread – Theseus & Ariadne,
- Icarus – flying on wax wings too close to the sun – Icarus 1 oz, and the winged horse Pegasus.
Greek mythology on coins
The gods appeared on coins already in antiquity – the Athenian tetradrachm with Athena's owl was one of the best-known coins of the ancient world. Today mints return to these motifs in silver collector coins with high relief, antique finish and gilding. Many series have a mintage of 500–999 pieces and sell out quickly – some coins in this article are shown as an archive. You will find them all in the Greek Mythology category.
Frequently asked questions
How many Olympian gods are there?
Usually twelve: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hermes, Hephaestus, Demeter and Dionysus or Hestia.
Who was the most important Greek god?
Zeus – ruler of the sky and thunder, father of many gods and heroes.
Was Hades an Olympian god?
No. Although he was Zeus's brother, he lived in the underworld, not on Olympus.
How do Greek and Roman gods differ?
The Romans adopted many Greek gods and gave them their own names: Zeus is Jupiter, Aphrodite is Venus, Ares is Mars and Hermes is Mercury.
Summary
Greek myths are stories of power, courage and human weakness that have inspired artists – including mints – for thousands of years. If you are looking for a coin with your favourite god or hero, visit the Greek Mythology category or contact us – we will help you find it.