Greek Mythology Goddesses

The deities of ancient civilizations have always been a subject of fascination for many historians, artists, and even novelists, especially as the religious structure often sheds light on the cultural aspects of the times and place. Few ancient religions are more well-known and studied than the pantheon of Greek mythology, an intricate hierarchy of gods, goddesses, heroes, humans, and a host of other creatures.

The Greek goddesses play a prominent part in mythology, being involved in nearly any story and at times they are even the central character. There are five main Greek goddesses, known as Olympians. Under these are a class of lesser goddesses, which are nearly innumerable and vary depending on accounts and regions.

Despite their technical role as “lesser goddesses,” however, some of them tend to eclipse even the Olympians in fame or stature, such as the difference between Hestia, a little-known Olympian, and Athena, one of the most famous of the pantheon. All were related in some fashion, as siblings or children of each other or the Titans, and sometimes there was a distinct link to both.

These divinities were very active in human lives, often causing or helping certain events either to the benefit or detriment of men. One prime example is the legendary story of Troy, which according to the myths was caused by Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. Much of the Greek pantheon was highly involved in the Trojan War. For example, Athena, the goddess of war, fought aggressively on the side of the Greeks, while Aphrodite fought for the Trojans. Various other deities also played their part in the story, either directly or indirectly influencing the turn of events.

Many of the goddesses were married or had lovers (both human and god), but a few of them remained chaste. Hestia, Artemis, and Athena were the three virgin goddesses, each representing an appropriate ideal relating to their role.

The accounts of each goddess, from their birth to the end of their story, as it were, vary, as does the amount told about them. Many of them had favored cities or regions that were special to them: Athens was named for Athena, while Cyprus is home to Aphrodite. Others resided in Mount Olympus, overseeing the actions of mankind from their pedestal and casting either aid or judgment according to their fickle reasoning.