The Gods of Mythology Island

In Poptropica’s Mythology Island, we get to meet several of the Greek Gods, specifically the gods that commonly make up the Twelve Olympians. We also get to meet Hades, god of the Underworld, who was never really invited to the party up on Mt. Olympus. That could be a big part of why he’s such a sourpuss. When you visit the Museum of Olympus on Main Street in Mythology Island, you’ll see fourteen statues of the gods. Why fourteen and not just twelve? Well, in addition to Hades, the Greeks had a habit of switching between Hestia and Dionysus when mentioning the “Twelve.”

Some of these gods appear elsewhere in Mythology Island, including of course the big Z himself, Zeus the almighty. These include Aphrodite, Athena, Poseidon, Zeus, and Hades. Sadly, the rest are relegated to statues in the museum. Here’s a look at all fourteen of the Greek gods that appear in Mythology Island, along with the descriptions that appear under their statues and a little bit more of history from Wikipedia.

Aphrodite

This goddess of love and beauty sprang into life from the foam of the sea. The rose is sacred to Aphrodite–although whatever you do, don’t compare her to a rose. Aphrodite thinks she’s more beautiful than any flower on Earth.

Goddess of love, beauty, and desire. Symbols include the dove, bird, apple, bee, swan, myrtle, and rose. Daughter of Zeus and the Oceanid Dione, or perhaps born from the sea foam after Uranus’ semen dripped into the sea after being castrated by his youngest son, Cronus, who then threw his father’s genitals into the sea. Married to Hephaestus, although she had many adulterous affairs, most notably with Ares. Her name gave us the word “aphrodisiac”, while her Latin name, Venus, gave us the word “venereal”.

Apollo

The original rock star, this shining son of Zeus is god of the sun and music. His followers include the nine muses, minor goddesses who lend creative inspiration to those who ask.

God of light, knowledge, healing, plague and darkness, the arts, music, poetry, prophecy, archery, the sun, manly youth, and beauty. Son of Zeus and Leto. Symbols include the sun, lyre, bow and arrow, raven, dolphin, wolf, swan, and mouse. Twin brother of Artemis.

Ares

Tougher than a mixed martial arts fighter, this son of Zeus is the god of war. His battle cry alone can bring down warriors on the battlefield.

God of war, violence, and bloodshed. Symbols include the boar, serpent, dog, vulture, spear, and shield. Son of Zeus and Hera, all the other gods (except Aphrodite) despised him. His Latin name, Mars, gave us the word “martial.”

Artemis

Apollo’s twin sister is more of a nature girl. She’s the goddess of hunting and protector of young animals. She always carries a bow and arrow.

Goddess of the hunt, virginity, childbirth, archery, the moon, and all animals. Symbols include the moon, deer, hound, she-bear, snake, cypress tree, and bow and arrow. Daughter of Zeus and Leto and twin sister of Apollo.

Athena

Zeus’s daughter is as sharp as one of his thunderbolts, which is why she’s known as the goddess of wisdom. She is also a warrior goddess. Olives, snakes, and spiders are all sacred to Athena.

Goddess of wisdom, handicrafts, defense, and strategic warfare. Symbols include the owl and the olive tree. Daughter of Zeus and the Oceanid Metis, she rose from her father’s head fully grown and in full battle armor after he swallowed her mother.

Demeter

Thank Demeter every time you eat a sandwich! The goddess of grains and the harvest is Zeus’s sister.

Goddess of fertility, agriculture, nature, and the seasons. Symbols include the poppy, wheat, torch, and pig. Middle daughter of Cronus and Rhea.

Dionysus

The god of wine, he often leads mortals astray.

God of wine, celebrations, and ecstasy. Patron god of the art of theatre. Symbols include the grapevine, ivy, cup, tiger, panther, leopard, dolphin, goat and pinecone. Son of Zeus and the mortal Theban princess Semele. Married to the Cretan princess Ariadne. The youngest Olympian, as well as the only one to have a mortal mother.

Hades

This deadly serious god rules the underworld. He’s the brother of Zeus and Poseidon and the pomegranate is his sacred fruit.

God of the Underworld, dead and the riches under the Earth (“Pluto” translates to “The Rich One”); he was born into the first Olympian generation, the elder brother of Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, and Demeter, and younger brother of Hestia, but as he lives in the Underworld rather than on Mount Olympus, he is typically not included amongst the twelve Olympians.

Hephaestus

This skilled son of Zeus and Hera could star in his own home improvement show if he wanted to. He is the god of blacksmiths and other craftsmen. He can make armor that no arrow can pierce.

Master blacksmith and craftsman of the gods; god of fire and the forge. Symbols include fire, anvil, axe, donkey, hammer, tongs, and quail. Son of Hera, either by Zeus or alone. Married to Aphrodite, though unlike most divine husbands, he was rarely ever licentious. His Latin name, Vulcan, gave us the word “volcano.”

Hera

Queen of Olympus and guardian of women and children. Peacocks are sacred to Hera.

Queen of the gods and the goddess of marriage and family. Symbols include the peacock, pomegranate, crown, cuckoo, lion, and cow. Youngest daughter of Cronus and Rhea. Wife and sister of Zeus. Being the goddess of marriage, she frequently tried to get revenge on Zeus’ lovers and their children.

Hermes

This son of Zeus is the messenger of the gods, thanks to the winged cap and sandals his dad gave him.

Messenger of the gods; god of commerce, thieves, and games. Symbols include the caduceus (staff entwined with two snakes), winged sandals and cap, stork, and tortoise (whose shell he used to invent the lyre). Son of Zeus and the nymph Maia. The second-youngest Olympian, just older than Dionysus.

Hestia

Zeus’s older sister is the goddess of hearth and home. When she was a kid, she never got in trouble for having a messy room. Oil and water are sacred to her.

Goddess of the hearth and of the right ordering of domesticity and the family; she was born into the first Olympian generation and was one of the original twelve Olympians, until she gave her throne to Dionysus in order to keep the peace, making her the most generous and gentlest of the gods. She is the first child of Cronus and Rhea, eldest sister of Hades, Demeter, Poseidon, Hera, and Zeus. Also the eldest of the Olympians.

Poseidon

Zeus’s brother rules the seas, from the smallest plankton to the largest sea monster.

God of the seas, earthquakes, and tidal wave. Symbols include the horse, bull, dolphin, and trident. Middle son of Cronus and Rhea. Brother of Zeus and Hades. Married to the Nereid Amphitrite, although, like most male Greek Gods, he had many lovers.

Zeus

Zeus defeated his brothers Poseidon and Hades to become king of the gods. Don’t mess with Zeus!

King of the gods and ruler of Mount Olympus; god of the sky, and thunder. Youngest child of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. Symbols include the thunderbolt, eagle, oak tree, scepter, and scales. Brother and husband of Hera, although he had many lovers. Brother of Poseidon and Hades.