there are 12 great gods of the greeks that preside over every aspect of human life
aphrodite is the olympian goddess of beauty, love, pleasure and and procreation. She was depicted as a beautiful woman usually accompanied by the winged godling Eros. Her attributes include a dove, apple, scallop shell and mirror.
apollo is the olympian god of prophecy/oracles, healing, plague/disease, music, song and poetry, archery, and the protection of the young. he was depicted as a handsome, beardless youth with long hair
ares is the olympian god of war, battlelust, civil order and courage. in greek art he was depicted as either a mature, bearded warrior dressed in battle arms, or a nude beardless youth with helm and spear.
artemis is the olympian goddess of hunting, wilderness and wild animals. she is also a goddess of childbirth, and the protectress of the girl child up to the age of womanhood.
athena is the goddess of wise counsel, war, the defense of towns, heroic endeavor, weaving, pottery and other crafts. she was depicted crowned with a crested helm and armed with shield and spear.
demeter is the olympian goddess of agriculture, grain, and bread, the prime sustenance of mankind. she also presided over the foremost of the mystery cults which promised its initiates the path to a blessed afterlife. demeter was depicted as a mature woman, often crowned and holding sheaves of wheat and and a torch.
dionysus is the olympian god of wine, vegetation, pleasure and festivity. he was depicted as either an older bearded god or a pretty, effeminate, long-haired youth. his attributes included the thyrsos (a pine-cone tipped staff), drinking cup, leopard and fruiting vine.
hephaestus is the olympian god of fire, metalworking, stonemasonry and the art of sculpture. he was usually depicted as a bearded man holding hammer and tongs–the tools of a smith–and riding a donkey.
hera is the olympian queen of the gods and the goddess of women and marriage. she was also a goddess of the sky and starry heavens. she was usually depicted as a beautiful woman wearing a crown and holding a royal, lotus-tipped staff.
hermes is the olympian god of animal husbandry, roads, travel, hospitality, heralds, diplomacy, trade, thievery, language, writing, persuasion, cunning wiles, athletic contests, gymnasiums, astronomy, and astrology. hermes was depicted as either a handsome and athletic, beardless youth, or as an older bearded man. His attributes included winged boots, and sometimes a winged travellers cap and chlamys cloak.
poseidon is the olympian god of the sea, rivers, flood and drought, earthquakes, and horses. he was depicted as a mature man of sturdy build with a dark beard, and holding a trident.
zeus is the king of the gods, the god of sky and weather, law, order and fate. he was depicted as a regal man, mature with sturdy figure and dark beard. his usual attributes included a lightning bolt, royal scepter and eagle.