Olympian GodsThe Mythology surrounding the Olympian Gods According to mythology the home of the gods was on the summit of Mount Olympus, in Thessaly. A gate of clouds opened to permit the passage of the Roman gods to earth, and to receive the gods on their return. The Olympian gods had their separate dwellings but all, when summoned, went to the palace of Jupiter on Mount Olympus, as did also those deities whose usual abode was the earth, the sea or the underworld. It was also in the great hall of the palace of the Jupiter the king of the gods where the Olympian gods feasted each day on ambrosia and nectar, their food and drink. It was in the palace on Mount Olympus that the Olympian gods and goddesses discussed the affairs of heaven and earth. As they feasted upon their nectar, Apollo, the god of music, delighted the Roman gods with the tones of his lyre, to which the muses sang in responsive strains. When the sun was set, the Olympian gods retired to sleep in their respective dwellings on Mount Olympus. Mount Olympus Symbols of the Olympian Gods Various symbols were associated with the Olympian Gods. The symbols of the Olympian gods related to symbols relating to animals, symbols relating to objects and symbols relating to the specific attributes of each of the Olympian gods. The following table details all of the symbols associated with the Olympians: Jupiter, Juno, Minerva, Vesta, Ceres, Diana, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Vulcan and Apollo. Table of Olympian Gods & Goddesses and their Symbols Names of the Olympian Gods * Attributes and Jurisdictions of the Olympian Gods ** Animal Symbols of the Olympian Gods *** Object Symbols of the Olympian Gods Apollo * God of the sun, music, medicine and healing, archery and prophecy ** Snake, laurel and hyacinth *** The golden lyre Ceres * Goddess of Agriculture ** Wheat seed *** Cornucopia, the horn of plenty Diana * Goddess of Hunting ** Deer *** Cypress treeJuno * Goddess of Marriage ** Cow and Peacock *** Jupiter aka Jove * The King of the Gods and the God of the sky ** Eagle, bull, oak *** ThunderboltMars * God of War ** Vulture, wolf *** A bloody spear and sacred shields (ancilia) Mercury * Messenger of the Gods and Finance ** *** Winged sandals, a winged hat and carried a magic wand.Minerva * Goddess of Wisdom ** Owl, snake *** Olive tree Neptune * God of the Sea ** Bull, horse *** The tridentVenus * Goddess of Love and Beauty ** Doves, swans *** The rose and the myrtle and a SeashellVesta * Goddess of the Hearth, the Home and the Roman state ** *** The sacred Eternal flame Vulcan * God of Fire, the Forge and Blacksmiths ** *** The forge and the anvilOlympian Gods The content of this Olympian Gods category on life in Ancient Rome provides free educational details, facts and information for reference and research for schools, colleges and homework. Refer to the Colosseum Sitemap for a comprehensive search on interesting different categories containing the history, facts and information about Ancient Rome. |