Debuting the Council of 12

There are 12 major Olympian gods in Greek and Roman mythology, each with a Greek and a Roman counterpart. They are Zeus/Jupiter, Hera/Juno, Poseidon/Neptune, Demeter/Ceres, Athena/Minerva, Ares/Mars, Aphrodite/Venus, Apollo, Artemis/Diana, Hephaestus/Vulcan, Hestia/Vesta, and Hermes/Mercury. In Ancient Greece, this group of gods was called the Olympians, but in Ancient Rome, they were called the Dei Consentes, or the Council of 12. There are more major gods, although, not part of the Olympians, or the Dei Consentes, are related to many of them, such as Hades/Pluto, or Dionysus/Bacchus.

Zeus/Jupiter

Zeus or Jupiter is the god of the sky and lightning, is the King of the Gods, and is often known for his affairs outside his marriage with Hera. His symbols include the lightning bolt, the eagle, the bull, and oak.

Hera/Juno

Hera or Juno is the goddess of women, marriage, family, and childbirth. She is also the Queen of the Gods and the wife of Zeus. She is known for her wrath brought down against many of Zeus’ lovers. Her symbols include cattle, the peacock, the cuckoo, the scepter, and the diadem.

Poseidon/Neptune

Poseidon or Neptune is the god of the seas, storms, earthquakes, and horses. One of his famed names is the “Earth-Shaker”, because of his identity as the god of earthquakes. His symbols include the trident, fish, dolphins, horses, and bulls.

Demeter/Ceres

Demeter of Ceres is the goddess of agriculture and the harvest. Her famed daughter is Persephone/Kore/Proserpina, goddess of spring and fertility of the earth. Demeter’s symbols include the cornucopia, wheat, the torch, and a sickle.

Athena/Minerva

Athena or Minerva is the goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare. She is a favored child of Zeus and often competes with Ares/Mars, the god of war. She is one of the three famed virgin goddesses. Her symbols include owls, olive trees, snakes, and the Aegis(a shield given to her by Zeus).

Ares/Mars

Ares or Mars is the god of war and conflict and represents the physical and violent aspects of war, in contrast to his sister Athena/Minerva, who represents military strategy in war. He is known for his affair with Aphrodite/Venus behind his brother’s back. His symbols include the sword, spear, chariot, dog, boar, and vulture.

Aphrodite/Venus

Aphrodite or Venus is the goddess of love, beauty, and pleasure. She is known for her marriage to Hephaestus/Vulcan and her many affairs despite the marriage. Her symbols include the dolphin, rose, scallop shell, myrtle, dove, girdle, pearl, and swan.

Apollo

Apollo is the god of the sun, prophecy, archery, music and dance, healing, diseases, and light. He is an oracular god and is the patron deity of the Oracle of Delphi, who provided wise advice and prophecies. His name is the same as his Roman counterpart. His symbols include the lyre, laurel wreaths, the python, raven, and bow and arrow.

Artemis/Diana

Artemis or Diana is the goddess of the moon, the Hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, and chastity. She is another one of the three virgin goddesses, along with Athena. Her symbols include the bow and arrows, hunting knives, the moon, deer, and the cypress tree.

Hephaestus/Vulcan

Hephaestus or Vulcan is the god of blacksmiths, metalworking, artisans, fire, and volcanoes. He is known for his deformities, for which he was cast off Mount Olympus as a baby, and more positively, his excellent creations, from automatons to accessories and weapons for the gods. His symbols include a smith’s hammer, the anvil, and a pair of tongs.

Hestia/Vesta

Hestia or Vesta is the goddess of the hearth, domesticity, family, and the home. She is the final goddess of the three virgin goddesses among the Dei Consentes or the Olympians. Her position among the Olympians is, later on, taken by Dionysus/Bacchus as she willingly gives it up for him. Many people may think she is unsung because of how little she appears in Greek and Roman myths. Her symbols include the hearth and its fire.

Hades/Pluto

Hades or Pluto is the god of the dead, the underworld, and riches. He is not considered an Olympian because of his reign over the Underworld and his negative associations as the god of the dead. However, he is siblings with Zeus, Hera, Demeter, Poseidon, and Hestia. He is famed for his kidnapping of Persephone/Kore/Proserpina as his wife. His symbols include keys, Cerberus, mint, pomegranates, screech owls, and chariots.

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There are definitely more gods and goddesses in the mythos of Greek culture and Roman culture, however, these are the most major ones and were therefore dubbed the Council of 12.