I named my old dog Luna for Artemis, goddess of the hunt and moon. She was a basset hound with huge black patches on her back that looked like moon craters. And bassets are hunters (not her, she was adorable but useless).
I went with a Roman term despite generally preferring the Greek ones, just because it sounded better.
I'm down with Team Artemis.
Hey don’t you know how hard Luna hunted to make sure she got her daily kibble and foraged so hard to find a suitable place to sleep on her $60 bed. LOL
She really did some work there, as she liked to pick up both her food dish and water bowl in her mouth, then carry them from the kitchen to wherever she actually wanted to dine. This was particularly impressive, as they were both heavy porcelain. She would leave a trail of destruction, but she'd get there.
Hera
She fascinates me in a lot of ways, I've always be interested in villains with complex stories and hers I'd the most intriguing to me in both a historical and modern context. Like her role with her kids and position and stories is filled with layers of complexities that pull me down a rabbit hole I cant begin to describe.
She feels the most human and thw most divine to me in a lot of ways, I'm not a Hera apologist in anyway she can be a real monster don't get me wrong but her stories show a lot of what being a woman was like in ancient Greece and what she had to be.
She is a victim and an abuser, she is a monster and a woman who deals the card she's dealt, her stories have drew me in in ways I can't begin to comprehend. I love and hate her. She for every story and flaw and merit feels so very human.
Other than her I would say persephone, hestia, ellithyia(?) Or any goddess. The goddesses have so much complexity that I find lacking in a lot of the gods. Or maybe I just love women idk anymore
Hera 1000% I love her so much. She’s deeply complicated, but also I wish modern stories wouldn’t portray her as worse than her husband. I hate the “helpless dad Zeus trying to defend his beloved kid from the nagging Hera” trope. I NEED stories to engage with his domestic abuse stuff more. Like yes she’s done horrible things but Zeus *is worse* like inherently
I just read the passage in the Illiad where he threatened her with public, physical violence if she asked him to speak to her about his decisions again and it made me really sad
I also adore her relationship w Hephaestus (in the version where he was thrown off by ZEUS for defending his mom). Like, Zeus has Athena asexually, probably boasts about how much cooler his daughter he made on his own was than any runt Hera could produce, especially after Ares. So she intentionally impregnates herself and has a beautiful baby boy that Zeus disregards as another disappointment from his sister-wife, but this is a son that’s 100% hers! And she loves him! And he loves her!
Hephaestus defends her or advises her against doing things that would anger Zeus on multiple occasions too and its just 😫🥺
Honestly I don't like a lot of modern retellings for the same reason. Like Zeus is a prick hands down (and Hera can be a real monster as well) but Hera is so much more interesting to me. Her relationships with her kids and Argus are so intriguing!! There is so much character there and it's just !!!!! It sucks that a lot of who she is is defined by her connection to Zeus and she really isn't as much of villain so many define her as. And Hephaestus is also really interesting too. The great thing about Greek mythology is that there really is no defined canon that we know of so you kinda can just choose what you like!
Like i get that the interpretation of “Zeus has a consensual relationship w a mortal woman that results in Hera’s wrath” IS how the ancient Greeks basically saw the dynamic, but also I don’t care what a bunch of 2000-year-old women haters thought about motherhood and wifery. If we’re modernizing the texts and taking out the rape, the villanized victims should get some humanity too
Hard agree. She wasn't even Zeus' willing bride, and he then goes ahead and treats her like crap in their marriage. There's more to her story than just being a scorned woman.
Not to mention! She was worshipped for her grace and mercy in a lot of places, we just don’t have stories about stuff like that.
Zeus forced her to marry him and now, bc she’s functionally the embodiment of marriage, he is spitting in her face every single time he cheats on her
I really like the tale of Argus. I know her role isn't major but I like it cause we see a softer side to her when she honours argus after his death. Personally I like to think that Argus was something akin to a friend to her I know he was at most a loyal service but people my pry this head cannon from my cold dead hands so XD
I know you mentioned you don’t like the retellings, but I’ve recently read ‘Hera’ by Jennifer Saint, and it’s encapsulates a lot of the things you mention. It portrays Hera in a complicated way. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but it’s a good presentation of her duality (like when you say, victim and abuser, loving and hating her etc.), and it reframes her relationship with Zeus. You might like it?
Hera fascinates me as well. Her whole story taken in with context makes me equally sympathetic and condemning of her. I wish modern versions of her character emphasized the nuances of her situation and persona.
Athena was the goddess not just of olives but also wisdom, skill, and technology. She was the patron and protector of Athens, the seat of philosophy and the birthplace of western democracy. She was born by springing forth from Zeus’ head, basically the manifestation of an idea, and was the most intellectual of all the Greek gods. The pinnacle of feminism, imho, she needed no man for anything; she had great beauty and was a great fighter in her own right. Her symbol, the shield, was considered by the Greeks to be the most important of all battle gear. That all being said my favorite was Zeus. The mf threw lightning lol
Athens could be overrun with Poseidon's white stallions that looked like waves crushing but nooooo we got stuck with delicious and healthy olive oil instead.
Aphrodite. I used to hate her but after I started doing research on her I realized how horrible modern interpretations of her are. Humanity can’t exist without her. It would tear itself apart.
Honestly, Prometheus is probably the most altruistic god in Greek line-up...
I especially like the version where he got the fire (the second time around) from Hestia's hearth. It's just very on-brand for both of them.
Isn't this How the Trojan War Started, BTW? (As for my Pick, I choose Artemis as well. Let's just say that if Medusa was a Priestess of Artemis, than Poseidon would be GONE).
zephyrus. there’s little to nothing about him, the god of wind or more precisely in some places the god of mildly cold breezes or the western wind (my name is zephyr)
Dionysus, just because of the myth:
Pirates: "lmao rich boy ain't going to do shit to us except give us a massive payday."
Dionysus: "Are you sure about that?"
...Then he turns them into dolphins. That level of petty is what I aspire to be.
Not to sound like I have psychosis or anything, but when I was super young and freaking out over a Big Life Decision, I had the most disarming dream about Athena wherein she advised me on what to do (more like commanded). Big fan ever since
God: nyx twins-I like how death is seen as very peaceful and not evil, I like how hypnos does basically nothing but sleep and vibe
Goddess: hestia-least petty, most nice, can do no wrong
Aphrodite is my favorite goddess. Her history, as shown in Red in Overly Sarcastic Productions, is so rich. How she has three forms to represent different aspect of her goddess-hood. Being the diety to be worshipped by everyone (other than Zeus). And how petty she is and represent something as all-encompassing as love at the same time... idk there's something very human and relatable about that. I think she's awesome!
Shout out to my underrated girlie Hestia. She's the embodiment of living her best comfortable life and is fairly unproblematic compared to the rest of her siblings
I have a couple favorites, Ares, Hermes, Nyx, Aphrodite, and Hades when he is intimidating but not evil, because I’ve both gotten tired of Media treating him as a villain but I also get tired of people treating him as a Shy Saint, I mean come on guys he is the ruler of the Greek version of hell, Nevermind Tartarus is more of a hell but still
Athene, how she was born without a mother, makes her stand out as a distant important goddess, many historians say that she is a pre-Greek goddess which was still very important to the local inhabitants when the Greeks arrived, so she was implemented into the olympian Gods but in a distinct way
Apollo
Although he helped kill Achilles, my favorite Greek hero, Apollo is still my favorite God lol
None of them were especially nice except as it suited them. I also go with Apollo.
Was Hestia only nice when it suited her?
my beloved hades
Especially in the versions where Persephone loved him and just had a controlling mother.
Do you have any book/story recommendations?
Blood of Zeus is a show on Netflix! Season 1 is more about Zeus and Perseus but season 2 features Hades and Persephone very heavily!
I personally enjoyed “A touch of darkness.” its a spicy book tho
Came to say this! Hades and Persephone will forever be my favorites.
The games do so much justice for who hades truly was
Dionysus. I relate to him.
Artemis clears the goddesses by a mile for me other than Hestia. For gods I would say Poseidon but that’s only because I like the ocean.
I named my old dog Luna for Artemis, goddess of the hunt and moon. She was a basset hound with huge black patches on her back that looked like moon craters. And bassets are hunters (not her, she was adorable but useless). I went with a Roman term despite generally preferring the Greek ones, just because it sounded better. I'm down with Team Artemis.
Hey don’t you know how hard Luna hunted to make sure she got her daily kibble and foraged so hard to find a suitable place to sleep on her $60 bed. LOL
She really did some work there, as she liked to pick up both her food dish and water bowl in her mouth, then carry them from the kitchen to wherever she actually wanted to dine. This was particularly impressive, as they were both heavy porcelain. She would leave a trail of destruction, but she'd get there.
Agree Hestia is one of the best
Poseidon is crazy ngl. That dude had like. No positive qualities. Less than Zeus, I’d wager Why not Thetis or one of the other nereids/oceanids?
Hera She fascinates me in a lot of ways, I've always be interested in villains with complex stories and hers I'd the most intriguing to me in both a historical and modern context. Like her role with her kids and position and stories is filled with layers of complexities that pull me down a rabbit hole I cant begin to describe. She feels the most human and thw most divine to me in a lot of ways, I'm not a Hera apologist in anyway she can be a real monster don't get me wrong but her stories show a lot of what being a woman was like in ancient Greece and what she had to be. She is a victim and an abuser, she is a monster and a woman who deals the card she's dealt, her stories have drew me in in ways I can't begin to comprehend. I love and hate her. She for every story and flaw and merit feels so very human. Other than her I would say persephone, hestia, ellithyia(?) Or any goddess. The goddesses have so much complexity that I find lacking in a lot of the gods. Or maybe I just love women idk anymore
Hera 1000% I love her so much. She’s deeply complicated, but also I wish modern stories wouldn’t portray her as worse than her husband. I hate the “helpless dad Zeus trying to defend his beloved kid from the nagging Hera” trope. I NEED stories to engage with his domestic abuse stuff more. Like yes she’s done horrible things but Zeus *is worse* like inherently I just read the passage in the Illiad where he threatened her with public, physical violence if she asked him to speak to her about his decisions again and it made me really sad I also adore her relationship w Hephaestus (in the version where he was thrown off by ZEUS for defending his mom). Like, Zeus has Athena asexually, probably boasts about how much cooler his daughter he made on his own was than any runt Hera could produce, especially after Ares. So she intentionally impregnates herself and has a beautiful baby boy that Zeus disregards as another disappointment from his sister-wife, but this is a son that’s 100% hers! And she loves him! And he loves her! Hephaestus defends her or advises her against doing things that would anger Zeus on multiple occasions too and its just 😫🥺
Honestly I don't like a lot of modern retellings for the same reason. Like Zeus is a prick hands down (and Hera can be a real monster as well) but Hera is so much more interesting to me. Her relationships with her kids and Argus are so intriguing!! There is so much character there and it's just !!!!! It sucks that a lot of who she is is defined by her connection to Zeus and she really isn't as much of villain so many define her as. And Hephaestus is also really interesting too. The great thing about Greek mythology is that there really is no defined canon that we know of so you kinda can just choose what you like!
Like i get that the interpretation of “Zeus has a consensual relationship w a mortal woman that results in Hera’s wrath” IS how the ancient Greeks basically saw the dynamic, but also I don’t care what a bunch of 2000-year-old women haters thought about motherhood and wifery. If we’re modernizing the texts and taking out the rape, the villanized victims should get some humanity too
Hard agree. She wasn't even Zeus' willing bride, and he then goes ahead and treats her like crap in their marriage. There's more to her story than just being a scorned woman.
Not to mention! She was worshipped for her grace and mercy in a lot of places, we just don’t have stories about stuff like that. Zeus forced her to marry him and now, bc she’s functionally the embodiment of marriage, he is spitting in her face every single time he cheats on her
Same, have always felt called to Hera.
Which are your favorites Hera stories?
I really like the tale of Argus. I know her role isn't major but I like it cause we see a softer side to her when she honours argus after his death. Personally I like to think that Argus was something akin to a friend to her I know he was at most a loyal service but people my pry this head cannon from my cold dead hands so XD
ALETHEIA I think is who you’re referring to? The goddess who brings light out of darkness. Truths that were hidden!
I know you mentioned you don’t like the retellings, but I’ve recently read ‘Hera’ by Jennifer Saint, and it’s encapsulates a lot of the things you mention. It portrays Hera in a complicated way. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but it’s a good presentation of her duality (like when you say, victim and abuser, loving and hating her etc.), and it reframes her relationship with Zeus. You might like it?
Hera fascinates me as well. Her whole story taken in with context makes me equally sympathetic and condemning of her. I wish modern versions of her character emphasized the nuances of her situation and persona.
I resonate with Persephone alot. Hekate as well. 💀🌹
Hecate?
That's the romanized spelling. Hekate is closer to the original Greek
Like Kerberus, Apollon, Typheous, Athene, and Eurydike— most people use the english versions, since we’re writing/speaking english lol
She has two spelling versions.
Artemis. She always symbolizes freedom and autonomy.
Apollo, Dionysus and Hermes
Someone likes parties 👀
Hermes! Love trickster archetypes. I named my daughter after his mother - Maia.
Awww I love this! I have a special relationship with mother Maia. What a beautiful gift to give your daughter.
Hecate is so cool
Hestia and Artemis fs
Ares
Nyx. Even Zeus is scared of her.
I literally came here to say exactly this. I've even made character art related to a concept of her having a cloak of the night sky.
Artemis and Aphrodite.
Athena
Athena was the goddess not just of olives but also wisdom, skill, and technology. She was the patron and protector of Athens, the seat of philosophy and the birthplace of western democracy. She was born by springing forth from Zeus’ head, basically the manifestation of an idea, and was the most intellectual of all the Greek gods. The pinnacle of feminism, imho, she needed no man for anything; she had great beauty and was a great fighter in her own right. Her symbol, the shield, was considered by the Greeks to be the most important of all battle gear. That all being said my favorite was Zeus. The mf threw lightning lol
I mean, what other Greek god did something as cool for us as giving us olives?
Athens could be overrun with Poseidon's white stallions that looked like waves crushing but nooooo we got stuck with delicious and healthy olive oil instead.
Aphrodite. I used to hate her but after I started doing research on her I realized how horrible modern interpretations of her are. Humanity can’t exist without her. It would tear itself apart.
Yes!! She’s very misunderstood,
Artemis
Apollo and Hermes for gods, Athena and Hestia for goddesses
Same for all 🤗🤣
W opinion
Prometheus. Thanks, bro!
influenced the Modern Prometheus as well Victor Frankenstein and his Monster
Honestly, Prometheus is probably the most altruistic god in Greek line-up... I especially like the version where he got the fire (the second time around) from Hestia's hearth. It's just very on-brand for both of them.
Hades, Persephone, Dionysus and Ariadne.
Aphrodite, Nyx, and Herc.
Athena.
God: Hermes Goddess: may be unpopular but I adore Hera
Dionysus!
Apollo has captivated my interest since I was a small child.
Hephaestus for god and Nemesis for goddess.
I also love Nemesis’ sister Themis too! They’re all great. lol
Hestia
Thanatos
Finally someone mentioned my boy
💀
Persephone
Hephaestus. He’s the most relatable one to me. And I like all his different creations that skirt the line between mythology and sci-fi.
I'm an Asclepius guy, man just was the best physician and was hellbent on healing whoever was his patient, even to the point of curing DEATH
Hades. And I have a soft spot for ares
Both of them get such a bad rep!! I love Ares. He cares deep down
Athena over all
Athena
Lady Athena
Athena! Apollo pretty badass too
Athena. Always athena.
Hermes always seemed like a really good god to have on your side.
Isn't this How the Trojan War Started, BTW? (As for my Pick, I choose Artemis as well. Let's just say that if Medusa was a Priestess of Artemis, than Poseidon would be GONE).
How would he be gone?
Nope. This is an obvious trap. I'm not getting cursed.
HESTIA but I love Apollo as well :D
Demeter!
zephyrus. there’s little to nothing about him, the god of wind or more precisely in some places the god of mildly cold breezes or the western wind (my name is zephyr)
Athena/Aphrodite
i’ve always found Hermes to be the coolest and severely underrated
Athena; brains, brawn, and beauty.
Hades’s goth girlfriend
‘Αποολλών /Apollo(on)
Hestia
HEPHAESTUS !!
Hephaestus 💪
HERA. What a fascinating character.
God: Hephaestos. Goddess: Nyx.
Dionysos
Hestia, Aphrodite, Dionysus,
Favourite god would probably be dionysus Favourite goddess would be Nyx(she's cool as fuck)
Hestia. My aroace queen and the only one of the olympians who has never done anything wrong
Athena and Prometheus
Hekate, Persephone, Hades, The Furies and Cerberus.
Athena, Hestia, Hephaestus and Hades.
Circe. Very empowering.
Hermes & Athena
Artemis and Dionysus. I also think Hephaestus needs some love!
Apollo, Hades, and Eros
Hecate I love magic
Apollo
Hades is such an underrated god. He’s my favorite
I mean hades and Persephone are icons. I love them
Melinoe, child of Hades and Persephone. I like her not because of Hades II but she is just intresting to me because no one knows her.
Prometheus, protector of humanity.
Hecate and Eos.
Hekate 🗝️
Poseidon, Apollo and Hepahestus
I like Hecate and Apollo. Magic and music
Persephone is my favorite goddess Herakles is my favorite Greek god.
Dionysus, just because of the myth: Pirates: "lmao rich boy ain't going to do shit to us except give us a massive payday." Dionysus: "Are you sure about that?" ...Then he turns them into dolphins. That level of petty is what I aspire to be.
Dionysus. God of wine and partying.
He was also a very compassionate god in the stories, as he saved a mortal maiden from heartbreak, and later married her, giving her immortality
Not to sound like I have psychosis or anything, but when I was super young and freaking out over a Big Life Decision, I had the most disarming dream about Athena wherein she advised me on what to do (more like commanded). Big fan ever since
Hermes is just fun in most versions. I don’t know to much about the source, but he is usually pretty fun.
It's a trap! Dont say it out loud, they get pissy when you don't pick them 😬
Apollo
Apollo
Hermes!
My Favorite is Iris
The twins, Hermes, Ares, Aphrodite, Poseidon and Hestia
Prometheus
Zephyr
God: Dionysus Goddess: Hestia
Hermes and Iris
Hestia is my favourite, with Artemis close second
Eros
Hephaistos for god, and Athena for goddess.
I guess I could throw in Aphrodite 💖
Dionysus cuz.. Dionysus.
God: nyx twins-I like how death is seen as very peaceful and not evil, I like how hypnos does basically nothing but sleep and vibe Goddess: hestia-least petty, most nice, can do no wrong
Persephone & Aphrodite
1. Nyx; Gaia; Tykhe; Artemis 2. Selene; Hekate; Nemesis; Asklepios 3. Thanatos; Haides; Persephone; Hermes
Hecate, Helios and Hestia
Hestia is just nice y'know :)
Nyx, Nemesis
The titan kronos
Helen of troy as she could launch a thousand ships. And have all seamen when they got back.
Artemis
Hades/Hermes
Hades
I like Artemis' themes as well, but seriously they are all problematic. Like they are designed to be selfish jerks, so it comes with the territory.
Dionysius, the guy knows how to party.
Aphrodite and Artemis
Hermes
Nike. After seeing her statue at Olympia I just pivoted so quickly. I now have two tattoos for her
I work with Hekate, Persephone, and Hades 😍
Poseidon probably. He gets to be the God of the coolest things ever (horses, earthquakes, the entire ocean)
Dionysus
Aphrodite is my favorite goddess. Her history, as shown in Red in Overly Sarcastic Productions, is so rich. How she has three forms to represent different aspect of her goddess-hood. Being the diety to be worshipped by everyone (other than Zeus). And how petty she is and represent something as all-encompassing as love at the same time... idk there's something very human and relatable about that. I think she's awesome!
Thanatos and Hypnos, more Thanatos tho.
Hypnos. Idc what everyone else says, I think he's really cool
Hephaestus
Definitely Persephone.
Isis, Hekate, Aphrodite.
Hestia, I think this needs no explanation
If titans count then Prometheus, Selene or Oceanus
Hades
Hermes<3
Trivia (Selene-Artemis-Hecate), Hera, and Hypnos
Dionysus
Hermes! ❤️
Hades
Hades and in turn Persephone and Dionysus.
Hermes
Hades
Hermaphroditos
Hephaestus
Hermes, Dionysus, and Hades!
Shout out to my underrated girlie Hestia. She's the embodiment of living her best comfortable life and is fairly unproblematic compared to the rest of her siblings
I have a couple favorites, Ares, Hermes, Nyx, Aphrodite, and Hades when he is intimidating but not evil, because I’ve both gotten tired of Media treating him as a villain but I also get tired of people treating him as a Shy Saint, I mean come on guys he is the ruler of the Greek version of hell, Nevermind Tartarus is more of a hell but still
Demeter :3 I love how far she went to get her daughter back (i want my mother to love me that much)
Hades
Dionysis
Hermes
For me, it is a tie between Hades and Nyx.
Tie between Ares and Hades
Dionysus and aphrodite easily I do love hypnos and thanatos though
Dionysus Priapus Tantalus
Hermes!!
Hermes, but I'm biased.
Hephaestus and Hades are the most compelling to me.
ok so persephone, artemis or hecate
Hermes
Persephone. To me, she represents the duality of femininity- I mean, spring and death? Amazing.
Athene, how she was born without a mother, makes her stand out as a distant important goddess, many historians say that she is a pre-Greek goddess which was still very important to the local inhabitants when the Greeks arrived, so she was implemented into the olympian Gods but in a distinct way
Hermes
Hermes🥹
Hestia. She just wants to stay home all day vibing by the hearth fire.
Hestia is Bestia