Zeus – King of the Gods

Zeus was King of the Gods and ruler of Mount Olympus. He was the the youngest son born to Cronus and Rhea, Titans who were themselves children of Ouranos and Gaia, the sky and Earth in classical Greek mythology. Zeus overthrew his father Cronus with the aid of his two brothers, Poseidon and Hades in a battle that went on for ten years known as the Titanomachy, or more popularly as the Battle of the Titans. Zeus sired many of the characters in Greek mythology with Goddesses, deities and mortals alike. Greek statues nearly always depict Zeus either astride his throne ruling over Olympus or striding forward with thunderbolt in hand. The Roman version Zeus is Jupiter.

Poseidon

God of the seas, master of earthquakes and brother of Zeus and Hades. He was made ruler of the seas after the battle of the Titans. He is perhaps the most iconic of the Greek gods, his trident a familiar and pervasive symbol. The ancient Greeks believed he had the power to calm the seas and create bountiful fishing expeditions, but when angered would smash his trident into the ground causing earthquakes and tidal waves. He was a well regarded God and considered the patron of many Greek cities.

Apollo

Apollo was the most multi-dimensional of the Gods, seen as God of light and the sun; prophecy and truth; healing and medicine; music, art and poetry. Son of Zeus and Leto, he had a twin sister, the virgin Goddess Artemis. He was considered the most fair of the Gods, always depicted as young and attractive. He was thought to have both the ability to heal and to spread disease and famine. His symbols are the bow, lyre and laurel. He is also known as “Apollo” by the Romans.

Ares

Ares was the God of War. The Greeks viewed him more as the God of bloodlust or slaughter. Ares was seen as unpredictable, chaotic and barbaric. It was his half-sister Athena who acted as goddess of strategic warfare. The vulture and dog were the sacred animals of Ares. The Roman God Mars was connected to Ares, but he was also seen as a God of agriculture and held in higher regard by mortals.

Dionysus

Born to Zeus and the mortal Semele in the city of Thebes, Dionysus was regarded as one of the gods of the epiphany or “gods that come.” He was the God of Wine, Merriment and Ecstasy and fittingly a popular God frequently honored with festivals. Mythology contends that he was androgynous with long, thick hair. This could be the influence of one tale that suggests Hermes was tasked by Zeus to hide the boy away to protect him from the the Goddess Hera who was infuriated by Zeus’ infidelity. Hermes hid the boy with his mortal relatives and commanded that they raise the boy as a girl to deceive Hera and protect him.

Hephaestus

A gentle and compassionate God, he was the God of metal, blacksmiths, artisans, craftsman, metallurgy, volcanoes and fire. Thrown from Mt. Olympus by his mother Hera, he is the only God depicted as repulsive. He was depicted as a cripple due to the injuries he suffered in his fall from Mount Olympus. Hephaestus created many of Greek mythology’s most memorable weapons and tools including: Hermes’ sandals and helmet, the Aegis breastplate, the armor of Achilles, Helio’s chariot, Eros bow and arrow and the thrones at Mt. Olympus. The Romans named this god Vulcan.

Hermes

Young and fleet of foot, Hermes was possessed of great speed and assumed the role of “messenger of the Gods” and transporter of souls to the Underworld. He was the one God permitted to enter the realms of Heaven, Earth and the Underworld. Like all Gods, he was possessed of fallibility: the impulse to steal. This flaw earned him the honor of God of Thieves. Child of Zeus, Hermes was a trusted friend of the king of Gods and frequent confidant. He wore a “petasus” (a shallow, round hat) and was often portrayed with wings on his shoulders along with his famed winged sandals. The Roman incarnation of Hermes is Mercury.

Hades

Brother of Poseidon and Zeus, Hades fought with his brothers in the Titanomachy, helping to destroy their father Cronus and begin the rule of the Olympic Gods. After their victory in the battle of the Titans, Zeus, Hades and Poseidon divided rule of the world. Drawing lots, Zeus was given the sky, Poseidon the seas and Hades the underworld. While Hades is often depicted as a fiery, angry God, this is a distortion of the truth. In Greek mythology, Hades was a benevolent ruler who sought balance in the Underworld, but was capable of rage and vindictive actions if crossed. Hades is associated with Cerebus, the three-headed canine that guards the underworld and the Helm of Darkness a gift from the Cyclops before the Battle of the Titans.

These faiths all recognize the concept of an archangel, but the definition varies widely across faiths with Judaism and Catholocism giving greater credence to the Archangels.  Judaism and Catholicism both recognize eight archangels, though Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel are considered the four cardinal Archangels.  Protestants recognize Michael as an Archangel of significance, but do not put emphasis on the others. While angels appeared in the Bible as early as Genesis in the Old Testament, their visibility and role increased substantially in the New Testament.  Artists of the Renaissance period favored the Archangel as subjects creating Archangel statues and paintings in abundance.  This likely has contributed to their popularity and enduring importance over the past several centuries.

Archangel Michael

Michael is described as the Prince of Light in the Dead Sea Scrolls as one of the “Sons of Light” who will battle the “Sons of Darkness.”  The Book of Daniel foretells of Michael’s return when the world is once again in trouble to lift the world from darkness.   Michael was regarded as the Chief of the Order of Virtues, Prince of the Presence, Chief of Archangels, the Angel of Repentance, Righteousness, Mercy, and Sanctification.  He is also Ruler of the 4th Heaven and Conqueror of Satan.  In Revelations (20:1), it is Michael who descends from Heaven with a “key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.”  In this passage, it is Archangel Michael who leads an Army of Angels to seize the devil who appears in the form of a dragon and bind him for a thousand years.

Michael is considered the patron saint of soldiers and law enforcement offers.  This is because of his role as the Field Commander of the Army of God.

Archangel Gabriel

Gabriel is the Angel of annunciation, resurrection, mercy, vengeance, death and revelation.  The Archangel Gabriel first appears in the book of Daniel at the time Babylonian captivity, a time of Jewish exile.  Gabriel takes on human form to help Daniel understand the meaning of his visions foretelling the End of Days.  In the Gospel of Luke, it is Gabriel who serves as the messenger of God and announces to Mary that she will give birth to a son of God whom she will call Jesus, a moment captured frequently in paintings as the Annunciation.

While Gabriel is frequently depicted with a trumpet which he will blow to announce the start of the End of Days and again to initiate the Resurrection, this is not told in any version of the Bible.  The first image of Gabriel with Trumpet is found in an Armenian text from the mid 1400s. Gabriel’s Horn first appears in English language text in Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost from 1667.  The horn has become closely associated with Gabriel and is now part of the modern identity.

Archangel Raphael

Raphael can be found in the Book of Tobit, a religious writing recognized by the Catholic and Orthodox Christian churches but not in the Hebrew Bible.  The Archangel Raphael is considered the angel or “god” of healing.  Sent by God as told in the Book of Tobit to heal Tobit of his blindness and act as Tobias protector in human form during his travels to recover money his father had hidden.  Raphael is one of the six Angels of Repentance, Angel of Prayer, Love, Joy and Light.  In the Catholic Church, he is Michael, the patron saint of the medical workers and those who are traveling.

Archangel Uriel

Archangel Uriel is described as the protector of the Gate of Eden and the angel who watches over thunder and terror.  He is found mostly in pseudepigraphical and Apocalyptic literature often depicted holding a fiery sword and the keys to the gates of Hell.  Though not mentioned in the Bible, he is the Archangel most often considered the “fourth” to represent the four cardinal points along with Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

Uriel holds the titles Angel of Presence, Angel of the Face, Prince of Presence,  Angel of Glory and Angel of Sanctification. Along with Suriel, Jehol, Zagagel, Akatriel, Metatron, Yefefiah, Satanel, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Nathanel – Uriel is allowed to enter the presence of God.  He is often shown holding a scroll representing wisdom and viewed as the patron angel of the Arts.

Beginning with the Minoan civilization that existed in Crete, the Minoans made remarkable contributions to Greek way of life; especially, in the artistry of pottery and vases.  The Minoan potters created pottery for food gathering and storing liquids.  A practical need became a vehicle for artiststic expression, with the potter looking to nature to  influence the designs that transformed the piece creating art from what was once only a tool.

As time passed, Minoan’s created vases in forms that were used for specific purposes.  For example, the Amphora vase is a wide-bodied vase with a large mouth and two opposing handles.  It was used to carry and store liquids such as oil or wine.  Painted with grass and flowers, and ocean scenery and wildlife, the Minoan’s set precedent for future designs.

During the Protogeometrical Period, Greek vases were adorned with simplistic designs that consisted mainly of circular patterns.  The Geometric style followed with new motifs, building upon the latter with wavy lines and triangles.  In the middle of the 11th Century, the first images of human figures were seen adorning the Greek vase, and by the end of the period, mythological figures were central to the decorative elements of Greek pottery.

The Orientalizing Period came after trade-links with Asian Minor islands.  The rise of human depictions slowed during this period, and the artisan used the Greek vases for depicting lions, griffins and sphinx with lotuses as accents.

Through the Corinthian creation, the Greek black-figure technique, artists used iron-enriched clay that turned reddish-orange at high temperatures.  They then sketched the design in outline, and filled it with clay.  The Greek vases would be fired in a kiln at a temperature of nearly 800 degrees Celsius.  After oxidation, the pottery would turn a reddish-orange color.  Next, the temperature was raised another 150 degrees, and the piece would turn black.  Finally, the kiln vents were opened to let in oxygen, and the pottery would return to the reddish-orange color, but the layer that was painted would keep it’s black finish.

The Corinthian used these vases to show images of animal friezes.  It was the Athenian painters who introduced a narrative method, depicting battle scenes, mythology and legends.

Replacing the black-figure method, the red-figure method was introduced in Athens.  At its core, the process is exactly the opposite of the black-figure method.  Scenes were applied to the Greek vases, but to unfired pieces after they were dried.  The Athenians carved images on the pottery or vase with a blunt tool.  It was erased during firing, but after the contours remained and were filled with a glossy clay mixture.

The Greek innovation for creating pottery resulted in Greek vases whose designs endure even today and left the world with a path to the past.