IRoman Jupiter
Zeus
King of the Gods, Sky & Thunder
Ruler of Mount Olympus and god of the sky, thunder, law and order, who overthrew the Titans and divided the cosmos with his brothers.
- Thunderbolt
- Sceptre
- Oak tree
“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”
Explore Ancient Hellas
Six ways into the ancient world
Start with the story of Greece itself, meet its gods and heroes, get to know its greatest minds, then dive into our reviews and articles.
- 6 erasAncient HistorySix eras, from the palaces of Bronze Age Crete to the Roman conquest, plus the great city-states and sanctuaries of Hellas.Learn more
- 15 deitiesThe PantheonThe Twelve Olympians and the powers beyond Olympus: their myths, symbols, epithets and sacred places.Learn more
- 10 heroesThe HeroesHeracles, Achilles, Odysseus and the other legends who walked the line between gods and mortals.Learn more
- 16 profilesProfilesThe philosophers, poets, scientists and statesmen whose ideas still shape the way we live and think.Learn more
- 19 reviewsReviewsHonest reviews of the best books, films and documentaries about the ancient Greek world.Learn more
- 6 articlesBlogArticles on history, myth and culture, from the Olympic Games to the oracle at Delphi.Learn more
A brief history
Three thousand years in six eras
From the palaces of Minoan Crete to the Roman conquest, follow the rise, golden age and long legacy of the Greek world.
The Pantheon
The gods of Mount Olympus
Twelve great gods ruled the Greek world from the summit of Olympus. Meet the first six, then discover the rest of the family.
- IIRoman Juno
Hera
Queen of the Gods, Marriage & Childbirth
Queen of Olympus, wife and sister of Zeus, and protector of marriage, women and childbirth, famous for her fierce jealousy.
- Diadem
- Pomegranate
- Sceptre
- IIIRoman Neptune
Poseidon
God of the Sea, Earthquakes & Horses
Lord of the seas and shaker of the earth, whose moods could calm the waves or wreck whole fleets.
- Trident
- Pine tree
- Chariot of sea-horses
- IVRoman Ceres
Demeter
Goddess of the Harvest, Grain & Agriculture
The giver of grain and the fertile earth, whose grief for her lost daughter Persephone brought the first winter.
- Sheaf of wheat
- Torch
- Cornucopia
- VRoman Minerva
Athena
Goddess of Wisdom, Warfare & Crafts
Born fully armed from the head of Zeus, the goddess of wisdom, strategy and skilled crafts, and the protector of Athens.
- Aegis
- Spear
- Helmet
- VIRoman Apollo
Apollo
God of Light, Music, Prophecy & Healing
The radiant god of music, poetry, prophecy, healing and light, twin brother of Artemis and master of the oracle at Delphi.
- Lyre
- Laurel wreath
- Silver bow
Famous Greeks
Voices that still echo
Philosophers, poets and scientists whose words have travelled across twenty-five centuries.
The unexamined life is not worth living.
SocratesPhilosopher I tell you, someone will remember us in time to come.
SapphoLyric Poet Give me a place to stand, and I will move the earth.
ArchimedesMathematician & Inventor
Hellenic Insights
Latest from the blog
Articles on ancient Greek history, mythology, culture and the Hellenic world.
- Culture
Why the Ancient Olympics Still Matter
Nearly three thousand years after the first race at Olympia, the ancient Games still shape how we think about sport, peace and fame. Here is what they were really like.
Read article6 min read - Religion & Myth
Inside the Oracle of Delphi
For more than a thousand years, kings, cities and ordinary Greeks climbed the slopes of Mount Parnassus to ask Apollo’s advice. What happened when they got there?
Read article6 min read - Art & Architecture
The Parthenon: A Temple for a Golden Age
Built in just fifteen years, the Parthenon was a statement of power, piety and genius. Its story since then is almost as dramatic as the temple itself.
Read article7 min read
Books, films & documentaries
What to read and watch next
Our honest take on the translations, histories and films that bring Ancient Greece to life.
- BookRecommended
The Iliad
Homer, translated by Robert Fagles
c. 8th century BC, this translation 1990A towering poem about rage, grief and mortality, in a translation that reads with real urgency.
Read the review - BookRecommended
The Odyssey
Homer, translated by Emily Wilson
c. 8th century BC, this translation 2017Odysseus’ long voyage home, in a fresh and plain-spoken translation that is a joy to read.
Read the review - BookRecommended
The Histories
Herodotus, translated by Tom Holland
c. 430 BC, this translation 2013The first great work of history, a sprawling, curious and endlessly entertaining tour of the ancient world.
Read the review
About the club
A passion for Hellenic heritage
The Hellenic Heritage Club exists to make the world of Ancient Greece open to everyone. Whether you are a student preparing for an exam, a traveller planning a trip to Athens or Delphi, or simply curious about where democracy, theatre and philosophy began, you will find a welcoming place to start here.
Every page is written in plain language and grounded in the ancient sources and modern scholarship, and everything is free to read. When you want to go deeper, our curated links lead to the best museums, libraries, courses and podcasts online.
- Topics covered across the site
- 92
- Sections to explore
- 7
- Years of history, from Knossos to Byzantium
- 3,000
- For everyone, with no sign-up
- Free
Contact
Get in touch
Whether you have a question, a correction or an idea for a new topic, we would love to hear from you.
- Questions about Greek history, myth or our articles
- Suggestions for books, films and topics to cover
- Corrections, partnerships and school or club visits
“Know thyself.”
Inscribed at the Temple of Apollo, Delphi
