What are the physical characteristics of Hades Pallas Athena Phobus Apollo Artemis Aphrodite Hermes Ares Hephaestus Zeus Hera and Poseidon?

Answer 1

In ancient Greek art, the following deities were often shown with certain items/clothing with them, so that the god or goddess could be recognized.

# Hades- Usually depicted with a dark beard. Has a Helmet of Invisibility which makes the wearer unable to be seen. Rides in a golden chariot drawn by four immortal horses. Possesses a bird-tipped sceptre. # Athene- Wears armor (shield/spear/helmet) a lot, but not always. Possesses an aegis (a shawl/cloak-type thing).

# Apollo- Most often has his golden bow and arrows. Golden chariot with four horses.

# Artemis- Has a set of silver arrows with a silver bow. Wears a short chiton, cut short to be suitable for hunting.

# Aphrodite- A beautiful woman, often accompanied by a young winged boy (Eros, her son). Usually shown as nude. After her birth, Aphrodite rose from the foam of the ocean and where she stepped, flowers appeared.

# Hermes- Has a herald's wand (kerykeion). Earlier art depicts him as an older man with a dark beard, whereas later, he is a beardless, good-looking young man. Might have winged shoes, a winged traveler's cap, or chlamys cloak. # Ares- Can appear as any person from a younger, beardless man to a hardened, older one. Usually wears armor (shield/spear/helmet).

# Hephaestus- Strong, muscular chest, but weak/lame legs. Often depicted riding a donkey and carrying smith tools (hammer/tongs).

# Zeus- A regal, older man with a dark beard. Might have with him an eagle, his sceptre, and/or lightning bolts. Carries an aegis, like Athene, but in his case, it might be a shield covered in goat-skin.

# Hera- Wears a crown and sits on a golden throne. Sometimes carries a lotus-tipped sceptre. Might be accompanied by a lion, cockoo, or hawk. Has a chariot with two horses.

# Poseidon- An older man with a dark beard. Most often holds a trident. Sea monsters play around his chariot of hippocamps or horses when he's riding on the waves.