Greek Mythology Gods and Goddesses | Mount Olympus Home of the Gods

Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece. Its base is at the sea level. So its height from base to top or just the height of the mountain is 2919 meters or 9577 feet. That is quite a height! Because of this height it is also known to be one of the highest mountains in Europe.

Mount Olympus has a very important role in Greek Mythology. The most important Greek gods dwelled on this mountain. There were palaces of the major gods on its summit. Those major gods were known as Olympians. There was also an entrance to the great mountain Olympus through a gate of clouds, which were protected by the goddesses known as the Seasons.

Image resource

In Greek Mythology, Zeus who is the king of the gods, had his throne on the top of the Mount Olympus. The other gods who stay on this mountain were closely related to him. They were his wife Hera, his brothers Poseidon and Hades, his sisters Demeter and Hestia, and his children, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Athena, Hermes and Hephaestus.

All these gods were representations of some aspect of human life and nature. Zeus, the king of the gods, was the god of mind and intellect. Hera, his wife, was the goddess of a woman’s life and marriage. Apollo, his son, was the god of law and order. Aphrodite of love, Hermes of travelers, sleep, dreams and prophecy, Athena was the goddess of wisdom and Hephaestus was the god of the arts and fire. Ares was the god of the dark side of human nature. Hades was the god of the underworld and Poseidon was the god of the seas. Demeter was the goddess of the crops and fertility. Hermes was the Messenger of the gods.

All these make up twelve in number including Zeus. These twelve principal gods of the ancient world were known as Twelve Olympians. The twelve Olympians dwelled in Mount Olympus.

Mount Olympus is located in Macedonia, which is 100km away from Thessaloniki, a city second largest in Greece.

Mount Olympus has rich flora with endemic species. Endemic species means that they are species specific to a region. You cannot find them elsewhere as much as at this place. In the mountains of Mount Olympus, the highest peak is Mytikas at a height of 2919 meters or 9577 feet. Mytikas means nose in Greek.

Image resource (from Litochoro)

Today we need to start from the town of Litochoro to climb the Mount Olympus. This town got its name as the city of the gods because it is located at the root of the mountains. Today you can find many mountains across the world with the same name as Mount Olympus.

Image resource (there are many Mountains with this name, this snowy one is in Turkey)

More of Mount Olympus' images in relation to Greek Mythology can be seen at these links.

greek-gods-mt-olympus.jpg

Mount_Olympus_by_andyparkart.jpg

mount_olympus.jpg

Olympus.jpg

olympus_hc6.jpg

Related Articles

• Greek Mythology Stories | The Tragic Story of Icarus, the Son of Daedalus
• Greek Mythology Stories | The Word Panic Links to Greek God Pan
• Greek Mythology Stories | The Word Tantalize Links to Tantalus in Greek Mythology
• Greek Mythology Stories | Tantalus Offering his Son, Pelops, to Greek Gods
• Greek Mythology Stories | Oracles and Sacrifices in Ancient Greece
• Greek Mythology Stories | The Underworld Life After Death in Ancient Greeks
• Greek Mythology Stories | Frightening Monsters were Part of Greek Mythology
• Greek Mythology Stories | Greek Mythology Influences the Western Art
• Greek Myths and Legends | Odysseus was a Great Greek Hero
• Greek Myths and Legends | Theseus was Official Hero of Athens
• Greek Myths and Legends | Heracles (Hercules) is the Greatest Greek Hero
• Greek Myths and Legends | The Twelve Labors of Heracles (Hercules), the Greek Hero
• Greek Myths and Legends | Prometheus and Pandora, Cause of Humanity’s Sufferings
• Greek Myths and Legends | Trojan Horse Myth in Trojan War Between Greeks and City of Troy
• Greek Mythology Gods and Goddesses | Persephone, Hades and Demeter, The Story Behind Seasons
• Greek Mythology Gods and Goddesses | Poseidon God of the Sea, Destroyed Atlantis, the Lost City
• Greek Mythology Gods and Goddesses | Poseidon God of the Sea
• Greek Mythology Gods and Goddesses | The City of Athens and Greek Goddess Athena
• Greek Mythology Gods and Goddesses | Almighty Zeus the Greek God is the King of the Gods
• Greek Mythology Gods: Legends of the Greek God Apollo
• Myths and Legends of the World