---
title: "Gods & the Parthenon"
description: "Name the major Greek gods and their roles — Zeus (king, thunder), Hera (queen, marriage), Athena (wisdom, warfare), Poseidon (sea), Apollo (sun, music), Artemis (hunting, moon), Ares (war), Aphrodite "
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/gods-and-the-parthenon-mt_W_CNRTBgYR
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/gods-and-the-parthenon-mt_W_CNRTBgYR.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Gods & the Parthenon

Name the major Greek gods and their roles — Zeus (king, thunder), Hera (queen, marriage), Athena (wisdom, warfare), Poseidon (sea), Apollo (sun, music), Artemis (hunting, moon), Ares (war), Aphrodite (love), Hermes (messengers), Hephaestus (fire, crafts), Hades (underworld) — and know that the Parthenon in Athens was a grand temple built to honour Athena

Subject: History · Area: Ancient Greece & Rome · Ages 7 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/gods-and-the-parthenon-mt_W_CNRTBgYR

## Ready when they can

- Name at least five Greek gods and say what each was responsible for
- Describe the Parthenon as a temple to Athena built on the acropolis in Athens
- Explain that Greeks built temples to honour their gods and held festivals and sacrifices

## Lesson: Gods and the Parthenon

You already know the Greek gods lived together on Mount Olympus. Each god had a special job. Zeus was king of the gods and ruled the sky, and he threw thunderbolts when he was angry. His wife Hera watched over marriage and family. Their daughter Athena was the goddess of wisdom and clever fighting.

Poseidon, Zeus's brother, ruled the sea and could shake the ground. Apollo drove the sun across the sky and loved music. His twin sister Artemis hunted in the forests and watched over the moon.

*(drawing: Each god had a different job. Athena, in the middle, was goddess of wisdom.)*

Ares was the god of war, and Aphrodite was the goddess of love. Hermes zipped around as the messenger for the gods. Hephaestus made metal tools at his fiery workshop, and Hades ruled the underworld, where spirits went after death.

**Example.** Mia visits a model of the Parthenon at a museum. Her guide explains that long ago, Greeks built this temple on a hill called the acropolis in Athens to honour Athena. It was shaped like a big rectangle with tall stone columns all around it. Every year, people held festivals there with music, races, and gifts of food to thank her.

**Recap.** The Parthenon in Athens was a grand temple built to honour Athena, and each Greek god, from Zeus to Hades, had a job of their own.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Greek gods & Mount Olympus](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/greek-gods-and-mount-olympus-mt_H1pAi4F_Oh)

## Opens up

- [Greek theatre](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/greek-theatre-mt_f4O__f3OU4)
- [Greek Gods with Roman Names](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/greek-gods-with-roman-names-mt_FDKd7I79JZ)
- [Greek and Roman Architecture](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/greek-and-roman-architecture-mt_lzCcQzPJZi)
- [Evidence for Greek and Roman Life](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/evidence-for-greek-and-roman-life-mt_N1744276Zu)