The Greek Gods Ruler of Gods ZEUS Men ATHENA Goddess of Wisdom HEPHAESTUS Metalworking God of Fire HERA Goddess of Marriage Queen of the Gods HERMES Messenger of the Gods HESTIA Goddess of the Hearth Home POSEIDON God of the Sea APHRODITE Goddess of Love ARES God of War ARTEMIS Goddess of the Hunt APOLLO God of the Sun HADES God of the Underworld
mythical beginning Zeus was the supreme ruler of the gods He fell in love with Thetis a sea nymph Thetis’s beauty captured the hearts and minds of all who saw her But Themis the goddess of law and justice had a vision about Thetis Themis said that Thetis would have a son who would be more powerful than his father Zeus did not want anyone to be more powerful than him So he decided not to take Thetis as his wife Instead he arranged for Thetis to marry Peleus A year after the wedding Thetis gave birth to Achilles Thetis wanted to protect her son from all harm So she trav eled to the river Styx It flowed between Earth and the Under world She knew all areas of the human body touched by the water would be protected 4
Thetis stood on the bank of the river Styx clutching her baby son Achilles my only son she said once your body is touched by the water you won’t ever be hurt She removed the blanket wrapped around her child 5
