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Wall text panel written for the Greek Gods and Goddesses exhibit case of the Greek and Roman Galleries of the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art.
The ancient Greeks worshipped many deities, each possessing their own unique traits and colorful personalities. There were deities devoted to abstract ideas like love (Aphrodite), war (Ares), and commerce (Hermes). There were deities associated with natural phenomena such as the sea (Poseidon) and thunder (Zeus). The Greeks also worshipped many local gods, whether they were patron deities of cities or deified heroes. Images of these gods appeared not solely in temples, but also on many objects of daily life, from sculpture and vessels in metal and ceramic to mirrors, cosmetic cases, and coins. The divinities represented in this case include Apollo, god of the sun and music; his twin Artemis, goddess of the moon and hunting; Hera, goddess of marriage and family; Hermes, the messenger god; Nike, the victory goddess; and Dionysus, god of revelry.