The Greek gods
Zeus, Athena, Poseidon and their relatives lived on Mount Olympus, according to legend, and kept meddling in the world of mortals. Here are eight of the best known, with their myths and how they fight on the chessboard in the game.
Zeus
Zeus was the king of the Greek gods and ruled gods and mortals from Mount Olympus. A son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, barely escaped being swallowed by his father like his siblings. Once grown, he freed them and led them in the war that overthrew the Titans. In return the Cyclopes forged him the thunderbolt, his mightiest weapon. The brothers then divided the world: Poseidon took the sea, Hades the underworld and Zeus the sky. God of the weather and guardian of justice and hospitality, he is symbolized by the thunderbolt, the eagle and the oak. In the game his lightning becomes a paralyzing power and his wrath a blow that sweeps pieces off the board.
In the game: Lightning Strike, Divine Wrath, Wrath of Olympus. All about Zeus in the game
Gaia
In Greek mythology Gaia is the earth itself and one of the oldest deities of all. According to the poet Hesiod she came into being right after Chaos and brought forth from herself the sky Uranus, the mountains and the sea. With Uranus she had the Titans, the Cyclopes and the Hundred-Handed Ones. Because Uranus kept their children trapped inside her, Gaia made a sickle and gave it to her son Cronus, who used it to overthrow his father. The Greeks honored her as the mother of all living things, who feeds everything and takes everything back. In the game she becomes a goddess who blocks paths with plants and lets fallen pieces grow back.
In the game: Thorn Hedge, Rebirth, Mother Earth. All about Gaia in the game
Hermes
Hermes was the son of Zeus and the nymph Maia, born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. On the very day of his birth he made the first lyre from a tortoise shell and stole a herd of cattle from his brother Apollo. To make peace, he gave Apollo the lyre. As messenger of the gods he wore winged sandals and a traveler's hat and carried the herald's staff. He protected travelers, merchants, shepherds and even thieves, and he guided the souls of the dead to the underworld. In the game his cunning becomes powers that shift pieces, swap places and steal from your opponent.
In the game: Slip, Swap, Master Thief. All about Hermes in the game
Apollo
Apollo was the son of Zeus and Leto and the twin brother of Artemis, goddess of the hunt. He was born on the island of Delos. The Greeks saw him as the god of light, music, poetry, healing and prophecy. At Delphi he slew the serpent Python and founded the most famous oracle in Greece, where the priestess known as the Pythia spoke his answers. His symbols are the lyre, the bow and the laurel. In later times he was also identified with the sun god. In the game this makes him a god who sees ahead, drives the sun chariot and turns back time.
In the game: Oracle of Delphi, Sun Chariot, Time Reversal. All about Apollo in the game
Athena
Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom, strategic warfare and crafts. According to legend she sprang fully armed from the head of her father Zeus. When she competed with Poseidon for the city of Athens, she gave its people an olive tree, while Poseidon brought forth a spring of salt water. The Athenians chose the olive tree and with it Athena as their patron. Her most famous temple is the Parthenon on the Acropolis. Her animal is the owl, and on her aegis she bore the head of Medusa, brought to her by the hero Perseus. In the game she becomes a goddess who protects, plans ahead and turns attackers to stone.
In the game: Aegis, Phalanx, Head of Medusa. All about Athena in the game
Hades
Hades was the Greek god of the underworld and a son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. After the victory over the Titans he and his brothers Zeus and Poseidon divided the world among themselves, and Hades received the realm of the dead. Its gate was guarded by Cerberus, a three-headed dog who let no soul escape. A famous story tells how Hades carried off Persephone, daughter of Demeter, to his kingdom. Because she ate pomegranate seeds there, she had to spend part of every year with him. In the game he sends pieces to the underworld, from which they only return later.
In the game: Banishment, Soul Harvest, Cerberus. All about Hades in the game
Hephaestus
Hephaestus was the Greek god of fire, smithing and craftsmanship. He was a son of Hera and walked with a limp. According to legend he was thrown down from Olympus and landed on the island of Lemnos. Even so he became the greatest artist among the gods: in his workshop he made palaces, weapons and marvels, such as the splendid armor of Achilles. At the command of Zeus he shaped Pandora, the first woman. He was married to Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, and the Romans called him Vulcan. In the game he turns simple pieces into stronger ones, just as he forged masterpieces from raw metal.
In the game: Forge, Furnace, Masterpiece. All about Hephaestus in the game
Poseidon
Poseidon was the Greek god of the sea, of earthquakes and of horses. A son of Cronus and Rhea, he was a brother of Zeus and Hades, and when the world was divided he received the sea. With his trident he could stir up storms and shake the ground, which is why he was called the Earth-Shaker. In the contest for Athens he lost to Athena, whose olive tree pleased the people more than his spring of salt water. In the Odyssey he pursues Odysseus with his anger, because the hero had blinded his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. In the game he becomes a force of nature that throws pieces back with waves, floods and quakes.
In the game: Wave, Flood, Earthquake. All about Poseidon in the game
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