<P> According to Classical - era mythology , after the overthrow of the Titans , the new pantheon of gods and goddesses was confirmed . Among the principal Greek gods were the Olympians , residing on Mount Olympus under the eye of Zeus . ( The limitation of their number to twelve seems to have been a comparatively modern idea . ) Besides the Olympians , the Greeks worshipped various gods of the countryside , the satyr - god Pan , Nymphs ( spirits of rivers ) , Naiads ( who dwelled in springs ) , Dryads ( who were spirits of the trees ) , Nereids ( who inhabited the sea ) , river gods , Satyrs , and others . In addition , there were the dark powers of the underworld , such as the Erinyes ( or Furies ) , said to pursue those guilty of crimes against blood - relatives . In order to honor the Ancient Greek pantheon , poets composed the Homeric Hymns ( a group of thirty - three songs ) . Gregory Nagy regards `` the larger Homeric Hymns as simple preludes ( compared with Theogony ) , each of which invokes one god '' . </P>
<P> According to Classical - era mythology , after the overthrow of the Titans , the new pantheon of gods and goddesses was confirmed . Among the principal Greek gods were the Olympians , residing on Mount Olympus under the eye of Zeus . ( The limitation of their number to twelve seems to have been a comparatively modern idea . ) Besides the Olympians , the Greeks worshipped various gods of the countryside , the satyr - god Pan , Nymphs ( spirits of rivers ) , Naiads ( who dwelled in springs ) , Dryads ( who were spirits of the trees ) , Nereids ( who inhabited the sea ) , river gods , Satyrs , and others . In addition , there were the dark powers of the underworld , such as the Erinyes ( or Furies ) , said to pursue those guilty of crimes against blood - relatives . In order to honor the Ancient Greek pantheon , poets composed the Homeric Hymns ( a group of thirty - three songs ) . Gregory Nagy regards `` the larger Homeric Hymns as simple preludes ( compared with Theogony ) , each of which invokes one god '' . </P>
where were the greek gods thought to live
where were the greek gods thought to live
Mount Olympus
Mount Olympus