Controversy has wrapped around the topic of whether Greek gods die. Of course, they are immortals. Mortals can’t immediately spear them to their chest or their fatal flaw because, simply, there are none.
But is there any chance that these immortals would lose their lives? More importantly, can Greek gods die?
In this article, we will find the actual clues if there are any instances that they do.
Can Greek Gods Die From Intentional Murder?
When you think about it, you’ll probably look for clues that lead to one Greek gods’ death. After all, their foods are divine (Ambrosia and nectar) and can give them increased strength. The food that they eat is not bound to be eaten by any mortals.
There is not one single hero who tried to kill the Greek Gods.
Moreover, there are not so many heroes who have been lucky to get a close encounter with them. Unless the prophecies have selected you, the gods are so uptight with their divinity that they had to locate themselves on the top of Mount Olympus.
Anyone who dared to get close to them who does not have their permission would face severe consequences.
One of the most famous attempts to get close to the gods is Bellerophon, who had fallen off Pegasus and led it to death.
The Story Of Bellerophon
Bellerophon is the child of Poseidon, who was given Pegasus to use as his transportation to defeat the monster chimera. The hero successfully defeated the monster, but his pride took over him, and he thought he should visit the gods on Mount Olympus with Pegasus’s company.
Bellerophon’s act of defiance enraged the king of all gods, Zeus, and he whacked his thunderbolts to the white-winged horse that made it panic and ultimately go rogue, even though he has someone on his back.
Bellerophon lost his grip, and until then, he fell to his death. Pegasus went back to his stable along with the other divine horses of Helios and Poseidon.
But other than Bellerophon, few people have died in the wrathful hands of the gods like Niobe’s children. Apollo and the goddess Artemis slew Niobe’s children because of her careless boasting against their beloved mother.
That matter aside, forgotten gods can also feel like they died. The question of can Greek gods die is valid because even though they don’t suffer from physical death, once the mortals forget worshipping them, they are wiped away.
The Death Of Pan
The God who intentionally made the word panic by stirring the emotion against his enemies is dead. Yes, the great Pan is the only God who has died, and the reason he ceased to exist was that he is no longer relevant to the realms of his believers.
Pan was known for his role as the God of the wilderness. He is often accompanied by the nymphs with his looks like a faun. Most of the accounts describe Pan as the God who has a goat horn at his head, much like Demeter’s male equivalent, as he is also associated with the fertility of the land.
Pan’s death was because minor to none follow him anymore, and much more in Pan’s powers. Before, Pan was surrounded by his active followers, a nymph or mortals who enjoyed his company.
As time went by, Pan’s superiority had lessened, and it led to his death.
But how about the gods who supposedly killed the titans? Aren’t titans the same as gods?
The Overthrow of Uranus
Uranus is also one of the primordial gods who have suffered from the seemingly kill-or-die situation because of the ploy of his wife and son, Cronus.
In the very beginning of the mythology, Gaia made her husband Uranus bear their children together. They had several children, and they were creatures that are not readily accepted by his beauty standards.
Uranus perceived them as harmful beings, a threat to his position to be precise, so he threw them into the pit of Tartarus— the place where all tormented souls are located and even the titans.
Gaia loved her children so much, and she does not want them to suffer extensively from how Uranus treated them. When Cronus stood up for the rest of his siblings, Gaia appreciated it, and therefore, she demonstrated how to capture Uranus and easily employ their plot.
When the timing was right, Cronus attacked his father with a sickle and took his genitals apart. Zeus threw most of his body parts into the sea, where goddess Aphrodite was born, and Cronus took over his father’s throne.
After the defeat of the primordial God, there is not a single account stating that Uranus died. However, Uranus was decapitated, and he was humiliated by how Cronus defeated him.
Like Pan, Cronus ceased to exist anymore in Greek mythology.
The Titan Gods Are Immortals Too
The Titans are the earlier generation of gods who Cronus led. Even though Zeus has defeated their father, it doesn’t mean that he can kill the titan.
The fact that no proof says that can greek gods die, titans also possess the same ability as the gods, only the gods have bigger dominion. The Titan Cronus was not dead due to the reason Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus overthrew him. He was chained and thrown into the pit of Tartarus along with his other brothers, but he is not essentially dead.
The Punishment of Prometheus
Like Bellerophon, Prometheus was punished by Zeus. The only thing is that Prometheus is a Titan, and he can’t face death at all.
The consequence that Zeus made for him is to be exceptionally tied to the tallest mountain. Prometheus does not die, but he has to have his liver clawed out by an eagle every single day, and it regenerates daily to make him suffer for stealing the fire that Zeus has prohibited humanity from having.
The story is known to start with him and his brother being given a specific task by Zeus. Prometheus is so proud of his creation of humankind, and he can see that they were skilled in what they did. Zeus allowed his creation to remain as long as the humans still worshipped him and gave him their presents.
Prometheus is a known trickster himself, so he challenged Zeus’s knowledge by choosing between two dishes where he has to pick the plate with bones on top of the fats or the plate with fats on top of the bones.
Zeus’s choice was embarrassing as he chose to pick the plate with fat covering the bones underneath. Zeus took away the fire from humankind, few to nonenonePrometheus stole the fire back down, leading to his excessive punishment.
The Demigods Have A Different Fate
While the gods have the luxury to live an eternal life, their children, who are half-mortals, can’t keep their lives as long as their parents. On the other hand, they are hailed as heroes, and they will have some sets of skills and guidance coming from their parents.
Heroes like Perseus, Achilles, and Heracles have suffered an unfortunate death.
Perseus and Achilles went to the Elysium, a designated place for heroes in the underworld. At the same time, Heracles became immortal after his death and shared his throne amongst the twelve olympian gods.
Final Thoughts
Can Greek gods die? No, they can’t. They can stay alive as long as they are remembered and regarded by their worshippers and mortals.
However, they can also be injured, like how Ares gets easily injured when he triggers pointless fits of rage and causes war as soon as he sees fit.