The ancient Greeks worshipped the twelve gods who lived on Olympus and determined the fates of humans. Their king was Zeus, who from his golden throne ruled over earth and sky. His wife was Hera, the goddess of family and marriage. Zeus divided the world and gave Poseidon the seas, lakes, and rivers, and Hades the kingdom of the Underworld. He also gave a place in his palace to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, to the warlike Ares, to the messenger Hermes, and to all the others, each of whom intervened in the world with their unique authority. The gods of Olympus remained in history for the way they influenced the lives of humans. They might have had superhuman powers, but in the end, they were not much different from ordinary people.