Olympus


 * This article is about the home of the gods. You may be looking for Mount Olympus in Greece.

Olympus (Όλυμπος in Ancient Greek) is the home of the Olympian gods.

Description
Originally located on Mount Olympus in Greece, it has steadily moved over to the west, following Western Civilization over the centuries as Chiron explains in The Lightning Thief. It had been in central Europe for about 500 years and is now in the United States of America. Instead of being the physical mountain, it is a metaphysical duplicate. This mountain does not connect with the ground and cannot be detected by mortals, but is connected to the mortal world by a space elevator. It possibly exists in another dimension, due to it's floating with its great mass over a mortal city undetected. At the top of it is a large city containing the palaces for the Olympian gods, goddesses, and residences for many minor gods and other creatures of Greek mythology.

It is here that the gods commune, each having a massive throne, which are collectively arranged in a reversed U shape. It also houses some of the minor gods and magical creatures, such as the Ophiotaurus. Although it used to actually be located at the peak of Mount Olympus, it is now on the 600th floor of the Empire State Building, having moved with Western Civilization. The only mortal way to get up to Mount Olympus is past a security guard in the lobby, who won't let you pass unless you have special authorization. Olympus is described as a paradise, with golden buildings and happy people. Along with the gods lives hundreds of other creatures and beings. The cabins at Camp Half Blood are in same design as the thrones.

Most gods live on Olympus, but a few others prefer to tend to their native kingdoms, like Hades and Poseidon, though Poseidon has a throne in the council while Hades does not. However after the events of The Last Olympian, Hades now has a throne.

As the seat of power of the Olympian gods it is of vital importance. Should the throne room be destroyed, Mount Olympus would crumble and the power of the gods would be severely weakened, making them vulnerable to their enemies. In theory, if it were destroyed and the Olympians regained enough strength, it could be reformed. In the meantime, they would be vulnerable to their enemies. It is unknown how the destruction of Olympus would affect the minor gods. However, Hades thinks he can hold by himself for four years in the Underworld without Olympus.

Following the conclusion of the Second Titan War, Annabeth Chase was given the honor of redesigning the destroyed Olympus. Olympus has also been known as the place where many important decisions are decided.

The Major Olympians
These gods are the greatest and most powerful of ancient Greece.

The Minor Olympians
Although they are not as renowned as the classical Olympians, the minor gods of Olympus are still acknowledged and respected ever since they were given their thrones at the end of the Second Titan War.

The Lightning Thief
On his first visit to Olympus, Percy returns Zeus' Master Bolt during the summer solstice and has his first encounter with his father, Poseidon and his uncle Zeus. Percy describes the throne room as making Grand Central Station look like a broom closet.

The Titan's Curse
On Olympus, the gods voted whether or not to kill Percy and Thalia and also to figure out what to do about the Ophiotaurus, (or Bessie, Percy's name for the animal) and Kronos. The Ophiotauris was agreed to be kept in the throne room of Olympus. Once it was decided that Percy, Thalia and Bessie would be spared, the gods threw a spectacular party. With Percy stating: "There are normal parties. Then there are massive blow-out parties. Then there are Olympian parties. If you ever get a choice, go for the Olympian parties."

The Last Olympian
Percy, Annabeth, Thalia, Grover, Tyson, as well as other demigods and many hunters and nature spirits defended Olympus, and succeeded; however, it was damaged greatly by Kronos' attacks on the gods' thrones with his scythe. When Percy sees Olympus empty, he describes it as depressing. They are later rewarded and Annabeth, daughter of Athena, was chosen to rebuild and redesign Olympus as its official architect. Percy was offered immortality, but he refused.

The Lost Hero
The giants are plotting to destroy the original Mt. Olympus by going to Greece and destroying the roots of the gods, unlike the Titans, who thought they would destroy their new home in America.

Trivia

 * Olympus is said to be carried by the Anemos Zephyrus.