Many of the most popular Gods of Greek Mythology were pure breeds. In other words they were the products of two gods. Three of the most famous gods of this kind are Athena, Apollo and Artemis.
The birth of Athena is one of the most popular Greek god birth stories. Zeus was madly in love with Metis the Titaness. She knew that Zeus was pursuing her and she changed shape many times to avoid him. Finally Zeus caught her and she became pregnant. During her pregnancy an oracle of Mother Earth declared that this child would be a girl and that if Metis became pregnant again it would be a male and he would take the thrown of Zeus.
Zeus became very worried considering that his Grandfather's own son had over thrown him and that he had over thrown his father. Zeus then swallowed Metis. Soon after Zeus was plagued with a terrible headache. He then was spotted by Hermes who immediately told him the cause of his headache. Zeus then persuaded Hephaestus to get his ax and crack his skull to relieve his pain. Hephaestus did just that and suddenly out leapt Athena from the gods head. She was said to have been born in full armor and carrying a shield and spear.
Zeus had many love affairs and many children born out of wedlock. Zeus once fell in love with the daughter of the titans Coeus and Phoebe, Leto or Latona. To win her affection he changed himself in to a dove and when she fell for him he transformed her as well. Leto was then pregnant with twins, Apollo and Artemis. Hera found out about Zeus' affair and sent the serpent Python to chase Leto. Hera decreed that Leto would not deliver her children anywhere the sun shone. Leto finally arrived in Ortygia and gave birth to Artemis. As soon as Artemis was born she helped her mother cross the narrow straits to the north side of Delian Mount Cynthus. There, after nine days of labor, she delivered Apollo.