Here's a try at a pantheon of American "gods" based on historic or public figures who completely embody some vital force in the public consciousness. In order to qualify, each "god" must be immediately identifiable with the concept he embodies, to the point where the mention of his name can be used as a metaphor for that particular vital force. The historic or public figure must have a quality (at least as perceived by the zeitgeist) which transcends mortal stature. Also, in order to be a truly "American" pantheon, each must be either American or have significantly affected American history.
FATHER OF THE GODS................................................GEORGE WASHINGTON
MONSTER AT THE BEGINNING OF TIME...................KING GEORGE III
MOTHER / HOME / HEARTH GODDESS......................ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
GOD OF WISDOM..........................................................ALBERT EINSTEIN
GOD OF MISCHIEF........................................................ANDY KAUFMAN
GOD OF WAR.................................................................GEORGE PATTON
GODDESS OF LOVE AND BEAUTY.............................MARYLIN MONROE
GOD OF PEACE..............................................................MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
GOD OF AGRICULTURE................................................JOHNNY APPLESEED
GOD OF WILD BEASTS................................................TEDDY ROOSEVELT
GOD OF WEALTH.........................................................JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER
GOD OF JUSTICE AND VENGANCE...........................WYATT EARP
GOD OF THUNDER AND LIGHTNING........................BEN FRANKLIN
GOD OF CHILDREN AND DREAMS............................WALT DISNEY
GOD OF MOCKERY......................................................LENNY BRUCE
GODDESS OF DISEASE...............................................TYPHOID MARY
GOD OF DEATH............................................................JACK KEVORKIAN
MUSE OF COMEDY.......................................................MARK TWAIN
MUSE OF TRAGEDY.....................................................EDGAR ALLEN POE
MUSE OF DANCE..........................................................MICHAEL JACKSON
MESSENGER OF THE GODS.......................................WALTER KRONKITE
DEMIGOD WARRIOR....................................................CHUCK NORRIS
DEVIL.............................................................................ADOLF HITLER
I consider this a "starter" set. I may think of more.
