The Marvel universe is brought alive with the inclusion of its gods. It was the battle between Thor and Loki that brought the Avengers together. Thanos's desire to impress the Goddess of Death was the catalyst that led to him hunting down the infinity gems. When it comes to deities, the Marvel universe has more than its fair share of meddling in its affairs.
However, for every Odin, there is a Gilgamesh. For every Thor, there is a Pelali. Some come to earth to cause trouble, while others bestow their mortals' powers. While the Norse and Greek gods rule the Marvel universe's roost, not all gods are born equal.
10 Lilith
Lilith is the mother of all demons. While her history is unclear, it is said that she was the wife of Satan. It is also said that she was already old when the world began. However, in the Marvel universe, she first appeared in the dreams of Danny Ketch, also known as Ghost Rider.
After this, she has been a recurring thorn in the side of Marvel's supernatural heroes. She very often comes into contact with Doctor Strange and has even allied with Dracula at one point. She was last seen causing a war in hell, standing at the side of the demon, Mephisto.
9 Chthon
Over 1 billion years ago, the elder gods turned into demons and began a war for power. To prevent their destruction of the earth and the life gestating upon it, Atum toured the earth. He destroyed all demons in his path. One of those demons managed to escape alive, and that was Chthon.
His writings, his one way of returning to Earth, were left in Wungadore mountain, present-day home of the high evolutionary. This link to our world has brought him into contact with many of the Marvel Universe heroes. Most notable of these is Scarlet Witch, who was born at Wungadore mountain.
8 Khonshu
Khonshu had been idolized since the dawn of man but was most well known for his links to the ancient Egyptians. When mercenary Marc Spector stumbled upon one of his temples, Khonshu imbued him with the power of The Moon Knight.
Marc Spector has had a turbulent relationship with his benefactor. At times, Khonshu appeared as a physical manifestation. At other times, it seemed like he was just a figment of Moon Night's erratic mental health. When he finally did show, he was brandishing his true colors. He was swiftly beaten by the Phoenix Force and incarcerated on Asgard.
7 Nyx
Nyx is the Greco Roman goddess of the night. It is said that she was born in the dark before the light of creation. This came from Zeus, who awoke her peaceful sleep. When the gods allied, Nyx was the outcast. She was imprisoned and forgotten until very recently when she returned to the Marvel Universe.
Nyx would be accidentally released in a battle between the Challenger and Grandmaster. Her first task was to gather her children and slaughter all the Olympus gods. This included Zeus himself. The Avengers would take a combined effort to stop her from remaking the world in her image.
6 Peliali
Peliali was not so much forgotten, as totally unknown. She is the volcano goddess of the Kamekeri. The Kamekeri were a tribe hailing from Costa Verde, who remained on earth when the rest of her god kin left. She would live in the hills and mountains, mostly forgotten, until she met a human male and bore his child.
That child would be Maria De Guadalupe Santiago. She would have the ability to transform into a variety of were animals. When her village became terrified of the child, she would be sent to an orphanage. Eventually, she would become the Avenger known as Silverclaw.
5 Cyttorak
Cyttorak is a half-god, half-demon being who wields immense power. He would participate in a bet with other similar beings. In this wager, they would send an artifact imbued with their own power to earth. Whoever touched them would become their avatar and fight the other avatars to the death until only one was the winner.
Cyttoraks artifact was a crimson gem. Whoever touched it became a Juggernaut of unstoppable power. The first person to take this gift was Cain Marko, Professor Charles Xavier's stepbrother. Although he would remain its favored avatar, the power has passed to many others in its time.
4 Oshtur
Oshtur was one of the first lifeforms on earth but chose to explore the universe beyond its boundaries. Here, she met a companion, and they had a child, whom they named Aggamoto. Together, the three of them formed the Vishanti.
Many of their magic and spells were placed in books and artifacts. These were namely the Eye of Agamotto and the Book of Vishanti. Both of these items are integral to the work of Doctor Strange. Oshtur often lends her omnipotent power out to beings who invoke her name through a spell.
3 Bast
Bast is the panther god and the chief deity of Wakanda. She was the oldest child of the sun god, Ra, and was worshipped in ancient times by the Egyptians. In the Marvel universe, she is often summoned by mortals who must ingest a heart-shaped herb from Wakanda if they wish to communicate with her.
Bast decides who she will bestow the powers of the Panther upon. Very often, this is The Black Panther, ruler of Wakanda. However, she has been known to rescind this and give it to others. Bast has also been very choosy over who she gives this power to. She has turned down both T'Challa and his sister Shuri at various past points.
2 Gilgamesh (The Forgotten One)
Not only is Gilgamesh known as a forgotten god by name, but he is also unlucky enough to be one of the most forgotten Avengers. He is a member of the ancient race known as The Eternals, who roamed the ancient world as an outcast. He was chiefly known as a hunter of monsters.
When the Avengers membership was low, The Forgotten One joined them under the name of Gilgamesh. On one mission, he was presumed dead, murdered by Immortus. He has since rejoined his fellow Eternals and helped fellow gods Hercules and Thor at various points.
1 Anansi
Kwaku Anansi is a spider god from African legend. He has often been characterized as someone who bores easily, and it was this quest that took him to the mortal realm. He is a recurring character in many alternative earth Spider-Man stories. Spider-Man UK once asked him to join a spider army.
Though he accepted, this was not before he drew Spider-Man into one of his mischievous exploits. This is because, like Loki, he is the god of tricks and mischief. He is also the god of stories, and many myths and legends about him are often of his own making.
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