What differentiates the Valar from the Maiar?

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I have recently been delving into greek mythology again, so the first real world example that came to my mind was the division between the twelve Olympian gods and the rest of the gods.

Yes, there were plenty of lesser gods and demi-gods in the Greek pantheon. Interestingly enough, many Greek heroes reached godlike stature and became parts of constellations, which mirrors Eärendil's ascent into the heavens.

In regards to heavenly hierarchy, Dante in his Divine Comedy divided the angelic hosts in much the same order as St Jerome and St. Gregory the Great: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels and Angels.