The Elder Gods, or Elder Deities from the Lovecraft Universe, are human-like in appearance and benevolent in nature. They were worshipped by ancient humans but nowadays they are remembered as the gods in ancient races like Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Aztec, etc.
They originated from a nameless dimension in which they ruled supreme. When they entered the universe they broke into a war with the Great Old Ones, standing victorious, and became their lords.
Quote from the Necronomicon:
"They came down out of the star-spaces unto this Earth, so that They might deal a grim and heavy judgement upon their former servants; and They went to and fro upon the Earth, terrible in Their wrath, like unto mighty Towers of Flame that walked like Men. Yea and verily was it writ of old, Terrible be the Elder Gods in Their wrath in the Hour of Their coming-hence."