Greek and Greek and Roman Gods, Roman Gods, Goddesses, Goddesses, and Heroes and Heroes
Jan 01, 2016
Greek and Greek and Roman Gods, Roman Gods, Goddesses, Goddesses, and Heroesand Heroes
AMPHITRITEAMPHITRITERoman name Salicia
Queen of the SeaQueen of the SeaControls ocean Controls ocean
creatures. Hid from creatures. Hid from Poseidon but later Poseidon but later had to marry him. had to marry him.
Symbol, like Symbol, like Poseidon, is the Poseidon, is the
trident.trident.
Terms: Terms: SalineSaline
APHRODITEAPHRODITERoman name Venus
Born from sea foam caused by Born from sea foam caused by Uranus’ blood, she is the Uranus’ blood, she is the
goddess of love, beauty and goddess of love, beauty and fertility. She has a magic girdle fertility. She has a magic girdle which makes others fall in love which makes others fall in love
with the wearer. Married to with the wearer. Married to Hephaestus, but in love with Hephaestus, but in love with Adonis. Responsible for the Adonis. Responsible for the Trojan War. Symbols: Doves, Trojan War. Symbols: Doves,
sparrows.sparrows.
Terms: Terms: aphrodisiac, Venusaphrodisiac, Venus
APOLLOAPOLLORoman name Apollo / Phoebus
God of sun, light, truth, reason, God of sun, light, truth, reason, prophesy, medicine, the arts, prophesy, medicine, the arts,
music, agriculture, and healing. music, agriculture, and healing. He draws the sun w/his chariot. He draws the sun w/his chariot. Has healing power; carries gold Has healing power; carries gold bow & arrows & appears golden, bow & arrows & appears golden,
like the sun. Twin brother of like the sun. Twin brother of Artemis; tamed the muses; killed Artemis; tamed the muses; killed
the Python at Delphi the Python at Delphi
Symbols: raven, swan, wolfSymbols: raven, swan, wolf
Terms: Terms: Apollo, appolonianApollo, appolonian
ARESARESRoman name Mars
God of war, or more precisely God of war, or more precisely of warlike frenzy. Shape-of warlike frenzy. Shape-
shifting and healing powers. shifting and healing powers. Unpredictable personality Unpredictable personality
(sometimes ran from battle). (sometimes ran from battle). Often pictured w/bloody spear; Often pictured w/bloody spear; young, strong, & handsome; in young, strong, & handsome; in
love w/Aphroditelove w/Aphrodite
Symbol: vultureSymbol: vulture
Terms: Terms: areocentric, martial, areocentric, martial, March, MarsMarch, Mars
ARTEMISARTEMISRoman name Diana
Apollo’s twin sister, she is Apollo’s twin sister, she is the goddess of hunting and the goddess of hunting and the moon. 100% accurate the moon. 100% accurate
shot w/bow & arrow; healing shot w/bow & arrow; healing powers. Appears silver, like powers. Appears silver, like
the moon; draws moon the moon; draws moon across the sky w/chariot across the sky w/chariot
drawn by silver stags. Chose drawn by silver stags. Chose never to marry; she helped never to marry; she helped
women in childbirth, but women in childbirth, but also was merciless if also was merciless if
angered. angered.
Symbol: hunting houndsSymbol: hunting hounds
ATHENAATHENARoman name Minerva
Born full-grown from the head of Born full-grown from the head of Zeus, Athena was the goddess of Zeus, Athena was the goddess of wisdom, war, reason, justice, and wisdom, war, reason, justice, and domestic arts. She was the patron domestic arts. She was the patron
goddess of Athens & a better warrior goddess of Athens & a better warrior than even Ares. Often depicted with than even Ares. Often depicted with her helmet & Zeus’ shield. Took the her helmet & Zeus’ shield. Took the
name Pallas-Athena after accidentally name Pallas-Athena after accidentally killing her friend, Pallas, in battle.killing her friend, Pallas, in battle.
Symbols: owl, olive treeSymbols: owl, olive tree
Terms: Terms: parthenonparthenon (from “p (from “parthenosarthenos”– ”– maiden), Athens, athenaeummaiden), Athens, athenaeum
ATLASEarth carrier, sky Earth carrier, sky
carrier, god of carrier, god of astronomy. Defeat by astronomy. Defeat by Zeus in battle led to Zeus in battle led to
punishment of punishment of supporting the supporting the
heavens; brother of heavens; brother of Prometheus.Prometheus.
Terms: Terms: Atlas, Atlas Atlas, Atlas MountainsMountains, , Atlantic Atlantic
OceanOcean
CADMUSPhoenician prince & Phoenician prince & hero (mortal); brave, hero (mortal); brave,
dependable, good dependable, good leader. Brother of leader. Brother of
Europa (his sister); Europa (his sister); founder of Thebes; founder of Thebes;
killed dragon, killed dragon, planted its teeth and planted its teeth and
soldiers of Thebe soldiers of Thebe were formed; created were formed; created
alphabet for the alphabet for the peoplepeople
CRONUSRoman name Saturn
““Last of the Titans” – Last of the Titans” – killed his father killed his father
(Uranus); overthrown by (Uranus); overthrown by son (Zeus); domain was son (Zeus); domain was Earth, time & the ages. Earth, time & the ages. Sometimes referred to Sometimes referred to
as “father time”as “father time”
Symbols: sickleSymbols: sickle
Terms: Terms: chronology, chronology, chronological, titanic , chronological, titanic , saturnine, saturnaliasaturnine, saturnalia
DEMETERDEMETERRoman name Ceres
Goddess of harvest, earth, Goddess of harvest, earth, grain, & agriculture. Daughter, grain, & agriculture. Daughter, Persephone, was abducted by Persephone, was abducted by
Hades. Saddened by Hades. Saddened by Persephone’s absence (1/2 the Persephone’s absence (1/2 the
year with Hades), when year with Hades), when Demeter mourns, it is Winter; Demeter mourns, it is Winter; Summer is when she is happy Summer is when she is happy
her daughter has returned her daughter has returned w/her; often seen w/a torch to w/her; often seen w/a torch to
search for her daughtersearch for her daughter
Terms: Terms: CerealCereal
DIONYSUSDIONYSUSRoman name Bacchus
God of wine, drama, God of wine, drama, poetry, song, celebration, poetry, song, celebration,
pleasure, and theater. pleasure, and theater. Attracted fanatical Attracted fanatical
followers, esp. women followers, esp. women (maenads); often (maenads); often
accompanied by satyrs in accompanied by satyrs in his travels; Grants his travels; Grants
followers the power to tear followers the power to tear animals or people limb animals or people limb from limb, bare-handedfrom limb, bare-handed
Symbols: chalice, grapesSymbols: chalice, grapes
Terms: Terms: dionysian, dionysian, bacchanal, Bacchic, bacchanal, Bacchic,
bacchantbacchant
ECHONymph who kept Nymph who kept Hera distracted Hera distracted
while Zeus had his while Zeus had his affairs; b/c she affairs; b/c she
offended Hera, she offended Hera, she was condemned to was condemned to repeat the last few repeat the last few words anyone said words anyone said to her; fell in love to her; fell in love w/Narcissus but w/Narcissus but
was rejectedwas rejected
Terms: echoTerms: echo
ErosRoman name Cupid
God of love; Youngest God of love; Youngest of gods; sometimes of gods; sometimes
shown as blindfolded; shown as blindfolded; fell in love w/Psyche fell in love w/Psyche when he was grazed when he was grazed
by his own arrow; by his own arrow; Golden-tipped arrows –Golden-tipped arrows –
cause humans AND cause humans AND gods to fall in love; gods to fall in love; lead arrows—cause lead arrows—cause
indifferenceindifference
Terms: erotic, cupidityTerms: erotic, cupidity
FATESRoman name Moirai or Moerae
The three sisters The three sisters who spin, measure, who spin, measure,
and cut the thread of and cut the thread of life, (i.e., the destiny life, (i.e., the destiny of humans): of humans): ClothoClotho – –
thread of life; thread of life;
LachesisLachesis – chance; – chance; AtroposAtropos – –
inevitabilityinevitability
Terms: Terms: fate, morosefate, morose, , morbidmorbid, , mortalitymortality
FURIESRoman name Erinyes
Goddesses of vengeance; Goddesses of vengeance; Three Sisters: Three Sisters: TisiphoneTisiphone - -
avenger of murder; avenger of murder; MegaeraMegaera - the jealous; and - the jealous; and AlectoAlecto - - constant anger ; Punishers constant anger ; Punishers
of all crime; sometimes of all crime; sometimes called “Daughters of Night”; called “Daughters of Night”; usually depicted w/snakes usually depicted w/snakes for hair & blood-dripping for hair & blood-dripping eyes; They could strike eyes; They could strike
madness on their victimsmadness on their victims
Terms: Terms: fury, furious, fury, furious, infuriatedinfuriated
GAEARoman name Tellus or Terra
Goddess of the earth Goddess of the earth (“mother nature”); (“mother nature”);
Commands the forces of Commands the forces of nature; mystical powers; nature; mystical powers;
Mother of all Titans, giants, Mother of all Titans, giants, Cyclopes, mountains, seas, Cyclopes, mountains, seas,
first humansfirst humans
Symbols: earthSymbols: earth
TermsTerms: Geology: Geology, g, geographyeography, , terrainterrain
HADESHADESRoman name Pluto
Hades was the God of the dead Hades was the God of the dead and ruler of the Underworld, and ruler of the Underworld,
which was called Hades after the which was called Hades after the god. Hades abducted god. Hades abducted
Persephone, who became his Persephone, who became his queen. Owns all precious metals. queen. Owns all precious metals. Possesses a helmet of invisibility Possesses a helmet of invisibility
that can be lent to mortalsthat can be lent to mortals
Symbols: three-headed dog Symbols: three-headed dog (Cerberus) representing past, (Cerberus) representing past, present and future OR birth, present and future OR birth,
youth, and old ageyouth, and old age
Terms: plutonian, plutonic, Terms: plutonian, plutonic, plutonium, Plutoplutonium, Pluto
HECATE(Roman name Trivia)
Goddess of magic, Goddess of magic, sorcery, witchcraft, sorcery, witchcraft,
dogs, and crossroads. dogs, and crossroads. Earth, heaven, and Earth, heaven, and
sea are her domain. sea are her domain. Possesses many Possesses many magical powersmagical powers
Symbols: torch, keySymbols: torch, key
Terms: Terms: trivia, trivialtrivia, trivial
HeliosRoman name Sol
Titan God of the sun, Titan God of the sun, not to be confused with not to be confused with
Apollo, who was an Apollo, who was an Olympian ; has chariot Olympian ; has chariot & horses that draw sun & horses that draw sun
across sky; often across sky; often believed to be able to believed to be able to “see everything” (like “see everything” (like
Santa! Santa! ) )
Symbols: sunSymbols: sun
Terms: Terms: solar, solar, solarium,heliumsolarium,helium
HEPHAESTUSHEPHAESTUSRoman name Vulcan
Hephaestus was the Hephaestus was the friendly god of fire, crafts , friendly god of fire, crafts ,
pottery, sculpture, and pottery, sculpture, and blacksmiths. The only blacksmiths. The only
immortal who is ugly and immortal who is ugly and lame. Crafted weapons, lame. Crafted weapons,
armor, & jewels for gods. armor, & jewels for gods. Married AphroditeMarried Aphrodite
SymbolsSymbols: fire, axe, hammer: fire, axe, hammer
TermsTerms: volcano, volcanic, : volcano, volcanic, vulcanizevulcanize
HERAHERARoman name Juno
Jealous goddess and protector of Jealous goddess and protector of marriage. She was the wife of marriage. She was the wife of
Zeus and Queen of the Zeus and Queen of the Olympians. Known for her jealous Olympians. Known for her jealous temper, she can inflict madness temper, she can inflict madness
upon others; had a rivalry upon others; had a rivalry w/Athena & Aphrodite; supported w/Athena & Aphrodite; supported Greeks in Trojan War; often very Greeks in Trojan War; often very
cruel; famed for her white arms (a cruel; famed for her white arms (a sign of beauty)sign of beauty)
Symbols: peacock Symbols: peacock
Terms: JuneTerms: June
HERMESHERMESRoman name Mercury
Hermes was the messenger of Hermes was the messenger of the gods, protector of the gods, protector of
travelers, and guide of dead travelers, and guide of dead souls to the underworld. souls to the underworld.
Worshipped by merchants & Worshipped by merchants & thieves; “invented” boxing, & thieves; “invented” boxing, &
gymnastics. Wears winged gymnastics. Wears winged sandals and/or helmet that sandals and/or helmet that provide speedy flight; he is provide speedy flight; he is
quick-witted & inventivequick-witted & inventive
Terms: HermeticTerms: Hermetic, , MercuryMercury, , mercurialmercurial
HESTIARoman name Vesta
Goddess of the hearth & Goddess of the hearth & home with powerful home with powerful
protective ability. Sister of protective ability. Sister of Zeus who gave up her place Zeus who gave up her place
on Olympus to Dionysus. on Olympus to Dionysus. Uninterested in adventure; Uninterested in adventure;
most loved goddessmost loved goddess
Symbols: Often seen with Symbols: Often seen with fire, but did not bother to fire, but did not bother to
choose an emblem for choose an emblem for herselfherself
Terms: Terms: Vestibule, vestalVestibule, vestal
Roman name JANUS(Worshipped only by the Romans)
God of beginnings God of beginnings and endings. Has two and endings. Has two faces and therefore faces and therefore the ability to look the ability to look
forward and behind forward and behind simultaneously, simultaneously, often seen over often seen over gates and doors gates and doors
TermsTerms: January: January, , Janus-facedJanus-faced
MUSESRoman name Camenae
Goddesses of the arts & Goddesses of the arts & sciences & inspiration, they sciences & inspiration, they
provide inspiration and skills provide inspiration and skills to mortals in the arts and to mortals in the arts and
sciences: sciences: CalliopeCalliope, epic poetry; , epic poetry; CleioCleio, history; , history; OuraniaOurania, ,
astronomy; astronomy; ThaleiaThaleia, comedy; , comedy; MelpomeneMelpomene, tragedy; , tragedy;
PolyhymniaPolyhymnia, religious hymns; , religious hymns; EratoErato, erotic poetry; , erotic poetry; EuterpeEuterpe, , lyric poetry; and lyric poetry; and TerpsichoreTerpsichore, ,
choral song and dance.choral song and dance.
Terms: Terms: muse, music, museum, muse, music, museum, amuseamuse
NarcissusConcern for his own Concern for his own
beauty hurt anyone who beauty hurt anyone who fell in love w/him b/c of his fell in love w/him b/c of his
indifference & egotism; indifference & egotism; caused Echo to fade away caused Echo to fade away to nothing; took his own to nothing; took his own life when he realized he life when he realized he could never love anyone could never love anyone
as much as himselfas much as himself
Terms: Terms: narcissistic, narcissistic, narcissism, narcissus narcissism, narcissus
flower flower
NIKERoman name Victoria
Goddess of victory; Goddess of victory; granted triumph to granted triumph to
whomever she chose. whomever she chose. Awarded prizes to Awarded prizes to
winners of contests; winners of contests; sometimes depicted in a sometimes depicted in a
flowing robe beside flowing robe beside Athena. 3 SIBLINGS: Athena. 3 SIBLINGS:
Zelos = rivalry, Kratos = Zelos = rivalry, Kratos = strength, Bia = forcestrength, Bia = force
TermsTerms: victor, victory: victor, victory
PANRoman name Faunus
God of nature, shepherds, God of nature, shepherds, woods, pastures, poetry, woods, pastures, poetry,
sensuality, He has a sensuality, He has a man’s body w/goat’s legs; man’s body w/goat’s legs; sometimes goat’s horns sometimes goat’s horns are seen on him; plays are seen on him; plays flute; He is wild & un-flute; He is wild & un-
predictable—can cause predictable—can cause sudden terror for peoplesudden terror for people
Terms: Terms: panic, panpipe, panic, panpipe, Faun, pandemoniumFaun, pandemonium
PERSEPHONERoman name Proserpina (sometimes
called Kore)Queen of the underworld, Queen of the underworld,
married to Hades. married to Hades. Daughter of Zeus and Daughter of Zeus and Demeter, she is the Demeter, she is the
“goddess of Springtime.” “goddess of Springtime.” Could cause plant life to Could cause plant life to
grow (fertility). Was grow (fertility). Was abducted by Hades and abducted by Hades and
forced to eat forced to eat pomegranate, causing her pomegranate, causing her to stay in the underworld to stay in the underworld
(see Demeter)(see Demeter)
Symbols: Wreath of flowersSymbols: Wreath of flowers
POSEIDONPOSEIDON Roman name Neptune
God of the sea, earthquakes and God of the sea, earthquakes and horses. Zeus’ brother and one of horses. Zeus’ brother and one of
the supreme gods of Mount the supreme gods of Mount Olympus. Fought w/Zeus against Olympus. Fought w/Zeus against
the Titans; 2nd most powerful the Titans; 2nd most powerful god. Created first horse out of god. Created first horse out of sea as gift to humans, however, sea as gift to humans, however, does not mix with mortals much. does not mix with mortals much. Known for his vengeance, he can Known for his vengeance, he can
cause storms, floods, and cause storms, floods, and earthquakes.earthquakes.
Symbols: dolphin, trident are Symbols: dolphin, trident are his symbolshis symbols
Terms: Terms: Neptune, neptuniumNeptune, neptunium
RHEARoman name Cybele
Mother of the Olympians; Mother of the Olympians; daughter of Uranus and Gaea; daughter of Uranus and Gaea; wife and sister of Cronus. Her wife and sister of Cronus. Her name means “flow,” or “ease” name means “flow,” or “ease” and refers to both water and and refers to both water and
birth. Saved her son Zeus from birth. Saved her son Zeus from being swallowed by his father being swallowed by his father Cronus by giving Cronus a rock Cronus by giving Cronus a rock to swallow instead. Considered to swallow instead. Considered
a very peaceful and gentle a very peaceful and gentle goddess.goddess.
Symbols: Swan, oak tree moonSymbols: Swan, oak tree moon
ZEUSZEUSRoman name Jupiter
Zeus was the supreme god of the Zeus was the supreme god of the Olympians and reigned over all earth and Olympians and reigned over all earth and
sky. He was saved by his mother from sky. He was saved by his mother from being swallowed by his father & then being swallowed by his father & then
helped rescue his siblings. He is very fond helped rescue his siblings. He is very fond of earth and getting involved w/humans.of earth and getting involved w/humans.
Symbols: thunderbolt, eagle , oak treeSymbols: thunderbolt, eagle , oak tree
Terms: Terms: Jupiter, jovialJupiter, jovial