Greek and Roman Gods Goddesses and Heroes AMPHITRITE

Greek and Roman Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes

AMPHITRITE Roman name Salicia Queen of the Sea Controls ocean creatures. Hid from Poseidon but later had to marry him. Symbol, is the trident. Terms: Saline, Amphibious

APHRODITE Roman name Venus Born from sea foam caused by Uranus’ blood, she is the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. She has a magic girdle which makes others fall in love with the wearer. Married to Hephaestus, but in love with Adonis. Responsible for the Trojan War. Symbols: Doves, sparrows. Terms: aphrodisiac, Venus

APOLLO Roman name Apollo / Phoebus God of sun, light, truth, reason, prophesy, medicine, the arts, music, agriculture, and healing. He draws the sun w/his chariot. Has healing power; carries gold bow & arrows & appears golden, like the sun. Twin brother of Artemis; tamed the muses; killed the Python at Delphi Symbols: raven, swan, wolf Terms: Apollo, appolonian

ARES Roman name Mars God of war, or more precisely of warlike frenzy. Shape-shifting and healing powers. Unpredictable personality (sometimes ran from battle). Often pictured w/bloody spear; young, strong, & handsome; in love w/Aphrodite Symbol: vulture Terms: areocentric, martial, March, Mars

ARTEMIS Roman name Diana Apollo’s twin sister, she is the goddess of hunting and the moon. 100% accurate shot w/bow & arrow; healing powers. Appears silver, like the moon; draws moon across the sky w/chariot drawn by silver stags. Chose never to marry; she helped women in childbirth, but also was merciless if angered. Symbol: hunting hounds

ATHENA Roman name Minerva Born full-grown from the head of Zeus, Athena was the goddess of wisdom, war, reason, justice, and domestic arts. She was the patron goddess of Athens & a better warrior than even Ares. Often depicted with her helmet & Zeus’ shield. Took the name Pallas-Athena after accidentally killing her friend, Pallas, in battle. Symbols: owl, olive tree Terms: parthenon (from “parthenos”– maiden), Athens, athenaeum

ATLAS Earth carrier, sky carrier, god of astronomy. Defeat by Zeus in battle led to punishment of supporting the heavens; brother of Prometheus. Terms: Atlas, Atlas Mountains, Atlantic Ocean

CADMUS Phoenician prince & hero (mortal); brave, dependable, good leader. Brother of Europa (his sister); founder of Thebes; killed dragon, planted its teeth and soldiers of Thebe were formed; created alphabet for the people

CRONUS Roman name Saturn “Last of the Titans” – killed his father (Uranus); overthrown by son (Zeus); domain was Earth, time & the ages. Sometimes referred to as “father time” Symbols: sickle Terms: chronology, chronological, titanic , saturnine, saturnalia

DEMETER Roman name Ceres Goddess of harvest, earth, grain, & agriculture. Daughter, Persephone, was abducted by Hades. Saddened by Persephone’s absence (1/2 the year with Hades), when Demeter mourns, it is Winter; Summer is when she is happy her daughter has returned w/her; often seen w/a torch to search for her daughter Terms: Cereal

DIONYSUS Roman name Bacchus God of wine, drama, poetry, song, celebration, pleasure, and theater. Attracted fanatical followers, esp. women (maenads); often accompanied by satyrs in his travels; Grants followers the power to tear animals or people limb from limb, bare-handed Symbols: chalice, grapes Terms: dionysian, bacchanal, Bacchic, bacchant

ECHO Nymph who kept Hera distracted while Zeus had his affairs; b/c she offended Hera, she was condemned to repeat the last few words anyone said to her; fell in love w/Narcissus but was rejected Terms: echo

Eros Roman name Cupid God of love; Youngest of gods; sometimes shown as blindfolded; fell in love w/Psyche when he was grazed by his own arrow; Goldentipped arrows –cause humans AND gods to fall in love; lead arrows—cause indifference Terms: erotic, cupidity

FATES Roman name Moirai or Moerae The three sisters who spin, measure, and cut the thread of life, (i. e. , the destiny of humans): Clotho – thread of life; Lachesis – chance; Atropos – inevitability Terms: fate, morose, morbid, mortality

FURIES Roman name Erinyes Goddesses of vengeance; Three Sisters: Tisiphone -avenger of murder; Megaera - the jealous; and Alecto - constant anger ; Punishers of all crime; sometimes called “Daughters of Night”; usually depicted w/snakes for hair & blood-dripping eyes; They could strike madness on their victims Terms: fury, furious, infuriated

GAEA Roman name Tellus or Terra Goddess of the earth (“mother nature”); Commands the forces of nature; mystical powers; Mother of all Titans, giants, Cyclopes, mountains, seas, first humans Symbols: earth Terms: Geology, geography, terrain

HADES Roman name Pluto Hades was the God of the dead and ruler of the Underworld, which was called Hades after the god. Hades abducted Persephone, who became his queen. Owns all precious metals. Possesses a helmet of invisibility that can be lent to mortals Symbols: three-headed dog (Cerberus) representing past, present and future OR birth, youth, and old age Terms: plutonian, plutonic, plutonium, Pluto

HECATE (Roman name Trivia) Goddess of magic, sorcery, witchcraft, dogs, and crossroads. Earth, heaven, and sea are her domain. Possesses many magical powers Symbols: torch, key Terms: trivia, trivial

Helios Roman name Sol Titan God of the sun, not to be confused with Apollo, who was an Olympian ; has chariot & horses that draw sun across sky; often believed to be able to “see everything” (like Santa! ☺) Symbols: sun Terms: solar, solarium, helium

HEPHAESTUS Roman name Vulcan Hephaestus was the friendly god of fire, crafts , pottery, sculpture, and blacksmiths. The only immortal who is ugly and lame. Crafted weapons, armor, & jewels for gods. Married Aphrodite Symbols: fire, axe, hammer Terms: volcano, volcanic, vulcanize

HERA Roman name Juno Jealous goddess and protector of marriage. She was the wife of Zeus and Queen of the Olympians. Known for her jealous temper, she can inflict madness upon others; had a rivalry w/Athena & Aphrodite; supported Greeks in Trojan War; often very cruel; famed for her white arms (a sign of beauty) Symbols: peacock Terms: June

HERMES Roman name Mercury Hermes was the messenger of the gods, protector of travelers, and guide of dead souls to the underworld. Worshipped by merchants & thieves; “invented” boxing, & gymnastics. Wears winged sandals and/or helmet that provide speedy flight; he is quick -witted & inventive Terms: Hermetic, Mercury, mercurial

HESTIA Roman name Vesta Goddess of the hearth & home with powerful protective ability. Sister of Zeus who gave up her place on Olympus to Dionysus. Uninterested in adventure; most loved goddess Symbols: Often seen with fire, but did not bother to choose an emblem for herself Terms: Vestibule, vestal

Roman name JANUS (Worshipped only by the Romans) God of beginnings and endings. Has two faces and therefore the ability to look forward and behind simultaneously, often seen over gates and doors Terms: January, Janusfaced

MUSES Roman name Camenae Goddesses of the arts & sciences & inspiration, they provide inspiration and skills to mortals in the arts and sciences: Calliope, epic poetry; Cleio, history; Ourania, astronomy; Thaleia, comedy; Melpomene, tragedy; Polyhymnia, religious hymns; Erato, erotic poetry; Euterpe, lyric poetry; and Terpsichore, choral song and dance. Terms: muse, music, museum, amuse

Narcissus Concern for his own beauty hurt anyone who fell in love w/him b/c of his indifference & egotism; caused Echo to fade away to nothing; took his own life when he realized he could never love anyone as much as himself Terms: narcissistic, narcissism, narcissus flower

NIKE Roman name Victoria Goddess of victory; granted triumph to whomever she chose. Awarded prizes to winners of contests; sometimes depicted in a flowing robe beside Athena. 3 SIBLINGS: Zelos = rivalry, Kratos = strength, Bia = force Terms: victor, victory

PAN Roman name Faunus God of nature, shepherds, woods, pastures, poetry, sensuality, He has a man’s body w/goat’s legs; sometimes goat’s horns are seen on him; plays flute; He is wild & un-predictable— can cause sudden terror for people

PERSEPHONE Roman name Proserpina (sometimes called Kore) Queen of the underworld, married to Hades. Daughter of Zeus and Demeter, she is the “goddess of Springtime. ” Could cause plant life to grow (fertility). Was abducted by Hades and forced to eat pomegranate, causing her to stay in the underworld (see Demeter) Symbols: Wreath of flowers

POSEIDON Roman name Neptune God of the sea, earthquakes and horses. Zeus’ brother and one of the supreme gods of Mount Olympus. Fought w/Zeus against the Titans; 2 nd most powerful god. Created first horse out of sea as gift to humans, however, does not mix with mortals much. Known for his vengeance, he can cause storms, floods, and earthquakes. Symbols: dolphin, trident are his symbols Terms: Neptune, neptunium

RHEA Roman name Cybele Mother of the Olympians; daughter of Uranus and Gaea; wife and sister of Cronus. Her name means “flow, ” or “ease” and refers to both water and birth. Saved her son Zeus from being swallowed by his father Cronus by giving Cronus a rock to swallow instead. Considered a very peaceful and gentle goddess. Symbols: Swan, oak tree moon

ZEUS Roman name Jupiter Zeus was the supreme god of the Olympians and reigned over all earth and sky. He was saved by his mother from being swallowed by his father & then helped rescue his siblings. He is very fond of earth and getting involved w/humans. Symbols: thunderbolt, eagle , oak tree Terms: Jupiter, jovial