Mythology Vocabulary Words Hades Pluto Hades is the

Mythology Vocabulary Words

Hades (Pluto) • Hades is the Greek god of the underworld. His Roman counterpart is Pluto. • Hades wanted a bride, so he asked his brother Zeus to give him one of his daughters. Zeus, however, offered up Persephone, the daughter of Demeter was unhappy with this, and so caused a great dearth to fall upon the earth until Persephone was returned. But, since Persephone had eaten the seeds of a pomegranate in the underworld, she had to stay in the underworld for half of every year. During the times she was in the underworld, Demeter caused the dearth again, giving rise to the four seasons: spring and summer, when Persephone was in the mortal world, and fall and winter when she was in the underworld. • Example sentence: Hades was one of the most important yet most disliked of the Greek gods.

Hera (Juno) • Hera is the Greek god of marriage, and the wife and sister of Zeus. Her Roman counterpart is Juno. • Before Hera and Zeus got married, Zeus got the titan Leto pregnant. But, even though it happened before the marriage, after Hera and Zeus got married Hera got mad at Leto. She forbid Leto from giving birth on the mainland. However, while wandering around, Leto found an island, and gave birth to Apollo and Artemis there. • Example sentence: Hera was usually angry at Zeus, her unfaithful husband.

Hestia (Vesta) • Hestia is the Greek goddess of the hearth and home. Her Roman counterpart is Vesta. She does not have many myths about her because she didn’t often leave Olympus. • Hestia gave her place among the Olympians to Dionysus to avoid a confrontation. For this gesture, Zeus gave her the keys to Olympus and she became the caretaker of the place. • Example sentence: If you lived in ancient Greece, Hestia would be the first god you gave an offering to every day.

Apollo (Apollo) • Apollo is the Greek god of music, prophecy, and the sun. His Roman counterpart is Apollo. • A few days after Apollo was born, Hera sent the giant serpent Python to kill Leto, his mother. However, even as an infant Apollo was very strong. Hephaestus gave him a golden bow and arrows, and he used these weapons to kill the Python in the cave at Delphi. • Example sentence: In ancient Greek times, if you wanted to know what would happen in the future, you might contact Apollo through the oracle at Delphi.

Artemis (Diana) • Artemis is the Greek goddess of the hunt, the moon, and archery. Her Roman counterpart is Diana. • When Atlanta was abandoned by her father, Artemis sent a female bear to feed her, and asked the hunters to raise her. However, Atlanta’s skills soon started to outshine Artemis’s, so Artemis sent a bear to kill her. • Example sentence: Accomplished female hunters could join the group that hunted with Artemis.