| Greek Mythology |
| Achilles- Greek hero in the Trojan War, who was favored by Athena. Aphrodite- Goddess of love and beauty, known as Venus to Romans. The unfaithful wife of Hephaestus, the lame God of the forge, she had many affairs and many offspring from her numerous lovers. Ares(god of war),Hermes(messenger god), Anchises(fathered Aeneas(from whom Romans claimed their descent) were some of the most noteworthy of her lovers. The alchemical Goddess. Apollo- also called Apollo by the Romans. The handsome God of the sun and of fine arts, medicine, and music. He was one of the 12 Olympians, son of Zeus and Leto, and twin brother of Artemis. Sometimes also referred to as Helios. Ares- called Mars by the Romans. Bellicose God of war. One of the 12 Olympians. Son of Zeus and Hera. According to Homer, he was despised by his father for taking after his mother. Ares was a lover of Aphrodite, with whom he had 3 children. Artemis- the Romans called Diana. Goddess of the hunt and moon. She was one of 3 virgin goddesses, the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and twin sister of Apollo, God of sun. Atalanta- a mortal woman who excelled as a hunter and a runner. With the help of Aphrodites 3 golden apples, she was defeated in a footrace by Hippomenes, who won her as his wife. Athena- known as minerva to the Romans. She was the Goddess of wisdom and handicrafts, patron of her namesake city Athens, and protecter of numerous heros. Usually portrayed wearing armor, and known as the best strategist in battle. She acknowledged only by one parent, Zeus, but was considered the daughter of wise Metis, the first consort of Zues. A virgin Goddess. |
| Cronos- saturn to the Romans. A Titan and the youngest son of Gaea and Uranus, who emasculated his father and became chief God. Husband of Rhea and the father of 6 of the Olympians (Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseiddon, Zeus) who swallowed them when they were born. He in turn was over powered by his youngest son Zeus. Demeter- known as Ceres to the romans. Goddess of grain or agriculture. In her most important myth, the emphasis is on her role as a mother of Persephone. A vulnerable Goddess. Dionysus- known as Bacchus to the Romans. God of wine and ecstacy, whose women worshippers annually sought communion with him in the mountains through revels or orgies. Eros- Known as Amor to the Romans. God of love, husband of Psyche. Gaea or Gaia. Goddess Earth, mother and wife of Uranus(sky), and parents of the Titans. Hades- or Pluto. Ruler of the underworld, a son of Rhea and Cronos, abductor-husband pf Persephone, and one of the 12 Olympians. Hecate- Goddess of the crossroads, who looked in 3 directions. She was associated with the uncanny and the mysterious, and was personification of the wise witch. Hecate was associated with Persephone, whom she accompanied when the maiden was returned from the underworld, and with the moon Goddess Artemis. Hephaestus- known as Vulcan by the Romans. God of forge and patron of artisans. He was the cuckholded husband of Aphrodite, and the lame or club-fotted rejected son of Hera. Hera- Juno to the Romans. Goddess of marriage. As official consort and wife of Zeus, she was the highest ranking goddess on Mount Olympus. A daughter of Cronos and Rhea, she was also the sister of Zeus and the other first-generation of Olympians. Portrayed by Homer as a jealous shrew, and revered in her worship as the Goddess of marriage. One fo the 3 vulnerable Goddesses, she personifies the archetype of the wife. |
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