Greek and Roman Mythology A Review of the Principal Gods and Goddesses

What is a myth? A traditional story rooted in primitive folk beliefs of cultures Uses the supernatural to interpret natural events Explains the culture’s view of the universe and the nature of humanity

In the beginning... …was Chaos (shapeless nothingness) Chaos had two children: Night (darkness) Erebus (death) “All was black, empty, silent, endless.” Mysteriously, Love was born of darkness and death.

And then... When Love was born, order and beauty began to flourish. Love created Light and Day. Earth was created. She was the solid ground, but also a personality. The Earth bore Heaven to cover her and be a home for the gods.

The First Parents Mother Earth = Gaea (Gaia) Father Heaven = Ouranos (Uranus) They had three kinds of children: Three monsters with 100 hands and 50 heads Three cyclopes The titans These were the first characters that had the appearance of life, although it was unlike any life known to man.

The Titans (The Elder Gods) There were many of them. Enormous size, incredible strength Cronos (Saturn): Ruler of the titans Rhea: Wife of Cronos Ocean: River that encircled the world Iapetus: Father of Prometheus, Epimetheus, and Atlas (also titans)

The Principal Gods Cronos and Rhea were parents of Zeus (Jupiter, Jove) Poseidon (Neptune) Hades (Pluto) Hera (Juno) Hestia (Vesta) Demeter (Ceres) Other Olympians include Athena (Minerva) Ares (Mars) Hebe (Juventas) Hephaestus (Vulcan) Apollo (Apollo) Artemis (Diana) Hermes (Mercury) Aphrodite (Venus) Dionysus (Bacchus) Persephone

The Olympians

Zeus Roman Name: Jupiter Supreme god of the Olympians. Fathered many characters in mythology God of Sky and Storms Symbols: Eagle and Thunderbolt

Zeus

Hera Roman Name: Juno Zeus’s sister and wife Jealous protector of marriage Punished the women Zeus fell in love with Symbols Peacock, cow and crow

Poseido n Roman Name: Neptune God of the Seas and Waters “The Earthshaker” Symbols: Dolphin, horse, trident

Hades Roman Name: Pluto God of the Underworld/ Dead Kidnapped Persephone Cape of invisibility given to him by the Cyclopes

Hestia Roman Name: Vesta Goddess of Home Powerful Protector Got tired of the petty intrigue on Olympus Gave up her spot to Dionysus

Demete r Roman Name: Ceres Goddess of the Harvest A Goddess of the Earth Symbols: Sheaf of wheat, torch

Athen a Roman Name: Minerva Goddess of Wisdom and War Sprang from Zeus’s head Symbol: Owl

Ares Roman Name: Mars God of War Son of Zeus and Hera Bloodthirsty and merciless Symbols: Vulture, Dog

Hephaes tus Roman Name: Vulcan (Mulciber) God of Fire/Forge Son of Zeus and Hera Kind, unlike his brother Only ugly God Symbols: Donkey, hammer, anvil

Apollo Roman Name: Apollo God of Light/Sun and Music Twin brother of Artemis Symbols: Laurel tree, bow, raven, lyre

Artemis Roman Name: Diana Goddess of the Moon/ Hunt Twin sister to Apollo Symbols: Deer, hunting dog

Hermes Roman Name: Mercury Messenger of the Gods Appears in more myths than any other character Symbols: Caduceus (staff twined with snakes), wings

Aphrodi te Roman Name: Venus Goddess of Love and Beauty Sprang from the ocean foam Symbols: Dove, apple, seashell

Dionys us Roman Name: Bacchus God of Wine Patron god of the Greek stage A God of the Earth Symbols: Vines, ivy

Perseph one Roman Name: Proserpina Goddess of the Underworld Daughter of Zeus and Demeter Abducted by Hades

Hebe Roman Name: Juventas Goddess of Youth Cupbearer to the Gods Restored youth to the aged Married Heracles

Eros Roman Name: Cupid Young God of Love Son of Aphrodite and Hephaestus

Iris Goddess of the Rainbow Messenger for Zeus and Hera Daughter of the titan Thaumus and the nymph Electra

The Muses Nine daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne Inspired artists of all kinds Goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences “He is happy whom the muses love.” Clio, Urania, Thalia, Melpomene, Erato, Calliope, Euterpe, Terpsichore, Polyhymnia

The Graces Three Goddesses of Grace and Beauty “They give life its bloom.” Daughters of Zeus and Eurynome Aglaia (Splendor) Euphrosyne (Mirth) Thalia (Good Cheer) Their presence was the assurance of peace and happiness

The Erinnyes (The Furies) Roman Name: Furiae or Dirae (The Furies) Three Goddesses of Vengeance Tisiphone Alecto Megaera They punish evildoers. Assisted the Underworld Gruesome looking

The Fates Roman Name: Parcae, Moirae Three sisters Clotho (“The Spinner”) Lachesis (the measurer “The disposer of lots”) Atropos (“The cutter”) They weave, measure, and cut the thread of life for humans. Decide man’s destiny Predate the Gods

The Satyrs Gods of the woods and mountains “Shepherd gods” Goat men (like Pan) Companions of Dionysus They like to drink, dance, and chase nymphs.

The Gorgons Three snake-haired monsters Medusa is most well- known Their look turns men to stone.

The Centaurs Half man, half horse Savage creatures (except Chiron) Followers of Dionysus

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