Download Deities - NOTES - Crestwood Local Schools

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; 2nd 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