Greek and Roman Gods
Here are the twelve Olympian gods and a brief description of each. The Greeks
and Romans shared the same stories, but used different names.
Greek
|
Roman
|
Description |
Zeus
|
Jupiter
|
Lord
of the sky and supreme ruler of the gods. Known for throwing lightening
bolts. |
Poseidon
|
Neptune
|
Ruler
of the sea. Brother of Zeus. Carried a three-pronged spear known as
a trident. |
Hades
|
Pluto
|
Ruler
of the underworld and the dead. Brother of Zeus. Had a helmet which
rendered its wearer invisible. |
Hestia
|
Vesta
|
A
virgin goddess and sister of Zeus. No distinct personality or part
in myths. Goddess of the Hearth, the symbol of the home. |
Hera
|
Juno
|
Zeus's
wife and sister. Protector of marriage, spent most of her time punishing
the many women Zeus fell in love with. Likes cows and peacocks. |
Ares
|
Mars
|
God
of war and son of Zeus and Hera. Likes vultures and dogs. |
Athena
|
Minerva
|
Daughter
of Zeus alone. No mother.(?) She sprang from his head full-grown and
in full armor. The protector of civilized life, handicrafts, and agriculture.
Invented the bridle, and first to tame the horse. Likes Athens, olives,
and owls. |
Apollo
|
Apollo
|
Son
of Zeus. Master musician, archer god, healer, god of light, god of
truth, sun god. A busy god who likes the laurel tree, dolphins, and
crows. |
Aphrodite
|
Venus
|
Daughter
of Zeus. Goddess of Love and Beauty. Likes the myrtle tree, doves,
sparrows, and swans. |
Hermes
|
Mercury
|
Son
of Zeus. Wore wings on his sandals and his hat, thus was graceful
and swift. |
Artemis
|
Diana
|
Apollo's
twin sister and daughter of Zeus. Lady of wild things and huntsman
to the gods. As Apollo is the Sun, Artemis is the moon. |
Hephaestus
|
Vulcan
|
Son
of Hera, God of Fire. The only ugly and deformed god. Makes armor
and weapons forged under volcanoes. |
Other Gods
Greek |
Roman |
Description |
Gaea
|
Terra
|
Mother
Earth. |
Asclepius
|
Aesculapius
|
God
of medicine. |
Cronus
|
Saturn
|
God of the sky; Ruler of the Titans (Roman mythology: God of agriculture) |
Demeter
|
Ceres
|
Goddess
of grain. |
Dionysus
|
Bacchus
|
God
of wine and vegetation. |
Eros
|
Cupid
|
God
of love. |
Hypnos
|
Somnus
|
God
of sleep. |
Rhea
|
Ops
|
Wife
of Cronus/Saturn. Mother Goddess. |
Uranus
|
Uranus
|
God
of the sky. Father of the Titans. |
Nike
|
Victoria
|
Goddess
of Victory. |