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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.