Greek gods and their Roman Counterparts

Greek gods and their Roman Counterparts By: Ethan Cattanach

The Twelve Olympian Gods • Zeus/Jupiter • Hera/Juno • Poseidon/Neptune • Dionysus/Bacchus • Hermes/Mercury • Hephaestus/Vulcan • Aphrodite/Venus • Ares/Mars • Artemis/Diana • Apollo • Demeter/Ceres • Athena/Minerva

Zeus/Jupiter • Zeus • Zeus was the Greek ruler of the Olympian gods • He was married to Hera • Zeus was the god of the sky, rain, thunder, lightning • His symbol was the eagle and/or the lighting bolt • Jupiter • Jupiter was the Roman King of the Gods • He was married to Juno (his sister) • He was the god of the sky, thunder, light, lightning • His symbols were storms, clouds and lightning

Hera/Juno • Hera • Hera was the Greek god of love and marriage • She was the Queen of Heaven • Her symbols were the cow and peacock • She had a lot of children (Ares, Hephaestus, Hebe, Eileithyia,) • Juno • Juno was the Roman god of marriage, hearth, family and childbirth • Her symbols were a peacock and a goat skin cloak • She was the Queen of the Gods

Poseidon/Neptune • Poseidon • Poseidon was the Greek god of the sea, earthquakes, and sea storms • He was married to Amphitrite (goddess of the sea) • Poseidon's sacred animal was the horse because he made it out of sea foam • Neptune • Neptune was the Roman god of horses and the sea • Neptune was married to Salacia (goddess of salt water and the sea) • Neptune's sacred animal was the horse

Dionysus/Bacchus • Dionysus • Dionysus was the Greek god of grape harvest, winemaking, wine, ritual madness, drunkenness, vegetation, pleasure, parties and big cats • He was married to Ariadne • His parents were Zeus and Semele • Bacchus • Bacchus was the Roman god of wine and inspired madness • He hated owls, which were the symbol of his sister, Minerva • His symbols were ivy, snakes, and grapes • Leopards were his sacred animal

Hermes/Mercury • Hermes • Hermes was the Greek god of herds, travel, speed, trade, heraldry, language, athletics and thievery • He was married to Hera • He was the son of Zeus and Maia, a daughter of the titan, Atlas • Pan was the son of Hermes • Mercury • Mercury was the Roman god of trade, profit, merchants, thievery and travelers • He was not married

Hephaestus/Vulcan • Hephaestus • Hephaestus was the Greek god of fire, forges, volcanoes, metal, crafts • He was sometimes called Lord of the Fire, The Smith God, and Master Craftsman • He was married to Aphrodite • Vulcan • Vulcan was the Roman God of Fire and the blacksmith of the gods • He was the son of Jupiter and Juno • His festival, the Vulcanalia, was celebrated on August 23 when the summer heat put the crops and granaries at risk of burning • He was the husband of Venus

Aphrodite/Venus • Aphrodite • Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love, desire, beauty, fertility, and vegetation • She was married to the crippled god, Hephaestus • Her children were Deimos, Adrestia, Harmonia, The Erotes, Eros, Anteros, Himeros, Pothos, Rhode, Tyche, Peitho, Eunomia • Venus • Venus was the Roman goddess of love, beauty, sex, fertility, prosperity, and military victory • She was married to Vulcan

Ares/Mars • Ares • Ares was the Greek god of war, battle lust, war booty, city defense, civil order, anger, violence, courage, fear, and manly courage • Ares did not marry, but he did have an affair with Aphrodite • His chariot was driven by four fire-breathing dragons: Aithon (Red-Fire), Phlogios (Flame), Konabos (Tumult), and Phobos (Fear) • His sacred day was Tuesday • His bird was the vulture • Mars • Mars was the Roman god of war, civil order, bloodlust, and brigands • Ares was his Greek counterpart

Artemis/Diana • Artemis • Artemis was the Greek goddess of the hunt, wild animals, childbirth, disease, plague, sudden death, girls, dance, song, the waxing crescent moon • She was the protector of the vulnerable • Her animals were dogs, guinea fowl, elephant, horses, bear, dove, deer, and the bee • Her gem was the Moonstone • Diana • Diana was the Roman goddess of the moon and hunting • She was one of the three maiden goddesses, Diana, Minerva and Vesta, who swore never to marry

Apollo • Apollo • Apollo was the Greek/Roman god of prophecy, music, light, intellectual pursuits, healing, plague, the sun, poetry, colonists, medicine, archery, dance, reason, and boys • He was the patron defender of herds and flocks • Apollo was not married • His parents were Zeus (Jupiter) and Leto (Latona) • Apollo’s children were Aristeaus, Trolius, Orpheus and Asclepius • His animals were the swan, the raven and the wolf • His weapons were a golden bow and golden arrows • His name was the same in Greek and in Roman Mythology

Demeter/Ceres • Demeter • Demeter was the Greek goddess of agriculture (wheat and barley), milling, bread, vegetables, pig-farming, motherhood, and blessed afterlife • Her sacred plants were wheat, barley, mint, poppy • Her sacred bird was the Turtle-dove • Her parents were Rhea and Chronos • Ceres • Ceres was the Roman goddess of growing plants, motherly love, agriculture, grain Horn of Plenty

Athena/Minerva • Athena • Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom, war, crafts, weaving • Athena invented the flute, the plough, the ox-yoke, the horse bridle, and the chariot • Athena was a virgin goddess • She was born from Zeus's head • Minerva • Minerva was the Roman goddess of wisdom and war • Her symbol was the owl • She was the daughter of Jupiter and Juno

Nature gods and goddesses • River Gods & Water Nymphs/Naiads • Rivers of the Underworld • Other Nymphs/Dryads • Pan/Faunus - Satyrs/Fauns • Selene/Luna • Zephyrus/Favonius - Eurus/Vulturnus • Notus/Auster - Boreas/Aquilo • Iris • Helios/Sol - Eos/Aurora • Persephone/Proserpina • Amphitrite/Salacia

River godsWater Nymphs/Naiads • River gods • River Gods were always male • There was a river god in every stream, river, canal, etc. • The best known river god was Achelous • Water Nymphs/Naiads • Naiads were fresh-water Nymphs who inhabited the rivers, streams, lakes, marshes, fountains and springs of the earth • Pegaiai were the Naiad Nymphs of springs • Krenaiai were the Naiad Nymphs of fountains • Potameides were the Naiad Nymphs of rivers & streams • Limnades and Limnatides were the Naiad Nymphs of lakes • Heleionomai were the Naiad Nymphs of marshes and wetlands

Rivers of the Underworld • Lethe • Lethe was the river of forgetfulness • Lethe flowed around the cave of Hypnos and through the Underworld, where all those who drank from it experienced complete forgetfulness • Styx • Styx was the river of hate • It was a river which formed the boundary between Earth and the Underworlds. It circled the underworld nine times. • If you were to bathe in it, your skin would be like iron except for a tiny spot

Rivers of the Underworld • Cocytus • Cocytus was the river of lamentation • Those who died and were not properly buried were stuck walking about the banks of this river for most of their afterlife • Acheron • Acheron was the river of woe • The ferryman, Charon, ferried the dead across Acheron from the land of the living to the realm of Hades • Phlegethon • Phlegethon was the river of fire • It is said that while the fire burned, it did not consume anything within its flames

Other Nymphs/Dryads • Cloud Nymphs/Nephelai/Nephelae • Nephelai were nymphs of clouds and rain who rose up from the earth bearing water to the heavens in cloudy pitchers. With their rain, they nourished the earth and fed the streams of their river-god brothers. • Wind Nymphs/Aurai/Aurae • Aurai were the nymphs of the breezes. They were daughters of the north-wind Boreas. • Air Nymph • Air Nymphs spent most of their time in the skies, and could effect the weather through their manipulation of air currents.

Other Nymphs/Dryads • Nereids • Nereids were Nymphs of the sea and the ocean. • Dryads • Dryads were wood Nymphs or forest Nymphs. • They were very shy. • They lived in trees.

Pan/Faunus and Satyrs/Fauns Pan pipes • Pan • Pan was the Greek god of creativity, nature, animals, panic, and music. He was often seen playing Pan pipes • His parents were Hermes and the Nymph Dryope • Pan was half man and half goat, with goat ears, horns and legs • Faunus • Faunus was the Roman rustic god of animals and forests • His wife was Fauna • Satyrs/Fauns • Satyrs were Greek rustic spirits of the wilderness and countryside. They were close companions of the Greek god Pan. • They mated with the Nymphai nymphs • Fauns were Roman rustic spirits of the Roman god Faunus

Selene/Luna • Selene • Selene was the Greek goddess of the moon • Her parents were Theia and Hyperion • Her siblings were Helios (God of the sun) and Eos (Goddess of dawn) • She was one of the Greek triple moon goddesses: Artemis - Waxing Moon, Selene - the Full Moon, and Hecate - the Waning Moon • Luna • She was the Roman goddess of the moon, animals, and hunting • Luna was one of the Roman triple moon goddesses: Luna, Trivia, and Diana

Zephyrus/Favonius Eurus/Vulturnus Spring Fall • Zephyrus • Zephyrus was the Greek god of the west wind, he was thought to bring spring • His parents were Eos and Astraeus • His siblings were Boreas, Eurus and Notus • Favonius • Favonius was the Roman god of the west wind • He was sometimes represented as mere gusts of wind, at other times he was personified as a winged man • Eurus/Vulturnus • Eurus was the Greek god of the east wind, and bringer of fall • His Roman counterpart was Vulturnus

Notus/Auster Boreas/Aquilo Summer Winter • Notus • Notus was the Greek god of the South Wind • He was the bringer of wet summer • Auster • Auster was the Roman god of the South Wind • His brothers were Aquilo, Vulturnus, Favonius • Boreas • Boreas was the Greek of the north wind • He was the bringer of winter • Aquilo • Aquilo was the Roman god of the north wind • He had purple wings Rain Snow

Iris • Iris • Iris was the Greek/Roman goddess of the rainbow • Her parents were Elektra, a cloud-nymph, and Thaumas, a sea god • She was also a messenger goddess • She was the messenger for Hera • Her sisters were harpies • She was often pictured with wings • She was married to Zephyrus • She was the same goddess in Greek and in Roman mythology

Helios/Sol Eos/Aurora • Helios/Sol • Helios was the Greek god of the sun • Helios drove a chariot led by 4 fire-breathing horses across the sky each day • At night, he was carried back to his starting place in a great cup • His parents were Hyperion and Theia • Sol was his Roman counterpart • Eos/Aurora • Eos was the Greek goddess of dawn • She used to open the gates for the sun (Helios) • She was the child of Hyperion and Theia • She was the sister of Helios (the sun) and of Selene (the moon) • She had been in love with Ares, but Aphrodite cursed her so she would be in love constantly. • Aurora was Eos’s Roman counterpart

Persephone/Proserpina • Persephone • Persephone was the Greek goddess of flowers and harvest • She was the Queen of the Underworld • Her animals were the bat, ram, parrots, all talking birds, and monkeys • Her parents were Zeus and Demeter • Proserpina • Proserpina was the Roman goddess of the harvest and of the underworld • Her parents were Jupiter and Ceres • Cupid had instructions to hit Pluto with an arrow of love, so Pluto fell in love with Proserpina and kidnapped her. Proserpina’s mother, Ceres, went looking for her. Ceres created deserts with her footprints. Then, she stopped all growth. Finally, Pluto let Proserpina go (after she ate 6 pomegranate seeds). For eating the seeds, Proserpina has to spend 6 months a year in the underworld, while Ceres mourns and stops all growth (winter and fall). When Proserpina leaves the underworld, Ceres rejoices and starts growth again (spring and summer)

Amphitrite/Salacia • Amphitrite • Amphitrite was the Greek goddess of the sea • She was the Queen of the Sea, and was the mother of fish, seals and dolphins • Her parents were Nereus and Doris • Her son was Triton and her daughter was Rhode • She was married to Poseidon • Salacia • Salacia was the Roman goddess of salt water • She was married to Neptune

Gods of Living and Dying • Hades/Pluto • Thanatos/Mors • Hypnos/Somnus • Morpheus • Plutus • Morae/Parcae (Fates) • Erinyes/Furies (Dirae)

Hades/Pluto • Hades • Hades was the Greek god of death • He was the king of the underworld • He was married to Persephone • He was the ruler of the dead • Pluto • Pluto was the Roman god of riches and death • Pluto was married to Proserpine • He was NOT the lord of the dead • His job was to run the underworld Hades' Invisible helmet

Thanatos/Mor • Thanatos • Thanatos was the Greek god of a non-violent death • His brother was Hypnos • Thanatos worked for Hades • His parents were Nyx (night) and Erebus (darkness) • His nephew was Morpheus • Mor • Mor was the Roman god of death • He worked for Pluto • Thanatos was his Greek counterpart • His dad is Nox

Hypnos/Somnus • Hypnos • Hypnos was the Greek god of sleep • His parents were Erebus (the god of darkness) and Nyx (the god of night) • He was married to Pasithea (the goddess of hallucinations) • His children were Morpheus (god of dreams), Phobetor (god of nightmares), Phantasus, and Ikelos. • He lived in the underworld • Somnus • Somnus was the Roman god of sleep • He was the brother of death and the son of night • It was said that he had a thousand children (all gods/goddess of dreams).

Morpheus • Morpheus • Morpheus was the Greek and Roman god of dreams, and in later mythology he became a god of sleep • He was the son of Hypnos and Pasithea • He was the nephew of Thanatos • Morpheus sent human images into dreams, Phobetor sent animal images into dreams, and Phantasos sent object images into dreams • Together, they ruled dreams • Morpheus had black wings • Morpheus only had 1 name in Greek and Roman mythology

Plutus • Plutus • Plutus was the Greek and Roman god of wealth • His mother was Demeter • Plutus was blinded by Zeus, so that he could not tell good from evil unless his sight was restored but it was not • Plutus was sometimes confused with Pluto, god of the underworld and wealth • Plutus had the same name in Greek and Roman mythology

Fates (Morae/Parcae) • Fates • The Fates determined how long a person would live • There were 3 fates: Klotho, Lachesis, and Atropos • Klotho spun the thread of life • Lachesis determined the length of the thread • Atropos cut the thread when the proper time came for death • Their parents were Nyx and Erebus • Morae was the Greek name for the Fates • Parcae was the Roman name for the Fates

Erinyes/Furies(Dirae) • Erinyes/Furies (Dirae) • The Erinyes were the goddesses of vengeance • They pursued wrong-doers relentlessly, until death, often driving them to suicide • There were three Erinyes/Furies (Dirae): Tisiphone, Megaera, Alecto • Tisiphone – Goddess of murder • Megaera – Goddess of envious anger • Alecto – Goddess of unending anger • The Erinyes came from the blood of Uranus when he was cut up • Their weapon was the whip • The Furies and Dirae were the Roman names for the Erinyes

Other Gods/Goddesses • Hestia/Vesta • Eris/Discordia • Eros/Cupid (Amor) • Nemesis/Invidia • Nike/Victoria • Muses • Graces/Charities

Hestia/Vesta • Hestia • Hestia was the Greek goddess of the house, home, family hearth, civic hearth, and sacramental flame • Her parents were Chronos and Rhea • She had no children and no husband • Vesta • Vesta was the Roman goddess of fire, bread, and the hearth • Her sacred animal was the donkey • Her festival days were Jan 15, Feb 13, March 1, April 28, May 15, June 7-15, June 24 • Her gem was the black diamond

Eris/Discordia • Eris • Eris was the Greek goddess of strife, discord, contention, war, and rivalry • Her parent was Nyx • Her children were Ponus, Lethe, Limos (and a lot of others) • Eris started the Trojan War by throwing the golden apple in front of many goddesses • Discordia • Discordia was the Roman goddess of discord, strife, and war • She is the Roman counterpart of Eris

Eros/Cupid(Amor) • Eros • Eros was the Greek god of love • His mother was Aphrodite • His father was Ares • He was married to Psyche • His child was Volupta (Pleasure) • He created birds • Cupid/Amor • Cupid was the Roman god of love • He was shown as a winged baby holding a bow and arrow • The arrows Cupid shot made people fall in love with the first person they saw.

Nemesis/Invidia • Nemesis • Nemesis was the Greek goddess of revenge and justice • Nemesis was a goddess of requirement; she had to correct evil deeds done or undeserved good fortune • Her mother was Nyx - she had no father • Invidia • Invidia was the Roman goddess of envy and jealously • Nemesis was her Greek counterpart

Nike/Victoria Palm branch (sign of victory) • Nike • Nike was the Greek goddess of victory • She was shown with wings • Her father was Pallas (who Athena killed), and her mother was Styx (the Naiad) • Her siblings were Kratos (strength), Bia (force), and Zelus (rivalry) • Victoria • Victoria was the Roman goddess of victory • Her Greek counterpart was Nike Coins that show Victoria

Muses • Muses • Clio: Goddess of history and poetry • Urania: Goddess of astronomy • Melpomene: Goddess of tragedy • Thalia: Goddess of comedy • Terpsichore: Goddess of dance • Calliope: Goddess of epic or heroic poetry • Erato: Goddess of love and poetry • Polyhymnia: Goddess of songs/hymns to the gods • Euterpe: Goddess of music and lyric poetry • The Muses were daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne • The Muses were believed to inspire artists, poets, and musicians.

Graces/Charities • Graces/Charities • The Graces were minor goddesses who symbolized beauty, charm, and goodness • Aglaia - Goddess of brightness or splendor • Thalia – Goddess of good cheer • Euphrosyne – Goddess of joyfulness • Cleta – Goddess of sound • Pasithea – Goddess of shining • Peitho – Goddess of persuasion • The Graces are the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome • The Graces are the Greek name • The Charities are the Roman counterpart

Titans/Primeval Forces • Gaia/Terra (Primeval Force) • Tartarus (Primeval Force) – Uranus/Ouranos (Primeval Force) • Cronus/ Saturn – Typhon • Oceanus – Atlas • Coeus & Phoebe – Hyperion & Theia – Rhea/Cybele (Ops) • Crius & Mnemosyne – Iapetus & Themis – Tethys • Prometheus

Gaia/Terra • Gaia • Gaia was the Greek primeval force of earth • She was born from Chaos • Her siblings were Eros, Tartarus and Nyx • Her children were Uranus, Cronus, Pontus, The Ourea, Hecatonchires, Cyclopes, titans, The Gigantes, Nereus, Thaumus, Phorcys, Ceto, Eurybia, Aphrodite, and Typhon • Terra was Gaia’s Roman counterpart

Tartarus – Uranus/Ouranos • Tartarus • Tartarus was the Greek/Roman primeval force of the underworld and he was the bottomless pits of the world • He lived under the earth and held together the bottomless pits of the world, which is where monsters go when they are killed • Uranus/Ouranos • Uranus was the Greek primeval force of the sky • He had children with Gaia. He put the some of his children in Tartarus. Gaia wanted her titan children to kill Uranus for this act. None of the titans wanted to do that, except for Chronos. Gaia gave Chronos a scythe and he chopped Uranus up. Then, Chronos ruled the titans. • Ouranos was Uranus’s Roman counterpart

Cronus/Saturn - Typhon • Cronus • Cronus was the Greek titan of time • His father was Uranus and his mother was Gaea • His children were Hestia, Hades, Demeter, Poseidon, Hera, Zeus, and centaurs • Saturn was his Roman counterpart • Typhon • Typhon was the Greek/Roman titan/monster of the wind and storms • Gaia and Tartarus were his parents • He was the father of all monsters and his wife (Echidna) was the mother of all monsters

Oceanus – Atlas • Oceanus • Oceanus was the Greek/Roman titan of the sea • He was the son of Gaia and Uranus • He was marred to Tethys • He was the father of nymphs, 3,000 Rivers, and Seas • He did not fight in the war against the gods • Atlas • Atlas was the titan of the Heavens • He was brother to Prometheus and Epimetheus, who did not fight the Olympians • He fought with the titans in the war against the gods, so Zeus punished him and then he held the sky

Coeus & Phoebe – Hyperion &Theia – Rhea/Cybele (Ops) • Coeus & Phoebe • Coeus and Phoebe were both Greek/Roman titans of the moon • Coeus was the son of Gaia/Terra and Uranus/Ouranos • Phoebe was the parent of Leto, who was the mother of Artemis & Apollo • Hyperion & Theia • Hyperion and Theia were both Greek/Roman titans of the sun • They were the parents of Helios (Sun), Selena (Moon), and Eos (Dawn) • Rhea/Cybele (Ops) • Rhea was the Queen of the heavens • Rhea was the mother of 6 Olympians • Her Roman name was Cybele and/or Ops

Greek gods and their Roman Counterparts