GODS OF GREECE

APOLLO
Apollo was the son of Leto and Zeus. He was born on the island of Delos. He
and his twin sister Artemis, also an Olympian, shared an aptitude for
archery.The nine Muses were companions of his; they were goddesses
known for inspiring art and music.

ARES
He was the son of Zeus and Hera, both of whom hated him (according to
Homer). Eros (more commonly known as Cupid) was the child of Ares and
Aphrodite.Ares was most notably referred to as the God of War; he
represented the unpleasant aspects of battle.
 DIONYSUS
Dionysus was primarily known as the God of the Vine. Upon reaching
adulthood, Dionysus wandered the Earth, teaching men the culture of the
vine.Dionysus was the last god to enter Olympus.

HADES
He was also called the God of Wealth or “the rich one” because he possessed
the precious metals of the earth. Hades had a cap or helmet that made its
wearer invisible.His wife was Persephone, Demeter’s only daughter, whom he
kidnapped and made his queen.

HEPHAESTUS
Hephaestus was the only ugly god among perfectly beautiful immortals. He
was the workman of the immortals: he made their dwellings, furnishings, and
weapons.Hephaestus was known as the God of Fire.
 GODDESSES OF GREECE

APHRODITE
Aphrodite was the goddess of fertility, love, and beauty. During the Trojan
War, Aphrodite fought on the side of Paris.Aphrodite and her son Eros (Cupid)
teamed up to cause Zeus to fall in love with a human named Europa.

HERA
Hera was Queen of the Olympian gods. In the story of the Quest of the
Golden Fleece, Hera was a gracious protector of the heroes.Hera had few, if
any, redeeming qualities. She never forgot an injury.
 DEMETER
Demeter was the daughter of Cronos and Rhea. She was the goddess of
harvest and fertility.Only women attended the Thesmophoria, a fertility festival
held in honor of Demeter.

ATHENA
Athena was the Goddess of War, the female counterpart of Ares. She is one
of three virgin goddesses; the other two were Hestia and Artemis.Athena
served as a guardian of Athens, where the Parthenon served as her temple.

HESTIA
Although Hestia appeared in a few stories, she was not overly significant in
Greek mythology. She was a sibling to Demeter, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, and
Zeus.Hestia is completely omitted from the works of Homer, author of the Iliad
and the Odyssey.
 GODDESSES OF ROME
Juno, Queen of Goddesses

The Roman equivalent of Hera, the Greek queen of goddesses, Juno is

considered as counsellor and protector of the state. The daughter of Saturn,
Juno is both the sister and the wife of the king of gods, Jupiter. She is the
mother of the god of war and god of fire, Mars. Also the goddess of marriage
and childbirth, Juno connects the ideas of vitality, energy and eternal
youthfulness. As the patron goddess of the Roman Empire, she was named
“regina” or queen and was a member of the Capitolina Triad in Rome, along
with Jupiter and Minerva. Wearing a diadem on her head, Juno is a majestic
figure and she is often pictured dressed in a goatskin cloak sitting with a
peacock, which is her main symbol.

Her traditional appearance gives her a warlike aspect. Also known as Juno
Moneta, she is seen as guiding the finances of the Roman Empire.
Furthermore, the month of June is named after her. Her theology is one of the
most complex and this is the reason why she has many significant and
diverse epithets, names, and titles, each having a different meaning. Some of
these are Juno Lucina, Juno Caprotina, Juno Curitis, Juno Sospita, and
Lucina.
 Minerva, Goddess of Wisdom

Minerva is the goddess of wisdom, commerce, poetry, handicrafts, and even

strategic warfare. Due to her artistic powers, Minerva was part of Ovid’s
Metamorphoses. From the second century BC, Minerva has been seen as the
equivalent of the Greek goddess Athena. After impregnating Metis, Jupiter
recollected the prophecy of his child overthrowing him. Due to the fear of his
unborn child eventually surpassing him in power, he swallowed Metis, and
before Minerva was born she is said to have caused Jupiter a constant
headache from within. To get rid of the pain, Vulcan split Jupiter’s head open
with a hammer and from it emerged Minerva as an adult bearing full armor
and weaponry.
Minerva was also known as Minerva Medica meaning goddess of medicine
and physicians. The coinage of many different emperors had her figure on the
reverse side. She is often depicted holding an owl and a spear.
 Flora, Goddess of Flowers and Spring

Representing the beauty of flowers and nature, Flora’s association with spring
made her an important Roman goddess. Not only is she connected with the
season of rejuvenation but also with budding youth. Chloris is her Greek
counterpart. Flora’s name is derived from the Latin word flos meaning flower.
The Romans used to celebrate the renewal of the cycle of life, flowers, and
drinking with the festival of Floralia which took place on April 28 and May 3
and was first started in 240 BC. May 23 was the date of another festival in her
name, the Rose Festival. Flora also became a prominent figure among
Renaissance humanists, but she is said not to have enjoyed having such a
powerful image.

Vesta, Virgin Goddess of Family, Home, and

Hearth

Just like Hestia in the Greek pantheon, Vesta was rarely depicted in human
form, instead being represented by the fire of her temples. Only the
priestesses, known as Vestas, were allowed into her temples and myth has it
that her followers could be miraculously impregnated. She was the daughter
of Saturn and Ops, and sister of Jupiter, Neptune, Juno, Pluto, and Ceres. Her
worship first began in Lavinium, which was also the first Trojan settlement.

As well as being known for her purity and virginity, she was also the mother
who granted fertility. Despite her purity, she is often contradictorily associated
with the phallus. Ovid said that she is the same as the earth, as they both
have perennial fire in common.

Venus, Goddess of Love, Desire, Sex, and

Prosperity

Venus, one of the central deities of Rome, is the mother of Cupid and Aneas.
The Romans adopted the mythology and iconography of her Greek
equivalent, Aphrodite. Embodying sex, charm, and allure, Venus has been
described as the most original creation in the Roman pantheon. She is said to
have absorbed the male essence which results in the union of the opposite
sexes and mutual affection. Her counterparts are Vulcan and Mars. She is
seen as a watery symbol who maintains the balance of life.

Venus is of the utmost importance in Roman mythology, and her followers

celebrated many festivals throughout the year. Veneralia was celebrated on
April 1 and was dedicated to both Venus (seen as Venus Verticordia, the
changer of hearts) and Fortuna Virilis, the goddess of fortune. Next, Vinalia
Urbana was celebrated on April 23 which was a wine festival dedicated to
both Venus and Jupiter. Last but not least was Vinalia Rustica on August 19.
This was originally a rustic Latin harvest festival celebrating wine, food, and
fertility
 GODS AND
GODDESSES OF
GREECE & ROME

Submitted by:
Tristan Leigh B. Avila