Greek/Roman Names in Mythology with Characteristics

Greek
Roman
Duties and Responsibilities
Identifying Characteristics
Adonis Spirit of spring; beloved of Aphrodite

 

Aphrodite Venus Goddess of love and beauty; son, Cupid Chariot drawn by doves or swans
Apollo,
Phoebus
Apollo,
Phoebus
God of music, poetry healing; sun-god Driving sun chariot; flute lyre
Ares Mars  God of war Full armor, long floating plume
Artemis Diana Sister of Apollo; goddess of the chase and of moon Huntress with bow quiver, and arrow; chariot drawn by stags with golden horns
Athena, Pallas Minerva Goddess of wisdom, protectress of household art Helmet on head, staff and breastplate from which hung the Gorgon’s head
Atlas

 

Titan condemned to uphold the world on his shoulders for fighting against Zeus

 

Cerberus

 

Guarded the gates of Hades Three heads and tail of a dragon.
Charon

 

Ferry on the Styx

 

Daedalus

 

Artificer and Architect; designed the labyrinth into which he was cast but escaped by means of artificial wings.

 

Demeter Ceres Goddess of the harvest Garland of corn ears; in hands a scepter or cornucopia.
Dionysus Bacchus God of wine Chariot draw by leopards; his head crowned with leaves in hand a staff entwined with ivy
Echo

 

Nymph who pined away for the love of Narcissus until only her voice remained.

 

Epimethus

 

Brother of Prometheus and husband of Pandora

 

 

Eros Cupid Son of Venus, god of love Bow and arrow
Gorgons

 

 

Daughters of a sea deity; snake locks, brazen claws, bodies covered with scales which no weapon could pierce; faces so terrible that beholder was turned to stone; Medusa alone was mortal

 

 

Hades or Pluto Dis God of the underworld and king of shadows

 

Hephaestus Vulcan God of fire and smith of the gods Key to underworld in one hand and magic staff in other
Hera Juno Wife of Zeus, goddess of marriage

 

Heracles Hercules Earthly son of Zeus

 

Hermes Mercury or quicksilver Messenger of the gods; guardian of travelers

 

Icarus

 

 

Son of Daedalus; his artificial wings melted when he flew too near the sun and he drowned in the sea; henceforth called the Icarian Sea

 

Olympus

 

Mountain in Thessaly, home of the gods

 

Orpheus

 

Son of Apollo, poetical singer and musician; attempted to rescue his wife, Eurdice from Hades

 

Pan Faunus God of things in nature Bearded man with ears and hoofs, a goat; in his hands, a shepherd’s flute or crook.
Persephone Proserpina

Daughter of Ceres and queen of the underworld
Called the Chief Physician

 

Perseus

 

Son of Jupiter and Danae; cut out head  of Medusa

 

Poseidon Neptune God of the sea Trident, dolphin, hordes
Prometheus   Son of Trident and brother of Epimethus

 

Zeus Jupiter or Jove King of the gods and men Eagle, thunderbolt and oak

 

Dr. Robert Sweetland's Notes ©