Greco-Roman Gods Flashcards
Learn to recognize the entire family tree of ancient Greek gods, muses, and nymphs, and understand their influence and their relationships. (110 cards)
1
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Kronos
A
god of time
- Roman name: Saturn
- leader of the Titans
- son of Gaia and Ouranos (Uranus)
- overthrew Ouranos and prophesied to be overthrown by his own son, Zeus
2
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Zeus
A
god of sky/thunder
- Roman name: Jupiter
- ruler of all Olympian gods
- married to Hera
- brother of Hades, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia, and Demeter
3
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Poseidon
A
god of the sea and
earthquakes
- Roman name: Neptune
- married to Amphitrite
- brother of Zeus, Hades, Hera, et al.
4
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Hades
A
god of the underworld
- Roman name: Pluto
- brother of Zeus and Poseidon
- married to Persephone
- wields the helm of darkness, which grants invisibility
5
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Hera
A
goddess of women and marriage
- Roman name: Juno
- Zeus’ wife, mother of the gods
- jealous and bitter towards Zeus’ other lovers
- despised Heracles (Hercules)
6
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Athena
A
goddess of wisdom,
peace, and strategy
- Roman name: Minerva
- wise daughter of Zeus
- has an owl, helmet, shield, lance
- born out of Zeus’ forehead
7
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Apollo
A
god of light, sun, archery
- widely worshipped son of Zeus
- holds a bow and arrow
- had many male and female lovers
8
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Artemis
A
goddess of hunting and virginity
- Roman name: Diana
- twin sister of Apollo; also had a bow and arrow
- took a vow of chastity
- known for hunting with hounds, stags, a chariot, and nymphs
9
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Aphrodite
A
goddess of love and
beauty
- Roman name: Venus
- born of Kronos’ severed genitals, rose from the sea foam
- married to Hephaestus; had affairs with Ares, Adonis, Hermes
10
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Hermes
A
god of messaging and
travel
- Roman name: Mercury
- messenger of the gods
- wore a winged cap and winged sandals
11
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Ares
A
god of war
- Roman name: Mars
- violent god, wore a shield and helmet
- son of Zeus and Hera
12
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Dionysus
A
god of wine
- Roman name: Bacchus
- son of Zeus and Semele
- effeminite god
- born of Persephone, killed by Hera, reborn through Semele
13
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Helios
A
sun god
- Roman name: Sol
- brother of goddesses Selene (the moon) and Eos (the dawn)
- rode in a chariot across the sky
- all-seeing god
14
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Hephaestus
A
god of blacksmithing
- Roman name: Vulcan
- blacksmith of the gods, wields a hammer, anvil, and tongs
- very ugly
- married to Aphrodite despite his ugliness
- forged Helios’ chariot and Hermes’ sandals and cap
15
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Hestia
A
goddess of hearth,
home, family
- Roman name: Vesta
- one of the three great goddesses along with Demeter and Hera
- daughter of Rhea and Kronos
16
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Eros
A
god of lust, beauty,
and love
- Roman name: Cupid
- son of Aphrodite and Ares
- embodiment of erotic love
- winged
17
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Persephone
A
goddess of spring and fertility
- Roman name: Persipina
- Queen of the Underworld
- daughter of Demeter and Zeus
- abducted by Hades to be his queen; later tricked into being forced to go to the underworld for four months every year
18
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Pan
A
god of shepherds, flocks, and rustic music
- Roman name: Faunus
- name comes from the ancient Greek word “pasture”
- has the legs and horns of a goat
- son of Zeus and a nymph
- associated with theatrical criticism
19
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Nike
A
goddess of victory
- Roman name: Victoria
- daughter of Pallas and Styx
- wears wings to show that victory is fleeting
20
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Gaia
A
mother goddess of the earth
- Roman name: Terra Mater
- personification of the earth
- birthed many of the Titans, including Kronos and Rhea
21
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Rhea
A
mother of the gods
- Roman name: Cybele
- wife of Kronos and mother of Demeter, Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia
- portrayed seated in a throne with a lion at her feet
22
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Demeter
A
goddess of grain, fertility, and pureness
- Roman name: Ceres
- preserver of marriage and law
- nourisher of crops
- mother to Persephone
23
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Ouranos (Uranus)
A
god of the sky
- Roman name: Caelus
- husband of Gaia, father of the Titans
- his son, Kronos, overthrew him
24
Q
Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
Cyclopes
A
three giants – Arges, Brontes, and Steropes – each with one eye in his forehead
- singular form is cyclops
- primordial sons of Ouranos and Gaia
- forged symbols such as Poseidon’s trident, Zeus’ thunderbolts, and Hades’ helm of darkness
25
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Selene**
**goddess of the moon**
* Roman name: Luna
* daughter of Hyperion and Theia
* traveled across the sky at night after Helios was done with his journey during the day
* had 50 daughters
26
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Oceanus**
**god of the oceans**
* one of the original Titans
* held powers over the seas until he was replaced by Poseidon
27
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Tethys**
**goddess of the sea**
* Roman name: Salacia
* wife and sister of Oceanus
* birthed thousands of nymphs
28
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Hyperion**
**god of light**
* one of the Titans, Kronos's strongest warrior
* his children include Helios, Selene, and Eos
29
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Eos**
**goddess of dawn**
* Roman name: Aurora
* daughter of Hyperion and sister of Helios and Selene
* responsible for opening the gates of heaven for Helios
* one of Zeus's many lovers
30
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Atlas**
**Titan who holds the heavens above the earth for eternity**
## Footnote
watcher of the sky and moon
31
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Chaos**
**god of existence**
* original state of existence that gave life to all gods
* Gaia was created from his dark void, which led to the birth of the Titans
32
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Charon**
**minor god of the underworld**
* ferryman who would transfer dead souls along the river Styx
* demanded a coin for his services; those who could not pay would wander the shore of the river forever
33
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Tyche**
**goddess of fortune and chance**
* Roman name: Fortuna
* the blind mistress of fortune
* daughter of Hermes and Aphrodite
34
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Hymen**
**god of marriage ceremonies**
* expected to attend every wedding
* weddings not attended by Hymen ended in disaster
35
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Nyx**
**goddess of night**
* Roman name: Nox
* daughter of Chaos
* mother of Charon
36
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Prometheus**
**Titan who created the first man from clay**
* son of Iapetus and Themis, brother of Atlas
* punished by Zeus for stealing his fire and giving it to the mortals
37
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Tartarus**
**god of the lower underworld (also called Tartarus)**
## Footnote
imprisoned the cyclopes as well as some of the defeated Titans
38
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Triton**
**messenger of the sea**
* trumpeter of the sea
* son of Poseidon and Amphitrite
* a merman, he had the lower body of a fish
* blew into a conch shell, to either raise or calm the tides
39
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Amphitrite**
**goddess of the sea**
* Roman name: Salacia
* wife of Poseidon, daughter of Oceanus and Tethys
* had an affinity for dolphins
* was oftentimes angry at cheating husband Poseidon
40
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Urania**
**muse of astronomy and astrology**
* daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
* holds a globe
* prophesies events based on the stars
41
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Heracles**
**Greek hero of strength and masculinity**
* Roman name: Hercules
* demigod, son of Zeus and Alcmene (a mortal)
* hated by Zeus' wife, Hera
* completed 12 labors
* defeated the Hydra and captured several monsters
42
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Calliope**
**muse of epic poetry**
* daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
* most assertive and wisest of the muses
* seen holding a writing tablet
43
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Clio**
**muse of history**
* daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
* frequently shown with scrolls or tablets
44
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Erato**
**muse of lyric poetry**
* daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
* often shown with a lyre and a wreath of roses
45
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Euterpe**
**muse of music**
## Footnote
daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
46
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Melpomene**
**muse of tragedy**
* daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
* often shown holding a traditional tragic mask
47
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Polyhymnia**
**muse of choral poetry**
## Footnote
daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
48
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Terpsichore**
**muse of dance**
* daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
* often shown holding a lyre
49
# Describe the following figure from Greco-Roman mythology:
**Thalia**
**muse of comedy**
* daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
* often shown holding a comic mask
50
# Describe the following place in the context of Greek mythology:
**Underworld**
**realm beneath the earth filled with dead souls**
* includes Tartarus, five rivers, and Cerberus, a three-headed hound
* Hades' domain
51
What were the Primordial Deities?
**original gods from which all other gods and entities descend**
* e.g. Chaos, Ouranos, Nyx, Gaia, Eros
* they include the *protogenoi*, the First Born, who descended from Chaos
* they are often associated with basic concepts, such as love, or with the underworld or the mystery of fertility
52
Who were the Titans?
**powerful deities who ascended during the mythical Golden Age**
* e.g. Oceanus, Tethys, Hyperion, Theia, Phoebe, Rhea, Eos, Helios, Atlas, Prometheus
* ruled by Kronos and Rhea
* Kronos was overthrown by his son, Zeus, which led to the rule of the more well-known Olympians
* fought the Olympians, the younger generation of gods, but were defeated and imprisoned in the depths of the earth (Tartarus)
53
Who were the Olympians?
**the Greeks' main deities, who comprise the main gods cast in Homer's epics and later Greek plays**
* e.g. Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Ares, Hermes, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Hestia
* lived atop Mt. Olympus
* twelve of them, though conflicting lists emerge from different historical sources
54
Who were the Chthonic Deities?
**gods of the underworld, death, and the bowels of the earth**
* e.g. Hades, Persephone, Tartarus, Charon
* often appeased by animal sacrifices distinct from the rites of Olympian cults
55
Who were the muses?
**guardian spirits of creative powers and artistic disciplines of Ancient Greece**
* e.g. Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, Urania
* descended from Zeus and Mnemosyne, titaness who was the personification of memory
* have been evoked from the Renaissance up to the present day in the Western canon
56
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of time**
* Roman name: Saturn
* leader of the Titans
* son of Gaia and Ouranos (Uranus)
* overthrew Ouranos and was prophesied to be overthrown by his own son, Zeus
**Kronos**
57
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of sky/thunder**
* Roman name: Jupiter
* ruler of all Olympian gods
* married to Hera
* brother of Hades, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia, and Demeter
**Zeus**
58
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of the sea and earthquakes**
* Roman name: Neptune
* married to Amphitrite
* brother of Zeus, Hades, Hera, et al.
**Poseidon**
59
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of the underworld**
* Roman name: Pluto
* brother of Zeus and Poseidon
* married to Persephone
* wields the helm of darkness which grants invisibility
**Hades**
60
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**goddess of women and marriage**
* Roman name: Juno
* Zeus' wife, mother of the gods
* jealous and bitter towards Zeus' other lovers
* despised Heracles (Hercules)
**Hera**
61
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**goddess of wisdom, peace, and strategy**
* Roman name: Minerva
* wise daughter of Zeus
* has an owl, helmet, shield, lance
* born out of Zeus' forehead
**Athena**
62
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of light, sun, archery**
* widely worshipped son of Zeus
* holds a bow and arrow
* had many male and female lovers
**Apollo**
63
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**goddess of hunting and virginity**
* Roman name: Diana
* twin sister of Apollo, also had a bow and arrow
* took a vow of chastity
* known for hunting with hounds, stags, a chariot, and nymphs
**Artemis**
64
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**goddess of love and beauty**
* Roman name: Venus
* born of Kronos' severed genitals, rose from the sea foam
* married to Hephaestus, had affairs with Ares, Adonis, Hermes
**Aphrodite**
65
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of messaging and traveling**
* Roman name: Mercury
* messenger of the gods
* wore a winged cap and winged sandals
**Hermes**
66
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of war**
* Roman name: Mars
* violent god, wore a shield and helmet
* son of Zeus and Hera
**Ares**
67
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of wine**
* Roman name: Bacchus
* son of Zeus and Semele
* feminine god
* born of Persephone, killed by Hera, reborn through Semele
**Dionysus**
68
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**sun god**
* Roman name: Sol
* brother of goddesses Selene (the moon) and Eos (the dawn)
* rode in a chariot across the sky
* all-seeing god
**Helios**
69
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of blacksmithing**
* Roman name: Vulcan
* blacksmith of the gods, wields a hammer, anvil, and tongs
* very ugly
* married to Aphrodite despite his ugliness
* forged Helios' chariot and Hermes' sandals and cap
**Hephaestus**
70
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**goddess of hearth, home, family**
* Roman name: Vesta
* one of the three great goddesses along with Demeter and Hera
* daughter of Rhea and Kronos
**Hestia**
71
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of lust, beauty, and love**
* Roman name: Cupid
* son of Aphrodite and Ares
* embodiment of erotic love
* winged
**Eros**
72
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**goddess of spring and fertility**
* Roman name: Persipina
* Queen of the Underworld
* daughter of Demeter and Zeus
* abducted by Hades to be his queen, tricked into being forced to go to the underworld for four months every year
**Persephone**
73
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of shepherds, flocks, and rustic music**
* Roman name: Faunuas
* name comes from the ancient Greek word, "pasture"
* had the legs and horns of a goat
* son of Zeus and a nymph
* associated with theatrical criticism
**Pan**
74
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**goddess of victory**
* Roman name: Victoria
* daughter of Pallas and Styx
* wears wings to show that victory is fleeting
**Nike**
75
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**mother goddess of the earth**
* Roman name: Terra Mater
* personification of the earth
* birthed many of the Titans, including Kronos and Rhea
**Gaia**
76
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**mother of the gods**
* Roman name: Cybele
* wife of Kronos and mother of Demeter, Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia
* portrayed seated in a throne with lion at her feet
**Rhea**
77
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**goddess of grain, fertility, and pureness**
* Roman name: Ceres
* preserver of marriage and law
* nourisher of crops
* mother to Persephone
**Demeter**
78
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of the sky**
* Roman name: Caelus
* husband of Gaia, father of the Titans
* his son, Kronos, overthrew him
**Ouranos (Uranus)**
79
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**three giants -- Arges, Brontes, and Steropes -- each with one eye in his forehead**
* singular form is cyclops
* primordial sons of Ouranos and Gaia
* forged symbols such as Poseidon's trident, Zeus' thunderbolts, and Hades' helm of darkness
**Cyclopes**
80
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**goddess of the moon**
* Roman name: Luna
* daughter of Hyperion and Theia
* would travel across the sky at night after Helios was done with his journey during the day
* had 50 daughters
**Selene**
81
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of the oceans**
* one of the original Titans
* held powers over the seas until he was replaced by Poseidon
**Oceanus**
82
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**goddess of the sea**
* Roman name: Salacia
* wife and sister of Oceanus
* birthed thousands of nymphs
**Tethys**
83
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of light**
* one of the Titans, Kronos' strongest warrior
* his children include Helios, Selene, and Eos
**Hyperion**
84
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**goddess of dawn**
* Roman name: Aurora
* daughter of Hyperion and sister of Helios and Selene
* responsible for opening the gates of heaven for Helios to ride his chariot
* one of Zeus' many lovers
**Eos**
85
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**Titan who holds the heavens above the earth for eternity**
## Footnote
watcher of the sky and moon
**Atlas**
86
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of existence**
* original state of existence that gave life to all gods
* Gaia was created from his dark void, which led to the birth of the Titans
**Chaos**
87
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**minor god of the underworld**
* ferryman who would transfer dead souls along the river Styx
* demanded a coin for his services; those who could not pay would wander the shore of the river forever
**Charon**
88
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**goddess of fortune and chance**
* Roman name: Fortuna
* the blind mistress of fortune
* daughter of Hermes and Aphrodite
**Tyche**
89
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
** god of marriage ceremonies**
* expected to attend every wedding
* weddings not attended by this god ended in disaster
**Hymen**
90
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**goddess of night**
* Roman name: Nox
* daughter of Chaos
* mother of Charon
**Nyx**
91
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**Titan who created the first man from clay**
* son of Iapetus and Themis, brother of Atlas
* punished by Zeus for stealing his fire and giving it to the mortals
**Prometheus**
92
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**god of the lower underworld (also called Tartarus)**
## Footnote
used to imprison the cyclopes as well as some of the defeated Titans
**Tartarus**
93
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**messenger of the sea**
* trumpeter of the sea
* son of Poseidon and Amphitrite
* a merman, lower half of body is a fish
* blew into a conch shell to raise or calm the tides
**Triton**
94
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**goddess of the sea**
* Roman name: Salacia
* wife of Poseidon, daughter of Oceanus and Tethys
* had an affinity for dolphins
* was oftentimes angry at cheating husband Poseidon
**Amphitrite**
95
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**muse of astronomy and astrology**
* daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
* holds a globe
* prophesies events based on the stars
**Urania**
96
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**Greek hero of strength and masculinity**
* Roman name: Hercules
* demigod, son of Zeus and Alcmene (a mortal)
* hated by Zeus' wife, Hera
* completed 12 labors
* defeated the Hydra and captured several monsters
**Heracles**
97
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**muse of epic poetry**
* daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
* most assertive and wisest of the muses
* seen holding a writing tablet
**Calliope**
98
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**muse of history**
* daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
* frequently shown with scrolls or tablets
**Clio**
99
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**muse of lyric poetry**
* daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
* often shown with a lyre and a wreath of roses
**Erato**
100
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**muse of music**
## Footnote
daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
**Euterpe**
101
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**muse of tragedy**
* daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
* often shown with a traditional tragic mask
**Melpomene**
102
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**muse of choral poetry**
## Footnote
daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
**Polyhymnia**
103
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**muse of dance**
* daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
* often shown holding a lyre
**Terpsichore**
104
# Which figure from Greek mythology is described below?
**muse of comedy**
* daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne
* often shown holding a comic mask
**Thalia**
105
# Which location from Greek mythology is described below?
**realm beneath the earth filled with dead souls**
* includes Tartarus, five rivers, and Cerberus, a three-headed hound
* Hades' domain
**Underworld**
106
# Which figures from Greek mythology are described below?
**original gods from which all other gods and entities descend**
* e.g. Chaos, Ouranos, Nyx, Gaia, Eros
* they include the *protogenoi*, the First Born, who descended from Chaos
* they are often associated with basic concepts, such as love, or with the underworld or the mystery of fertility
the Primordial Deities
107
# Which figures from Greek mythology are described below?
**powerful deities who ascended during the mythical Golden Age**
* e.g. Oceanus, Tethys, Hyperion, Theia, Phoebe, Rhea, Eos, Helios, Atlas, Prometheus
* ruled by Kronos and Rhea
* Kronos was overthrown by his son, Zeus, which led to the rule of the more well-known Olympians
* fought the Olympians, the younger generation of gods, but were defeated and imprisoned in the depths of the earth (Tartarus)
the Titans
108
# Which figures from Greek mythology are described below?
**the Greeks' main deities, who comprise the main gods cast in Homer's epics and later Greek plays**
* e.g. Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Ares, Hermes, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Hestia
* lived atop Mt. Olympus
* twelve of them, though conflicting lists emerge from different historical sources
the Olympians
109
# Which figures from Greek mythology are described below?
**gods of the underworld, death, and the bowels of the earth**
* e.g. Hades, Persephone, Tartarus, Charon
* often appeased by animal sacrifices distinct from the rites of Olympian cults
the Chthonic Deities
110
# Which figures from Greek mythology are described below?
**guardian spirits of creative powers and artistic disciplines of Ancient Greece**
* e.g. Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, Urania
* descended from Zeus
* have been evoked from the Renaissance up to the present day in the Western canon
the muses
