Classics: Mythology

In Greek mythology, an immortalized hero (Roman Hercules); son of Zeus and Alcmene; and famed for his strength. While serving Eurystheus, king of Argos, he performed 12 labours, including the cleansing of the Augean stables.

(Achilleus, 'child of sorrow'). In Greek mythology, the son of a mortal, Peleus, and the sea-nymph Thetis. He was thus a hero: immortal and mortal striving to coexist in the same mind and body.

In Greek mythology, the most beautiful of women; daughter of Leda and Zeus , and sister of Castor and Pollux and Clytemnestra.

In Greek mythology, a hero of Attica , who was believed to have united the states of the area under a constitutional government in Athens.

(Bellerophontes, 'killer of Bellerus'). In Greek mythology, the son of Glaucus and grandson of Sisyphus. He was originally called Hipponous, but took the name Bellerophon after he lost his temper with his brother Bellerus one day and murdered him.

In Greek legend, son of Laius, king of Thebes, and his wife, Jocasta. When Oedipus was grown, he learned from the Delphic oracle that he would kill his father and marry his mother.

In Greek mythology, the chief of the Olympian gods (Roman Jupiter). He was the son of Kronos , whom he overthrew; his brothers included Pluto and Poseidon, his sisters Demeter, Hestia, and Hera.

In Greek religion and mythology, god of the sea, protector of all waters. After the fall of the Titans, Poseidon was allotted the sea.

The name Hades rightfully refers to the god and not the place; its incorrect attribution to the latter arises from the elliptical Greek employment of the genitive case (Haidou) to mean ‘house of Hades’. He was a son of Cronos and Rhea, and consequently brother of Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia, and Demeter, whose daughter was Persephone, his consort and Queen of the Dead.

In Greek mythology, the goddess of women and marriage (Roman Juno); sister and consort of Zeus; and mother of Hephaestus, god of fire and metalcraft, the war god Ares, and Hebe, the original cupbearer to the gods.

In Greek mythology, the goddess of agriculture, especially corn (Roman Ceres); daughter of the Titans Kronos and Rhea; and mother of Persephone by Zeus.

In Greek and Roman mythology, the god of sun, music, poetry, prophecy, agriculture, and pastoral life, and leader of the Muses. He was the twin child (with Artemis) of Zeus and Leto.

In Greek mythology, the goddess of chastity, all young creatures, the Moon, and the hunt (Roman Diana). She was the daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo.

In Greek mythology, the god of fire and metalcraft (Roman Vulcan); the lame son of Zeus and Hera; and in Homer's Odyssey, husband of Aphrodite, goddess of love.

In Greek mythology, the goddess of war, wisdom, and the arts and crafts (Roman Minerva). She was reputed to have sprung fully-armed and grown from the head of Zeus, after he had swallowed her mother Metis, the Titaness of wisdom.

In Greek mythology, the god of wine, mystic ecstasy, and orgiastic excess; son of princess Semele and Zeus. In his original savage form he was attended by satyrs, lustful, drunken creatures; and maenads, women considered capable of tearing animals to pieces with their bare hands when under his influence.

In Greek mythology, the messenger of the gods; son of Zeus and Maia, one of the Pleiades. Homer's Odyssey presented the god as the conductor of the dead (shades) to Hades, in which capacity he became associated with the underworld and dreams.

Goddess of fertility, love, and beauty (Roman Venus). Homer designated her the child of Zeus and Dione.