Greek Name

Roman Name

Role in Mythology

Aphrodite

Venus

Goddess of beauty and sexual desire (Roman mythology: Goddess of gardens and fields)

Apollo

Apollo

God of prophecy, medicine, and archery (late Greek/Roman mythology: God of sun)

Ares

Mars

God of war

Artemis

Diana

Goddess of hunt ( late Greek/Roman mythology: Goddess of moon)

Asclepius

Aesculapius

God of medicine

Athena

Minerva

Goddess of arts and crafts, and war; Helper of heroes (late Greek/Roman mythology: Goddess of wisdom)

Cronus

Saturn

God of the sky; Ruler of the Titans (Roman mythology: God of agriculture)

Demeter

Ceres

Goddess of grain

Dionysus

Bacchus

God of wine and vegetation

Eros

Cupid

God of love

Gaea

Terra

Mother Earth

Hephaestus

Vulcan

God of fire; Blacksmith of the gods

Hera

Juno

Goddess of marriage and childbirth; Protector of married women; Queen of the gods

Hermes

Mercury

Messenger of the gods; Protector of travelers, thieves, and merchants

Hestia

Vesta

Guardian of the home

Hypnos

Somnus

God of sleep

Hades

Pluto

God of the underworld; Lord of the dead

Poseidon

Neptune

God of the sea and earthquakes

Rhea

Ops

Wife of Cronus/Saturn; Mother Goddess

Uranus

Uranus

God of the sky; Father of the Titans

Zeus

Jupiter

Ruler of the Gods

Gods and Goddesses

The gods and goddesses with bold Greek names were the most important gods. They were known as the 'Twelve Olympians'.

The Ancient Greeks believed in many gods and goddesses who watched over them and controlled the world. The gods had many human characteristics- they were sometimes angry, or sad, or happy. But they were also immortal and all powerful and had to be honored and respected. The most important gods were the 12 Olympians.

The Greeks built beautiful, elaborate temples for the gods, where sacrifices and offerings were made. Wealthy people took animals to the temple to be sacrificed to the gods. Poor people couldn't afford to take live animals so they took pastry ones instead.

The Greeks also had altars in their homes. Sometimes, worshipers poured a whole jar of wine over the altar. More often, they drank most of the wine themselves and left only a tiny drop for the gods.

The 12 Olympians were believed to live in great luxury on Mount Olympus. At 8,750 feet high, it is the highest Mountain in Greece. It is visible from far down in the south, and from the sea.