The ancient Greeks and Romans were polytheistic, which means that they believed in many gods, each with different attributes and personalities, and collectively referred to as the Greek and Roman pantheon. The human-like Classical gods and goddess were frequently depicted in ancient art, and temples were built in their honor.
What is the Classical pantheon?
The ancient Greeks and Romans were polytheistic, which means that they believed in many gods, each with different attributes and personalities, and collectively referred to as the Greek and Roman pantheon. The human-like Classical gods and goddess were frequently depicted in ancient art, and temples were built in their honor.
| Greek Name |
Roman Name |
Description |
| Zeus |
Jupiter |
Ruler of the gods; often depicted holding a lightning bolt; reigns from Mount Olympus |
| Hera |
Juno |
Wife of Zeus and goddess of marriage; often jealous as Zeus had many affairs |
| Aphrodite |
Venus |
Goddess of beauty, love, and sex; mother of Cupid; known for frequent love affairs with gods and mortals |
| Apollo |
Apollo |
Son of Zeus and twin brother to Artemis; god of the sun, music, archery, prophecy, and poetry |
| Athena |
Minerva |
Patron goddess of Athens; goddess of wisdom, weaving, and art |
| Demeter |
Ceres |
Goddess of fertility and harvest; her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped by Hades and taken to the underworld |
| Hades |
Pluto |
God of the underworld |
| Ares |
Mars |
God of war |
| Hermes |
Mercury |
Messenger god; often depicted with a winged helmet |
| Artemis |
Diana |
Virgin goddess of the hunt and wilderness |
| Poseidon |
Neptune |
God of the sea; depicted carrying a trident |
| Persephone |
Prosperina |
Wife of Hades; goddess of spring and flowers |
| Eros |
Cupid |
God of love; son of Aphrodite |
| Kronos |
Saturn |
King of the Titans; God of Time |
| Dionysus |
Bacchus |
God of wine and festivals |
