The Epic of Gilgamesh The newly-civilized 

Enkidu leaves the
wilderness with his consort for the city of Uruk,
The Epic of Gilgamesh” is an epic poem from where he learns to help the local shepherds and
ancient Mesopotamia and among the earliest trappers in their work. One day,
known literary writings in the world. It when Gilgamesh himself comes to a wedding
originated as a series of Sumerian legends and party to sleep with the bride, as is his custom, he
poems in cuneiform script dating back to finds his way blocked by the mighty Enkidu,
the early 3rd or late 2nd millenium BCE, who opposes Gilgamesh‘s ego, his treatment of
which were later gathered into a longer women and the defamation of the sacred bonds
Akkadian poem (the most complete version of marriage. Enkidu and Gilgamesh fight each
existing today, preserved on 12 clay tablets, other and, after a mighty
dates from the 12th to 10th Century BCE). battle, Gilgamesh defeats Enkidu, but breaks off
It follows the story of Gilgamesh, the from the fight and spares his life. He also begins
mythological hero-king of Uruk, and his half- to heed what Enkidu has said, and to learn the
wild friend, Enkidu, as they undertake a series of virtues of mercy and humility, along with
dangerous quests and adventures, and courage and
then Gilgamesh’s search for the secret of nobility. Both Gilgamesh and Enkidu are
immortality after the death of his friend. It also transformed for the better through their new-
includes the story of a great flood very similar to found friendship and have many lessons to learn
the story of Noah in “The Bible” and elsewhere. from each other. In time, they begin to see each
other as brothers and become inseparable.
Synopsis – Gilgamesh Summary
Years later, bored with the peaceful life in Uruk
The story begins with the introduction and wanting to make an everlasting name for
of Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, two-thirds god himself, Gilgamesh proposes to travel to the
and one-third human, blessed by the gods with sacred Cedar Forest to cut some great trees and
strength, courage and beauty, and the strongest kill the guardian, the demon
and greatest king who ever existed. The great Humbaba. Enkidu objects to the plan as the
city of Uruk is also praised for its glory and its Cedar Forest is the sacred realm of the gods and
strong brick walls. not meant for mortals, but neither Enkidu not the
council of elders of Uruk can
However, the people of Uruk are not happy, convince Gilgamesh not to go. Gilgamesh’s
and complain that Gilgamesh is too harsh and mother also complains about the quest, but
abuses his power by sleeping with their women. eventually gives in and asks the sun-god
The goddess of creation, Aruru, creates a mighty Shamash for his support. She also
wild-man named Enkidu, a rival in strength gives Enkidu some advice and adopts him as her
to Gilgamesh. He lives a natural life with the second son.
wild animals, but he soon starts bothering the
shepherds and trappers of the area and jostles the On the way to the Cedar Forest, Gilgamesh has
animals at the watering hole. At the request of a some bad dreams, but each
trapper, Gilgamesh sends a temple prostitute, time Enkidu manages to explain away the
Shamhat, to seduce and tame Enkidu and, after dreams as good omens, and he encourages and
six days and seven nights with the harlot, he urges Gilgamesh on when he becomes afraid
is no longer just a wild beast who lives with again on reaching the forest. Finally, the two
animals. He soon learns the ways of men and is heroes confront Humbaba, the demon-ogre
shunned by the animals he used to live with, and guardian of the sacred trees, and a great battle
the harlot eventually persuades him to come to commences. Gilgamesh offers the monster his
live in the city. Meanwhile, Gilgamesh has some own sisters as wives and concubines in order to
strange dreams, which his mother, Ninsun, distract it into giving away his seven layers of
explains as an indication that a mighty friend armour, and finally, with the help of the winds
will come to him. sent by the sun-god Shamash, Humbaba is
defeated. The monster begs Gilgamesh for his Gilgamesh is determined to avoid Enkidu‘s
life, and Gilgamesh at first pities the creature, fate and decides to make the perilous journey to
despite Enkidu’s practical advice to kill the visit Utnapishtim and his wife, the only humans
beast. Humbaba then curses them both, to have survived the Great Flood and who were
and Gilgamesh finally puts an end to it. The two granted immortality by the gods, in the hope of
heroes cut down a huge cedar tree, discovering the secret of everlasting life. The
and Enkidu uses it to make a massive door for ageless Utnapishtim and his wife now reside in a
the gods, which he floats down the river. beautiful country in another world, Dilmun,
and Gilgamesh travels far to the east in search of
Some time later, the goddess Ishtar (goddess them, crossing great rivers and oceans and
of love and war, and daughter of the sky-god mountain passes, and grappling and slaying
Anu) makes sexual advances to Gilgamesh, but monstrous mountain lions, bears and other
he rejects her, because of her mistreatment of beasts.
her previous lovers. The offended Ishtar insists
that her father send the “Bull of Heaven” to
avenge Gilgamesh’s rejection, threatening to Eventually, he comes to the twin peaks of
raise the dead if he will not comply. The beast Mount Mashu at the end of the earth, from
brings with it a great drought and plague of the where the sun rises from the other world, the
land, but Gilgamesh and Enkidu, this time gate of which is guarded by two terrible
without divine help, slay the beast and offer its scorpion-beings. They allow Gilgamesh to
heart to Shamash, throwing the bull’s proceed when he convinces them of his divinity
hindquarters in the face of the outraged Ishtar. and his desperation, and he travels for twelve
leagues through the dark tunnel where the sun
The city of Uruk celebrates the great victory, travels every night. The world at the end of the
but Enkidu has a bad dream in which the gods tunnel is a bright wonderland, full of trees
decide to punish Enkidu himself for the killing with leaves of jewels.
of the Bull of Heaven and Humbaba. He curses
the door he made for the gods, and he curses the The first person Gilgamesh meets there is the
trapper he met, the harlot he loved and the very wine-maker Siduri, who initially believes he is a
day that he became human. However, he regrets murderer from his dishevelled appearance and
his curses when Shamash speaks from heaven attempts to dissuade him from his quest. But
and points out how unfair Enkidu is being. He eventually she sends him to Urshanabi, the
also points out that Gilgamesh will become but a ferryman who must help him cross the sea to the
shadow of his former self if Enkidu were to die. island where Utnapishtim lives, navigating the
Nevertheless, the curse takes hold and day after Waters of Death, of which the slightest touch
day Enkidu becomes more and more ill. As he means instant death.
dies, he describes his descent into the horrific
dark Underworld (the “House of Dust”), where When he meets Urshanabi, though, he appears
the dead wear feathers like birds and eat clay. to be surrounded by a company of stone-giants,
which Gilgamesh promptly kills, thinking them
Gilgamesh is devasted by Enkidu’s death and to be hostile. He tells the ferryman his story and
offers gifts to the gods, in the hope that he might asks for his help, but Urshanabi explains that he
be allowed to walk beside Enkidu in the has just destroyed the sacred stones which
Underworld. He orders the people of Uruk, from allow the ferry boat to safely cross the Waters of
the lowest farmer to the highest temple priests, Death. The only way they can now cross is
to also mourn Enkidu, and orders statues if Gilgamesh cuts 120 trees and fashions them
of Enkidu to be built. Gilgamesh is so full of into punting poles, so that they can cross the
grief and sorrow over his friend that he refuses waters by using a new pole each time and by
to leave Enkidu‘s side, or allow his corpse to be using his garment as a sail.
buried, until six days and seven nights after his
death when maggots begin to fall from his body.
Finally, they reach the island of Dilmun and, plant that grows at the very bottom of the
when Utnapishtim sees that there is someone ocean that will make him young
else in the boat, he asks Gilgamesh who he again. Gilgamesh obtains the plant by binding
is. Gilgamesh tells him his story and asks for stones to his feet to allow him to walk on the
help, but Utnapishtim reprimands him because bottom of the sea. He plans to use the flower to
he knows that fighting the fate of humans is rejuvenate the old men of the city of Uruk and
futile and ruins the joy in then to use it himself. Unfortunately, he places
life. Gilgamesh demands of Utnapishtim in what the plant on the shore of a lake while he bathes,
way their two situations differ and Utnapishtim and it is stolen by a serpent, which loses its old
tells him the story of how he survived the great skin and is thus reborn. Gilgamesh weeps at
flood. having failed at both opportunities to obtain
immortality, and he disconsolately returns to
Utnapishtim recounts how a great storm and the massive walls of his own city of Uruk.
flood was brought to the world by the god
Enlil, who wanted to destroy all of mankind for In time, Gilgamesh too dies, and the people of
the noise and confusion they brought to the Uruk mourn his passing, knowing that they will
world. But the god Ea forewarned Utnapishtim, never see his like again.
advising him to build a ship in readiness and to
load onto it his treasures, his family and the The twelfth tablet is apparently unconnected
seeds of all living things. The rains came as with previous ones, and tells an alternative
promised and the whole world was covered with legend from earlier in the story, when Enkidu is
water, killing everything except Utnapishtim and still alive. Gilgamesh complains to Enkidu that
his boat. The boat came to rest on the tip of the he has lost some objects given to him by the
mountain of Nisir, where they waited for the goddess Ishtar when they fell in the
waters to subside, releasing first a dove, then a Underworld. Enkidu offers to bring them back
swallow and then a raven to check for dry land. for him, and the
Utnapishtim then made sacrifices and libations delighted Gilgamesh tells Enkidu what he must,
to the gods and, although Enlil was angry that and must not, do in the Underworld in order to
someone had survived his flood, Ea advised him be sure of coming back.
to make his peace. So, Enlil blessed Utnapishtim
and his wife and granted them everlasting life, When Enkidu sets off, however, he promptly
and took them to live in the land of the gods on forgets all this advice, and does everything he
the island of Dilmun. was told not to do, resulting in his being trapped
in the Underworld. Gilgamesh prays to the gods
However, despite his reservations about why to return his friend and, although Enlil and Suen
the gods should give him the same honour as do not even bother to reply, Ea and Shamash
himself, the hero of the flood, Utnapishtim does decide to help. Shamash cracks a hole in the
reluctantly decide to offer Gilgamesh a chance earth and Enkidu jumps out of it (whether as a
for immortality. First, though, he ghost or in reality is
challenges Gilgamesh to stay awake for six not clear). Gilgamesh questions Enkidu about
days and seven nights, but Gilgamesh falls what he has seen in the Underworld.
asleep almost before Utnapishtim finishes
speaking. When he awakes after seven days of  
sleep, Utnapishtim ridicules his failure and
sends him back to Uruk, along with the ferryman
The Epic of Gilgamesh and Ancient
Urshanabi in exile.
Mesopotamia
As they leave, though, Utnapishtim’s wife asks The history and culture behind the world’s
her husband to have mercy on Gilgamesh for his oldest recorded story – Epic of Gilgamesh
long journey, and so he tells Gilgamesh of a Mesopotamia– Geography (circa 4000 BC )
• Mesopotamia means “the land between the 4. Cultural Achievements Sophisticated
rivers.” technology – terraced temples (ziggurats),
wheeled vehicles, sail boats, animaldrawn
• It is located in an agriculturally rich region
plows. Developments in math and science – A
between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (also
precise 12 month calendar, the concept of zero,
known as the “Fertile Crescent” or “cradle of
“Pythagorean theorem” Sumerians (5000-2100
civilizations”.
BC)
• It was located in the region known today as
5. Cultural Achievements (cont.) World’s first
Iraq as well as parts of Iran. Mesopotamia was a
writing system – cuneiform. Formed by reed
wide plain open for invasion Mesopotamia’s
markings on wet clay tablets. The Epic of
Ruling Societies from 5000 BCE – 600 BCE
Gilgamesh, the first work of fiction ever
Sumeria was the first civilization in the region.
recorded, was etched on stone tablets in
Later, the Akkadians, Hittites, Babylonians,
cuneiform.
Assyrians, and Chaldeans take over their cities
and adopt their culture. They all adapt their own History of Epic of Gilgamesh • While there is
version of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Sumerians no evidence that the events in the epic actually
(5000-2100 BC) The Sumerians were the first happened, there was a Gilgamesh who ruled the
group of people known to have dominated this Sumerian dynasty of Uruk in 2,700 BCE • The
region Epic of Gilgamesh, the first work of fiction ever
recorded, was etched on over 40,000 clay tablets
1. Economy Sumerians made their living by
in cuneiform in 2,000 BCE. History of Epic of
growing crops and raising livestock. They were
Gilgamesh The legend itself was adapted by a
also known as successful merchants and traders
number of different cultures following the
throughout the Persian Gulf region. Sumerians
decline of the Sumerian empire. We can still
(5000-2100 BC)
learn much about Sumerian culture and values
2. Government and Society Sumerians lived in through the story of Gilgamesh – the world’s
city-states. These cities were walled (fortified) first epic hero. Akkadians (2100 - 2000 BC)
for protection and surrounded by vast, open Hittites (2000 - 1700 BC) Babylonians (1700-
land. The largest city-states were Ur, Uruk, and 700 BC) Assyrians (700-600 BC) Story of
Lagash. The Sumerians never developed a Gilgamesh The Epic of Gilgamesh is the story of
central, unifying government between the three, King Gilgamesh of Uruk. Gilgamesh is a
leaving them vulnerable to attack. Sumerian ruthless and oppressive leader, and the gods
society developed a three-level class system punish his prideful behavior by killing his best
(nobles, middle class, peasants). Sumerian City friend (Enkidu). Horrified by Enkidu’s death and
States City of Uruk setting for Gilgamesh the prospect of his own demise, Gilgamesh
Sumerians (5000-2100 BC) undertakes a quest for immortality, which brings
him to the home of Utnapishtim, and the only
3. Religious Beliefs - The Sumerians (and later mortal saved from the Great Flood and granted
the Babylonian people) worshipped a pantheon immortality. There he finds the truth about life
of gods and goddesses, meaning they were and death. Importance of Gilgamesh
polytheistic. - Regardless of one’s actions in life,
they did not believe in life after death. They 1. Earliest known literary work.
believed that after one dies there is only
2. Contains an account of the Great Flood and
emptiness. Anu – father of gods and god of the
the story of a virtuous man named Utnapishtim
sky (similar to Zeus) Enlil – god of the air Utu –
who survived
sun god; lord of truth and justice Sumerians
(5000-2100 BC)
 3. Expresses values of ancient civilization – Written by the sage Valmiki, the Ramayana is
such as the belief in divine retribution for the story of Lord Rama and how his divine plan
transgressions such as violence, pride, the unfolds. Rama who was born in a royal family
oppression of others, and the destruction of the was supposed to be the king, but because of his
natural world. Importance of Gilgamesh step- mother, he was forced to exile from his
kingdom for fourteen years. During this period
4. Gilgamesh serves as an early model of the his wife Sita was kidnapped by a demon called
archetypal hero. Ravana. Rama with the help of his brother,
Lakshman, and an army of monkeys under the
5. Studied by Joseph Campbell as a primary leadership of Hanuman, rescued Sita. The
example of the monomyth (or hero’s journey Ramayana is also about devotion, loyalty, family
story). roles and respect for elders. It does not begin
with the life of Rama, but actually with the
6. Large number of parallels to The Odyssey and people on earth who suffered from the demon
other Greek epics named Ravana.
Archetypal Traits of the Hero/Heroine Summary
1. Unique birth – the hero’s literal birth or Dasharatha is the King of Ayodhya and
familial origin is uncommon has three wives and four sons, Rama,
Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughana. Rama is
2. Origin is mysterious – the nature of how the the ideal and perfect son, and grows up with his
hero became a hero is shrouded in mystery. brothers. When he comes of age, he marries Sita,
the princess of a nearby kingdom. However,
3. Extraordinary powers – these do not have to Bharata's mother is Kaikeyi, who resents Rama
be super powers. These are any ability that being the crown prince. She calls up a debt that
makes them extraordinary. Dasharatha owes her and asks for Rama to be
exiled for fourteen years and her son Bharata be
4. Tragic flaw or weakness – every hero has
made crown prince instead.
limitations or something that makes them
vulnerable. This may be a physical object, a The devastated Dasharatha has no
principle, or a disposition. Archetypal Traits of choice and Rama prepares to leave for exile. Sita
the Hero/Heroine and Lakshmana will not leave his side however
and follow him into the forest. While in the
5. Rite of passage – every hero goes through forest, Surphanaka, a female rakshasi
tests and training to prove themselves. (demoness) becomes enamored of Rama and is
wounded by Lakshmana while trying to kill Sita.
6. Has a nemesis – every hero has a main She flees to her brother Khara and asks him to
enemy. This villain is often a darker reflection of avenge her. However, Khara and his army are
the hero. defeated by Rama and Lakshmana, and only one
member of their entire army survives. This lone
7. Achieves his/her destiny – the archetypal
soldier flees to the island kingdom of Lanka and
hero always finds success in the long run. In begs Surphanaka's brother, the mighty king
essence, the hero always wins in the end. 8. Ravana to avenge them. Ravana has heard of
Stands for good – the hero is a morally and Sita's beauty and he decides to abduct her. Using
principally good character. S/he never embodies trickery and magic, he manages to lure Rama
evil qualities beyond momentary weakness. and Lakshmana away from Sita and kidnaps her,
taking her away to Lanka.
Rama and Lakshmana travel far and
Ramayana wide searching for Sita but to no avail. Finally,
About the Epic they come upon a band of vanaras or monkey-
men who pledge to help him. One of the might war, inform him that Odysseus is alive and
warriors of the vanaras, Hanuman, becomes trapped on Calypso’s island. Telemachus makes
Rama's staunch devotee. The vanaras seek out plans to return home, while, back in Ithaca,
traces of Sita and find she has been taken to Antinous and the other suitors prepare an
Lanka. Hanuman flies to Lanka and confirms ambush to kill him when he reaches port.
she is imprisoned there. He contacts Sita and
informs her of Rama's whereabouts, promising On Mount Olympus, Zeus sends Hermes to
that they will be back to rescue her. Before rescue Odysseus from Calypso. Hermes
returning to the mainland, Hanuman sets fire to persuades Calypso to let Odysseus build a ship
the whole city of Lanka. and leave. The homesick hero sets sail, but when
Rama, Lakshmana and the vanar army Poseidon, god of the sea, finds him sailing
build a causeway from the tip of India to Lanka. home, he sends a storm to wreck Odysseus’s
They travel to Lanka, where an epic battle ship. Poseidon has harbored a bitter grudge
follows between the armies. Ravana is finally against Odysseus since the hero blinded his son,
killed by Rama, and Sita is freed. They return to the Cyclops Polyphemus, earlier in his travels.
Ayodhya, where Bharata returns the crown to Athena intervenes to save Odysseus from
Rama. Poseidon’s wrath, and the beleaguered king
lands at Scheria, home of the Phaeacians.
Nausicaa, the Phaeacian princess, shows him to
the royal palace, and Odysseus receives a warm
ODYSSEY welcome from the king and queen. When he
Ten years have passed since the fall of Troy, and identifies himself as Odysseus, his hosts, who
the Greek hero Odysseus still has not returned to have heard of his exploits at Troy, are stunned.
his kingdom in Ithaca. A large and rowdy mob They promise to give him safe passage to Ithaca,
of suitors who have overrun Odysseus’s palace but first they beg to hear the story of his
and pillaged his land continue to court his wife, adventures.
Penelope. She has remained faithful to
Odysseus. Prince Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, Odysseus spends the night describing the
wants desperately to throw them out but does fantastic chain of events leading up to his arrival
not have the confidence or experience to fight on Calypso’s island. He recounts his trip to the
them. One of the suitors, Antinous, plans to Land of the Lotus Eaters, his battle with
assassinate the young prince, eliminating the Polyphemus the Cyclops, his love affair with the
only opposition to their dominion over the witch-goddess Circe, his temptation by the
palace. deadly Sirens, his journey into Hades to consult
the prophet Tiresias, and his fight with the sea
Unknown to the suitors, Odysseus is still alive. monster Scylla. When he finishes his story, the
The beautiful nymph Calypso, possessed by love Phaeacians return Odysseus to Ithaca, where he
for him, has imprisoned him on her island, seeks out the hut of his faithful swineherd,
Ogygia. He longs to return to his wife and son, Eumaeus. Though Athena has disguised
but he has no ship or crew to help him escape. Odysseus as a beggar, Eumaeus warmly receives
While the gods and goddesses of Mount and nourishes him in the hut. He soon
Olympus debate Odysseus’s future, Athena, encounters Telemachus, who has returned from
Odysseus’s strongest supporter among the gods, Pylos and Sparta despite the suitors’ ambush,
resolves to help Telemachus. Disguised as a and reveals to him his true identity. Odysseus
friend of the prince’s grandfather, Laertes, she and Telemachus devise a plan to massacre the
convinces the prince to call a meeting of the suitors and regain control of Ithaca.
assembly at which he reproaches the suitors.
Athena also prepares him for a great journey to When Odysseus arrives at the palace the next
Pylos and Sparta, where the kings Nestor and day, still disguised as a beggar, he endures abuse
Menelaus, Odysseus’s companions during the
and insults from the suitors. The only person poseidon (Roman name: Neptune)
who recognizes him is his old nurse, Eurycleia,
but she swears not to disclose his secret. Poseidon was god of the sea. He was the most
Penelope takes an interest in this strange beggar, powerful god except for his brother, Zeus. He
suspecting that he might be her long-lost lived in a beautiful palace under the sea and
husband. Quite crafty herself, Penelope caused earthquakes when he was in a temper.
organizes an archery contest the following day His symbols include the horse and the trident (a
and promises to marry any man who can string three-pronged pitchfork).
Odysseus’s great bow and fire an arrow through See also: The Brothers of Zeus: Poseidon and
a row of twelve axes—a feat that only Odysseus Hades.
has ever been able to accomplish. At the contest,
each suitor tries to string the bow and fails. Hades (Roman name: Pluto)
Odysseus steps up to the bow and, with little
effort, fires an arrow through all twelve axes. He Hades was king of the dead. He lived in the
then turns the bow on the suitors. He and underworld, the heavily guarded land where he
Telemachus, assisted by a few faithful servants, ruled over the dead. He was the brother of Zeus
kill every last suitor. and the husband of Persephone, Demeter's
daughter, whom he kidnapped.
Odysseus reveals himself to the entire palace See also: The Brothers of Zeus: Poseidon and
and reunites with his loving Penelope. He travels Hades.
to the outskirts of Ithaca to see his aging father,
Laertes. They come under attack from the Aphrodite (Roman name: Venus)
vengeful family members of the dead suitors,
but Laertes, reinvigorated by his son’s return, Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty,
successfully kills Antinous’s father and puts a and the protector of sailors. She may have been
stop to the attack. Zeus dispatches Athena to the daughter of Zeus and the Titan Dione, or she
restore peace. With his power secure and his may have risen from the sea on a shell. Her
family reunited, Odysseus’s long ordeal comes symbols include the myrtle tree and the dove.
to an end. See also: Aphrodite.

Zeus (Roman name: Jupiter) Apollo

The most powerful of all, Zeus was god of the Apollo was the god of music and healing. He
sky and the king of Olympus. His temper was also an archer, and hunted with a silver
affected the weather, and he threw thunderbolts bow. Apollo was the son of Zeus and the
when he was unhappy. He was married to Hera Titan Leto, and the twin of Artemis. His
but had many other lovers. His symbols include symbols include the laurel tree, the crow, and
the oak and the thunderbolt. the dolphin.
See also: The Reign of Thunder and Lightning: See also: Night of the Hunters: Artemis and
Olympus Under Zeus. Apollo.

Hera (Roman name: Juno) Ares (Roman name: Mars)

Hera was goddess of marriage and the queen of Ares was the god of war. He was both cruel and
Olympus. She was Zeus's wife and sister; many a coward. Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera,
myths tell of how she sought revenge when Zeus but neither of his parents liked him. His symbols
betrayed her with his lovers. Her symbols include the vulture and the dog, and he often
include the peacock and the cow. carried a bloody spear.
See also: A Heavenly Marriage? Hera and Zeus. See also: Hephaestus and Ares.
Artemis (Roman name: Diana) See also: Home and Harvest: The Sisters of
Hera.
Artemis was the goddess of the hunt and the
protector of women in childbirth. She hunted
Hermes (Roman name: Mercury)
with silver arrows and loved all wild animals.
Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and Hermes was the messenger god, a trickster, and
the twin of Apollo. Her symbols include the a friend to thieves. He was said to have invented
cypress tree and the deer. boxing and gymnastics. He was the son of Zeus
and the constellation Maia. The speediest of all,
See also: Night of the Hunters: Artemis and
he wore winged sandals and a winged hat and
Apollo.
carried a magic wand.
Athena (Roman name: Minerva) See also: The Little Rascal: Hermes.
Athena was the goddess of wisdom. She was
…also sometimes included:
also skilled in the art of war, and helped heroes
such as Odysseus and Hercules. Athena sprang
Demeter (Roman name: Ceres)
full-grown from the forehead of Zeus, and
became his favorite child. Her symbols include Demeter was the goddess of the harvest. The
the owl and the olive tree. word “cereal” comes from her Roman name. She
was the sister of Zeus. Her daughter,
Hephaestus (Roman name: Vulcan) Persephone, was forced to live with Hades each
winter; at this time Demeter let no crops grow.
Hephaestus was the god of fire and the forge (a
Her symbols include wheat.
furnace in which metal is heated). Although he
made armor and weapons for the gods, he loved See also: Home and Harvest: The Sisters of
peace. He was the son of Zeus and Hera and Hera.
married Aphrodite. His symbols include the
anvil and the forge. Dionysus (Roman name: Bacchus)
See also: Hephaestus and Ares. Dionysus was the god of wine, which he
invented. In ancient Greece Dionysus was
Hestia (Roman name: Vesta) honored with springtime festivals that centered
on theater. Dionysus was the son of Zeus and
Hestia was the goddess of the hearth (a fireplace
Semele, a mortal. His symbols include ivy, the
at the center of the home). She was the most
snake, and grapes.
gentle of the gods, and does not play a role in
many myths. Hestia was the sister of Zeus and See also: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: Dionysus.
the oldest of the Olympians. Fire is among her
symbols.
Greek and Roman Mythology Names
Greek Name Roman Name Description

Zeus Jupiter King of Gods

Hera Juno Goddess of Marriage

Poseidon Neptune God of the Sea

Cronos Saturn Youngest son of Uranus, Father of Zeus

Aphrodite Venus Goddess of Love

Hades Pluto God of the Underworld

Hephaistos Vulcan God of the Forge

Demeter Ceres Goddess of the Harvest

Apollo Apollo God of Music and Medicine

Athena Minerva Goddess of Wisdom

Artemis Diana Goddess of the Hunt

Ares Mars God of War

Hermes Mercury Messenger of the Gods

Dionysus Bacchus God of Wine

Persephone Proserpine Goddess of Underworld

Eros Cupid God of Love

Gaia Gaea Goddess of Earth