Tuesday, April 15, 2014

egyptian


Amun

Anubis

Aten

Atum

Bastet

Bes

Geb

Hapy

Hathor

Horus

Isis

Khepri

Khnum

Ma'at

Nephthys

Nun

Nut

Osiris

Ptah

Ra

Ra-Horakhty

Sekhmet

Seshat

Seth

Shu

Sobek

Tawaret

Tefnut

Thoth

Norse

A List of The Norse Gods

  • Aegir – Norse God of the sea. Married to Ran and lives under the waves near the island of Hlesey.
  • Aesir – A group of warrior gods led by Odin who inhabit Asgard.
  • Balder – Son of Odin and Frigg. Known as a gentle and wise god. Killed accidentally by his brother Hod. Will return after Ragnarok.
  • Bolverk – The alias Odin adopted when disguised as a giant to win the mead of poetry.
  • Bor – Son of Buri and father of Odin, Vili and Ve.
  • Bragi – The Norse God of poetry and eloquence. Son of Odin and husband of Idun.
  • Buri – Ancestor of the Norse gods. Created by the cow Audmula licking him from ice.
  • Day – Son of Night and Delling. Said to ride around the earth on his horse Skinfaxi.
  • Earth – Daughter of Night and Annar.
  • Einherjar – Band of dead warriors in Valhalla who await Ragnarok.
  • Eir – Goddess of healing
  • Fjorgyn – Lover of Odin and mother of Thor. Also referred to as Earth.
  • Forseti – God of Justice. Son of Balder and Nanna.
  • Freyja – Main goddess of the Vanir (fertility gods). Daughter of Njord and sister of Freyr.
  • Freyr – Important god of the Vanir. Son of Njord and brother of Freyja.
  • Frigga – Main goddess. Wife of Odin and mother of Balder.
  • Fulla – Goddess servant of Frigga.
  • Gangnrad – Pseudonym of Odin when he visits Vafthrudnir.
  • Gefion – Fertility goddess. Associated with the plow. Tricked the king of Sweden out of a tract of his land.
  • Grimnir – Pseudonym of Odin when he visits his foster son Geirrod, King of the Goths.
  • Gullveig – A Vanir goddess (probably Freyja) who is burned three times by the Aesir.
  • Harbard – Odin disguised as a ferryman when he wrangles with Thor.
  • Heimdall – Watchman of the Norse gods and owner of the horn Gjall. Son of nine mothers. Often identified with Rig, the creator of three races of men.
  • Hel – ruler of Helheim, the realm of the dead
  • Hermod – Son of Odin. Rode to Hel to try and rescue his brother Balder.
  • Hod – Son of Odin. A blind god who accidentally killed his brother Balder. he will return after Ragnarok.
  • Honir – A long-legged, indecisive god. Sent to the Vanir to seal the truce between them and the Aesir. He will survive Ragnarok.
  • Idun – Guardian of the golden apples of youth and wife of Bragi.
  • Kvasir – the wisest. Created from the spittle of the gods.
  • Lofn – Goddess of ilicit unions.
  • Loki – The sly, trickster of the Norse gods. Son of two giants. Also known as the Sly One, the Trickster, the Shape Changer and the Sky Traveller. Becomes increasingly more evil. He is responsible for the death of Balder. Bound until Ragnarok.
  • Magni – Son of Thor and the giantess Jarnsaxa. Will inherit Thor’s hammer Mjollnir with his brother Modi after Ragnarok.
  • Mimir – Wise Aesir god. Sent to the Vanir to seal the truce between the two groups of the Norse gods. Killed by the Vanir, his head is kept by Odin.
  • Modgud – Maiden guardian of the bridge over the river Gjoll in Jotenheim.
  • Modi – Son of Thor and the giantess Jarnsaxa. Will inherit Thor’s hammer Mjollnir with his brother Magni after Ragnarok.
  • Moon – Son of Mundilfari. Guides the moon on it’s course.
  • Nanna – Wife of Balder and daughter of Nep.
  • Narvi – Also known as Nari. Son of Loki and Sigyn who was killed by his brother Vali.
  • Night – Daughter of Narvi and mother of Day. Rides around the earth on her horse Hrimfaxi.
  • Njord – A Vanir god associated with wind and sea. Husband of Skadi and father of Freyja and Freyr.
  • Norns – Urd “fate”, Skuld “being” and Verandi “necessity”. Three goddesses of destiny.
  • Od – Missing husband of Freyja who she constantly mourns for.
  • Odin – King of the Norse Gods, God of poetry, battle and death. Chief god of the Aesir. Also known as the “all-father”, the “terrible one”, “one-eyed” and “father of battle”.
  • Ran – Wife of Aegir who dragged drowning men down with her net.
  • Rig – Pseudonym of Heimdall and the creator of three races of men.
  • Rind – Goddess and lover of Odin. Mother of Vali.
  • Saga – Goddess and drinking companion of Odin.
  • Sif – Wife of Thor whose golden hair was cut off by Loki.
  • Sigyn – Wife of Loki.
  • Sjofn – Goddess of human passion.
  • Skadi – Goddess of Winter and of the Hunt
  • Sun – Daughter of Mundilfari and guide of the sun.
  • Syn – Goddess of the accused at trial.
  • Thor – God of Sky, thunder and fertility. Associated with law and order in Asgard and guardian of the Norse gods. Son of Odin and Earth and husband of Sif. Also known as the “thunder god” and “charioteer”.
  • Thrud – Daughter of Thor. Promised to the dwarf Alvis.
  • Tyr – War god. Son of Odin who sacrificed his hand in the binding of Fenrir.
  • Ull – God of archery and skiing.
  • Vali – Son of Odin and the giantess Rind. Conceived to avenge the death of Balder.
  • Valkyries – Beautiful women who carried dying warriors to Valhalla.
  • Vanir – Fertility gods.
  • Var – Goddess of marriage oaths.
  • Ve – Son of Bor and brother of Odin and Vili.
  • Vidar – Son of Odin and the giantess Grid who will avenge Odin’s death after Ragnarok.
  • Vili – Son of Bor and brother of Odin and Ve.
  • Vor – Goddess who knows all.

Mythological Realms of The Norse Gods

  • Alfheim – The land of the light elves in Asgard
  • Algron – Island where Odin (Harbard) stayed for five years
  • Asgard – Land of the Aesir
  • Bilskirnir – Thor’s hall in Asgard
  • Bifrost - The flaming rainbow bridge between Asgard and Midgard
  • Breidablik – Balder’s hall in Asgard
  • Elivagar – The eleven rivers that flow from the spring of Hvergelmir in Niflheim.
  • Eljudnir – Hel’s hall in Nifleheim
  • Fensalir – Frigg’s hall in Asgard
  • Folkvang – Site of Freyja’s hall in Asgard
  • Franang’s Falls – Waterfall in Midgard where Loki, disguised as a salmon, was caught by the gods.
  • Gimli – Hall of the gods after Ragnarok
  • Ginnungagap – The void between Muspell and Nifleheim before the creation.
  • Gladsheim – Sanctuary of the Norse gods on the plain of Ida.
  • Glitnir – Silver and gold hall of Forseti, son of Balder, in Asgard.
  • Gnipahellir – Cave in front of Niflheim where the hound Garm is chained up.
  • Helheim – The realm of the dead in Niflheim, ruled over by the monster Hel.
  • Himinbjorg – Heimdall’s hall in Asgard
  • Hlesey – Island near the undersea hall of Aegir and Ran.
  • Hlidskjalf – Odin’s high thrown in Valaskjalf.
  • Hnitbjorg – Stronghold of the giant Suttung.
  • Hvergelmir – Spring in Niflheim under the root of Yggdrasill.
  • Idavoll – The central plain of Asgard. Contains the halls of Gladsheim and Vingolf.
  • Iving – River dividing Asgard from Jotunheim
  • Jotunheim – Land of the giants
  • Lyfjaberg – Mountain beside Menglad’s hall in Jotunheim.
  • Lyngvi – Island on lake Armsvartnir where Fenrir is bound.
  • Lyr – Menglad’s hall in Jotunheim
  • Midgard – The realm of mankind.
  • Mimir’s Well – Well of wisdom under the root of Yggdrasill in Asgard which is guarded by the head of Mimir.
  • Muspell – Southern land of fire guarded by the giant Surt.
  • Nastrond – Site of the hall of evil-does in Hel. The dragon Nidhogg gnaws at corpses here.
  • Niflheim – Land of freezing mist and darkness and home of Hel.
  • Okolnir – Land of warmth created after Ragnarok. Site of the hall of Brimnir.
  • Sessrumnir – Freyja’s hall in Asgard.
  • Sindri – Red gold roofed hall which will appear after Ragnarok.
  • Sokkvabekk – Saga’s hall in Asgard
  • Svartalfheim – Realm of the dark elves.
  • Thrudheim – Thor’s realm in Asgard and site of his hall Bilskirnir.
  • Thrymheim – Stronghold of the giant Thiazi which was passed on to his daughter Skadi.
  • Utgard – Realm in Jotunheim ruled by Utgard-Loki.
  • Valaskjalf – Odin’s hall in Asgard.
  • Valhalla – Hall presided over by Odin where the Einherjar await Ragnarok.
  • Vanaheim – Land of the Vanir in Asgard.
  • Vigrid – Plain in Asgard where the final battle will occur.
  • Vingolf – Hall of the goddesses in Asgard.
  • Ydalir – Ull’s hall in Asgard.
  • Yggdrasill – The world tree (Hodmimir’s wood)

The Norse Myths

  1. The Creation
  2. The War of the Aesir and Vanir
  3. The Building of Asgard’s Wall
  4. Lord of the Gallows
  5. The Song of Rig
  6. The Mead of Poetry
  7. Loki’s Children and the Binding of Fenrir
  8. The Theft of Idun’s Apples
  9. The Marriage of Njord and Skadi
  10. The Treasures of the Gods
  11. Skirnir’s Journey
  12. The Lay of Grimnir
  13. The Necklace of the Brisings
  14. The Lay of Thrym
  15. The Lay of Vafthrudnir
  16. Thor’s Journey to Utgard
  17. The Lay of Hymir
  18. Hyndla’s Poem
  19. Thor’s Duel with Hrungnir
  20. Odin and Billing’s Daughter
  21. Gylfi and Gefion
  22. The Lay of Harbard
  23. The Ballad of Svidpag
  24. Thor and Geirrod
  25. The Lay of Loddfafnir
  26. Otter’s Ransom
  27. The Lay of Alvis
  28. Balder’s Dreams
  29. The Death of Balder
  30. Loki’s Flyting
  31. The Binding of Loki
  32. Ragnarok

The greek pantheon

Immortals[edit]

The Greeks created images of their deities for many purposes. A temple would house the statue of a god or goddess, or multiple deities, and might be decorated with relief scenes depicting myths. Divine images were common on coins. Drinking cups and other vessels were painted with scenes from Greek myths.

Olympians[edit]

DeityDescription
NAMA Aphrodite Syracuse.jpgAphrodite (Ἀφροδίτη, Aphroditē) Goddess of love, beauty, desire, and pleasure. Although married to Hephaestus she had many lovers, most notably Ares, Adonis, and Anchises. She was depicted as a beautiful woman and of all the goddesses most likely to appear nude or seminude. Poets praise the radiance of her smile and her laughter. Her symbols include roses and other flowers, the scallop shell, and myrtle wreath. Her sacred animals are doves and sparrows. Her Roman counterpart was Venus.
Apollo, lira, dan angsa.jpgApollo (Ἀπόλλων, Apóllōn) God of the sun, music, arts, knowledge, healing, plague, prophecy, poetry, manly beauty and archery. He is the son of Zeus and Leto, and the twin brother of Artemis. As brother and sister, they were identified with the sun and moon; both use a bow and arrow. In the earliest myths, Apollo contends with his half-brother Hermes. In sculpture, Apollo was depicted as a very handsome, beardless young man with long hair and an ideal physique. As the embodiment of perfectionism, he could be cruel and destructive, and his love affairs were rarely happy. His attributes include the laurel wreath and lyre. He often appears in the company of the Muses. Animals sacred to Apollo include roe deer, swans, cicadas, hawks, ravens, crows, foxes, mice, and snakes.
Ares Canope Villa Adriana b.jpgAres (Ἄρης, Árēs) God of war, bloodshed, and violence. The son of Zeus and Hera, he was depicted as a beardless youth, either nude with a helmet and spear or sword, or as an armed warrior. Homer portrays him as moody and unreliable, and he generally represents the chaos of war in contrast to Athena, a goddess of military strategy and skill. Ares' sacred animals are the vulture, venomous snakes, dogs, and boars. His Roman counterpart Mars by contrast was regarded as the dignified ancestor of the Roman people.
Diane de Versailles Leochares.jpgArtemis (Ἄρτεμις, Ártemis) Virgin goddess of the hunt, wilderness, animals, young girls, childbirth and plague. In later times she became associated with the moon. She is the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and twin sister of Apollo. In art she was often depicted as a young woman dressed in a short knee-length chiton and equipped with a hunting bow and a quiver of arrows. Her attributes include hunting spears, animal pelts, deer and other wild animals. Her sacred animals are deer, bears, and wild boars. Diana was her Roman counterpart.
7348 - Piraeus Arch. Museum, Athens - Athena - Photo by Giovanni Dall'Orto, Nov 14 2009.jpgAthena (Ἀθηνᾶ, Athēnâ) Goddess of intelligence and skill, warfare, battle strategy, handicrafts, and wisdom. According to most traditions, she was born from Zeus's head fully formed and armored. She was depicted crowned with a crested helm, armed with shield and a spear, and wearing the aegis over a long dress. Poets describe her as "grey-eyed" or having especially bright, keen eyes. She was a special patron of heroes such as Odysseus. She was also the patron of the city Athens (which was named after her) Her symbol is the olive tree. She is commonly shown accompanied by her sacred animal, the owl. The Romans identified her with Minerva.
Eleusinian hydria Antikensammlung Berlin 1984.46 n2.jpgDemeter (Δημήτηρ, Dēmētēr) Goddess of grain, agriculture and the harvest, growth and nourishment. Demeter is a daughter of Cronus and Rhea and sister of Zeus, by whom she bore Persephone. She was one of the main deities of the Eleusinian Mysteries, in which her power over the life cycle of plants symbolized the passage of the human soul through its life course and into the afterlife. She was depicted as a mature woman, often crowned and holding sheafs of wheat and a torch. Her symbols are the cornucopia, wheat-ears, the winged serpent, and the lotus staff. Her sacred animals are pigs and snakes. Ceres was her Roman counterpart.
Dionysos Louvre Ma87 n2.jpgDionysus (Διόνυσος, Diónysos) God of wine, parties and festivals, madness, chaos, drunkenness, drugs, and ecstasy. He was depicted in art as either an older bearded god or a pretty effeminate, long-haired youth. His attributes include the thyrsus (a pinecone-tipped staff), drinking cup, grape vine, and a crown of ivy. He is often in the company of his thiasos, a posse of attendants including satyrs, maenads, and his old tutor Silenus. The consort of Dionysus was Ariadne. Animals sacred to him include dolphins, serpents, tigers, and donkeys. A later addition to the Olympians, in some accounts he replaced Hestia. Bacchus was another name for him in Greek, and came into common usage among the Romans.
Hades-et-Cerberus-III.jpgHades (ᾍδης, Hádēs) or Pluto (Πλούτων, Ploutōn) King of the underworld and the dead, and god of the earth's hidden wealth, both agricultural produce and precious metals. His consort is Persephone. His attributes are the drinking horn or cornucopia, key, sceptre, and the three-headed dog Cerberus. The screech owl was sacred to him. He was one of three sons of Cronus and Rhea, and thus sovereign over one of the three realms of the universe, the underworld. As a chthonic god, however, his place among the Olympians is ambiguous. In the mystery religions and Athenian literature, Pluto (Plouton, "the Rich") was his preferred name, with Hades more common for the underworld as a place. The Romans translated Plouton as Dis Pater ("the Rich Father") or Pluto.
Vulcan Coustou Louvre MR1814.jpgHephaestus (Ἥφαιστος, Hḗphaistos) Crippled god of fire, metalworking, and crafts. Either the son of Zeus and Hera or Hera alone, he is the smith of the gods and the husband of the adulterous Aphrodite. He was usually depicted as a bearded man with hammer, tongs and anvil—the tools of a smith—and sometimes riding a donkey. His sacred animals are the donkey, the guard dog and the crane. Among his creations was the armor of Achilles. Hephaestus used the fire of the forge as a creative force, but his Roman counterpart Vulcan was feared for his destructive potential and associated with the volcanic power of the earth.
Hera Campana Louvre Ma2283.jpgHera (Ἥρα, Hḗra) Queen of the gods and goddess of marriage, women, childbirth, heirs, kings, and empires. She is the wife of Zeus and daughter of Cronus and Rhea. She was usually depicted as a regal woman in the prime of her life, wearing a diadem and veil and holding a lotus-tipped staff. Although she was the goddess of marriage, Zeus's many infidelities drive her to jealousy and vengefulness. Her sacred animals are the heifer, the peacock, and the cuckoo. In Rome she was known as Juno.
Hermes Ingenui Pio-Clementino Inv544.jpgHermes (Ἑρμῆς, Hērmēs) God of boundaries, travel, communication, trade, thievery, trickery, language, writing, diplomacy, athletics, and animal husbandry. The son of Zeus and Maia, Hermes is the messenger of the gods, and a psychopomp who leads the souls of the dead into the afterlife. He was depicted either as a handsome and athletic beardless youth, or as an older bearded man. His attributes include the herald's wand or caduceus, winged sandals, and a traveler's cap. His sacred animals are the tortoise, the ram, and the hawk. The Roman Mercury was more closely identified with trade and commerce.
Hestia - Wellesley College - DSC09634.JPGHestia (Ἑστία, Hestía) Virgin goddess of the hearth, home and chastity. She is a daughter of Rhea and Cronus and sister of Zeus. Not often identifiable in Greek art, she appeared as a modestly veiled woman. Her symbols are the hearth and kettle. In some accounts, she gave up her seat as one of the Twelve Olympians in favor of Dionysus, and she plays little role in Greek myths. Her counterpart Vesta, however, was a major deity of the Roman state.
0035MAN Poseidon.jpgPoseidon (Ποσειδῶν, Poseidōn) God of the sea, rivers, floods, droughts, earthquakes, and the creator of horses; known as the "Earth Shaker". He is a son of Cronus and Rhea and brother to Zeus and Hades. He rules one of the three realms of the universe as king of the sea and the waters. In classical artwork, he was depicted as a mature man of sturdy build with an often luxuriant beard, and holding a trident. The horse and the dolphin are sacred to him. His wedding with Amphitrite is often presented as a triumphal procession. His Roman counterpart was Neptune.
Jupiter Smyrna Louvre Ma13.jpgZeus (Ζεύς, Zeus) King of the gods, the ruler of Mount Olympus and the god of the sky, weather, thunder, lightning, law, order, and justice. He is the youngest son of Cronus and Rhea. He overthrew Cronus and gained the sovereignty of heaven for himself. In artwork, he was depicted as a regal, mature man with a sturdy figure and dark beard. His usual attributes are the royal scepter and the lightning bolt, and his sacred animals are the eagle and the bull. His counterpart Jupiter, also known as Jove, was the supreme deity of the Romans.

Primordial deities[edit]

Ancient Greek nameEnglish nameDescription
Αἰθήρ (Aithḗr)AetherThe god of the upper atmosphere and light.
Ἀνάγκη (Anánkē)AnankeThe goddess of inevitability, compulsion, and necessity.
Χάος (Cháos)ChaosThe nothingness from which all else sprang. Described as a void.
Χρόνος (Chrónos)ChronosThe god of time. Not to be confused with the Titan Cronus, the father of Zeus.
Ἔρεβος (Érebos)Erebos or ErebusThe god of darkness and shadow.
Ἔρως (Eros)ErosThe god of love and attraction.
Γαῖα (Gaîa)Gaia or Gaea or GePersonification of the Earth (Mother Earth); mother of the Titans.
Ἡμέρα (Hēméra)HemeraGoddess of day.
Ὕπνος ("Hypnos")HypnosGod of Sleep.
Nῆσοι (Nē̂soi)The NesoiThe goddesses of the islands and sea.
Νύξ (Nýx)Nyx or NightThe goddess of night.
Οὐρανός (Ouranós)UranusThe god of the heavens (Father Sky); father of the Titans.
Οὔρεα (Oúrea)The OureaThe gods of mountains.
Φάνης (Phánēs)PhanesThe god of procreation in the Orphic tradition.
Πόντος (Póntus)PontusThe god of the sea, father of the fish and other sea creatures.
Τάρταρος (Tártaros)TartarusThe god of the deepest, darkest part of the underworld, the Tartarean pit (which is also referred to as Tartarus itself).
Θάλασσα (Thálassa)ThalassaPersonification of the sea and consort of Pontos.
Θάνατος ("Thánatos")ThanatosGod of Death. Brother to Hypnos (Sleep) and in some cases Moros (Doom)

Titans[edit]

The Titans are depicted in Greek art less commonly than the Olympians.
Greek nameEnglish nameDescription
The Twelve Titans
Ὑπερίων (Hyperíōn)HyperionGod of light. With Theia, he is the father of Helios (the sun), Selene (the moon), and Eos (the dawn).
Ἰαπετός (Iapetós)IapetusGod of mortality and father of Prometheus, Epimetheus, Menoetius, and Atlas.
Κοῖος (Koîos)CoeusGod of intellect and the axis of heaven around which the constellations revolved.
Κρεῖος (Kreîos)CriusThe least individualized of the Twelve Titans, he is the father of Astraeus, Pallas, and Perses.
Κρόνος (Crónos)KronosThe leader of the Titans, who overthrew his father Uranus only to be overthrown in turn by his son, Zeus. Not to be confused with Chronos, the god of time.
Mνημοσύνη (Mnēmosýnē)MnemosyneGoddess of memory and remembrance, and mother of the Nine Muses.
Ὠκεανός (Ōceanós)OceanusGod of the all-encircling river Oceans around the earth, the font of all the Earth's fresh-water.
Φοίβη (Phoíbē)PhoebeGoddess of the "bright" intellect and prophecy, and consort of Koios.
Ῥέα (Rhéa)RheaGoddess of fertility, motherhood and the mountain wilds. She is the sister and consort of Cronus, and mother of Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia.
Τηθύς (Tēthýs)TethysGoddess of fresh water, and the mother of the rivers, springs, streams, fountains, and clouds.
Θεία (Theía)TheiaGoddess of sight and the shining light of the clear blue sky. She is the consort of Hyperion, and mother of Helios, Selene, and Eos.
Θέμις (Thémis)ThemisGoddess of divine law and order.
Other Titans
Ἀστερία (Astería)AsteriaGoddess of nocturnal oracles and falling stars.
Ἀστραῖος (Astraîos)AstraeusGod of dusk, stars, and planets, and the art of astrology.
Ἄτλας (Átlas)AtlasTitan forced to carry the sky upon his shoulders by Zeus. Also Son of Iapetus.
Αὔρα (Aúra)AuraGoddess of the breeze and the fresh, cool air of early morning.
Διώνη (Diṓnē)DioneGoddess of the oracle of Dodona.
Ἠώς (Ēṓs)EosGoddess of the dawn.
Ἐπιμηθεύς (Epimētheús)EpimetheusGod of afterthought and the father of excuses.
Εὐρυβία (Eurybía)EurybiaGoddess of the mastery of the seas and consort of Krios.
Εὐρυνόμη (Eurynómē)EurynomeGoddess of water-meadows and pasturelands, and mother of the three Charites by Zeus.
Ἥλιος (Hḗlios)HeliosGod of the sun and guardian of oaths.
Κλυμένη (Clyménē)Clymene or AsiaGoddess of renown, fame, and infamy, and wife of Iapetos.
Λήλαντος (Lēlantos)LelantosGod of air and the hunter's skill of stalking prey. He is the male counterpart of Leto.
Λητώ (Lētṓ)LetoGoddess of motherhood and mother of the twin Olympians, Artemis and Apollo.
Μενοίτιος (Menoítios)MenoetiusGod of violent anger, rash action, and human mortality. Killed by Zeus.
Μῆτις (Mē̂tis)MetisGoddess of good counsel, advice, planning, cunning, craftiness, and wisdom. Mother of Athena.
Ὀφίων (Ophíōn)OphionAn elder Titan, in some versions of the myth he ruled the Earth with his consort Eurynome before Cronus overthrew him. Another account describes him as a snake, born from the "World Egg"
Πάλλας (Pállas)PallasGod of warcraft. He was killed by Athena during the Titanomachy.
Πέρσης (Pérsēs)PersesGod of destruction.
Προμηθεύς (Promētheús)PrometheusGod of forethought and crafty counsel, and creator of mankind.
Σελήνη (Selḗnē)SeleneGoddess of the moon.
Στύξ (Stýx)StyxGoddess of the Underworld river Styx and personification of hatred.

Gigantes (giants)[edit]

  • The Hekatonkheires (Ἑκατόγχειρες), or Centimanes (Latin), the Hundred-Handed Ones, giant gods of violent storms and hurricanes. Three sons of Uranus and Gaea, each with their own distinct characters.[1]
    • Briareus or Aigaion (Βριάρεως), The Vigorous
    • Cottus (Κόττος), The Furious
    • Gyges (Γύγης), The Big-Limbed
  • Agrius (Ἄγριος), a man-eating Thracian giant who was half-man and half-bear
  • Alcyoneus (Ἀλκυονεύς), the eldest of the Thracian giants, who was slain by Heracles
  • Aloadae (Ἀλῳάδαι), twin giants who attempted to storm heaven, in some accounts, using a hill piled up with stone.
    • Otos or Otis (Ότος)
    • Ephialtes (Εφιάλτης)
  • Antaeus (Ἀνταῖος), a Libyan giant who wrestled all visitors to the death until he was slain by Heracles
  • Argus Panoptes (Ἄργος Πανόπτης), a hundred-eyed giant tasked with guarding over Io
  • Cyclopes (Elder), three one-eyed giants who forged the lightning-bolts of Zeus, Trident of Poseidon and Helmet of Hades
    • Arges (Ἄργης)
    • Brontes (Βρόντης)
    • Steropes (Στερόπης)
  • Cyclopes (Younger), a tribe of one-eyed, man-eating giants who herded flocks of sheep on the island of Sicily
    • Polyphemus (Πολύφημος), a cyclops who briefly captured Odysseus and his men, only to be overcome and blinded by the hero
  • Enceladus (Ἐγκέλαδος), one of the Thracian giants who made war on the gods
  • The Gegenees (Γηγενέες), a tribe of six-armed giants fought by the Argonauts on Bear Mountain in Mysia
  • Geryon (Γηρυών), a three-bodied, four-winged giant who dwelt on the red island of Erytheia
  • The Laestrygonians (Λαιστρυγόνες), a tribe of man-eating giants encountered by Odysseus on his travels
  • Orion (Ὠρίων), a giant huntsman whom Zeus placed among the stars as the constellation of Orion
  • Porphyrion (Πορφυρίων), the king of the Thracian Gigantes who was struck down by Heracles and Zeus with arrows and lightning-bolts after he attempted to rape Hera
  • Talos (Τάλως), a giant forged from bronze by Hephaestus, and given by Zeus to his lover Europa as her personal protector
  • Tityos (Τίτυος), a giant slain by Apollo and Artemis when he attempted to violate their mother Leto.
  • Typhon (Τυφῶν), a monstrous immortal storm-giant who attempted to launch an attack on Mt. Olympus but was defeated by the Olympians and imprisoned in the pits of Tartarus

Personified concepts[edit]

  • Achlys (Ἀχλύς), spirit of the death-mist, personification of sadness and misery
  • Adephagia (Ἀδηφαγία), spirit of satiety and gluttony
  • Adikia (Ἀδικία), spirit of injustice and wrongdoing
  • Aergia (Ἀεργία), spirit of idleness, laziness, indolence and sloth
  • Agon (Ἀγών), spirit of contest, who possessed an altar at Olympia, site of the Olympic Games.
  • Aidos (Αἰδώς), spirit of modesty, reverence and respect
  • Aisa (Αἴσα), personification of lot and fate
  • Alala (Ἀλαλά), spirit of the war cry
  • Alastor (Ἀλάστωρ), spirit of blood feuds and vengeance
  • Aletheia (Ἀλήθεια), spirit of truth, truthfulness and sincerity
  • The Algea (Ἄλγεα), spirits of pain and suffering
    • Achos (Ἄχος) "trouble, distress"
    • Ania (Ἀνία) "ache, anguish"
    • Lupe (Λύπη) "pain, grief, sadness"
  • Alke (Ἀλκή), spirit of prowess and courage
  • Amechania (Ἀμηχανία), spirit of helplessness and want of means
  • The Amphilogiai (Ἀμφιλογίαι), spirits of disputes, debate, and contention
  • Anaideia (Ἀναίδεια), spirit of ruthlessness, shamelessness, and unforgivingness
  • The Androktasiai (Ἀνδροκτασίαι), spirits of battlefield slaughter
  • Angelia (Ἀγγελία), spirit of messages, tidings and proclamations
  • Apate (Ἀπάτη), spirit of deceit, guile, fraud and deception
  • Apheleia (Ἀφέλεια), spirit of simplicity
  • Aporia (Ἀπορία), spirit of difficulty, perplexity, powerlessness, and want of means
  • The Arae (Ἀραί), spirits of curses
  • Arete (Ἀρετή), spirit of virtue, excellence, goodness, and valour
  • Atë (Ἄτη), spirit of delusion, infatuation, blind folly, recklessness, and ruin
  • Bia (Βία), spirit of force, power, bodily strength, and compulsion
  • Caerus (Καιρός), spirit of opportunity
  • Corus (Κόρος), spirit of surfeit
  • Deimos (Δεῖμος), spirit of fear, dread, and terror
  • Dikaiosyne (Δικαιοσύνη), spirit of justice and righteousness
  • Dike (Δίκη), spirit of justice, fair judgement, and the rights established by custom and law
  • Dolos (Δόλος), spirit of trickery, cunning deception, craftiness, treachery, and guile
  • Dysnomia (Δυσνομία), spirit of lawlessness and poor civil constitution
  • Dyssebeia (Δυσσέβεια), spirit of impiety
  • Eirene (Εἰρήνη), goddess of peace
  • Ekecheiria (Ἐκεχειρία), spirit of truce, armistice, and the cessation of all hostilities; honoured at the Olympic Games
  • Eleos (Ἔλεος), spirit of mercy, pity, and compassion
  • Elpis (Ἐλπίς), spirit of hope and expectation
  • Epiphron (Ἐπίφρων), spirit of prudence, shrewdness, thoughtfulness, carefulness, and sagacity
  • Eris (Ἔρις), spirit of strife, discord, contention, and rivalry
Eros
  • The Erotes (ἔρωτες)
    • Anteros (Ἀντέρως), god of requited love
    • Eros (Ἔρως), god of love and sexual intercourse
    • Hedylogos (Ἡδύλογος), god of sweet talk and flattery
    • Himeros (Ἵμερος), god of sexual desire
    • Pothos (Πόθος), god of sexual longing, yearning, and desire
  • Eucleia (Εὔκλεια), spirit of good repute and glory
  • Eulabeia (Εὐλάβεια), spirit of discretion, caution, and circumspection
  • Eunomia (Εὐνομία), goddess of good order and lawful conduct
  • Eupheme (Εὐφήμη), spirit of words of good omen, acclamation, praise, applause, and shouts of triumph
  • Eupraxia (Eὐπραξία), spirit of well-being
  • Eusebeia (Eὐσέβεια), spirit of piety, loyalty, duty, and filial respect
  • Euthenia (Εὐθενία), spirit of prosperity, abundance, and plenty
  • Gelos (Γέλως), spirit of laughter
  • Geras (Γῆρας), spirit of old age
  • Harmonia (Ἁρμονία), goddess of harmony and concord
  • Hebe (Ήβη), goddess of youth
  • Hedone (Ἡδονή), spirit of pleasure, enjoyment, and delight
  • Heimarmene (Εἵμαρμένη), personification of share destined by fate
  • Homados (Ὅμαδος), spirit of the din of battle
  • Homonoia (Ὁμόνοια), spirit of concord, unanimity, and oneness of mind
  • Horkos (Ὅρκος), spirit of oaths
  • Horme (Ὁρμή), spirit of impulse or effort (to do a thing), eagerness, setting oneself in motion, and starting an action
  • Hybris (Ὕβρις), spirit of outrageous behaviour
  • Hypnos (Ὕπνος), god of sleep
Hermes watches Hypnos and Thanatos carry the dead Sarpedon from the battlefield at Troy (Euphronios krater)
  • The Hysminai (Ὑσμῖναι), spirits of fighting and combat
  • Ioke (Ἰωκή), spirit of pursuit in battle
  • Kakia (Kακία), spirit of vice and moral badness
  • Kalokagathia (Καλοκαγαθία), spirit of nobility
  • The Keres (Κῆρες), spirit of violent or cruel death
  • Koalemos (Κοάλεμος), spirit of stupidity and foolishness
  • Kratos (Κράτος), spirit of strength, might, power, and sovereign rule
  • Kydoimos (Κυδοιμός), spirit of the din of battle, confusion, uproar, and hubbub
  • Lethe (Λήθη), spirit of forgetfulness and oblivion, and of the river of the same name
  • Limos (Λιμός), spirit of hunger and starvation
  • The Litae (Λιταί), spirits of prayer
  • Lyssa (Λύσσα), spirit of rage, fury and rabies in animals
  • The Machai (Μάχαι), spirits of fighting and combat
  • Mania (Μανία), spirit or spirits of madness, insanity, and frenzy
  • The Moirai, or "Fates" (Μοίραι)
    • Clotho (Κλωθώ), the spinner of the life thread
    • Lachesis (Λάχεσις), the measurer of the life thread
    • Atropos (Άτροπος), the severer of the life thread
  • Momus (Μῶμος), spirit of mockery, blame, censure and stinging criticism
  • Moros (Μόρος), spirit of doom
  • The Neikea (τὰ Νείκη), spirits of quarrels, feuds and grievances
  • Nemesis (Νέμεσις), goddess of revenge, balance, righteous indignation, and retribution
  • Nike (Νίκη), goddess of victory
  • Nomos (Νόμος), spirit of law
  • Oizys (Ὀϊζύς), spirit of woe and misery
  • The Oneiroi (Ὄνειροι), spirits of dreams
    • Epiales (Ἐπιάλης), spirit of nightmares
    • Morpheus (Μορφεύς), god of dreams, who takes shape of humans
    • Phantasos (Φάντασος) spirit of dreams of fantasy, who takes shape of inanimate objects
    • Phobetor (Φοβήτωρ) or Icelos (Ἴκελος), spirit of nightmares, who takes shape of animals
  • Palioxis (Παλίωξις), spirit of backrush, flight and retreat from battle
  • Peitharchia (Πειθαρχία), spirit of obedience
  • Peitho (Πειθώ), spirit of persuasion and seduction
  • Penia (Πενία), spirit of poverty and need
  • Penthus (Πένθος), spirit of grief, mourning, and lamentation
  • Pepromene (Πεπρωμένη), personification of the destined share, similar to Heimarmene
  • Pheme (Φήμη), spirit of rumour, report, and gossip
  • Philophrosyne (Φιλοφροσύνη), spirit of friendliness, kindness, and welcome
  • Philotes (Φιλότης), spirit of friendship, affection, and sexual intercourse
  • Phobos (Φόβος), spirit of panic fear, flight, and battlefield rout
  • The Phonoi (Φόνοι), spirits of murder, killing, and slaughter
  • Phrike (Φρίκη), spirit of horror and trembling fear
  • Phthonus (Φθόνος), spirit of envy and jealousy
  • Pistis (Πίστις), spirit of trust, honesty, and good faith
  • Poine (Ποίνη), spirit of retribution, vengeance, recompense, punishment, and penalty for the crime of murder and manslaughter
  • Polemos (Πόλεμος), personification of war
  • Ponos (Πόνος), spirit of hard labour and toil
  • Poros (Πόρος), spirit of expediency, the means of accomplishing or providing, contrivance and device
  • Praxidike (Πραξιδίκη), spirit of exacting justice
  • Proioxis (Προίωξις), spirit of onrush and battlefield pursuit
  • Prophasis (Πρόφασις), spirit of excuses and pleas
  • The Pseudologoi, spirits of lies
  • Ptocheia (Πτωχεία), spirit of beggary
  • Soter (Σωτήρ), male spirit of safety, preservation, and deliverance from harm
  • Soteria (Σωτηρία), female personification of safety, preservation, and deliverance from harm
  • Sophrosyne (Σωφροσύνη), spirit of moderation, self-control, temperance, restraint, and discretion
  • Techne (Τέχνη), personification of art and skill
  • Thanatos (Θάνατος), spirit of death and mortality
  • Thrasos (Θράσος), spirit of boldness
  • Tyche (Τύχη), goddess of fortune, chance, providence, and fate
  • Zelos ( Ζῆλος), spirit of eager rivalry, emulation, envy, jealousy, and zeal

Chthonic deities[edit]

  • Amphiaraus (Ἀμφιάραος), a hero of the war of the Seven Against Thebe who became an oracular spirit of the Underworld after his death
  • Angelos (Ἄγγελος), a daughter of Zeus and Hera who became an underworld goddess
  • Askalaphos (Ἀσκάλαφος), the son of Acheron and Orphne who tended the Underworld orchards before being transformed into a screech owl by Demeter
  • Cerberus (Κέρβερος), the three-headed hound who guarded the gates of Hades
  • Charon (Χάρων), ferryman of Hades
  • Empusa (Ἔμπουσα), a monstrous underworld spirit or spirits with flaming hair, the leg of a goat and a leg of bronze. They are also servants of Hecate.
  • Erebos (Ἔρεβος), the primeval god of darkness, his mists encircled the underworld and filled the hollows of the earth
  • The Erinyes (Ἐρινύες), the Furies, goddesses of retribution, known as "The Kindly Ones"
    • Alecto (Ἀληκτώ), the unceasing one
    • Tisiphone (Τισιφόνη), avenger of murder
    • Megaera (Μέγαιρα), the jealous one
  • Hecate (Ἑκάτη), goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts, and necromancy
  • Judges of the Dead
    • Aiakos (Αἰακός), former mortal king of Aegina, guardian of the keys of Hades and judge of the men of Europe
    • Minos (Μίνως), former mortal king of Crete and judge of the final vote
    • Rhadamanthys (Ῥαδάμανθυς), former mortal lawmaker and judge of the men of Asia
  • Keuthonymos (Κευθόνυμος), an Underworld spirit and father of Menoetes
  • Cronus (Κρόνος), deposed king of the Titans; after his release from Tartarus he was appointed king of the Island of the Blessed
  • Lamia (Λάμια), a vampiric Underworld spirit or spirits in the train of Hecate
  • Lampades (Λαμπάδες), torch-bearing Underworld nymphs
    • Gorgyra (Γοργύρα)
    • Orphne (Ορφνη), a Lampad nymph of Hades, mother of Askalaphos
  • Macaria (Μακαρία), daughter of Hades and goddess of blessed death (not to be confused with the daughter of Heracles)
  • Melinoe (Μελινόη), daughter of Persephone and Zeus who presided over the propitiations offered to the ghosts of the dead
  • Menoetes (Μενοίτης), an Underworld spirit who herded the cattle of Hades
  • Mormo (Μορμώ), a fearsome Underworld spirit or spirits in the train of Hecate
  • Nyx (Νύξ), the primeval goddess of night
  • Persephone (Περσεφόνη), queen of the underworld, wife of Hades and goddess of spring growth
  • Rivers of the Underworld
    • Acheron (Αχέρων), the river of pain
    • Kokytos (Kωκυτός), the river of wailing
    • Lethe (Λήθη), the river of forgetfulness
    • Phlegethon (Φλεγέθων), the river of fire
    • Styx (Στύξ), the river of oaths
  • Tartarus (Τάρταρος), the primeval god of the dark, stormy pit of Hades
  • Thanatos (Θάνατος), spirit of death and minister of Hades

Sea deities[edit]

  • Aegaeon (Αιγαίων), god of violent sea storms and ally of the Titans
  • Achelous (Αχειλος), shark-shaped sea spirit[citation needed]
  • Amphitrite (Αμφιτρίτη), sea goddess and consort of Poseidon
  • Benthesikyme (Βενθεσικύμη), daughter of Poseidon, who resided in Ethiopia
  • Brizo (Βριζώ), patron goddess of sailors, who sent prophetic dreams
  • Ceto (Κῆτώ), goddess of the dangers of the ocean and of sea monsters
  • Charybdis (Χάρυβδις), a sea monster and spirit of whirlpools and the tide
  • Cymopoleia (Κυμοπόλεια), a daughter of Poseidon married to the Giant Briareus
  • Delphin (Δέλφιν), the leader of the dolphins, Poseidon placed him in the sky as the constellation Delphin
  • Eidothea (Ειδοθέα), prophetic sea nymph and daughter of Proteus
  • Glaucus (Γλαῦκος), the fisherman's sea god
  • Gorgons (Γοργόνες), three monstrous sea spirits
    • Stheno (Σθεννώ)
    • Euryale (Εὐρυάλη)
    • Medusa (Μέδουσα), the only mortal of the three
  • The Graeae (Γραῖαι), three ancient sea spirits who personified the white foam of the sea; they shared one eye and one tooth between them
    • Deino (Δεινώ)
    • Enyo (Ενυώ)
    • Pemphredo (Πεμφρεδώ)
  • The Harpies (Ηάρπυιαι), winged spirits of sudden, sharp gusts of wind
    • Aello (Αελλώ) or Aellope (Αελλώπη) or Aellopous (Αελλόπους)
    • Ocypete (Ωκυπέτη) or Ocypode (Ωκυπόδη) or Ocythoe (Ωκυθόη)
    • Podarge (Ποδάργη) or Podarke (Ποδάρκη)
    • Celaeno (Κελαινώ)
    • Nicothoe (Νικοθόη)
  • Hippocampi (ἱπποκαμπος), horses of the sea that have the upper-body of a horse and the lower-body of a fish
  • Hydros (Ὑδρος), primordial god of waters
  • The Ichthyocentaurs (Ιχθυοκένταυροι), a pair of centaurine sea-gods with the upper bodies of men, the lower fore-parts of horses, ending in the serpentine tails of fish
    • Bythos (Βύθος) "sea depth"
    • Aphros (Άφρος) "sea foam"
  • Karkinos (Καρκίνος), a giant crab who allied itself with the Hydra against Heracles. When it died, Hera placed it in the sky as the constellation Cancer.
  • Ladon (Λάδων), a hundred-headed sea serpent who guarded the western reaches of the sea, and the island and golden apples of the Hesperides
  • Leucothea (Λευκοθέα), a sea goddess who aided sailors in distress
  • Nereides (Νηρηίδες), sea nymphs
    • Thetis (Θέτις), leader of the Nereids who presided over the spawning of marine life in the sea
    • Arethusa (Αρετούσα), a daughter of Nereus who was transformed into a fountain
    • Galene (Γαλήνη), goddess of calm seas
    • Psamathe (Πσαμάθη), goddess of sand beaches
  • Nereus (Νηρέας), the old man of the sea, and the god of the sea's rich bounty of fish
  • Nerites (Νερίτης), a sea spirit who was transformed into a shell-fish by Aphrodite
  • Oceanus (Ὠκεανός), Titan god of the Earth-encircling river Oceanus, the font of all the Earth's fresh-water
  • Palaemon (Παλαίμων), a young sea god who aided sailors in distress
  • Phorcys (Φόρκυς), god of the hidden dangers of the deep
  • Pontos (Πόντος), primeval god of the sea, father of the fish and other sea creatures
Poseidon and Amphitrite framed by erotes and riding in a chariot drawn by hippocamps; below them are fishermen at work, with nymphs and creatures of the sea in the waters (color-enhanced Roman-era mosaic)
  • Poseidon (Ποσειδῶν), king of the sea and lord of the sea gods; also god of rivers, flood and drought, earthquakes, and horses
  • Proteus (Πρωτεύς), a shape-shifting, prophetic old sea god, and the herdsman of Poseidon's seals
  • Scylla (Σκύλλα), monstrous sea goddess
  • The Sirens (Σειρῆνες), sea nymphs who lured sailors to their death with their song
    • Aglaope (Αγλαόπη) or Aglaophonos (Αγλαόφωνος) or Aglaopheme (Αγλαοφήμη)
    • Himerope (Ίμερόπη)
    • Leucosia (Λευκοσία)
    • Ligeia (Λιγεία)
    • Molpe (Μολπή)
    • Parthenope (Παρθενόπη)
    • Peisinoe (Πεισινόη) or Peisithoe (Πεισιθόη)
    • Raidne (Ραίδνη)
    • Teles (Τέλης)
    • Thelchtereia (Θελχτήρεια)
    • Thelxiope (Θελξιόπη) or Thelxiepeia (Θελξιέπεια)
  • The Telchines (Τελχινες), sea spirits native to the island of Rhodes; the gods killed them when they turned to evil magic
    • Actaeus (Ακταιος)
    • Argyron (Αργυρών)
    • Atabyrius (Αταβύριος)
    • Chalcon (Χαλκών)
    • Chryson (Χρυσών)
    • Damon (Δαμων) or Demonax (Δημώναξ)
    • Damnameneus (Δαμναμενεύς)
    • Dexithea (Δεξιθέα), mother of Euxanthios by Minos
    • Lycos (Λύκος) or Lyktos (Λύκτος)
    • Lysagora (Λυσαγόρα)?
    • Makelo (Μακελώ)
    • Megalesius (Μεγαλήσιος)
    • Mylas (Μύλας)
    • Nikon (Νίκων)
    • Ormenos (Ορμενος)
    • Simon (Σίμων)
    • Skelmis (Σκελμις)
  • Tethys (Τηθύς), Titan goddess of the sources fresh water, and the mother of the rivers, springs, streams, fountains, and clouds
  • Thalassa (Θάλασσα), primeval goddess of the sea and consort of Pontos
  • Thaumas (Θαῦμας), god of the wonders of the sea
  • Thoosa (Θόοσα), goddess of swift currents
  • Triteia (Τριτεια), daughter of Triton and companion of Ares
  • Triton (Τρίτων), fish-tailed son and herald of Poseidon
  • Tritones (Τρίτωνες), fish-tailed spirits in Poseidon's retinue

Sky deities[edit]

  • Achelois (Ἀχελωΐς), "she who washes pain away", a minor moon goddess
  • Aeolus (Aiolos) (Αίολος), god of the winds.
  • Aether (Αιθήρ), primeval god of the upper air
  • Alectrona (Αλεκτρονα), solar goddess of the morning or waking up
  • Anemoi, gods of the winds
    • Boreas (Βορέας), god of the north wind and of winter
    • Eurus (Εύρος), god of the unlucky east or southeast wind
    • Notus (Νότος) god of the south wind
    • Zephyrus (Ζέφυρος), god of the west wind
    • Aparctias (Απαρκτίας), another name for the north wind (not identified with Boreas)
    • Apheliotes (Αφηλιώτης), god of the east wind (when Eurus is considered southeast)
    • Argestes (Αργέστης), another name for the west or northwest wind
    • Caicias (Καικίας), god of the northeast wind
    • Circios (Κίρκιος) or Thraskias (Θρασκίας), god of the north-northwest wind
    • Euronotus (Ευρονότος), god of the southeast wind
    • Lips (Λίψ), god of the southwest wind
    • Skeiron (Σκείρων), god of the northwest wind
  • Apollo, Olympian God of light, knowledge, music, healing, the sun, and the arts
  • Arke (Άρκη), messenger of the Titans and twin sister of Iris
  • Astraios (Ἀστραῖος), Titan god of stars and planets, and the art of astrology
  • The Astra Planeti (Αστρα Πλανετοι), gods of the five wandering stars or planets
  • Aurai (Αὖραι), nymphs of the cooling breeze
    • Aura (Αὖρα), goddess of the breeze and the fresh, cool air of early morning
  • Chaos (Χάος), the nothingness from which all else sprang, she also represented the lower atmosphere which surrounded the earth
  • Chione (Χιόνη), goddess of snow and daughter of Boreas
  • Helios (Ἥλιος), Titan god of the sun and guardian of oaths
  • Selene (Σελήνη), Titan goddess of the moon
  • Eos (Ἠώς), Titan goddess of the dawn
  • Hemera (Ημέρα), primeval goddess of the day
  • Hera (Ήρα), Queen of Heaven and goddess of the air and starry constellations
  • Herse (Ἕρση), goddess of the morning dew
  • The Hesperides (Ἑσπερίδες)
  • The Hades, nymphs that represented a star cluster in the constellation Taurus and were associated with rain
  • Iris (Ίρις), goddess of the rainbow and divine messenger
  • Nephelai (Νεφήλαι), cloud nymphs
  • Ouranos (Ουρανός), primeval god of the heavens
  • Pandia (Πανδία), daughter of Selene and Zeus
  • The Pleiades (Πλειάδες), goddesses of the constellation Pleiades
  • Zeus (Ζεύς), King of Heaven and god of the sky, clouds, rain, thunder, and lightning

Rustic deities[edit]

  • Aetna (Αἴτνη), goddess of the volcanic Mount Etna in Sicily
  • Amphictyonis (Αμφικτυονίς), goddess of wine and friendship between nations, a local form of Demeter
  • Anthousai (Ανθούσαι), flower nymphs
  • Aristaeus (Ἀρισταῖος), god of bee-keeping, cheese-making, herding, olive-growing, and hunting
  • Attis (Άττις), vegetation god and consort of Cybele
  • Britomartis (Βριτόμαρτις), Cretan goddess of hunting and nets used for fishing, fowling and the hunting of small game
  • Cabeiri (Κάβειροι), gods or spirits who presided over the Mysteries of the islands of Lemnos and Samothrace
    • Aitnaios (Αιτναιος)
    • Alkon (Αλκων)
    • Eurymedon (Ευρυμεδών)
    • Onnes (Όννης)
    • Tonnes (Τόννης)
  • Centaurs (Κένταυροι), a race of half-man, half-horse beings
    • Asbolus (Άσβολος)
    • Chariclo (Χαρικλώ), wife of the centaur Chiron
    • Chiron (Χείρων), the eldest and wisest of the Centaurs
    • Eurytion (Ευρυτιων)
    • Nessus (Νέσσος), a ferryman at the river Euenus
    • Pholus (Φώλος)
  • The Cercopes (Κέρκοπες), a pair of monkey-like thieves who plagued the land of Lydia in western Anatolia
    • Akmon (Ακμών)
    • Passalos (Πάσσαλος)
  • Chloris (Χλωρίς), goddess of flowers and wife of Zephyrus
  • Comus (Κόμος), god of revelry, merrymaking, and festivity
  • Corymbus (Κόρυμβος), god of the fruit of the ivy
  • The Curetes (Κουρέτες), guardians of infant Zeus on Mount Ida, barely distinguished from the Dactyls and the Corybantes
  • Cybele (Κυβέλη), a Phrygian mountain goddess associated with Rhea
  • The Dactyls (Δάκτυλοι) "fingers", minor deities originally representing fingers of a hand
    • Acmon (Ακμών)
    • Damnameneus (Δαμναμενεύς)
    • Delas (Δήλας)
    • Epimedes (Επιμήδης)
    • Heracles (not to be confused with the hero Heracles)
    • Iasios (Ιάσιος)
    • Kelmis (Κελμις)
    • Skythes (Σκύθης)
    • companions of Cybele
      • Titias (Τιτίας)
      • Cyllenus (Κύλληνος)
  • Dionysus (Διόνυσος), god of wine, drunken orgies, and wild vegetation
  • Dryades (Δρυάδες), tree and forest nymphs
  • Gaia (Γαία), primeval goddess of the earth
  • Epimeliades (Επιμελίδες), nymphs of highland pastures and protectors of sheep flocks
  • Hamadryades (Αμαδρυάδες), oak tree dryades
  • Hecaterus (Ηεκατερος), minor god of the hekateris — a rustic dance of quickly moving hands — and perhaps of the skill of hands in general
  • Hephaestus (Ήφαιστος), god of metalworking
  • Hermes (Ερμής), god of herds and flocks, of roads and boundary stones
  • The Horae (Ώρες), The Hours
    • The goddesses of natural order
      • Eunomia (Ευνομία), spirit of good order, and springtime goddess of green pastures
      • Dike (Δίκη), spirit of justice, may have represented springtime growth
      • Eirene (Ειρήνη), spirit of peace and goddess of the springtime
    • The goddesses of springtime growth
      • Thallo (Θαλλώ), goddess of spring buds and shoots, identified with Eirene
      • Auxo (Αυξώ), goddess of spring growth
      • Karpo (Καρπώ), goddess of the fruits of the earth
    • The goddesses of welfare
      • Pherousa (Φέρουσα) "the bringer"
      • Euporie (Ευπορίη) "abundance"
      • Orthosie (Ορθοσίη) "prosperity"
    • The goddesses of the natural portions of time and the times of day
      • Auge (Αυγή), first light of the morning
      • Anatole (Ανατολή) or Anatolia (Ανατολία), sunrise
      • Mousika or Musica (Μουσική), the morning hour of music and study
      • Gymnastika, Gymnastica (Γυμναστίκή) or Gymnasia (Γυμνασία), the morning hour of gymnastics/exercise
      • Nymphe (Νυμφή), the morning hour of ablutions (bathing, washing)
      • Mesembria (Μεσημβρία), noon
      • Sponde (Σπονδή), libations poured after lunch
      • Elete, prayer, the first of the afternoon work hours
      • Akte, Acte (Ακτή) or Cypris (Κυπρίς), eating and pleasure, the second of the afternoon work hours
      • Hesperis (Έσπερίς), evening
      • Dysis (Δύσις), sunset
      • Arktos (Άρκτος), night sky, constellation
    • The goddesses of seasons of the year
      • Eiar (Είαρ), spring
      • Theros (Θέρος), summer
      • Pthinoporon (Φθινόπωρον), autumn
      • Cheimon (Χειμών), winter
  • Korybantes (Κορύβαντες), the crested dancers who worshipped Cybele
    • Damneus (Δαμνεύς) "the one who tames(?)"
    • Idaios (Ιδαίος) "of Mount Ida"
    • Kyrbas (Κύρβας), whose name is probably a variant of Korybas, singular for "Korybantes"
    • Okythoos (Ωκύθοος) "the one running swiftly"
    • Prymneus (Πρυμνεύς) "of lower areas(?)"
    • Pyrrhichos (Πυρῥιχος), god of the rustic dance
  • Maenades (μαινάδες), crazed nymphs in the retinue of Dionysus
    • Methe (Μέθη), nymph of drunkenness
  • Meliae (Μελίαι), nymphs of honey and the ash tree
  • Naiades (Ναιάδες), fresh water nymphs
  • The Nymphai Hyperboreioi (Νύμφαι Υπερβόρειοι), who presided over aspects of archery
    • Hekaerge (Εκαέργη), represented distancing
    • Loxo (Λοξώ), represented trajectory
    • Oupis (Ουπις), represented aim
  • Oreades (Ὀρεάδες), mountain nymphs
    • Adrasteia (Αδράστεια), a nursemaid of the infant Zeus
    • Echo (Ηχώ), a nymph cursed never to speak except to repeat the words of others
  • Oceanides (Ωκεανίδες), fresh water nymphs
    • Beroe (Βερόη), a nymph of Beirut, the daughter of Aphrodite and Adonis, who was wooed by both Dionysus and Poseidon
    • Calypso (Καλυψώ)
    • Clytie (Κλυτίη)
    • Eidyia (Ειδυια), the youngest of the Oceanides
    • for the complete list, see List of Oceanids
  • The Ourea (Ούρος), primeval gods of mountains
  • The Palici (Παλικοί), a pair of rustic gods who presided over the geysers and thermal springs in Sicily
  • Pan (Πάν), god of shepherds, pastures, and fertility
  • Potamoi, river gods
  • Priapus (Πρίαπος), god of garden fertility
  • Rhea (Ῥέα), the great mother and queen of the mountain wilds
  • Satyrs (Σάτυροι), rustic fertility spirits
    • Krotos (Κρότος), a great hunter and musician who kept the company of the Muses on Mount Helicon
  • Silenus (Σειληνός), an old rustic god of the dance of the wine-press
  • Telete (Τελέτη), goddess of initiation into the Bacchic orgies
  • Zagreus (Ζαγρεύς), in the Orphic mysteries, the first incarnation of Dionysus

Agricultural deities[edit]

  • Adonis (Άδωνις), a life-death-rebirth deity
  • Aphaea (Αφαία), minor goddess of agriculture and fertility
  • Carme (Κάρμη), a Cretan spirit who presided over the harvest festival
  • Carmanor (Καρμάνωρ), a Cretan harvest god
  • Chrysothemis (Χρυσόθεμις), goddess of the "Golden Custom", a harvest festival, daughter of Demeter and Carmanor
  • Cyamites (Κυαμίτης), demi-god of the bean
  • Demeter (Δημήτηρ), goddess of fertility, agriculture, grain, and harvest
  • Despoina, daughter of Poseidon and Demeter, goddess of mysteries in Arcadia
  • Dionysus (Διόνυσος), god of viticulture and wine
  • Eunostus (Εύνοστος), goddess of the flour mill
  • Hestia (Ἑστία), maiden goddess of the hearth who presided over the baking of bread, mankind's stable food
  • Persephone (Περσεφόνη), queen of the underworld, wife of Hades and goddess of spring growth
  • Philomelus (Φιλόμελος), agricultural demi-god inventor of the wagon and the plough
  • Plutus (Πλοῦτος), god of wealth, including agricultural wealth, son of Demeter

Health deities[edit]

  • Apollo, god of healing and medicine
    • Asclepius (Ασκληπιός), god of healing
      • Aceso, goddess of the healing of wounds and the curing of illnesses
      • Aegle, goddess of radiant good health
      • Epione (Ἠπιόνη), goddess of the soothing of pain
      • Hygieia (Υγεία), goddess of cleanliness and good health
      • Iaso (Ἰασώ), goddess of cures, remedies, and modes of healing
      • Panacea (Πανάκεια), goddess of healing
      • Telesphorus (Τελεσφόρος), demi-god of convalescence, who "brought to fulfillment" recuperation from illness or injury

Other deities[edit]

  • Acratopotes (Ἀκρατοπότης), god of unmixed wine
  • Adrastea (Αδράστεια), a daughter of Ares and Aphrodite, or an epithet of Nemesis
  • Agdistis (Ἄγδιστις), Phrygian hermaphroditic deity
  • Alexiares and Anicetus (Αλεξιαρης and Ανικητος), twin sons of Heracles who presided over the defence of fortified towns and citadels
  • Aphroditus (Ἀφρόδιτος), Cyprian hermaphroditic Aphrodite
  • Astraea (Αστραία), virgin goddess of justice
  • Auxesia (Αυξησία) and Damia (Δαμία), two local fertility goddesses
  • Charites (Χάριτες), goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity, and fertility
    • Aglaea (Αγλαΐα), goddess of beauty, adornment, splendor and glory
    • Euphrosyne (Εὐφροσύνη), goddess of good cheer, joy, mirth, and merriment
    • Thalia (Θάλεια), goddess of festive celebrations and rich and luxurious banquets
    • Hegemone (Ηγεμόνη) "mastery"
    • Antheia (Άνθεια), goddess of flowers and flowery wreaths
    • Pasithea (Πασιθέα), goddess of rest and relaxation
    • Cleta (Κλήτα) "the glorious"
    • Phaenna (Φαέννα) "the shining"
    • Eudaimonia (Ευδαιμονία) "happiness"
    • Euthymia (Ευθυμία) "good mood"
    • Calleis (Καλλείς) "beauty"
    • Paidia (Παιδία) "play, amusement"
    • Pandaisia (Πανδαισία) "banquet for everyone"
    • Pannychis (Παννυχίς) "all-night (festivity)"
  • Ceraon (Κεραων), demi-god of the meal, specifically the mixing of wine
  • Chrysus (Χρύσος), spirit of gold
  • Circe (Κίρκη), goddess-witch of Aeaea
  • Daemones Ceramici (Δαίμονες Κεραμικοί), five malevolent spirits who plagued the craftsman potter
    • Syntribos (Σύντριβος), the shatterer
    • Smaragos (Σμάραγος), the smasher
    • Asbetos (Ασβετος), the charrer
    • Sabaktes (Σαβάκτης), the destroyer
    • Omodamos (Ομόδαμος), crudebake
  • Deipneus (Δειπνεύς), demi-god of the preparation of meals, specifically the making of bread
  • Eiresione (Ειρεσιώνη), personification of the olive branch
  • Eileithyia (Εἰλείθυια), goddess of childbirth
  • Enyalius (Ενυάλιος), minor god of war
  • Enyo (Ἐνυώ), goddess of destructive war
  • Harpocrates (Ἁρποκράτης), god of silence
  • Hermaphroditus (Ἑρμάφρόδιτός), god of hermaphrodites and effeminate men
  • Hymenaios (Ὑμέναιος), god of marriage and marriage feasts
  • Ichnaea (Ιχναία), goddess of tracking
  • Iynx (Ιύνξ), goddess of the love charm
  • Matton (Μάττων), demi-god of the meal, specifically the kneading of dough
  • Muses (Μούσαι), goddesses of music, song and dance, and the source of inspiration to poets
    • Titan Muses, daughters of Gaia and Uranus
      • Aoide (Ἀοιδή), muse of song
      • Arche (Αρχή), muse of origins
      • Melete (Μελέτη), muse of meditation and practice
      • Mneme (Μνήμη), muse of memory
      • Thelxinoe (Θελξινόη), muse "charmer of minds"
    • Olympian Muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne
      • Calliope (Καλλιόπη), muse of epic poetry
      • Clio (Κλειώ), muse of history
      • Erato (Ερατώ), muse of erotic poetry
      • Euterpe (Ευτέρπη), muse of lyric poetry
      • Melpomene (Μελπομένη), muse of tragedy
      • Polyhymnia (Πολυμνία) or (Πολύμνια), muse of sacred poetry
      • Terpsichore (Τερψιχόρη), muse of dance and choral poetry
      • Thalia (Θάλεια), muse of comedy and bucolic poetry
      • Urania (Ουρανία), muse of astronomy
    • Younger Muses, daughters of Apollo
      • Cephisso (Κεφισσώ)
      • Apollonis (Απολλωνίς)
      • Borysthenis (Βορυσθενίς)
      • Hypate (Υπάτη) "the upper (chord of the lyre)"
      • Mese (Μέση) "the middle (chord of the lyre)"
      • Nete (Νήτη) "the lower (chord of the lyre)"
    • Polymatheia (Πολυμάθεια), muse of knowledge
  • Palaestra (Παλαίστρα), goddess of wrestling
  • Rhapso (Ραψώ), minor goddess or nymph whose name apparently refers to sewing

Mortals[edit]

Deified mortals[edit]

  • Achilles (Ἀχιλλεύς), hero of the Trojan War
  • Aiakos (Αἰακός), a king of Aegina, appointed as a Judge of the Dead in the Underworld after his death
  • Aeolus (Aiolos) (Αἴολος), a king of Thessaly, made the immortal king of the winds by Zeus
  • Amphiaraus (Ἀμφιάραος), a hero of the war of the Seven Against Thebe who became an oracular spirit of the Underworld after his death
  • Ariadne (Αριάδνη), a Cretan princess who became the immortal wife of Dionysus
  • Aristaeus (Ἀρισταῖος), a Thessalian hero, his inventions saw him immortalised as the god of bee-keeping, cheese-making, herding, olive-growing, and hunting
  • Asclepius (Ἀσκληπιός), a Thessalian physician who was struck down by Zeus, to be later recovered by his father Apollo
  • Attis (Ἄττις), a consort of Cybele, granted immortality as one of her attendants
  • Bolina (Βολίνα), a mortal woman transformed into an immortal nymph by Apollo
  • The Dioscuri (Διόσκουροι), divine twins
  • Endymion (Ἐνδυμίων), lover of Selene, granted eternal sleep so as never to age or die
  • Ganymede (Γανυμήδης), a handsome Trojan prince, abducted by Zeus and made cup-bearer of the gods
  • Glaucus (Γλαῦκος), the fisherman's sea god, made immortal after eating a magical herb
  • Hemithea (Ἡμιθέα) and Parthenos (Παρθένος), princesses of the Island of Naxos who leapt into the sea to escape their father's wrath; Apollo transformed them into demi-goddesses
  • Heracles (Ἡρακλῆς), ascended hero
Athena pouring a drink for Heracles, who wears the skin of the Nemean Lion
  • Lampsace (Λαμψάκη), a semi-historical Bebrycian princess honored as goddess for her assistance to the Greeks
  • Minos (Μίνως), a king of Crete, appointed as a Judge of the Dead in the Underworld after his death
  • Ino (Ἰνώ), a Theban princess who became the sea goddess Leucothea
  • The Leucippides (Λευκιππίδες), wives of the Dioscuri
    • Phoebe (Φοίβη), wife of Pollux
    • Hilaeira (Ἱλάειρα), wife of Castor
  • Orithyia (Ὠρείθυια), an Athenian princess abducted by Boreas and made the goddess of cold, gusty mountain winds
  • Palaemon (Παλαίμων), a Theban prince, made into a sea god along with his mother, Ino
  • Phylonoe (Φυλονόη), daughter of Tyndareus and Leda, made immortal by Artemis
  • Psyche (Ψυχή), goddess of the soul

Heroes[edit]

  • Abderus, aided Heracles during his eighth labour and was killed by the Mares of Diomedes
  • Achilles (Αχιλλεύς or Αχιλλέας), hero of the Trojan War and a central character in Homer's Iliad
  • Aeneas (Αινείας), a hero of the Trojan War and progenitor of the Roman people
  • Ajax the Great (Αίας ο Μέγας), a hero of the Trojan War and king of Salamis
  • Ajax the Lesser (Αίας ο Μικρός), a hero of the Trojan War and leader of the Locrian army
  • Amphitryon (Αμφιτρύων), Theban general who rescued Thebes from the Teumessian fox; his wife was Alcmene, mother of Heracles
  • Bellerophon, hero who slew the Chimera
  • Castor, the mortal Dioscuri twin; after Castor's death, his immortal brother Pollux shared his divinity with him in order that they might remain together
  • Chrysippus, a divine hero of Elis
  • Daedalus, creator of the labyrinth and great inventor, until King Minos trapped him in his own creation.
  • Quintus sordsman, other body of daedalus half mortal children of athenagod of wisdom
  • Perdix nephew of daedalus a.k.a quintis
  • Diomedes, a king of Argos and hero of the Trojan War
  • Eleusis, eponymous hero of the town of Eleusis
  • Eunostus, a Boeotian hero
  • Ganymede, Trojan hero and lover of Zeus, who was given immortality and appointed cup-bearer to the gods
  • Hector, hero of the Trojan War and champion of the Trojan people
  • Iolaus, nephew of Heracles who aided his uncle in one of his Labors
  • Jason, leader of the Argonauts
  • Meleager, a hero who sailed with the Argonauts and killed the Calydonian Boar
  • Odysseus, a hero and king of Ithaca whose adventures are the subject of Homer's Odyssey; he also played a key role during the Trojan War
  • Orpheus, a legendary musician and poet who attempted to retrieve his dead wife from the Underworld
  • Pandion, the eponymous hero of the Attic tribe Pandionis, usually assumed to be one of the legendary Athenian kings Pandion I or Pandion II.
  • Perseus (Περσεύς), son of Zeus and the founder-king of Mycenae and slayer of the Gorgon Medusa
  • Theseus, son of Poseidon and a king of Athens and slayer of the Minotaur

Notable women[edit]

  • Alcestis (Άλκηστις), daughter of Pelias and wife of Admetus, who was known for her devotion to her husband
  • Amymone, the one daughter of Danaus who refused to murder her husband, thus escaping her sisters' punishment
  • Andromache (Ανδρομάχη), wife of Hector
  • Andromeda (Ανδρομέδα), wife of Perseus, who was placed among the constellations after her death
  • Antigone (Αντιγόνη), daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta
  • Arachne (Αράχνη), a skilled weaver, transformed by Athena into a spider for her blasphemy
  • Ariadne (Αριάδνη), daughter of Minos, king of Crete, who aided Theseus in overcoming the Minotaur and became the wife of Dionysus
  • Atalanta (Αταλάντη), fleet-footed heroine who participated in the Calydonian Boar hunt
  • Briseis, a princess of Lyrnessus, taken by Achilles as a war prize
  • Caeneus, formerly Caenis, a woman who was transformed into a man and became a mighty warrior
  • Cassandra, a princess of Troy cursed to see the future but never to be believed
  • Cassiopeia (Κασσιόπεια), queen of Æthiopia and mother of Andromeda
  • Clytemnestra, sister of Helen and unfaithful wife of Agamemnon
  • Danaë, the mother of Perseus by Zeus
  • Deianeira, the third wife and unwitting killer of Heracles
  • Electra, daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, she aided her brother Orestes in plotting revenge against their mother for the murder of their father
  • Europa, a Phoenician woman, abducted by Zeus
  • Hecuba (Ἑκάβη), wife of Priam, king of Troy, and mother of nineteen of his children
  • Helen, daughter of Zeus and Leda, whose abduction brought about the Trojan War
  • Hermione (Ἑρμιόνη), daughter of Menelaus and Helen; wife of Neoptolemus, and later Orestes
  • Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra; Agamemnon sacrificed her to Artemis in order to appease the goddess
  • Ismene, sister of Antigone
  • Jocasta, mother and wife of Oedipus
  • Medea, a sorceress and wife of Jason, who killed her own children to punish Jason for his infidelity
  • Medusa, a mortal woman transformed into a hideous gorgon by Athena
  • Niobe, a daughter of Tantalus who declared herself to be superior to Leto, causing Artemis and Apollo to kill her fourteen children
  • Pandora, the first woman
  • Penelope, loyal wife of Odysseus
  • Phaedra, daughter of Minos and wife of Theseus
  • Polyxena, the youngest daughter of Priam, sacrificed to the ghost of Achilles
  • Semele, mortal mother of Dionysus

Kings[edit]

Seers[edit]

  • Amphilochus (Αμφίλοχος), a seer and brother of Alcmaeon who died in the war of the Seven Against Thebes
  • Anius, son of Apollo who prophesied that the Trojan War would be won in its tenth year
  • Branchus, a seer and son of Apollo
  • Calchas, an Argive seer who aided the Greeks during the Trojan War
  • Carnus, an Acarnanian seer and lover of Apollo
  • Carya, a seer and lover of Dionysus
  • Cassandra, a princess of Troy cursed to see the future but never to be believed
  • Ennomus, a Mysian seer, killed by Achilles during the Trojan War
  • Halitherses, an Ithacan seer who warned Penelope's suitors of Odysseus' return
  • Helenus, seer and twin brother of Cassandra, who later became king of Epirus
  • Iamus, a son of Apollo possessing the gift of prophecy, he founded the Iamidai
  • Idmon, a seer who sailed with the Argonauts
  • Manto, seer and daughter of Tiresias
  • Melampus, a legendary soothsayer and healer, and king of Argos
  • Mopsus, the name of two legendary seers
  • Polyeidos, a Corinthian seer who saved the life of Glaucus
  • Telemus, a seer who foresaw that the Cyclops Polyphemus would be blinded by Odysseus
  • Theoclymenus, an Argive seer
  • Tiresias, blind prophet of Thebes

Amazons[edit]

Achilles and Penthesileia (Lucanian red-figure bell-krater, late 5th century BC)
  • Aegea, a queen of the Amazons
  • Aella (Ἄελλα), an Amazon who was killed by Heracles
  • Alcibie (Ἀλκιβίη), an Amazonian warrior, killed by Diomedes at Troy
  • Antandre (Ἀντάνδρη), an Amazonian warrior, killed by Achilles at Troy
  • Antiope (Ἀντιόπη), a daughter of Ares and sister of Hippolyta
  • Areto (Ἀρετώ), an Amazon
  • Asteria (Ἀστερία), an Amazon who was killed by Heracles
  • Bremusa (Βρέμουσα), an Amazonian warrior, killed by Idomeneus at Troy
  • Celaeno (Κελαινώ), an Amazonian warrior, killed by Heracles
  • Eurypyle (Εὐρυπύλη), an Amazon leader who invaded Ninus and Babylonia
  • Hippolyta (Ἱππολύτη), a daughter of Ares and queen of the Amazons
  • Hippothoe (Ἱπποθόη), an Amazonian warrior, killed by Achilles at Troy
  • Iphito (Ἰφιτώ), an Amazon who served under Hippolyta
  • Lampedo (Λαμπεδώ), an Amazon queen who ruled with her sister Marpesia
  • Marpesia (Μαρπεσία), an Amazon queen who ruled with her sister Lampedo
  • Melanippe (Μελανίππη), a daughter of Ares and sister of Hippolyta and Antiope
  • Molpadia (Μολπαδία), an Amazon who killed Antiope
  • Myrina (Μύρινα), a queen of the Amazons
  • Orithyia (Ὠρείθυια), an Amazon queen
  • Otrera (Ὀτρήρα), a queen of the Amazons, consort of Ares and mother of Hippolyta
  • Pantariste (Πανταρίστη), an Amazon who fought with Hippolyta against Heracles
  • Penthesilea (Πενθεσίλεια), a queen of the Amazons who fought in the Trojan War on the side of Troy

Inmates of Tartarus[edit]

  • The Danaides, forty-nine daughters of Danaus who murdered their husbands and were condemned to an eternity of carrying water in leaky jugs
  • Ixion, a king of the Lapiths who attempted to rape Hera and was bound to a flaming wheel in Tartarus
  • Sisyphus, a king of Thessaly who attempted to cheat death and was sentenced to an eternity of rolling a boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down
  • Tantalus, a king of Anatolia who butchered his son Pelops and served him as a meal to the gods; he was punished with the torment of starvation, food and drink eternally dangling just out of reach