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Questions and Answers
What is Zeus primarily known as in Greek mythology?
Which of the following symbols is commonly associated with Poseidon?
What notable action did Hera take without the involvement of a father?
Which goddess competed with Hera and Athena for the prize of the golden apple?
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What action did Zeus take regarding Metis?
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What is the Roman counterpart of Hera called?
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Which of the following describes Aphrodite's known romantic relationships?
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What notable construction is Poseidon credited with helping?
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What transformation did Ares undertake to kill Adonis?
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Which deity is known for having an adulterous affair with Ares?
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Which goddess is associated with wisdom, war, and weaving?
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Who assisted Perseus in slaying Medusa?
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What was Apollo's role in relation to the Trojan War?
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Which goddess is linked to agriculture, grain, and bread?
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What action led to Demeter causing a long drought?
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What is Apollo famous for in addition to music and poetry?
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What is Artemis known to bring?
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Which goddess had a competition with Arachne over weaving?
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Who is the god of sleep?
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What is the Roman counterpart of Hypnos?
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Which goddess is associated with magic and witchcraft?
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What roles do the Moirae play in mythology?
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Which goddess is depicted as a winged old man and holds a downturned torch?
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What is the primary function of the Erinyes?
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How are the Nereids associated with the sea?
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What does Tyche represent in mythology?
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What unique feature does Pan possess in his depiction?
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Which goddess is associated with the concept of' equilibrium' in human affairs?
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Who were the sisters of the Moirae?
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What role does Eris play among the deities?
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Which Roman counterpart is associated with the goddess Hecate?
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Which of the following characters was forcefully abducted by Hades?
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What role did Hermes fulfill in the lives of the dead?
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What is Dionysus primarily the god of?
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Which of the following actions is NOT associated with Hermes?
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What is the Roman counterpart of Hephaestus?
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What notable item did Hephaestus craft for Achilles?
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What entity is Iris the goddess of?
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What significant gift did Eros provide?
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What aspect of life does Hestia preside over?
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Which goddess is known as the cupbearer of the gods?
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Which hero was Hermes known to assist in slaying Medusa?
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What is the primary theme associated with Dionysus?
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What is Nike known for among the Olympian gods?
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Who is depicted as the messenger of Hera?
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Study Notes
Olympian Gods and Goddesses
- Zeus is the king of the gods and god of the sky. He is depicted as a mature man and is often associated with symbols like a lightning bolt, scepter, eagle, bull, and olive tree.
- Zeus was born to the Titans Cronus and Rhea.
- Zeus swallowed the pregnant goddess Metis, resulting in Athena being born directly from his head.
- Zeus married his sister Hera, though he seduced her under the guise of a peacock.
- Zeus had many affairs with goddesses and mortals, resulting in various offspring.
- Zeus punished those who acted impiously or committed crimes against the gods.
- Zeus' Roman counterpart is Jupiter.
Poseidon
- Poseidon is the god of the sea, earthquakes, floods, and horses.
- He is depicted as a mature man holding a trident.
- Poseidon is often associated with symbols like a trident, horses, dolphins, wild celery, and bulls.
- Poseidon competed with Athena for dominion over Athens.
- Poseidon seduced many nymphs and mortal women, often disguised as an animal or flowing water.
- Poseidon helped build the walls of Troy.
- Poseidon's Roman counterpart is Neptune.
Hera
- Hera is the queen of the gods and goddess of marriage and women.
- She is depicted as a woman holding a lotus-tipped scepter, often accompanied by a peacock.
- Hera conceived Hephaestus alone without a father.
- Hera persecuted the other consorts of Zeus and his offspring, including Heracles and Dionysus.
- Hera assisted the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece.
- Hera competed against Aphrodite and Athena for the golden apple.
- Hera assisted the Greeks in the Trojan War.
- Hera's Roman counterpart is Juno.
Aphrodite
- Aphrodite is the goddess of beauty, love, pleasure, and procreation.
- She is depicted as a beautiful woman, often accompanied by her son Eros.
- Aphrodite is associated with symbols like a dove, apple, and scallop.
- Aphrodite was born from the sea foam.
- Aphrodite had an adulterous affair with the god Ares.
- Aphrodite's lover Adonis was accidentally killed by a boar.
- During the judgment of Paris, Aphrodite was awarded the golden apple.
- Aphrodite supported the Trojans during the Trojan War.
- Aphrodite brought the statue of Galatea to life.
- Aphrodite persecuted Psyche, the maiden loved by her son Eros.
- Aphrodite's Roman counterpart is Venus.
Ares
- Ares is the god of war, battle lust, and courage.
- He is depicted as a bearded warrior with a helm and spear.
- Ares had an adulterous affair with Aphrodite.
- Ares transformed himself into a boar and killed Adonis.
- Ares apprehended the criminal Sisyphus.
- Ares joined the Trojan War and sided with the Trojans.
Athena
- Athena is the goddess of wisdom, good counsel war, weaving, pottery.
- She is depicted as a stately woman with a shield, spear, and Aegis.
- Athena was born from the forehead of Zeus.
- Athena competed against Poseidon for dominion over Athens
- Athena assisted Perseus in his quest to slay Medusa.
- Athena helped Heracles with his Twelve Labors.
- Athena had a weaving competition against Arachne.
- Athena competed with Hera and Aphrodite for the golden apple.
- Athena sided with the Greeks in the Trojan War.
- Athena's Roman counterpart is Minerva.
Apollo
- Apollo is the god of prophecy, music, medicine, poetry, disease, and archery.
- He is depicted as a beardless youth with long hair.
- Apollo is associated with symbols like a branch of laurel, bow, and lyre.
- Apollo was born on the island of Delos.
- Apollo slew the serpent Python that guarded the oracular shrine of Delphi.
- Apollo destroyed the Niobides whose mother offended Leto.
- Apollo loved Hyacinthus who was later killed by a discus throw.
- Apollo brought plague during the Trojan War.
- Apollo's Roman counterpart is Apollo.
Artemis
- Artemis is the goddess of hunting, wilderness, and wild animals.
- She is also associated with bringing sudden death and disease.
- Artemis is depicted as a young maiden with a hunting bow.
- Artemis was born on the island of Delos and acted as a midwife.
- Artemis transformed Callisto into a bear.
- Artemis accidentally killed Orion with a distant bow-shot.
- Artemis transformed Actaeon into a stag after he spied her bathing.
Demeter
- Demeter is the goddess of agriculture, grain, and bread.
- She is depicted as a mature woman, bearing sheafs of wheat or a cornucopia.
- Demeter’s daughter Persephone was abducted by Hades, resulting in a long drought.
- Poseidon assaulted Demeter.
- Demeter punished Erysichthon for cutting down her holy grove.
- Demeter's Roman counterpart is Ceres.
Hephaestus
- Hephaestus is the god of fire, smiths, craftsmen, metalworking, stonemasonry, and sculpture.
- He is depicted as a bearded man holding a hammer and tongs.
- Hephaestus fell from Mount Olympus when Hera cast him away at birth.
- He witnessed the adultery of his wife Aphrodite with Ares.
- Hephaestus crafted Pandora, the first woman.
- He attempted to violate Athena, which resulted in the impregnation of Earth.
- He crafted the cursed necklace of Harmonia.
- He crafted the armor of Achilles at the request of his mother.
- Hephaestus' Roman counterpart is Vulcan.
Hermes
- Hermes is the god of herds, flocks, travelers, hospitality, roads, trade, thieves, diplomacy, language, gymnasiums, astronomy, and astrology.
- He is the personal messenger of Zeus.
- He is the guide of the dead into the underworld.
- Hermes is depicted as an athletic, beardless youth with winged boots and a traveler's hat.
- Hermes snuck out of his crib, stole the cattle of Apollo, and crafted the first lyre from a tortoise shell.
- Hermes transformed Battos into a stone for reporting his theft of Apollo’s cattle.
- Hermes was sent by Zeus to slay the hundred-eyed giant Argos Panoptes.
- Hermes assisted Perseus in his quest to slay Medusa.
- Hermes gave Odysseus a magical herb to protect him from the treachery of the witch Circe.
- Hermes’ Roman counterpart is Mercury.
Dionysus
- Dionysus is the god of wine, vegetation, pleasure, festivity, and madness.
- He is depicted as either an older, bearded god or a long-haired youth.
- Dionysus is associated with symbols like a thyrsos and drinking vessels.
- Dionysus was sewn up in Zeus’s thigh and carried him to term.
- Dionysus was the target of distaste from Hera.
- Dionysus inflicted madness upon King Lycurgus and the daughters of King Pentheus of Thebes.
- Dionysus taught Icarius the art of winemaking.
- Dionysus married Princess Ariadne of Crete.
- Dionysus launched a campaign against the Indian nation.
- Dionysus recovered his mother Semele from the underworld.
- Dionysus’ Roman counterpart is Bacchus.
Other Greek Gods and Goddesses
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Hestia is the virgin goddess of the hearth, the home, and sacrificial flame.
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Hestia presided over the cooking of bread and the preparation of the family meal.
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Hestia refused the marriage proposals from Poseidon and Apollo.
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Hestia is depicted as a modestly veiled woman holding a flower branch or kettle.
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Hestia’s Roman counterpart is Vesta.
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Hades is the king of the underworld and god of the dead.
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He is also associated with hidden wealth of the earth.
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Hades presided over funeral rites and defended the rights of the dead.
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Hades forcibly abducted Persephone.
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Hades is depicted as a dark-bearded, regal god.
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Hades’ Roman counterpart is Pluto.
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Eros is the mischievous god of love.
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Eros is the constant companion of Aphrodite.
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Eros lit the flame of love in the hearts of gods and men.
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Eros is depicted as either a handsome youth or a child.
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Eros is associated with symbols like a bow and arrows, gifts of a lover, and winged babies.
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Eros’ Roman counterpart is Cupid.
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Iris is the goddess of the rainbow, sea, and sky.
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She is the messenger of the Olympian Gods.
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Iris is the handmaiden and personal messenger of Hera.
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Iris is often described as a virgin goddess.
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Iris is depicted as a beautiful young woman with golden wings, a herald's scepter, and a water pitcher.
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Iris was the cupbearer of the gods.
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Iris’ Roman counterparts are Iris and Arcus.
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Hebe is the goddess of youth and young brides.
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She is the cupbearer of the gods who served ambrosia.
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Hebe is an attendant of Aphrodite.
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Hebe married Heracles, which reconciled him to her mother, Hera.
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Hebe’s Roman counterpart is Juventas.
Summary
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Nike is the winged goddess of victory.
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Nike is one of the sentinels of Zeus’ throne.
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Nike is depicted with a sash, lyre, an incense burner, and a palm branch.
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Nike is one of the children of Styx.
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Nike's Roman counterpart is Victoria.
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Persephone is the goddess queen of the underworld and goddess of spring's growth.
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Persephone is depicted as a young goddess holding sheafs of grain and a flaming torch.
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Persephone was abducted by Hades as his bride to the underworld.
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Persephone's return to Earth signifies the coming of spring and summer, while her return to the underworld marks the onset of autumn and winter.
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Persephone's Roman counterpart is Proserpina.
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Hypnos is the god of sleep.
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He is the twin brother of Thanatos.
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Hypnos is depicted as a young man with wings on his shoulders.
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Hypnos is associated with a horn of sleep-inducing opium.
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Hypnos dwelled in Erebus, the land of eternal darkness beyond the gates of the rising sun.
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Hypnos followed his mother Nyx every night.
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Hypnos' Roman counterparts are Somnus or Sopor.
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Thanatos is the god of peaceful death.
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Thanatos is the opposite of his sisters, the Keres.
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Thanatos is depicted as a winged, bearded old man holding a down-turned torch.
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Thanatos was captured by the criminal Sisyphus who trapped him in a sack to avoid death.
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Thanatos' Roman counterparts are Mors or Letum.
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Hecate is the goddess of magic, witchcraft, ghosts, and necromancy.
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Hecate is the only the child of Perses and Asteria.
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Hecate is depicted as a woman holding two torches.
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Hecate assisted Demeter in her search for Persephone.
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Hecate became Persephone's minister and companion in the underworld.
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Hecate is associated with symbols like a black she-dog and polecat.
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Hecate's Roman counterpart is Trivia.
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Erinyes are the three goddesses of vengeance and retribution, particularly concerned with homicide, unfilial conduct, perjury, and offenses against the gods.
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Erinyes are depicted as ugly, winged women with hair, arms, and waists entwined with poisonous snakes.
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Erinyes wield whips and wear long black robes or skirts.
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The Erinyes can be called upon by a victim to place a curse upon the criminal.
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The Erinyes can inflict curses upon children as a punishment for parental misdeeds.
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The wrath of the Erinyes can only be placated through purification rituals and the completion of certain tasks.
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They are servants of Hades and Persephone in the underworld.
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Erinyes are associated with symbols like vipers, screech-owls.
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The Erinyes are named Alecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone.
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Erinyes's Roman counterparts are Furiae or Dirae.
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Moirae are the three goddesses of fate, the children of Zeus and Themis.
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Moirae have the following roles:
- Clotho - the spinner
- Lachesis - the apportioner of lots
- Atropos - the cutter
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Moirae are depicted as ugly, old women, sometimes lame.
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Moirae are considered severe, inflexible, and stern.
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Moirae assigned the fate to each person and did not interfere in human affairs.
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Moirae are considered prophetic deities.
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Moirae's Roman counterparts are Parcae or Fatae.
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Amphitrite is the goddess-queen of the sea and wife of Poseidon.
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Amphitrite is depicted as a young woman holding a fish.
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Amphitrite fled from Poseidon and hid near Atlas, but was ultimately fetched by Dolphin to be wed to Poseidon.
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Amphitrite's Roman counterpart is Salacia.
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Nereids are the fifty sea nymphs who were daughters of Nereus.
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Nereids are goddesses of the rich bounty of the sea and protectors of sailors and fishermen.
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Nereids dwelt with their father in a silvery grotto at the bottom of the Aegean Sea.
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**Nereids ** are depicted as beautiful, young maidens with small dolphins or fishes on their hands or riding on the backs of dolphins.
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Horae are the goddesses of the seasons and natural portions of time, presiding over the heavenly constellation revolutions.
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Horae are the sisters of Moirae.
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Horae are honored by farmers.
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The Horae are associated with the following attributes:
- Eunomia - good order, good pasture
- Eirene - peace, spring
- Dike - justice
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Pan is the God of shepherds, hunters, the meadows, and forests of the mountain wilds.
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Pan idled in the countryside playing his panpipes and chasing nymphs.
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Pan is depicted as a man with horns, legs, and tail of a goat, a thick beard, a snub nose, and pointed ears.
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Pan was often rejected by nymphs, including Pitys, Syrinx, and Echo.
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Eris is the goddess of strife, discord, and contention.
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Eris haunted the battlefield and delighted in human bloodshed.
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Eris was refused admittance to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis and threw a golden apple inscribed “To the fairest”
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Eris' Roman counterpart is Discordia.
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Nemesis is the goddess of indignation against evil deeds and undeserved good fortune, representing resentment.
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Nemesis is depicted as a winged woman.
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Nemesis directed human affairs to maintain equilibrium.
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Nemesis was particularly concerned with matters of love in myths.
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Nemesis' Roman counterparts are Nemesis and Rivalitas.
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Tyche is the goddess of fortune, chance, and providence.
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Tyche is depicted holding a rudder, ball, or cornucopia.
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Tyche's Roman counterpart is Fortuna.
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