Greek and Roman Mythology Vocabulary

• One weakness people may have is their Achilles' heel.
• Achilles was vulnerable except for his heel.
• Adonis was handsome young man; Aphrodite loved him.
• Aeolian was anything pertaining to wind; god who was Keeper of Wind.
• Apollo was a physically perfect male; the God of music, light, and music.
• Argus-eyed was omniscient, all-seeing; from Argus, the 100-eyed monster that Hera had guarding Io.
• Athena/Minerva was goddess of wisdom, the city, and arts; patron goddess of the city of Athens.
• Atlantean was strong like Atlas -who carried the globe on his shoulders.
• Aurora was early morning or sunrise; from the Roman personification of Dawn or Eos.
• Bacchanal was n; wild, drunken party or rowdy celebration; from god of wine Bacchus.
• Bacchanalian was adj.; pertaining to a wild, drunken party or celebration from god of wine, Bacchus.
• Dionysus was Greek god of wine, love, and fertility.
• Calliope was series of whistles --circus organ ; from the Muse of eloquence or beautiful voice.
• Cassandra was a person who continually predicted misfortune but often was not believed.
• Centaur was a monster that had the head, arms, and chest of a man, and the body and legs of a horse.
• Chimera was a horrible creature of the imagination, an absurd or impossible idea; wild fancy.
• Cupidity was eager "desire" to possess something; greed or avarice.
• Erotic was of or having to do with sexual passion or love.
• Furor was (Latin- furere to rage) wild enthusiasm or excitement, rage; fury, "run like fury".
• Gorgon was a very ugly or terrible person, especially a repulsive woman.
• Halcyon was clam, peaceful, tranquil --Archaic bird.
• Harpy was a predatory person or nagging woman; from the word harpy, a foul creature that was part woman, part bird.
• Hector was to bully; from Hector, the son of Priam (king of Troy), and the bravest Trojan warrior. Killed by Achilles' friend Patroclus.
• Helen (of Troy) was Hellenistic; of or relating to Greece, or a Specialist of language or culture in Greece; symbol of a beautiful woman.
• Herculean was very strong or of extraordinary power; from Hercules, Hera's glory, the son of Zeus. He performed the 12 labors imposed by Hera.
• Hydra-Headed was having many centers or branches, hard to bring under control; something

Test your knowledge of Greek and Roman mythology vocabulary with this quiz featuring terms related to gods, creatures, and characters from ancient myths. From Achilles' heel to Hercules, explore the rich linguistic history and cultural significance of these terms.