Greek and Roman Mythology Vocabulary

Study Notes

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