All kinds of gods. gods of ancient greece
IN Ancient Russia, in those days when Christianity was not yet accepted, the Slavs idolized otherworldly incorporeal beings. The pagan gods of ancient Russia, according to the ideas of the ancients, are endowed with supernatural powers to influence everything that exists. They are responsible for all the fundamental principles of human existence, they control both the fate of the people themselves and everything that surrounds them.
Each deity performs a specific, utilitarian function. The history of the depths of centuries keeps many dozens of names, of which only a part is known to us now. This part has survived to this day thanks to the pagan rituals and rituals passed down from generation to generation, which over time became the basis of the customs of the Slavic family.
At the hierarchical top stands the supreme god, under his command are the gods of the environment for the existence of all living things, then the gods of human destinies and everyday life of people, at the bottom of the pyramid are the elements and forces of darkness.
Table pagan gods of ancient Russia:
| No. p / p | Deity name | purpose |
| 1 | GENUS | Supreme god of heaven and earth |
| 2 | HORSE | Sun God |
| 3 | YARILO | God of the spring sun. Son of Veles |
| 4 | DAZHDBOG | God of fertility and sunshine |
| 5 | SVAROG | Master of the Universe. sky god |
| 6 | PERUN | god of lightning and thunder |
| 7 | STRIBOG | wind god |
| 8 | VELES | God of fertility (cattle) |
| 9 | LADA | The female incarnation of the Family |
| 10 | CHERNOBOG | Lord of the powers of darkness |
| 11 | MOKOSH | Goddess of the earth, harvest and female destiny |
| 12 | PARASKEVA-FRIDAY | Ruler of revelry |
| 13 | MORAINE | Goddess of Evil, Disease and Death |
Ancient Slavic God Rod
This is the supreme god, commanding all things in the universe, including all other gods. He heads the top of the pagan pantheon of gods. He is the creator and ancestor. He is omnipotent and affects the entire cycle of life. It exists everywhere and has no beginning or end. This description is fully consistent with the idea of God in all modern religions.
The clan governs life and death, abundance and poverty. No one has ever seen him, but he sees everyone. The root of his name is sewn into human speech - into the words by which people interpret (voiced) their dominant spiritual and material values in the material world. Birth, relatives, homeland, spring, harvest - in all this there is a Genus.
Hierarchy of the pagan gods of Russia
Under the authority of the Family, all Slavic deities and other spiritual entities are distributed according to the steps corresponding to their impact on the everyday affairs of people.
The upper step is occupied by deities that manage global and national affairs: wars and ethnic conflicts, weather disasters, fertility and hunger, fertility and mortality.
At the middle stage are the deities responsible for local affairs. These are the patrons of agriculture, crafts, fishing and hunting, family concerns. People liken their face to their own.
The stylobate of the foundation of the pantheon is reserved for spiritual entities, whose bodily appearance is unlike that of a human being. These are kikimoras, ghouls, goblin, brownies, ghouls, mermaids and many others like them.
The Slavic hierarchical pyramid ends here, in contrast to the ancient Egyptian one, where there was also an afterlife with its own governing deities and laws, or let's say, where the basis is a numerous pantheon of gods.
Slavic gods in importance and power
God of the Slavs Khors and his incarnations
Khors is the son of Rod and the brother of Veles. This is the god of the Sun in Ancient Russia. Horse's face is like a sunny day - yellow, radiant, dazzlingly bright. It has 4 incarnations:
- Kolyada
- Yarilo
- Dazhdbog
- Svarog.
Each hypostasis operates in a certain season of the year, and people expect help from each divine incarnation, with which the corresponding rituals and ceremonies are associated.
We still observe the traditions of the ancient Slavs: we tell fortunes at Christmas time, we fry pancakes at Maslenitsa, we burn bonfires and weave wreaths at Ivan Kupala.
1. God of the Slavs Kolyada
Kolyada begins the annual cycle and rules from the day of the winter solstice until spring equinox(December 22 - March 21). In December, people greet the young Sun and praise Kolyada with ritual songs; The festivities last until January 7th. This is the Saints.
By this time, the owners are slaughtering their pets, opening pickles, and stocks are being taken to fairs. Throughout Christmastime, people arrange gatherings, plentiful feasts, guessing, having fun, getting married and playing weddings. In general, doing nothing becomes quite legal. Kolyada treats with his mercy all benefactors who show mercy and generosity to the poor.
2. God of the Slavs Yarilo
He is Yarovit, Ruevit, Yar - the solar god of a young age with the face of a barefoot young man on a white horse. Wherever he looks, shoots will sprout, where he passes, the grass will sprout. On his head is a crown of ears of corn, in his left hand he holds a bow and arrows, in his right - the reins. Its time is from the spring equinox to the summer solstice (March 22 - June 21). The people in the house have depleted supplies, and there is a lot of work. When the sun turned back, then the tension in the labors subsided, the time of Dazhdbog had come.
3. God of the Slavs Dazhdbog
He is also Kupala or Kupail - a solar god with the face of a man of mature age. Its time is from the summer solstice to autumn equinox(June 22 - September 23). The celebration on the occasion of the meeting due to employment is postponed on July 6-7. On this mysterious night, people burn Yarila (or rather, a scarecrow) on a large fire and jump over it, the girls let wreaths of flowers woven from flowers down the river. Everyone is looking for the wishing fern in bloom. There is also a lot of work during this season: mowing, harvesting fruits, repairing the house, preparing the sled.
4. God of the Slavs Svarog
The weary sun is sinking lower and lower towards the horizon. In its slanting rays, the tall, strong old man Svarog (aka Svetovid), whitened with gray hair, takes over the baton of domination. He looks to the north, clutching a heavy sword in his hand, with which he smashes the forces of darkness. He is the husband of the Earth, the father of Dazhdbog and all other gods of natural phenomena. His time from September 23 to December 21 is a period of satiety, peace and prosperity. People do not grieve about anything, arrange fairs, play weddings.
Perun god of thunder and lightning
This is the god of war. In his right hand, Perun holds a rainbow sword, in his left - lightning arrows. Clouds are his hair and beard, thunder is his speech, wind is his breath, raindrops are the fertilizing seed. He is the son of Svarog (Svarozhich), and is also endowed with a formidable disposition. He patronizes brave warriors and everyone who makes efforts for hard work, gives them good luck and strength.
Stribog god of the wind
He is a god above the gods of the elemental forces of nature (Whistle, Weather and others). Stribog is the lord of the wind, hurricanes and snowstorms. He can be touchingly kind and fiercely evil. When he angrily blows the horn, an element arises; when he is kind, the foliage simply rustles, streams murmur, the wind howls in the crevices of trees. From these sounds of nature came music and songs, and with them musical instruments. They pray to Stribog that the storm subsides, and the hunters ask him for help in pursuing a sensitive and shy beast.
Veles pagan god of wealth
This is the god of agriculture and cattle breeding. Veles is also called the god of wealth (aka Volos, Month). He rules over the clouds. As a young man, he himself was tending the heavenly sheep. In anger, Veles sends heavy rains to the earth. After reaping, people still leave him one harvested sheaf. In his name, they swear an oath of honor and fidelity.
Lada goddess of love and beauty
Goddess Lada is the patroness of the hearth. Her clothes are snow-white clouds, and the morning dews are tears. In the predawn haze, she escorts the shadows of the dead to the other world. Lada is the earthly incarnation of the Family, the high priestess, the mother goddess, surrounded by a retinue of young servants. She is beautiful and smart, bold and dexterous, flexible like a vine, a resounding flattering speech flows from her lips. Lada gives people advice on how to live, what can and cannot be done. It condemns the guilty and justifies the falsely accused. A long time ago, her temple stood on Ladoga, now her abode is the blue of heaven.
God of the Slavs Chernobog
Many ancient legends are said about swamp evil spirits, but not all of them have come down to us. After all, they are patronized by the powerful Chernobog - the ruler dark forces evil and whim, serious illnesses and bitter misfortunes. This is the god of darkness. His abode is terrible forest thickets, ponds covered with duckweed, deep pools and marshy swamps.
He holds a spear in his hand with malice and rules over the night. The evil forces subordinated to him are numerous: goblin, confusing forest paths, mermaids, dragging people into the whirlpools, cunning banniki, malicious and insidious ghouls, capricious brownies.
God of the Slavs Mokosh
Mokosh (Makesha), is the goddess of trade, like the ancient Roman Mercury. In Old Slavonic, mokosh means "full purse." She prudently uses the harvest. Another purpose is to control fate. She is interested in spinning and weaving; with spun threads, she weaves the destinies of people. Young housewives were afraid to leave an unfinished tow for the night, believing that Mokosha would ruin the yarn, and with it fate. Northern Slavs consider Mokosha an unkind goddess.
God of the Slavs Paraskeva-Friday
Paraskeva-Pyatnitsa is the concubine of Mokosha, who made Paraskeva a deity who rules over riotous youth, gambling, drinking parties with vulgar songs and obscene dances, as well as dishonest trade. Therefore, Friday was a market day in Ancient Russia for a long time. On this day, women were not allowed to work, because for disobedience, Paraskeva could turn a disobedient woman into a cold toad. She poisoned the water in wells and underground springs. Today, this goddess has no power and is almost forgotten.
God of the Slavs Morena
The goddess, the ruler of evil, incurable diseases and death, is Maruha or Morena. She sends fierce winters, rainy nights, epidemics and wars to Earth. Her image is a terrible woman with a dark wrinkled face with deeply sunken small eyes, a sunken nose, a bony body and the same hands with long curved nails. She is served by ailments. She herself never leaves. She is driven away, but she appears again and again.
The theme of deities and names of gods is especially popular and is in incredible demand, although literally ten years ago it was relegated to the background, due to the fact that people stopped believing and became different. However, even now it is rarely touched upon - mainly in case of a desire to ask for help ...
Names of the gods: The most popular topic of our time
In one direction, the topic continues to be touched upon, and as you may have guessed, this concerns the direction of the nomenclature. The people of the thicket began to turn in search of a name for the child to names with deities. Giving the child the name of a god, some of the deified beings, parents hope that with him the growing little man will be guaranteed happy, as a reward for belief.
Is it so, it is impossible to say with absolute certainty, but the fact remains - the names of the gods are popular in the world, in all cultures, in the East, in Asia, Europe, America, and in Orthodox lands.
Those who deified Isis and Horus were common. There were others - but they were much less in demand, although a certain temple was dedicated to each, in which worshipers and believers worshipped.
Ancient Greece…
Ancient Greek beliefs were in-depth in mythology, but many are confused about where the real and where is just a fictional mythological character. Then the names of the Greek gods were given exclusively to children in rich, prosperous families. Among the common people, they were not in such high esteem - heroes were revered (Hercules, Odysseus, etc.).
Morpheus (responsible for dreams), Poseidon (a favorite of sailors and ship owners), Dionysus (respected by winemakers), Zeus (king of deities), Hermes (patronizes thieves and merchants), Ares (warriors bowed before him) - this is not all scroll.
Japanese culture in naming practice
In Japan, representatives of the divine world were treated differently. In addition to the usual patrons of goodness, strength and warriors, the names of the Japanese gods of magic were famous - the tradition of believing in them did not last long, but gave rise to a lot of stories and myths, which are now being filmed in anime.
There, the essence of the name of God was understood differently, a different meaning was attached, but faith definitely could not be betrayed - they were punished for this, and in confirmation there are many facts about which history tells.
Raijin (likeness of Zeus), Fujin (patron of the wind), Emma (queen of the underworld), Tsukieshi (lord of the moon) - the list is huge, but those named were respected more than anyone else.
A few words at the end...
Faith varied everywhere at all times, but the “higher ones” were held in high esteem by both believers and unbelievers. The name forms were different, but they believed in them not for their sound - it was simply customary to honor higher beings, it was customary, which, unfortunately, cannot be said in our modern age.
From a magical point of view, the supreme gods of the North are Odin (Wotan) and Freya. Both are powerful archetypes and are the model of consciousness that sorcerers look up to in their magical development.
There is a whole pantheon of magical archetypes that magicians and initiates can work with. The highest deities are divided into ases and vans. aces are the gods and goddesses of social order and consciousness, while baths- deities of nature and prosperity. And only the supreme "magical deities" Odin and Freya can cross these boundaries of their own free will.
Using the Viking Horoscope, you can find out the name of your patron god and ask him for help and protection.
One-Wotan
One is the supreme god. He is the patron of runemasters who attempt to bring to life the archetypal structures of his myths. Odin is a god who sacrifices (bestows) "himself to himself" in an act of magical initiation in order to acquire the runes - knowledge about himself and the cosmos, as well as about the forces that control these spheres. Odin is the god of poetry, magic, ecstasy and the divine synthesis of consciousness. Knowing the image of this god, the runemaster can obtain hidden knowledge about the past and future and change the weaving pattern of the fabric of the world. The divine triad Odin, Vili and Ve created our world by defeating the frost giant Ymir in battle. From his body, cut into pieces, they built Midgard, from the skull the vault of heaven, his blood became the ocean.
Odin's palace in Asgard - Wallgala. Every day in Wallgala feast Einherja, warriors who fell with weapons in their hands. On the day of the last battle - Ragnarok - in which our world will perish, the Einherjars will come out of the five hundred and forty gates of Vallgala, led by the Universal Father, to die themselves but make room for a new world. Odin's weapon is the spear Gungnir. Everywhere he is accompanied by two wolves Geri and Freki, and two crows Hugin and Munin. The horse of the Universal Father, the eight-legged stallion Sleipnir, is the fastest horse in all the worlds of the Universal Tree.
Tiu-Tur
Tiu is the god of law. He patronizes justice and rational thinking. He knows the measure of all things and the place of each thing in the right and just order. Tiu is the god of true faith (trota) and can always be trusted. Etymologically Tiu corresponds to Zeus-Jupiter. Tiu-Tür is known in some Scandinavian regions under the name Ullr or Ullinn.
Tor-Tunar
The name Tunar means "thunderer". Tunar, the god of unwavering loyalty and faith, is a reliable protector of the gods and humanity. Thor is the son of Odin and Erda (Erda, Arda, Erd) the Goddess of the Earth. After the Universal Father, the most beloved and revered God in Asatru. During the Viking Age, he may have been revered as the chief God and was often referred to as the "God of the common people". Thor is best known for his relentless battles against the Jotuns-Grimthurs-Giants. He is the protector of Asgard and Midgard. Thor is the only God who inspires fear and respect for Loki - the God of Fire. Although Thor is sometimes portrayed as slow-witted compared to Odin and Loki, he is a skilled God whose problem-solving is quick and efficient, and whose feelings are simple and unpretentious, something other Gods often lack.
Thor's weapon is the hammer Mjolnir, a magical weapon forged by the dverg (dwarf) brothers Sindri and Brok, which always returns to the owner after being thrown. Thor usually travels on a wagon drawn by two goats Tangriznir and Tangiost.
Thor's wife is Sif, the Goddess with golden hair. His daughter's name is Trud, and he also has two sons born to a giantess, their names are Magni and Modi.
They say that "If your prayer is sincere, Thor will help you, because he will be the first to hear you."
Frigg-Fria
Frigg, or Phrya, also occupies a prominent place among the Ases. She is the protector of order in the family. She is the wife of Odin and, according to legend, has great powers of divination. But despite knowing the future, she rarely talks about it.
Vans
Freya
Freya is the goddess of magic, eros and physical well-being. Frey is Freya's twin brother. The names Freyra and Freyja literally mean "Master" and "Mistress". Freya controls the forces of natural cycles, symbolized by her necklace, Brisingamen, which was made by four dwarfs. The price of this necklace was four nights of her love. Freya is perhaps the most famous and beloved Goddess in Asatru today. Freya is a "wild woman" among the deities of the North: free in her love and sexual choice (Freya is furious when Thor suggests that she marry against her will the giant who stole Mjolnir); teacher (mistress) of Odin and other Gods and man; experienced in various magical rituals and actions based on altered states of consciousness (shamanism), in the practice of the North called Seit; sharing with Odin the right to give victory in battle.
Freya is the Goddess of the Vanir, who came to Asgard after her twin brother Freyr, during the exchange of hostages after the war of Aesir and Vanir. It is believed that she is also related to the beginning of this war. Under the name of Gullveig, she appeared in Asgard, where the brilliance of her gold and beauty blinded the Ases. Three times they killed her, and three times she was reborn. This triple murder and the lust for gold served as the impetus for the start of the war. Associated animals are the pig and the cat.
Freyr
Freyr is the patron of prosperity, material and physical well-being, peace and eros. He is called the Veraldargod, the God of the Universe. He controls the natural processes on earth and in the air (above the earth). His animals are horse, boar and deer.
Religion and magic practiced under the auspices of the "Master" and "Mistress" in ancient Anglo-Saxon England were called the word wiccecraeft (modern witchcraft - "witchcraft". Hence the word Wicca, denoting the religion of modern witches and sorcerers).
Njord
Another significant god among the Vanir is Njord. This is the father of Freya and Freyr. Njord patronizes material well-being and prosperity. He governs the elements of the sea and the air above the sea. For a time he was Skadi's husband.
There are other gods and goddesses of the North, but it is those deities that we have mentioned that are the key ones that open the way to the divine realms. These are the main gods to whom gifts are usually brought. The names of other gods and goddesses may also be used in magical practice for special purposes.
Here are some of the names of the gods and goddesses given by Snorri Sturluson in his Edda:
Bragi- god of eloquence; wisdom and poetry are also under his tutelage. Husband of Idunn.
Air- Goddess of medicine. Healer of gods and goddesses.
Forseti- the god of justice. He always sees both sides of the coin.
fulla Frigga's faithful servant. She always helps the great goddesses cope with difficult work.
Gefion- Goddess of virtue. Known as "benevolent" or "giving". As a gift from her, you can receive bodily or spiritual talent. Perhaps she is one of the aspects of Freya.
Gna- the goddess of transformation. Raises awareness to dizzying heights. Companion Frigga.
Heimdal- guardian god Protects such qualities as clairvoyance and vigilance. Overseer of the Bifrost Bridge at the Entrance to Asgard - the world of the gods. Father of mankind.
hlin Goddess who protects people from physical danger. Companion Frigga.
Khödr- the god of blind power. He embodies brute force and conflict.
Idun- goddess of eternal renewal. She is trying to contain the fury of the divine forces in the universe, being the guardian of the golden apples of the aesir.
Lofn- Goddess of condescension. With her consent, you can enter into a secret love affair and perform other forbidden actions. She is close to both Odin and Frigga.
Loki- is not a real god, since he belongs to the jotun family, but he is the "blood brother" of Odin and therefore is admitted to the community of aces. He patronizes beauty and deceit, cunning and deceit. He is a magician ("trickster") and a prankster. Loki knows no equal in laughter and humor. Most likely, Loki is the "shadow side" of the god Odin himself.
Saga Her name means "seer" or "prophet". She appears to be an active aspect of Frigga and has considerable knowledge of the future.
Sjöfn- The goddess of love. They call on her when they want to attract the attention of a loved one or a loved one.
Snotra- the goddess of the mind.
Syn the goddess of denial. Powerful defender of the accused in court.
Skadi“A very strong goddess, a warrior goddess. Goddess of the hunt, snow and ice, patronizes independent women. Was married to Njord for a while, accompanies Odin and some other Gods.
Ullr- can perform the same function as Tyr. Expresses that aspect of Tyr that is associated with physical precision and coordination of movements - for example, in hunting, archery, etc. He is usually called upon in battles, as he bestows martial arts on people. In many ways, he is similar to Skadi. Ruled Asgard in Odin's absence for 3 years.
Balder- the son of Odin, according to the myth, his death will herald the imminent onset of the time of Ragnarok (something like the end of the world) - a great battle between the forces of good and evil.
wali- the god of vengeance. According to the myth, he avenged the murder of Baldur at the age of one day. Son of Odin.
Var the goddess of honesty. She takes revenge on the violators of oaths and promises.
Vidar- the god of vengeance. He avenges his "father" Odin, whose projection he is. Vidar is the god of silence and helps to survive the crisis.
Ver- Goddess of omniscience. She is very wise and nothing can hide from her insight and intuition.
Oestara- Goddess of spring and the birth of a new one.
Mani- God of the Moon.
Sunnah- Goddess of the Sun.
These gods and goddesses can be referred to in many practical matters. You can call on the deities and bring them gifts, hoping for a reward. Their names can also be used as the basis of runic magic formulas or to create runic spells.
ABDER - son of Hermes, friend of Hercules
AUGIUS - son of Helios, king of Elis
Agenor - King of Sidon
AGLAVRA - daughter of Kekrop
AGLAYA - one of the graces
ADMET - king of Fer, friend of Hercules
ADMETA - daughter of Eurystheus, priestess of the goddess Hera
Hades - the god of the underworld (among the ancient Romans PLUTO)
ACID - son of Semetis, beloved of Galatea
ACRISIA - king of Argos, father of Danae
ALKESTIS - daughter of Tsar Iolk Pelias, wife of Admet
Alkid - the name of Hercules, given to him at birth
Alcyone - one of the seven daughters of Atlas
ALCMENA - daughter of the Mycenaean king Electrion, mother of Hercules
AMALTHEA - the goat who nursed Zeus with her milk
AMPHITRION - Greek hero, husband of Alcmene
AMPHITRITE - one of the daughters of Nereus, the wife of the god of the seas Poseidon
ANGEY - Greek hero, member of the Argonauts campaign
ANDROGEUS - the son of the Cretan king Minos, killed by the Athenians
ANDROMEDA - daughter of the king of Ethiopia Cepheus and Cassiopeia, wife of Perseus
ANTEUS - the son of the goddess of the earth Gaia and the god of the seas Poseidon
ANTEA - the wife of King Tiryns Pretus
Antiope - Amazon
APOLLO (PHEB) - god of sunlight, patron of the arts, son of Zeus
APOP - in ancient Egyptian mythology, a monstrous serpent, the enemy of the sun god Ra
ARGOS - the shipbuilder who built the ship "Argo"
ARGUS - a mythological stout-eyed monster that guarded Io
ARES - in ancient Greek mythology, the god of war, the son of Zeus and Hera (among the ancient Romans, MARS)
ARIADNE - daughter of the Cretan king Minos, beloved of Theseus, later the wife of the god Dionysus
ARCADE - son of Zeus and Callisto
ARTEMIS - goddess of the hunt, daughter of Zeus and Latona, sister of Apollo
ASKLEPIUS (ESCULAP) - the son of Apollo and Coronis, a skilled healer
ASTEROPE - one of the seven daughters of Atlas
ATA - goddess of lies and deceit
ATAMANT - King Orchomenus, son of the god of the winds Eol
ATLAS (ATLANT) - a titan holding the entire celestial sphere on his shoulders
ATHENA - the goddess of war and victory, as well as wisdom, knowledge, arts and crafts (among the ancient Romans MINERVA)
APHRODITE - the goddess of love and beauty (the ancient Romans VENUS)
AHELOY - river god
Achilles - Greek hero, son of King Peleus and the sea goddess Thetis
BELLER - Corinthian killed by Hippo
BELLEROPHONT (HIPPONOES) - the son of King Glaucus of Corinth, one of the greatest heroes of Greece
Boreas - god of the winds
VENUS (see APHRODITE)
VESTA (see HESTIA)
GALATEA - one of the Nereids, beloved Akida
Ganymede - a beautiful young man, the son of the Dardanian king Troy, abducted by Zeus
HARMONY - daughter of Ares and Aphrodite, wife of the founder of Thebes Cadmus
HEBA - eternally young beautiful daughter of Zeus and Hera
HEKATE - patroness of night evil spirits, witchcraft
HELIOS - sun god
HELIADS - daughters of the god Helios
GELLA - daughter of Atamant and the goddess of clouds and clouds Nephele
HERA - wife of Zeus
GERION - a terrible giant who had three heads, three bodies, six arms and six legs
HERCULES - one of the greatest heroes of Greece, the son of Zeus and Alcmene
HERMES - in Greek micrology, the messenger of the Olympic gods, the patron of shepherds and travelers, the god of trade and profit, the son of Zeus and Maya (among the ancient Romans, MERCURY)
GERSE - daughter of Kekrop
Hesione - wife of Prometheus
HESPERIDES - daughters of Atlas
HESTIA - daughter of Kronos, goddess of the hearth (among the ancient Romans VESTA)
Hephaestus - in Greek mythology, the god of fire, the patron of blacksmithing, the son of Zeus and Hera (among the ancient Romans, VOLCANO)
GAYA - the goddess of the Earth, from which mountains and seas originated, the first generation of gods, cyclops and giants
HYADES - daughters of Atlas who raised Dionysus
GIAS - brother of Hyades, who tragically died while hunting lions
GILAS - Hercules' squire
GILL - son of Hercules
HYMENEUS - god of marriage
Himeroth - god of passionate love
HYPERION - Titan, father of Helios
HYPNOS - god of sleep
Hippocontus - brother of Tiidareus, who expelled him from Sparta
HYPPONOES (see VELLEROFONT)
Hypsipyla - queen of the island of Lemnos
GLAVK - king of Corinth, father of Bellerophon
GLAVK - soothsayer
GRANI - goddesses of old age
Danae - daughter of King Argos Acrisius, mother of Perseus
DAR DAN - son of Zeus and daughter of Atlas Electra
Daphne - nymph
Deucalion - son of Prometheus
Daedalus - unsurpassed sculptor, painter, architect
DEIMOS (Horror) - son of the god of war Ares
DEMETRA - the goddess of fertility and the patroness of agriculture
Dejanira - wife of Hercules
DIKE - goddess of justice, daughter of Zeus and Themis
DICTIS - a fisherman who found a box with Danae and Perseus in the sea
DIOMED - Thracian king
Dione - nymph, mother of Aphrodite
Dionysus - god of viticulture and winemaking, son of Zeus and Semele
Eurystheus - king of Argos, son of Stenel
HEBRITO - father of Ifit, friend of Hercules
Eurytion - the giant slain by Hercules
EUROPE - daughter of King Sidon Agenor, beloved of Zeus
EUTERPA - the muse of lyric poetry
Euphrosyne - one of the Charites (Graces)
ELENA - daughter of Zeus and Leda, wife of Menelaus, because of whose abduction by Paris, the Trojan War began
ECHIDNA - monster, half-woman half-snake
ZEUS - the ruler of Heaven and Earth, the thunderer, the supreme god of the ancient Greeks (among the ancient Romans, JUPITER)
ZET - the son of the god of the winds Boreas, a participant in the campaign of the Argonauts
ID - Castor and Pollux's cousin, Castor's killer
IKAR - the son of Daedalus, who died because he got too close to the Sun
Icarius - a resident of Attica, the first to grow grapes and make wine
IMHOTEP - ancient Egyptian physician and architect
INO - daughter of the founder of Thebes Cadmus and Harmony, wife of King Orchomenus Adamant, stepmother of Frix and Gella
IO - daughter of the river god Inach, the first king of Argolis, beloved of Zeus
IOBAT - Lycian king, father of Anthea
IOLA - daughter of Bvrit
IOLAI - nephew of Hercules, son of Iphicles
IPPOLITUS - the son of the Athenian king Theseus and Hippolyta, slandered by his stepmother Fed-roy
Hippolyta - Queen of the Amazons
IRIDA - messenger of the gods
Isis - ancient Egyptian goddess, great-granddaughter of the sun god Ra
Iphicles - brother of Hercules, son of Amphitryon and Alcmene
IFIT - friend of Hercules, killed by him in a fit of madness
KADM - the son of the Sidonian king Agekor, the founder of Thebes
KALAID - the son of the god of the winds Boreas, a participant in the campaign of the Argonauts
Calliope - the muse of epic poetry
CALLISTO - daughter of the Arcadian king Lycaon, beloved of Zeus
Kalhant - soothsayer
CASSIOPEIA - Queen of Ethiopia, wife of Cepheus and mother of Andromeda
CASTOR - son of Leda and the Spartan king Tin-dareus, brother of Pollux
Karpo - ora of summer, one of the goddesses who were in charge of the change of seasons
KEKROP - half man, half snake, founder of Athens
KELENO - one of the daughters of Atlas
KERVER (CERBER) - a three-headed dog with a snake tail, guarding the souls of the dead in the underworld of Hades
KEFEI (see CEFEI)
KICN - Phaeton's friend who turned into a snow-white swan
KILIK - son of the Sidonian king Agenor
KLYMENE - daughter of the sea goddess Thetis, wife of Helios, mother of Phaethon
CLIO - the muse of history
KLYTEMNESTRA - daughter of Leda and the Spartan king Tyndareus, wife of Agamemnon
CAPRICORN - son of Epian, childhood friend of Zeus
KOPREI - the messenger of Bvristhey, who transmitted orders to Hercules
KORONIDA - beloved of Apollo, mother of Asclepius (Aesculapius)
Creon - Theban king, father of Megara, the first wife of Hercules
KRONOS - Titan, son of Uranus and Gaia. Having overthrown his father, he became the supreme god. In turn, he was overthrown by his son Zeus
Laomedont - King of Troy
LATONA (SUMMER) - Titanide, beloved of Zeus, mother of Apollo and Artemis
LEARCH - the son of Atamant and Ino, killed by his father in a fit of madness
LEDA - wife of the Spartan king Tyndareus, mother of Helen, Clytemnestra, Castor and Pollux
LYCAON - king of Arcadia, father of Callisto
Lycurgus - Thracian king who insulted Dionysus and was blinded by Zeus as punishment
LIN - music teacher of Hercules, brother of Orpheus
LINKEY - cousin of Castor and Pollux, distinguished by extraordinary vigilance
LICHAS - messenger of Hercules
MAYA - daughter of Atlas, beloved of Zeus, mother of Hermes
MARDUK - the patron god of the city of Babylon, the supreme deity of the Babylonian pantheon
MARS (see ARES)
MEG ARA - daughter of the Theban king Creon, the first wife of Hercules
MEDEIA - sorceress, daughter of the king of Colchis Eeta, wife of Jason, later the wife of the Athenian king Aegeus
MEDUSA GORGON - the only mortal of the three Gorgon sisters - winged female monsters with snakes instead of hair; the look of the Gorgon turned all living things into stone
MELANIPPE - Amazon, assistant to Hippolyta
MELIKERT - the son of King Atamant and the sorceress Ino
MELPOMENE - muse of tragedy
MERCURY (see HERMES)
MEROPE - daughter of Atlas
METIS - the goddess of wisdom, the mother of Pallas Athena (among the ancient Romans METIS)
MIMAS - a giant struck by the arrow of Hercules during the battle of the gods with the giants
MINOS - king of Crete, son of Zeus and Europe
MINOTAUR - a monster with a human body and a bull's head, who lived in the Labyrinth, was killed by Theseus
Mnemosyne - goddess of memory and remembrance
Pug - a Greek hero who understood the language of birds and guessed the future, a participant in the campaign of the Argonauts
NEPTUNE (see POSEIDON)
NEREIDS - fifty daughters of Nereus
NEREI - sea god, soothsayer
NESS - a centaur who tried to kidnap Dejanira, the wife of Hercules, and was killed by him
NEPHELA - goddess of clouds and clouds, mother of Frix and Gella
NIKTA - goddess of the night
NOT - the god of the southern wet wind
NUT - the ancient Egyptian goddess of Heaven
OVERON - in Scandinavian mythology, the king of elves, a character in W. Shakespeare's comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
OYNEUS - king of Calydon, father of Meleager - friend of Hercules and Dejanira - his wife
OCEANIDS - daughters of the Ocean
OMFALA - Lydian queen who enslaved Hercules
ORION - brave hunter
ORPHEUS - the son of the river god Eagra and the muse Calliope, a famous musician and singer
ORFO - a two-headed dog, a product of Typhon and Echidna
Ores - goddesses who were in charge of the change of seasons
OSIRIS - in ancient Egyptian mythology, the god of dying and resurrecting nature, brother and husband of Isis, father of Horus, patron and judge of the dead
PALLANT - a giant defeated by Athena, from whom she took off her skin and covered her shield with this skin
PANDORA - a woman made by Hephaestus on the orders of Zeus from clay in order to punish people, the wife of Epimetheus - the brother of Prometheus
PANDROSA - daughter of Kekrops, the first Athenian king
Pegasus - winged horse
Peleus - Greek hero, father of Achilles
PELIUS - king of Iolk, father of Alcestis
PENEUS - river god, father of Daphne
PERIFET - a terrible giant, son of Hephaestus, killed by Theseus
PERSEUS - Greek hero, son of Zeus and Danae
PERSEPHONE - the daughter of the goddess of fertility Demeter and Zeus, the wife of the ruler of the underworld Hades (among the ancient Romans PROSERPINA)
Pyrrha - Deucalion's wife
Pittheus - king of Argolis
Pythia - the prophetess of the god Apollo in Delphi
PYTHON - the monstrous serpent that pursued Latona is killed by Apollo
PLEIADS - seven daughters of Atlas, sister of Hyades
PLUTO (see HADES)
POLYHYMNIA - the muse of sacred hymns
POLIDEUCUS (POLLUX) - son of Zeus and Leda, brother of Castor
POLYDECT - the king of the island of Serif, who sheltered Danae and Perseus
POLYID - soothsayer
Polyphemus - Cyclops, son of Poseidon, in love with Galatea
POLYPHEM - Lapith, husband of the sister of Hercules, participant in the campaign of the Argonauts
POSEIDON - the god of the seas, the brother of Zeus (among the ancient Romans, NEPTUNE)
PRET - king of Tiryns
PRIAM - Trojan king
PROMETHEUS - the titan who gave people fire
RA - the sun god of the ancient Egyptians
RADAMANT - son of Zeus and Europa
REZIA - daughter of the Caliph of Baghdad, faithful wife of Huon
Rhea - wife of Kronos
Sarpedon - son of Zeus and Europa
SATURN (see KRONOS)
SELENA - Goddess of the Moon
SEMELE - daughter of the Theban king Cadmus, beloved of Zeus, mother of Dionysus
SEMETIS - mother of Acida, lover of Galatea
Silenus - the wise teacher of Dionysus, was depicted as a drunken old man
SINNID - a terrible robber defeated by Theseus
SKIRON - a cruel robber defeated by Theseus
SOHMET - daughter of Ra, had the head of a Lioness, the personification of the fire element
STENEL - father of Eurystheus
STENO - one of the Gorgons
Scylla - one of two terrible monsters that lived on both sides of a narrow strait and killed sailors passing between them
TAIGET - son of Zeus and Maya, brother of Hermes
TAL - nephew of Daedalus, killed by him out of envy
THALIA - the muse of comedy
TALLO - ora of spring
TALOS - a copper giant, presented by Zeus to Minos
THANATOS - god of death
TEIA - the eldest daughter of Uranus, the mother of Helios, Selene and Eos
TELAMON - a true friend of Hercules, a member of the Argonauts' campaign
TERPSIKHORA - the muse of dances
TESEN - a Greek hero, the son of the Athenian king Aegeus and the Trizen princess Etra, killed the Minotaur
TESTIUS - king of Estonia, father of Leda
TEPHIA - Titanide, wife of the Ocean
TYNDAREUS - Spartan hero, husband of Leda
Tiresias - soothsayer
TITANIA - in Scandinavian mythology, the wife of Oberon, a character in W. Shakespeare's comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
TITON - brother of the Trojan king Priam
Typhon - a hundred-headed monster, the offspring of Gaia and Tartarus
THOT - the ancient Egyptian god of the moon
TRIPTOLEM - the first farmer who initiated people into the secrets of agriculture
TRITON - the son of the ruler of the seas Poseidon
Troy - king of Dardan, father of Ganymede
URANUS - the god of Heaven, the husband of Gaia, the father of the titans, cyclops and hundred-armed giants; was overthrown by his son Kronos
URANIA - the muse of astronomy
PHAETON - the son of Helios and Clymene, the hero of a tragic myth
FEBA - titanide
PHEDRA - the wife of the Athenian king Theseus, who fell in love with her stepson Hippolytus and slandered him
Themis - goddess of justice, mother of Prometheus
PHOENIX - son of the Sidonian king Agenor
Thetis - sea goddess, mother of Achilles
FIAMAT - the ancient Babylonians have a monster from which all troubles stemmed
PHILOCTETES - friend of Hercules who received his bow and arrows as a reward for setting fire to the funeral pyre
PHINEUS - the king of Thrace, a soothsayer blinded by Apollo for revealing to people the secrets of Zeus
PHOBOS (Fear) - the son of the god of war Ares
FRIX - the son of Atamant and Nephele, the goddess of clouds and clouds
CHALKIOPE - daughter of the king of Colchis Eeta, wife of Frix
CHARIBDA - one of the monsters that lived on both sides of the narrow strait and killed sailors passing by
HARON - carrier dead souls across the river Styx in the underworld of Hades
Chimera - a three-headed monster, the offspring of Typhon and Echidna
CHIRON is a wise centaur, a teacher of the famous Greek heroes Theseus, Achilles, Jason and others.
HYUON - a knight of Charlemagne, an example of a faithful spouse
CEPHEI - king of Ethiopia, father of Ariadne
SHU - son of the sun god Ra
EAGR - river god, father of Orpheus
Euryale - one of the Gorgons
Eurydice - nymph, wife of Orpheus
EGEI - king of Athens, father of Theseus
ELEKTRA - daughter of Atlas, beloved of Zeus, mother of Dardanus and Jason
ELECTRION - Mycenaean king, father of Alcmene, grandfather of Hercules
ENDYMION - a beautiful young man, beloved of Selena, immersed in eternal sleep
ENCELADUS - the giant whom Athena filled up with the island of Sicily
ENIO - the goddess who sows murder in the world, the companion of the god of war Ares
EOL - god of the winds
EOS - goddess of the dawn
EPAF - Phaethon's cousin, son of Zeus
Epian - father of Capricorn
Epimetheus - brother of Prometheus
ERATO - the muse of love songs
Erigone - daughter of Ikaria
ERIDA - goddess of discord, companion of the god of war Ares
Erichthonius - son of Hephaestus and Gaia, second king of Athens
EROS (EROT) - god of love, son of Aphrodite
Aesculapius (see ASCLEPIUS)
ESON - king of Iolk, father of Jason
EET - king of Colchis, son of Helios
JUNO (see HERA)
JUPITER (see ZEUS)
Janus - god of time
IAPET - titan, father of Atlas
YASION - son of Zeus and Electra
Jason - Greek hero, leader of the Argonauts campaign
Culture and religion in Athens have been closely intertwined since time immemorial. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are so many attractions in the country that are dedicated to the idols and gods of antiquity. There is probably nothing like it anywhere. But still the most total reflection Greek mythology became the oldest civilization. Gods and titans, kings and heroes from legends - all these are parts of the life and existence of ancient Greece.
Of course, many tribes and peoples had their own deities and idols. They personified the forces of nature, incomprehensible and frightening of ancient man. However, the ancient Greek gods were not only symbols of nature, they were considered the creators of all moral goods and the guardians of the beautiful and great powers of the ancient people.
Generations of the gods of ancient Greece
IN different time there were also different ones. The list of one ancient author differed from another, but nevertheless it is possible to single out common periods.
So, in the days of the Pelasgians, when the cult of worship of the forces of nature flourished, the first generation of Greek gods appeared. It was believed that the Mist ruled the world, from which the first supreme deity appeared - Chaos, and their children - Nikta (Night), Eros (Love) and Erebus (Darkness). The land was in complete disarray.
The names of the Greek gods of the second and third generation are already known to the whole world. These are the children of Nikta and Eber: the air god Ether and the goddess of the day Hemera, Nemesis (Retribution), Ata (Lie), Mom (Stupidity), Kera (Misfortune), Erinia (Revenge), Moira (Fate), Eris (Discord). And also take the twins Thanatos (herald of Death) and Hypnos (Sleep). Children of the goddess of the earth Hera - Pontus (inner Sea), Tartarus (Abyss), Nereus (calm sea) and others. As well as the first generation of powerful and destructive titans and giants.
The Greek gods that existed among the Pelagestians were overthrown by the titans and a series of universal catastrophes, stories about which have been preserved in myths and legends. After them, a new generation appeared - the Olympians. These are the human gods of Greek mythology. Their list is huge, and in this article we will talk about the most significant and famous people.
The first supreme god of ancient Greece
Kronos or Chronov is the god and keeper of time. He was the youngest of the sons of the earth goddess Hera and the sky god Uranus. His mother loved him, cherished and indulged him in everything. However, Kronos grew up to be very ambitious and cruel. Once Hera heard a prediction that his son would be the death of Kronos. But she decided to keep it a secret.
Meanwhile, Kronos killed his father and gained supreme power. He settled on Mount Olympus, which went straight to heaven. Hence the name of the Greek gods, as the Olympians. When Kronos decided to marry, his mother told him about the prophecy. And he found a way out - he began to swallow all his born children. His poor wife Rhea was horrified, but she failed to convince her husband of the opposite. Then she hid her third son (little Zeus) from Kronos on the island of Crete under the supervision of forest nymphs. It was Zeus who became the death of Kronos. When he grew up, he went to Olympus and overthrew his father, while making him regurgitate all his brothers.
Zeus and Hera
So, the new humanoid Greek gods from Olympus became the rulers of the world. Zeus was the father of the gods. He is the gatherer of clouds and the lord of lightning, creating all living things, as well as the establisher of order and justice on earth. The Greeks considered Zeus the source of goodness and nobility. The Thunderer is the father of the goddesses Or, the rulers of time and annual changes, as well as the Muses, who give people inspiration and joy.
Zeus' wife was Hera. She was portrayed as a grumpy goddess of the atmosphere, as well as the keeper of the hearth. Hera patronized all women who remained faithful to their husbands. And also, together with her daughter Ilithia, she facilitated the process of childbirth. According to myths, Zeus was very loving, and after three hundred years of married life he got bored. He began to visit mortal women in a variety of guises. So, he appeared to beautiful Europe in the form of a huge bull with golden horns, and to Danae - in the form of starry rain.
Poseidon
Poseidon is the god of the seas and oceans. He always remained in the shadow of his more powerful brother Zeus. The Greeks believed that Poseidon was never cruel. And all the troubles and punishments that he sent to people were well-deserved.
Poseidon is the patron saint of fishermen and sailors. Always, before setting sail, people prayed first of all to him, and not to Zeus. In honor of the ruler of the seas, altars were smoked for several days. According to legend, Poseidon could be seen during a storm on the high seas. He appeared from the foam in a golden chariot harnessed by dashing horses, which his brother Hades gave him.
Poseidon's wife was the goddess of the noisy sea, Amphitrite. The symbol is a trident, which bestowed full power over the sea. Poseidon had a soft, non-confrontational disposition. He always sought to avoid quarrels and conflicts, and was unconditionally devoted to Zeus, unlike Hades.
Hades and Persephone
The Greek gods of the underworld are, above all, the gloomy Hades and his wife Persephone. Hades is the god of death, the lord of the kingdom of the dead. He was feared even more than the Thunderer himself. No one could go down to the underworld without the permission of Hades, and even more so, return. According to Greek mythology, the gods of Olympus divided power among themselves. And Hades, who got the underworld, was unhappy. He harbored a grudge against Zeus.
Despite the fact that he never spoke directly and openly, there are many examples in the legends when the god of death tried in every possible way to spoil the life of his crowned brother. So, once Hades kidnapped the beautiful daughter of Zeus and the goddess of fertility Demeter Persephone. He forcibly made her his queen. Zeus had no power over the realm of the dead, and chose not to mess with his embittered brother, so he refused the frustrated Demeter's request to save her daughter. And only when the goddess of fertility in grief forgot about her duties, and drought and famine began on earth, Zeus decided to talk to Hades. They entered into an agreement according to which Persephone would spend two-thirds of the year on earth with her mother, and the rest of the time in the kingdom of the dead.
Hades was portrayed as a gloomy man sitting on a throne. On earth he traveled in a chariot harnessed by hellish horses with burning eyes. And at this time, people were afraid and prayed that he would not take them to his kingdom. Hades' favorite was the three-headed dog Cerberus, who tirelessly guarded the entrance to the world of the dead.
Athena Pallas
The beloved Greek goddess Athena was the daughter of the Thunderer Zeus. According to the myths, she was born from his head. At first it was believed that Athena was the goddess of the clear sky, who dispersed all black clouds with her spear. She was also a symbol of victorious energy. The Greeks depicted Athena as a powerful warrior with a shield and a spear. She always traveled with the goddess Nike, who personifies victory.
IN Ancient Greece Athena was considered the protector of fortresses and cities. She gave people just and correct state orders. The goddess personified wisdom, calmness and a penetrating mind.
Hephaestus and Prometheus
Hephaestus is the god of fire and blacksmithing. His activity was manifested by volcanic eruptions, which frightened people very much. Initially, he was considered only the god of heavenly fire. Since on earth people lived and died in eternal cold. Hephaestus, like Zeus, and other Olympic gods was cruel to the world of people, and was not going to give them fire.
Prometheus changed everything. He was the last of the Titans to survive. He lived on Olympus and was right hand Zeus. Prometheus could not watch how people suffer, and, having stolen the sacred fire from the temple, he brought it to earth. For which he was punished by the Thunderer and doomed to eternal torment. But the titan was able to agree with Zeus: he granted him freedom in exchange for the secret of maintaining power. Prometheus could see the future. And in the future of Zeus, he saw his death at the hands of his son. Thanks to the titan, the father of all gods did not marry the one who could bear him a murderous son, and thus forever consolidated his power.
The Greek gods Athena, Hephaestus and Prometheus became symbols of the ancient festival of running with lit torches. Ancestor of the Olympic Games.
Apollo
The Greek sun god Apollo was the son of Zeus. He was identified with Helios. According to Greek mythology, Apollo lives in the distant lands of the Hyperboreans in winter, and returns to Hellas in the spring and again pours life into withered nature. Apollo was also the god of music and singing, since, along with the revival of nature, he gave people the desire to sing and create. He was called the patron of art. Music and poetry in ancient Greece were considered the gift of Apollo.
Due to his regenerating ability, he was also considered the god of healing. According to the legends, Apollo expelled all blackness from the patient with his sunbeams. The ancient Greeks portrayed the god as a fair-haired young man with a harp in his hands.
Artemis
Apollo's sister Artemis was the goddess of the moon and the hunt. It was believed that at night she wandered through the forests with her naiad companions and irrigated the earth with dew. She was also called the patroness of animals. At the same time, many legends are associated with Artemis, where she cruelly drowned sailors. People were sacrificed to appease her.
At one time, the Greeks called Artemis the patroness of brides. The girls performed rituals and brought offerings to the goddess in the hope of a strong marriage. Artemis of Ephesus even became a symbol of fertility and childbearing. The Greeks portrayed the goddess with many nipples on her chest, which symbolized her generosity as a nurse of people.
The names of the Greek gods Apollo and Artemis are closely related to Helios and Selene. Gradually brother and sister lost their physical significance. Therefore, in Greek mythology, the separate sun god Helios and the moon goddess Selene appeared. Apollo remained the patron of music and the arts, and Artemis - of hunting.
Ares
Initially, Ares was considered the god of the stormy sky. He was the son of Zeus and Hera. But among the ancient Greek poets, he received the status of the god of war. He was always portrayed as a fierce warrior armed with a sword or spear. Ares loved the noise of battle and bloodshed. Therefore, he was always at enmity with the goddess of the clear sky, Athena. She was for prudence and fair conduct of battle, he was for fierce skirmishes and countless bloodshed.
Ares is also considered the creator of the tribunal - the trial of murderers. The trial took place on a sacred hill, which was named after the god - the Areopagus.
Aphrodite and Eros
The beautiful Aphrodite was the patroness of all lovers. She is a favorite muse for all the poets, sculptors and artists of that time. The goddess was portrayed beautiful woman emerging naked from the sea foam. The soul of Aphrodite has always been full of pure and immaculate love. In the time of the Phoenicians, Aphrodite contained two principles - Ashera and Astarte. She was Ashera when she enjoyed the singing of nature and the love of the youth Adonis. And Astarte - when she was revered as the "goddess of heights" - a stern warrior who imposed a vow of chastity on her novices and guarded marital morality. The ancient Greeks combined these two principles in their goddess and created an image of ideal femininity and beauty.
Eros or Eros is the Greek god of love. He was the son of the beautiful Aphrodite, her messenger and faithful assistant. Eros connected the destinies of all lovers. He was portrayed as a small plump boy with wings.
Demeter and Dionysus
Greek gods, patrons of agriculture and winemaking. Demeter personified nature, which, under sunlight and heavy rains, ripens and bears fruit. She was portrayed as a "fair-haired" goddess, giving people a harvest, deserved by labor and sweat. It is Demeter that people owe to the science of arable farming and sowing. The goddess was also called "mother earth". Her daughter Persephone was the link between the world of the living and the realm of the dead, she belonged to both worlds.
Dionysus is the god of winemaking. As well as brotherhood and joy. Dionysus gives people inspiration and fun. He taught people how to work the vine, as well as wild and riotous songs, which then served as the basis for ancient Greek drama. God was portrayed as a young cheerful youth, his body was entwined with a vine, and in his hands was a jug of wine. Wine and vine are the main symbols of Dionysus.