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Influence -

Greek mythology has had a significant influence on our world and language today—greater than we might realize.

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Influence -

For example, did you know that the month of January and the weekday Thursday are both named after gods? Click through to find out which.

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Zeus -

King of all the Gods and god of the sky, he is called the thunder god. Known for his wild and erotic escapades, he fathered many of the Greek heroes. His weapon of choice? Lightning. He also has a day of the week named after him: Thursday.   

Roman name: Jupiter 

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Hades -

While Zeus received the sky, his brother Hades received the underworld, making him the god of the underworld. He is the ruler of the dead and rarely leaves his realm.  

Roman name: Pluto.

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Poseidon -

The third brother, Poseidon, became god of the sea. This ruler is one of the iconic 12 Olympians. If angered, he has the ability to strike down his trident and cause earthquakes, drownings, and shipwrecks.

Roman name: Neptune.

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Hestia -

She is the Greek goddess of the hearth, home, domesticity, and family. She is the sister of Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon.

Roman name: Vesta.

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Hera -

Goddess of marriage, mothers, and families, Hera was the sister-wife of Zeus and is one of the 12 Olympians. The matron blesses martial unions and weddings. 

Roman name: Juno.

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Dionysus -

Dionysus is the god of wine and theater. He was promoted to a god by his father Zeus, and rightfully so, for he was the one to invent wine making!

Roman name: Bacchus.

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Hermes -

Another Olympian God, Hermes is the messenger of the gods and the god of trade, thieves, travelers, sports, athletes, border crossings, and guide to the underworld. 

Roman name: Mercury.

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Hypnos -

The god of sleep brings about dreams, rest, and is perhaps the laziest of all the gods. 

Roman name: Somnus.

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Apollo -

One of the important 12 Olympians, Apollo is the god of music, poetry, art, oracles, archery, plague, medicine, sun, light, and knowledge.

Roman name: Apollo.

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Artemis -

Twin sister of Apollo, she is described as the goddess of the hunt, forests and hills, moon, archery, childbirth, and virginity.

Roman name: Diana.

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Tyche -

Tyche is the goddess of luck. In ancient times, the Greeks and Romans used to pray to her during gambling contests and competitions. But, be warned: she's a hard god to find, opting instead to bestow good fortune on people who work hard.  

Roman name: Fortuna.

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Nemesis -

Watch out for Tyche's sister, Nemesis, the goddess of revenge. She strongly believes her sister is way too generous with spreading her good luck, so Nemesis always shows up to balance things out. 

Roman name: Nemesis.

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Heracles -

One of the most popular of all the Greek heroes, Heracles is known for being daring, brave, powerful, strong, and an example of masculinity. 

Roman name: Hercules.

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Nike -

Nike is the goddess of victory, so you will most certainly want this god on your side at your next major sporting event, or watching over your favorite team as you cheer them on. 

Roman name: Victoria.

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Athena -

She is the goddess of wisdom, war, and handicraft. She was the protector of Athens, hence her name, and has since become a symbol for classical learning, democracy, and freedom. 

Roman name: Minerva.

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Ares -

Ares is also a god of war, but unlike his sister Athena, who is far more strategic when it comes to the art of warfare, Ares represents the more untamed and violent aspects of battle. 

Roman name: Mars.

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Aphrodite -

The goddess of love, beauty, and sexuality, she is the model for the famous statue Venus de Milo found in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.

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Demeter -

Goddess of the harvest, nourishment, growth, agriculture, and fertility, she is also the giver of food and grain.

Roman name: Ceres.

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Odysseus -

This Greek hero was instrumental in helping the Greeks succeed in the Trojan War. He is known for his intelligence, brilliance, guile, and versatility.  

Roman name: Ulysses.

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Achilles -

Another great hero in the Trojan war, Achilles was ultimately injured during battle, which gave origin to the expressions "Achilles heel" and "Achilles tendon."

Roman name: Achilles.

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Theseus -

This important hero was the killer of monsters, famously the Minotaur. Later in his life, he became the king of Athens. 

Roman name: Theseus.

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Prometheus -

Prometheus was a Titan known for his intelligence, and a champion of mankind. He stole fire and brought it to humanity, which angered Zeus, who condemned him for the rest of eternity. 

Roman name: Prometheus.

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Perseus -

This hero is best known for being the slayer of Medusa, who'd turn men into stone if they looked directly at her. A son of Zeus, he was a quick-thinking and talented warrior. 

Roman name: Perseus.

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Aeneas -

Aeneas also participated in the Trojan war. He became Rome's first true hero.

Roman name: Aeneas

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Orpheus -

A great musician and poet, this Greek hero had the ability to make rivers stand still when he played the lyre. 

Roman name: Orpheus

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Jason -

This was the Greek hero who led the triumphant quest for the Golden Fleece. 

Roman name: Jason 

See also: Stunning and lesser-known Greek islands for escaping the crowds

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