Articles about the most famous people in ancient Greece and Rome including facts and accomplishments of their emperors as well as contribution of their scientists and thinkers.
In ancient Greece, Hermes was the ‘divine trickster’ who is considered as the herald of the Gods. Hermes is also considered as the protector of shepherds, thieves, merchants and travelers. He is the God of eloquence, commerce, cunning, astronomy and music. Hermes was later appropriated as Mercury in the Roman era. He was prominently worshiped … Read more
In the ancient Greek religion, Dionysus was the God of winemaking, grape harvest and religious frenzy. He was also closely associated with festivity, theatre, celebratory processions, ecstatic dance, fertility and insanity. The origins of Dionysus remain a mystery though the mysterious ecstatic rituals associated with him may be observed in other more ancient cultures. In … Read more
In the ancient Greek pantheon of gods, Aphrodite was the Goddess of love, beauty and sexual passion. Widely worshiped during the Greco-Roman era of European history, Aphrodite was among the more popular deities. Her cult is understood to have been inspired by other more ancient Goddesses like Astarte (Phoenician), Ishtar and Inanna (Sumerian). Aphrodite’s main … Read more
In the ancient Greek religion, Hephaestus was the ‘God of fire and volcanoes’. He is referred to as the ‘celestial artificer’, credited with creating numerous exquisite weapons, tools and artifacts for the Olympian Gods and Greek Heroes. Hephaestus was thus also regarded as a smithing God and worshiped by metal workers, sculptors, masons and other … Read more
In Greek mythology, Persephone is the Queen of the Underworld owing to her famous abduction and marriage to Hades, God of the Underworld. Persephone is the daughter of the Zeus (chief Olympian God) and Demeter (Goddess of agriculture), and is associated with the spring season, fertility and vegetation. She, along with with her mother Demeter, … Read more
In ancient Greek mythology, Hades was the first born son of the legendary Titans and supreme deities Cronus and Rhea. After defeating their own father, Hades along with his siblings Zeus and Poseidon, claimed ruler-ship over the cosmos. The brothers then divided the territory among themselves with Hades receiving the Underworld (a place where dead … Read more
In Greek mythology, Hermes is among the most popular of the Olympian deities, who was later appropriated as the Roman God Mercury. Referred to as the ‘divine trickster’, Hermes is a playful mischief making God, known for his quick wit, practical jokes and musical talent. For the mortals he is the protector of shepherds, thieves, … Read more
In Greek mythology, Dionysus is the Olympian God of fertility, wine, wine-making, madness and festivity. He is the God of viticulture and grapes, connected to the growth and harvest of the fruit. With wine being an integral part of ancient Greek culture and festivity, Dionysus was among the more popular deities, and his cults were … Read more
Among the most well known Olympians from ancient Greek myths, Aphrodite is the Goddess of love, beauty, passion and procreation. There are few myths regarding her origins, with the most popular one being her emergence from the sea following the castration of Ouronos (Uranus). She is usually said to have been born near her chief … Read more
In Greek mythology, Cronus or Kronos was the youngest of the first generation of Titans, born out of Ouranos (Uranus or the sky, heaven) and Gaia (the earth). Cronus was seen as the primordial God of time, a force that destroys and consumes all. According to Hesiod in his Theogony, Cronus was jealous of his … Read more