Roman Names for the Greek Gods: A Guide to Roman Mythology

Exploring the fascinating world of Roman mythology, we often encounter gods and goddesses with familiar names like Jupiter and Venus. These names, however, are simply the Roman counterparts of their Greek counterparts, Zeus and Aphrodite. While the names may differ, the stories, attributes, and roles of these deities often remain remarkably similar. This article provides a comprehensive list of Roman names for Greek gods and goddesses, delving into their detailed meanings and connections to their Greek counterparts.
1. **Jupiter:** King of the gods, equivalent to Zeus; meaning "father of the sky" or "shining father."
2. **Juno:** Queen of the gods, wife of Jupiter, equivalent to Hera; meaning "youthful" or "youthful goddess."
3. **Neptune:** God of the sea, equivalent to Poseidon; meaning "one who stirs."
4. **Pluto:** God of the underworld, equivalent to Hades; meaning "wealth" or "hidden one."
5. **Mars:** God of war, equivalent to Ares; meaning "dedicated to Mars (the god)."
6. **Venus:** Goddess of love, beauty, and desire, equivalent to Aphrodite; meaning "she who brings the spring."
7. **Apollo:** God of light, music, poetry, and prophecy, equivalent to Apollo; meaning "destroyer."
8. **Diana:** Goddess of the hunt, wild animals, and the moon, equivalent to Artemis; meaning "light."
9. **Mercury:** Messenger of the gods, equivalent to Hermes; meaning "merchant."
10. **Minerva:** Goddess of wisdom, war, crafts, and medicine, equivalent to Athena; meaning "mind."
11. **Vulcan:** God of fire, metalworking, and the forge, equivalent to Hephaestus; meaning "the lame one."
12. **Ceres:** Goddess of agriculture and harvest, equivalent to Demeter; meaning "ripe grain."
13. **Bacchus:** God of wine, revelry, and theater, equivalent to Dionysus; meaning "to rage."
14. **Janus:** God of beginnings, transitions, doorways, and time, equivalent to Janus; meaning "doorway."
15. **Saturn:** God of time, harvest, and agriculture, equivalent to Cronus; meaning "sower."
16. ** Vesta:** Goddess of hearth, home, and family, equivalent to Hestia; meaning "hearth."
17. **Flora:** Goddess of flowers and spring, equivalent to Chloris; meaning "blossom."
18. **Bellona:** Goddess of war, equivalent to Enyo; meaning "war."
19. **Cupid:** God of love, equivalent to Eros; meaning "desire."
20. **Somnus:** God of sleep and dreams, equivalent to Hypnos; meaning "sleep."
21. **Morpheus:** God of dreams, equivalent to Morpheus; meaning "shaper."
22. **Helios:** God of the sun, equivalent to Helios; meaning "sun."
23. **Selene:** Goddess of the moon, equivalent to Selene; meaning "moon."
24. **Eolus:** God of the winds, equivalent to Aeolus; meaning "swift."
25. **Titan:** Giant, equivalent to Titan; meaning "shining."
26. **Nymph:** Nature spirit, equivalent to Nymph; meaning "bride."
27. **Gorgon:** Monster, equivalent to Gorgon; meaning "fierce."
28. **Fury:** Goddess of vengeance, equivalent to Erinyes; meaning "angry."
29. **Furies:** Goddesses of vengeance, equivalent to Erinyes; meaning "angry."
30. **Nemesis:** Goddess of retribution, equivalent to Nemesis; meaning "distribution."
31. **Psyche:** Goddess of the soul, equivalent to Psyche; meaning "soul."
32. **Charon:** Ferryman of the underworld, equivalent to Charon; meaning "fiery."
33. **Hercules:** Hero, equivalent to Heracles; meaning "glory of Hera."
34. **Persephone:** Queen of the underworld, equivalent to Persephone; meaning "she who brings the light."
35. **Prometheus:** Titan who brought fire to humankind, equivalent to Prometheus; meaning "forethought."
36. **Pandora:** First woman created, equivalent to Pandora; meaning "all gifted."
37. **Atlas:** Titan who holds up the sky, equivalent to Atlas; meaning "to bear."
38. **Cronus:** King of the Titans, equivalent to Cronus; meaning "sower."
39. **Rhea:** Queen of the Titans, equivalent to Rhea; meaning "flow."
40. **Zeus:** King of the gods, equivalent to Zeus; meaning "sky" or "shining father."