Roman Names of Greek Gods: A Comprehensive Guide

This article explores the fascinating connection between Roman and Greek mythology, specifically focusing on the Roman names given to the powerful Greek gods. Unveiling the intricate relationships between these deities, we delve into their stories, attributes, and the meanings behind their names, offering a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of ancient mythology.
1. **Jupiter:** King of the gods, ruler of the sky, thunder and lightning; derived from the Latin "iuvenis" meaning "youthful" and "pater" meaning "father", reflecting his role as the supreme god and source of creation.
2. **Juno:** Queen of the gods, protector of marriage, women and childbirth; her name likely derives from the Latin word "iuvenis" meaning "youthful", emphasizing her role as a goddess of youth and vitality.
3. **Neptune:** God of the sea, horses and earthquakes; his name comes from the Latin "nepos" meaning "grandson," referencing his lineage as the son of Saturn.
4. **Pluto:** God of the underworld, wealth and the dead; his name comes from the Greek "Plouton," meaning "wealthy," reflecting his dominion over the hidden treasures of the earth.
5. **Mars:** God of war, agriculture and bloodshed; his name is derived from the Latin word for "male" and potentially relates to his association with masculinity and strength.
6. **Venus:** Goddess of love, beauty, and fertility; her name comes from the Latin "Venus," meaning "desire" or "charm," reflecting her association with love, beauty, and the power of attraction.
7. **Apollo:** God of light, music, poetry, healing, prophecy and archery; his Roman name is a direct translation of the Greek "Apollon," meaning "destroyer" or "exterminator," potentially referring to his ability to heal and destroy disease.
8. **Diana:** Goddess of the hunt, moon, childbirth, and the wilderness; her name likely originates from the Latin word "divina," meaning "divine" or "goddess," reflecting her status as a powerful and independent deity.
9. **Mercury:** God of commerce, travel, messengers, and thieves; his name is derived from the Latin word "merx," meaning "merchandise," reflecting his role as a god of trade and commerce.
10. **Ceres:** Goddess of agriculture, harvests, and motherhood; her name is derived from the Latin word "cere" meaning "grain," highlighting her association with agriculture and the bounty of the land.
11. **Vulcan:** God of fire, metalworking, and the forge; his name comes from the Latin word "Vulcanus," likely meaning "to shine," reflecting his association with the powerful and bright flames of the forge.
12. **Minerva:** Goddess of wisdom, warfare, crafts, and the arts; her name likely derives from the Latin word "men," meaning "mind" or "intellect," reflecting her role as a goddess of wisdom and intellect.
13. **Bacchus:** God of wine, revelry, and theater; his name is derived from the Greek "Bakchos," meaning "shouter" or "raver," highlighting his association with wild, ecstatic celebrations.
14. **Janus:** God of beginnings, transitions, doorways, and time; his name likely comes from the Latin "ianua," meaning "doorway," reflecting his role as the guardian of transitions and beginnings.
15. **Saturn:** God of time, agriculture, and the harvest; his name is derived from the Latin word "sat" meaning "to sow," reflecting his association with agriculture and the cycle of planting and harvesting.
16. **Vesta:** Goddess of hearth, home, and family; her name likely comes from the Latin word "vester," meaning "fire" or "hearth," reflecting her role as the protector of the home and the sacred flame of the hearth.
17. **Hercules:** God of strength, heroism, and courage; his name is derived from the Greek "Heracles," meaning "glory of Hera," reflecting his association with strength and his struggles with the goddess Hera.
18. **Jupiter:** King of the gods, ruler of the sky, thunder and lightning; derived from the Latin "iuvenis" meaning "youthful" and "pater" meaning "father", reflecting his role as the supreme god and source of creation.
19. **Juno:** Queen of the gods, protector of marriage, women and childbirth; her name likely derives from the Latin word "iuvenis" meaning "youthful", emphasizing her role as a goddess of youth and vitality.
20. **Neptune:** God of the sea, horses and earthquakes; his name comes from the Latin "nepos" meaning "grandson," referencing his lineage as the son of Saturn.
21. **Pluto:** God of the underworld, wealth and the dead; his name comes from the Greek "Plouton," meaning "wealthy," reflecting his dominion over the hidden treasures of the earth.
22. **Mars:** God of war, agriculture and bloodshed; his name is derived from the Latin word for "male" and potentially relates to his association with masculinity and strength.
23. **Venus:** Goddess of love, beauty, and fertility; her name comes from the Latin "Venus," meaning "desire" or "charm," reflecting her association with love, beauty, and the power of attraction.
24. **Apollo:** God of light, music, poetry, healing, prophecy and archery; his Roman name is a direct translation of the Greek "Apollon," meaning "destroyer" or "exterminator," potentially referring to his ability to heal and destroy disease.
25. **Diana:** Goddess of the hunt, moon, childbirth, and the wilderness; her name likely originates from the Latin word "divina," meaning "divine" or "goddess," reflecting her status as a powerful and independent deity.
26. **Mercury:** God of commerce, travel, messengers, and thieves; his name is derived from the Latin word "merx," meaning "merchandise," reflecting his role as a god of trade and commerce.
27. **Ceres:** Goddess of agriculture, harvests, and motherhood; her name is derived from the Latin word "cere" meaning "grain," highlighting her association with agriculture and the bounty of the land.
28. **Vulcan:** God of fire, metalworking, and the forge; his name comes from the Latin word "Vulcanus," likely meaning "to shine," reflecting his association with the powerful and bright flames of the forge.
29. **Minerva:** Goddess of wisdom, warfare, crafts, and the arts; her name likely derives from the Latin word "men," meaning "mind" or "intellect," reflecting her role as a goddess of wisdom and intellect.
30. **Bacchus:** God of wine, revelry, and theater; his name is derived from the Greek "Bakchos," meaning "shouter" or "raver," highlighting his association with wild, ecstatic celebrations.
31. **Janus:** God of beginnings, transitions, doorways, and time; his name likely comes from the Latin "ianua," meaning "doorway," reflecting his role as the guardian of transitions and beginnings.
32. **Saturn:** God of time, agriculture, and the harvest; his name is derived from the Latin word "sat" meaning "to sow," reflecting his association with agriculture and the cycle of planting and harvesting.
33. **Vesta:** Goddess of hearth, home, and family; her name likely comes from the Latin word "vester," meaning "fire" or "hearth," reflecting her role as the protector of the home and the sacred flame of the hearth.
34. **Hercules:** God of strength, heroism, and courage; his name is derived from the Greek "Heracles," meaning "glory of Hera," reflecting his association with strength and his struggles with the goddess Hera.
35. **Amor:** God of love and desire; his name is derived from the Latin word "amor," meaning "love," reflecting his association with passionate love and romance.
36. **Cupid:** God of love, desire, and attraction; his name comes from the Latin word "cupido," meaning "desire" or "lust," reflecting his association with intense, passionate love.
37. **Bellona:** Goddess of war and bloodshed; her name likely derives from the Latin word "bellum," meaning "war," reflecting her association with violence and conflict.
38. **Flora:** Goddess of flowers, spring, and fertility; her name is derived from the Latin word "flos," meaning "flower," reflecting her association with the beauty and abundance of springtime.
39. **Pomona:** Goddess of fruit trees, gardens, and abundance; her name is likely derived from the Latin word "pomum," meaning "fruit," highlighting her association with the bounty of the harvest.
40. **Tellus:** Goddess of the earth and fertility; her name comes from the Latin word "tellus," meaning "earth," reflecting her association with the fertile ground and the cycle of growth.
41. **Proserpina:** Queen of the underworld; her name is the Latin equivalent of the Greek Persephone, meaning "she who brings forth."
42. **Dis:** God of the underworld; a different Roman name for Pluto, meaning "wealth" or "riches".
43. **Summanus:** God of nocturnal thunder and storms; his name is believed to be a combination of the Latin words "summus" meaning "highest" and "manus" meaning "hand," potentially referencing his powerful control over the weather.
44. **Quirinus:** God of war, the city of Rome, and the Roman people; his name likely derives from the Latin word "quiris," meaning "spear," reflecting his association with warfare and the strength of the Roman army.
45. **Genius:** God of guardianship, protection, and prosperity; his name comes from the Latin word "genius," meaning "spirit," referencing his role as the guardian spirit of individuals and places.
46. **Lares:** Gods of the household and family; the plural of the Latin word "lar," meaning "spirit," reflecting their role as protectors of the home and family.
47. **Penates:** Gods of the pantry and food supply; their name likely comes from the Latin word "penus," meaning "store" or "provisions," highlighting their association with the abundance of food and resources.
48. **Terminus:** God of boundaries and landmarks; his name is derived from the Latin word "terminus," meaning "boundary," reflecting his role as the protector of property lines and borders.
49. **Liber:** God of wine, freedom, and fertility; his name comes from the Latin word "liber," meaning "free," potentially referencing his association with freedom and liberation.
50. **Pales:** Goddess of shepherds, flocks, and pastures; her name is likely derived from the Latin word "palus," meaning "stake" or "fence," highlighting her role as the protector of livestock and the pastoral lands.