Saturday, April 19, 2014

Dionysus: God of wine and merrymaking

Roman Names: Bacchus and Liber
Parents: Zeus and Semele
Spouse: Ariadne
Children: Priapus (god of fertility), Deianeira (wife of heracles).
Personality: Rowdy, Fun-loving
Powers and Skills: winemaking, beekeeping, ability to drive mortals mad.
Wears and wields: Crown of ivy, cantharus (wine cup) that magically refills itself.
Attendants: Pan and Silenus (god of drunkenness), maenads, satyrs, centaurs, and all kinds of other party animals.
Chariot pulled by: Leopards

Hermes: God of trade, travelers, shepherds, and thieves

Roman Name: Mercury
Symbols: Tortoise, Ram, and Hawk
Parents: Zeus and Maia
Spouse: None
Children: Pan and Hermaphroditus
Personality: Clever, mischievous, helpful
Power and skills; Speed of the wind, able to conduct the dead to the underworld, quick wits, persuasive tongue, ability to put people to sleep with his wand.
Wears or wields: Winged sandals, a winged travelers hat, caduceus, a golden blade.
Attendants: Pan and his satyrs, the oreads (mountain nymphs)
Special sacrifice:  Lamb and young goats

Hephaestus: God of Fire, Blacksmiths, and Volcanoes

Roman name: Vulcan, Mulciber
Symbols: Anvil, Donkey, Crane
Parents: Zeus and Hera
Spouse: Aphrodite
Children: King Erichthonius of Athens\
Personality: Kind and hardworking
Powers and skills: Amazing talent for metal working, masonry, sculpture, and other crafts
Wears or wields:  Hammer, tongs, workmans cap
Attendants: Cyclopses, and automatons
Special sacrifices:  Animal fat burned over his special flame
Chariot pulled by:  Instead of chariot, he rode a donkey or mechanical throne.