Art History Terms to Know: Greek Mythology Guide

Art History Terms to Know: Greek Mythology Guide

• Saturday, November 6, 2021

     The subject of Greek mythology is millennia in art and many other media. Knowing these figures and their symbology can make understanding and viewing art much more meaningful. 

    While Greek gods, goddesses, and their myths are very complex, they can be split and simplified down. For example, the 12 'main' gods and goddesses are known as the Olympians, named for their home on Mount Olympus. While the Olympians are important, according to myth, they were not the first. The first gods being Uranus, the original sky god, Gaia, his wife and the personification of the earth. Gaia had many children by Uranus, but the most notable being Kronos. Kronos went on to marry Rhea (his sister) and have many children including Zeus and other brothers and sisters. The Olympians include: 

1. Zeus: the Chief among all gods (he came to this position by drawing lots with his brothers)
1. always depicted with beard
2. sometimes with a thunderbolt
3. Roman name- Jupiter
2. Poseidon: the god of the sea
1. Roman name- Neptune
3. Hera: goddess of women, childbirth, family, and marriage
1. also the wife of Zeus, making her the Queen of gods
2. Roman name- Juno
4. Demeter: the goddess of agriculture and the harvest
1. Roman name- Ceres
5. Athena: the goddess of war strategy and wisdom
1. the patron god of Athens 
2. Roman name- Minerva
6. Aphrodite: the goddess of love, beauty, and passion
1. Roman name- Venus
7. Apollo: the god of music and poetry
1. depicted with the lyre
2. twin to Artemis
3. Roman name- Apollo
8. Artemis: goddess of the hunt, animals, and the wilderness
1. twin to Apollo
2. depicted with bow and wild animals
3. Roman name- Diana
9. Ares: the god of warfare, bloodshed, and violence
1. Roman name- Mars
10. Hephaistos: the god of blacksmithing and metalworking
1. Roman name- Vulcan
2. depicted with short tunic and axe
11. Dionysus: the god of wine
1. Roman name- Bacchus
2. depicted with a wreath or vines
12. Hermes: the messenger god
1. depicted with winged shoes
2. broad-rimmed hat
3. caduceus- special staff
4. Roman name- Mercury

    The depictions of these figures and myths also are seen in Roman art. They all have traits and depictions specific to them. Some notable works include Bacchus by Caravaggio, Venus and Mars by Sandro Botticelli, and Venus de Milo. There are so many more myths and gods! 

Citation: 

    Burn, Lucilla. Greek Myths. 6th ed., Austin, U of Texas P, 2002.