Homoerotic themes in Greek and Roman mythology

Part of a series on

LGBTQ themes in mythology

Regional mythologies

* In European mythology
* In Classical mythology
* In Asian mythology
* In East Asian mythology
* In Chinese mythology
* In West Asian mythologies
* In South Asian mythology
* In Hindu mythology
* In African diasporic mythologies

Related fiction genres

* In fairy tales
* In comics
* In horror fiction
* In speculative fiction

Tropes

* Male pregnancy
* Single-gender worlds
* Lesbian vampire
* Woman warrior
* Erotes

* v
* t
* e

Greco-Roman mythology features male homosexuality in many of the constituent myths. In addition, there are instances of cross-dressing, androgyny, and other themes which are grouped under the acronym LGBTQ+.

These myths have been described as being crucially influential on Western LGBT literature, with the original myths being constantly re-published and re-written, and the relationships and characters serving as icons.[1] In comparison, lesbian relationships are rarely found in classical myths.[2]

## Homosexuality and bisexuality

[edit]

Apollo, the god of sun and music, is considered the patron of same sex love, as he had many male lovers and was often invoked to bless homosexual unions.[3] He is also called "the champion of male love" by Andrew Callimach.[4] Other gods are sometimes considered patrons of homosexual love between males, such as the love goddess Aphrodite and gods in her retinue, such as the Erotes: Eros, Himeros and Pothos.[5] Eros is also part of a trinity of gods that played roles in homoerotic relationships, along with Heracles and Hermes, who bestowed qualities of beauty (and loyalty), strength, and eloquence, respectively, onto male lovers.[6] In the poetry of Sappho, Aphrodite is identified as the patron of lesbians.[7]

## List of homosexual lovers

[edit]

* Achilles and Antilochus[8]
* Achilles and Patroclus[9]
* Agamemnon and Argynnus[10]
* Ameinias and Narcissus[9]
* Apollo and Admetus[11]
* Apollo and Adonis[12]
* Apollo and Boreas[13]
* Apollo and Branchus[14]
* Apollo and Carnus[15]
* Apollo and Cyparissus[16]
* Apollo and Helenus[17]
* Apollo and Hyacinth[18]
* Apollo and Hymenaios[18]
* Apollo and Iapis[19]
* Ares and Alectryon[20]
* Artemis and Callisto[21]
* Asclepius and Hippolytus[22][23]
* Athena and Myrmex[24]
* Athis and Lycabas[25]
* Boreas and Hyacinth
* Chiron and Dionysus[26]
* Cleostratus and Menestratus[27]
* Cycnus and Phaethon[28]
* Cycnus and Phylius[29]
* Cydon and Clytius[30]
* Dionysus and Ampelus[31]
* Dionysus and Prosymnus[32]
* Eurybarus and Alcyoneus[33]
* Helios and Nerites[34]
* Hephaestus and Peleus[23]
* Heracles and Abderus
* Heracles and Eurystheus[35]
* Heracles and Hylas[31]
* Heracles and Iolaus[36]
* Hermes and Amphion[37]
* Hermes and Crocus[38]
* Hermes and Perseus[39]
* Hermes and Pollux[40]
* Hesperus and Hymenaeus[41]
* Hymenaeus and Argynnus[35]
* Hypnos and Endymion[42]
* Ianthe and Iphis[43]
* Kalamos and Karpos[44]
* Laius and Chrysippus[36]
* Marsyas and Olympus[45][46]
* Minos and Atymnius[47]
* Minos and Ganymede[48]
* Minos and Miletus[49]
* Minos and Theseus[48]
* Nisus and Euryalus[50]
* Orestes and Pylades[51]
* Orpheus and the Thracians[36]
* Orpheus and Kalais[36]
* Pan and Daphnis[31]
* Paris and Antheus[52]
* Polyphemus and Silenus[53]
* Poseidon and Nerites[34]
* Poseidon and Pelops[18]
* Polyeidos and Glaucus[54]
* Rhadamanthus and Talos[35][55]
* Sarpedon and Atymnius[47]
* Sarpedon and Miletus[49]
* Silvanus and Cyparissus[56]
* Tantalus and Ganymede[citation needed]
* Thamyris and Hyacinth[57]
* Theseus and Pirithous[58][59]
* Zephyrus and Cyparissus[44]
* Zephyrus and Hyacinth[57]
* Zeus and Aëtos[60]
* Zeus (Artemis) and Callisto[61]
* Zeus and Euphorion
* Zeus and Ganymede[1]

## Sex and gender

[edit]

### Transgender

[edit]

The gender-change theme also occurred in classical mythology. The reason for the transformation varies, as in the case of Siproites (Σιπροίτης), a hunter from Crete, who was transformed to a woman by Artemis after having seen the goddess bathing/nude.[62][63]

There was also a motif of a woman needing to disguise herself as a male and later being transformed into a biological male by mysterious forces (mainly the gods). In the cases of Iphis and Leucippus, the woman's mother was pressured (by her husband) to bear a male child so the protagonist was forced to impersonate a male from birth.[64] Later in life, manhood was "granted" through the blessing of a deity (Juno/Hera in Iphis' case and Leto in Leucippus').

Caeneus and Mestra, each of whom was a mate of a god (Caeneus was a rape victim of Poseidon/Neptune and Mestra was a lover of the same god), were granted manhood by the said god. Mestra, however, had the ability to change her shape voluntarily, instead of staying in male form like Caeneus and other instances above.

Tiresias, on the other hand, became female because he struck a couple of copulating snakes, displeasing Hera, who punished him by transforming Tiresias into a woman. Later the sentence was remitted, due to either trampling on the mating snakes or avoiding them, and he became male again. In another version, Tiresias' sex-change was caused by an argument between Zeus and Hera, on which they debated whether a male or a female had greater pleasure in sex, so they transformed him into a female to experiment.

* Caeneus
* Iphis
* Leucippus
* Mestra
* Siproites
* Tiresias

### Androgynes and intersex

[edit]

According to Leah DeVun, a "traditional Hippocratic / Galenic model of sexual difference – popularized by the late antique physician Galen and the ascendant theory for much of the Middle Ages – viewed sex as a spectrum that encompassed masculine men, feminine women, and many shades in between, including hermaphrodites, a perfect balance of male and female".[65] DeVun contrasts this with an Artistotelian view of intersex, which argued that "hermaphrodites were not an intermediate sex but a case of doubled or superfluous genitals", and this later influenced Aquinas.[65]

Hermaphroditus (also the namesake of the word hermaphrodite), the son of Hermes and Aphrodite, is considered the god of hermaphrodites and intersex people. Hermaphroditus was depicted as a winged youth with both male and female features, that is, usually female thighs, breasts, and style of hair, and male genitalia.

Dionysus has been dubbed "a patron god of hermaphrodites and transvestites" by Roberto C. Ferrari in the 2002 Encyclopedia of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Culture.[66] He is referred to as effeminate, which is sometimes linked to his being dressed in girl's clothes during his childhood. In Orphic Hymn 41, the goddess Mise is referred to as an aspect of Dionysus, who is described as "male and female" (ἄρσενα καὶ θῆλυν).

Apollo was another god with effeminate features. His cheeks and chin are said to be soft and tender.[67][68] He was beardless and kept his hair long, giving him a feminine appearance. In one of his myths, he is mocked for draping himself in women's clothing, while his twin sister Artemis was made fun of for appearing manly and rough.[69]

In addition to Dionysus/Mise, several gods are referred to as "both male and female" or "both female and male" in the Orphic Hymns, including Selene,[70] Athena,[71] and Adonis.[72] In Cyprus and Athens, an aspect of Aphrodite with male genitals and in some cases a beard, called Aphroditos, was worshipped. Macrobius (c. 400s AD) wrote in his Saturnalia, at 3.8.2:

> There's also a statue of Venus on Cyprus, that's bearded, shaped and dressed like a woman, with scepter and male genitals, and they conceive her as both male and female. Aristophanes calls her Aphroditus, and Laevius says: Worshipping, then, the nurturing god Venus, whether she is male or female, just as the Moon is a nurturing goddess. In his Atthis, Philochorus, too, states that she is the Moon and that men sacrifice to her in women's dress, women in men's, because she is held to be both male and female.[73]

* Agdistis (Cybele)
* Aphroditus
* The Enarees
* Hermaphroditus
* The Machlyes
* Phanes
* Salmacis
* The Scythians
* Venus Barbata
* Venus Castina

## See also

[edit]

* Mythology portal
* LGBTQ portal

* LGBT themes in mythology
* LGBT themes in speculative fiction
* LGBT literature
* LGBT history
* Homosexuality in ancient Greece
* Homosexuality in ancient Rome
* Religion and homosexuality
* Transgender people and religion

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Pequigney (2002), p. 1
2. ^ Crompton (2006), p. 97, "Rome and Greece: Lesbianism"
3. ^ Christine Downing, Myths and mysteries of same sex love
4. ^ Andrew Callimach, Lovers' Legends: The Gay Greek Myths
5. ^ Conner, Sparks & Sparks (1998), p. 64, "Aphrodite"; p.133, "Erotes"
6. ^ Conner, Sparks & Sparks (1998), p. 132, "Eros"
7. ^ Conner, Sparks & Sparks (1998), p. 64, "Aphrodite"
8. ^ Philostratus, Imagines, (2.7.1)
9. ^ a b Pequigney (2002), p. 5
10. ^ Clement of Alexandria, Protrepticus II.38.2
11. ^ Callimachus, 'Hymn to Apollo'
12. ^ Ptolemy Hephaestion, New History Book 4 (summary from Photius, Myriobiblon 190)
13. ^ Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica 4.465
14. ^ Conon, 33
15. ^ Pausanias, Description of Greece, 3.13.4–5
16. ^ Ovid's Metamorphoses, 10
17. ^ 'Photius', Bibliotheca
18. ^ a b c Pequigney (2002), p. 2
19. ^ Virgil, Aeneid, 391-394
20. ^ Lucian Gallus 3. For the myth, see also the scholiast to Aristophanes Av. 835; Eustathius, Ad Odysseam 1.300; Ausonius, 26.2.27; Libanius, Progymnasmata 2.26.
21. ^ Pseudo-Hyginus, De Astronomica 2.1.1.
22. ^ Clement of Alexandria, Clementina Homilia, V, 15.
23. ^ a b Licht, Hans (2009). Sexual Life In Ancient Greece. Oxon; New York: Routledge. p. 443. ISBN 9780710307026.
24. ^ Servius' Commentary on Virgil, Aeneid 4.402
25. ^ Ovid's Metamorphoses, 5
26. ^ Photius, Bibliotheca, 190.33
27. ^ Pausanias 9.26.7
28. ^ Ovid, Metamorphoses, 2, 367 sqq.
29. ^ Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses, 12
30. ^ Virgil, Aeneid 10.325
31. ^ a b c Pequigney (2002), p. 3
32. ^ Aldrich, Robert (1993). The seduction of the Mediterranean: writing, art, and homosexual fantasy. London; New York: Routledge. p. 231. ISBN 9780415093125.
33. ^ Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses, 8
34. ^ a b Aelian, On Animals, 14. 28
35. ^ a b c Athenaeus, Deipnosophists, 13.80
36. ^ a b c d Pequigney (2002), p. 4
37. ^ Philostratus the Elder, Imagines 1\. 10
38. ^ Miller & Strauss Clay 2019, p. 133.
39. ^ Pseudo-Hyginus, De Astronomica 2.12.
40. ^ Photius, Bibliotheca excerpts - GR
41. ^ Serv. Ecl. 8.30
42. ^ Licymnius, Fragment 771 (from Athenaeus, Scholars at Dinner) (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric V)
43. ^ Morales, Helen (2007). Classical mythology. Very short introductions. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press. p. 93\. ISBN 9780192804761.
44. ^ a b Nonnus, Dionysiaca
45. ^ Pseudo-Plutarch, On Music, 7.
46. ^ Philostratus, Lives of the Sophists, 2.5.5.
47. ^ a b Pseudo-Apollodorus, 3.1.2
48. ^ a b Athenaeus, Deipnosophists, 13.77
49. ^ a b Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses, 30
50. ^ Fratantuono, Lee (2007). Madness unchained: a reading of Virgil's Aeneid. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books. p. 139\. ISBN 9780739122426.
51. ^ Lucian, Erotes
52. ^ Lycophron, Alexandra 134.
53. ^ Euripides, The Cyclops 580—585.
54. ^ Hoffmann, Herbert (1997). Sotades: symbols of immortality on Greek vases. Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 16\. ISBN 9780198150619.
55. ^ Suda s.v. Theta 41. Θάμυρις.
56. ^ Pepin, Ronald E. (2008). The Vatican Mythographers. New York: Fordham University Press. p. 17\. ISBN 9780823228928.
57. ^ a b Pseudo-Apollodorus, 1. 3.3.
58. ^ "OVID, HEROIDES IV - Theoi Classical Texts Library". www.theoi.com. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
59. ^ Ovid's Heroides, 4
60. ^ Kerenyi 1951, p. 95.
61. ^ Downing (1989), p. 198
62. ^ Antoninus Liberalis, cited by Francis Celoria. The Metamorphoses of Antoninus Liberalis: A Translation with Commentary, pp.71.
63. ^ Orion: The Myth of the Hunter and the Huntress, pp.125-126. University of California Press.
64. ^ Markantes, Georgios K.; Barouti, Konstantina; Stamou, Maria I.; Georgopoulos, Neoklis A. (June 2021). "Leucippus, either male or death: a case of sex reversal by divine intervention". Hormones. 20 (2): 405–407\. doi:10.1007/s42000-020-00239-1. ISSN 1109-3099. PMID 32935304.
65. ^ a b DeVun, Leah (June 2018). "Heavenly hermaphrodites: sexual difference at the beginning and end of time". Postmedieval. 9 (2): 132–146\. doi:10.1057/s41280-018-0080-8. ISSN 2040-5960. S2CID 165449144.
66. ^ Ferrari, Roberto C. (September 19, 2002). "Subjects in the Visual Arts: Dionysus". glbtq.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
67. ^ Callimachus, Hymn to Apollo
68. ^ Lucian, Dialogues of the gods
69. ^ "ARTEMIS MYTHS 3 WRATH - Greek Mythology". www.theoi.com. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
70. ^ Orphic Hymn 8
71. ^ Orphic Hymn 31
72. ^ Orphic Hymn 55
73. ^ Macrobius; Kaster, Robert A. (2011), Saturnalia, Volume 2, Harvard University Press; p. 58 ISBN 0674996712

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Conner, Randy P.; Sparks, David Hatfield; Sparks, Mariya (1998). Cassell's Encyclopedia of Queer Myth, Symbol and Spirit. London: Cassell. ISBN 0-304-70423-7.
* Crompton, Louis (2006). Homosexuality and civilization. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-02233-1.
* Downing, Christine (1989). Myths and mysteries of same-sex love. Continuum. ISBN 978-0-8264-0445-9.
* Kerenyi, Karl (1951). The Gods of the Greeks. London: Thames and Hudson.
* Miller, John F.; Strauss Clay, Jenny (2019). Tracking Hermes, Pursuing Mercury. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-877734-2.
* Penczak, Christopher (2003). Gay Witchcraft: Empowering the Tribe. Weiser. ISBN 978-1-57863-281-7.
* Pequigney, Joseph (2002). "Classical Mythology". GLBTQ Encyclopedia. New England Publishing Associates. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2009.

* v
* t
* e

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) media

By genre

LGBTQ+ themes|

* African diasporic mythologies
* American mainstream comics
* Anime and manga
* Chinese mythology
* Comics
* Greek and Roman mythology
* Hindu mythology
* Horror
* Mythology
* Speculative fiction
* list
* Western animation

Subgenres|

* Bara
* BL/yaoi
* List of dramas
* List of anime and manga
* Class S
* Danmei
* Gay teen fiction
* LGBTQ romance
* Slash fiction
* Femslash
* Omegaverse
* Single-gender world
* GL/Yuri
* List of dramas
* List of anime and manga

By medium

* LGBTQ+ figures in fiction and myth

Literature|

* List of gay novels prior to the Stonewall riots
* List of LGBTQ writers
* List of LGBTQ characters in modern written fiction

| By country|

* Argentina
* Colombia
* Dutch-language area
* Ecuador
* El Salvador
* Iceland
* Mexico
* Singapore
* Spain

|

Festivals/Awards|

* Blue Metropolis Violet Award
* Bisexual Book Awards
* Dayne Ogilvie Prize
* Gaylactic Spectrum Awards
* Lambda Literary Awards
* Naked Heart
* Saints and Sinners
* Stonewall Book Award
* Triangle Awards

|

Film|

* History of homosexuality in American film
* Film festivals
* Gaylaxicon

| Related films|

* Directed by women
* By storyline
* By year

|

LGBTQ+ characters|

* Animated
* Made-for-television
* Feature
* Franchises

TV|

* Children's TV
* News and information programs

| American TV episodes with LGBTQ themes|

* Pre-Stonewall
* 1970s
* 1980s
* 1990s

|

By network|

* Cartoon Network
* Disney
* Netflix
* Nickelodeon

|

Characters|

* Comedy
* Comedy and variety
* Horror
* Reality shows
* Soap operas

| Dramatic series|

* 1960s–2000s
* 2010–2015
* 2016–2019
* 2020s

|

Animated series|

* 1970–1980s
* 1990s
* 2000s
* 2000–04
* 2005–09
* 2010s
* 2010–14
* 2015–19
* 2020s
* 2020–24

Other|

* Graphic art
* Independent animation
* Queer art
* Radio and podcasts
* Video games
* 1980s–2009
* 2010s
* 2020s
* Webcomics

By subgroup

Media portrayal|

* Lesbian
* Bisexual
* Pansexual
* Transgender
* Asexual

Fiction|

* Lesbian
* Gay
* List
* Bisexual
* Pansexual
* Transgender
* Non-binary
* List
* Intersex
* List
* Asexual
* List of fictional aromantic characters
* Polyamorous

Literature|

* Lesbian
* List
* Poets portraying sexual relations between women
* Pulp fiction
* Gay
* Pulp fiction
* Bisexual
* Transgender
* Intersex

Animation|

* Lesbian
* Gay
* Bisexual
* Cross-dressing

Film|

* Lesbian
* Gay
* Bisexual
* Transgender
* List of transgender characters
* List of feature films with transgender characters
* Intersex

TV|

* Lesbian
* Lesbian kiss episode
* Gay
* Bisexual
* List of bisexual characters
* Transgender
* Intersex

Pornography|

* Lesbian
* Gay
* Actors
* Bisexual
* Transgender

Nonfiction|

* List of nonfiction books about homosexuality
* List of transgender publications

See also

* Gay News
* Homoeroticism
* LGBTQ marketing
* Lost Gay Novels
* Pinkwashing
* Queerbaiting
* Queer coding
* Queer erasure
* Straightwashing

* LGBTQ portal
* Category

* v
* t
* e

Ancient Greek religion and mythology

Religion and religious practice

Main beliefs|

* Ages of Man
* Golden Age
* Heroic Age
* Ancient accounts of Homer
* Apotheosis
* Arete
* Daemon
* Destiny
* Eudaimonia
* Euhemerism
* Eunoia
* Eusebeia
* Golden mean
* Golden Rule
* Greek words for love
* Hemitheos
* Hero cult
* Hubris
* Interpretatio graeca
* Katabasis
* Kleos
* Know thyself
* Metamorphosis
* Metempsychosis
* Nympholepsy
* Paradoxography
* Patron gods
* Pederasty
* Phronesis
* Polytheism
* Sophrosyne
* Soter
* Theia mania
* Xenia

Texts / odes /
epic poems|

| Epic Cycle|

* Aethiopis
* Cypria
* Iliad
* Iliupersis
* Little Iliad
* Nostoi
* Odyssey
* Telegony

|

Theban Cycle|

* Oedipodea
* Thebaid
* Epigoni
* Alcmeonis

Others|

* Aesop's Fables
* Aretalogy
* Argonautica
* Bibliotheca
* Catalogue of Women
* Cyranides
* Delphic maxims
* Derveni papyrus
* Dionysiaca
* Golden Verses of Pythagoras
* Greek Magical Papyri
* Homerica
* Homeric Hymns
* Interpretation of Dreams
* Oneirocritica
* Orphic Hymns
* Papyrus Graecus Holmiensis
* Sibylline Books
* Sortes Astrampsychi
* Stories from Plato
* Atlantis
* Myth of Er
* Ring of Gyges
* Theogony
* Works and Days

Religions|

| Antecedents|

*   * Minoan religion
* Mycenaean religion
* List of Mycenaean deities
* Paleo-Balkan mythology
* Proto-Indo-European mythology
* Religions of the ancient Near East

|

Expressions|

* Atheism
* Henotheism
* Monotheism
* Polytheism

Hellenistic religions|

* Early Christianity
* Christianization
* Relationship with Greek philosophy
* Esoteric systems
* Early alchemy
* Gnosticism
* Hermeticism
* Neoplatonism
* Hellenistic Judaism
* God-fearers
* Syncretic religions
* Alexander
* Ptolemaic cult
* Etruscan religion
* Greco-Buddhism
* Roman religion
* Imperial cult
* Religious views of emperor Julian

Mystery religions
and sacred mysteries|

* Arcadian Mysteries
* Delos Mysteries
* Dionysian Mysteries
* Eleusinian Mysteries
* Imbrian Mysteries
* Mithraism
* Mysteries of Isis
* Orphism
* Samothracian Mysteries

New religious movements|

* Discordianism
* Feraferia
* Gaianism
* Hellenism

Religious practice|

| Worship
/ rituals|

* Amphidromia
* Arotoi Hieroi
* Astragalomancy
* Baptes
* Cult of Artemis at Brauron
* Daduchos
* Divination
* Funeral and burial practices
* Funeral oration
* Greco-Roman mysteries
* Hero cult
* Heroön
* Hierophany
* Hieros gamos
* Hymns
* Incubation
* Komos
* Nekyia
* Omophagia
* Orgia
* Panegyris
* Prayer
* Sacrifice
* Animal sacrifice
* Hecatomb
* Holocaust
* Libation
* Pharmakos
* Votive offering
* Theatre

|

Religious
offices|

* Amphictyonic league
* Archon basileus
* Basilinna
* Gerarai
* Hiereia
* Hierophant
* Hierophylakes
* Iatromantis
* Kanephoros
* Mystagogue
* Oracle
* Sibyl
* Thiasus

Religious
objects|

* Baetyl
* Cult image
* Chryselephantine sculpture
* Xoanon
* Greek terracotta figurines
* Kernos
* Kykeon
* Loutrophoros
* Omphalos
* Panathenaic amphora
* Rhyton
* Sacrificial tripod
* Sceptre
* Thymiaterion

Magic|

* Apotropaic magic
* Curse tablet
* Divination
* Greek Magical Papyri
* Hermeticism
* Hermetica
* Necromancy
* Philia

Events|

| Festivals
/ feasts|

* Actia
* Adonia
* Agrionia
* Amphidromia
* Anthesteria
* Apellai
* Apaturia
* Aphrodisia
* Arrhephoria
* Ascolia
* Bendidia
* Boedromia
* Brauronia
* Buphonia
* Chalceia
* Diasia
* Delia
* Delphinia
* Dionysia
* Ecdysia
* Elaphebolia
* Gamelia
* Halieia
* Haloa
* Heracleia
* Hermaea
* Hieromenia
* Iolaia
* Kronia
* Lenaia
* Leucophryna
* Lykaia
* Metageitnia
* Munichia
* Oschophoria
* Pamboeotia
* Pandia
* Plynteria
* Ptolemaieia
* Pyanopsia
* Skira
* Synoikia
* Soteria
* Tauropolia
* Thargelia
* Theseia
* Thesmophoria

|

Games|

* Agon
* Panathenaic Games
* Rhieia

Panhellenic Games|

* Olympic Games
* Heraean Games
* Pythian Games
* Nemean Games
* Isthmian Games
* Actia

Sacred places|

| Temples /
sanctuaries|

* Asclepieion
* Delphinion
* Mithraeum
* Necromanteion of Acheron
* Nymphaeum
* Panionium
* Parthenon
* Ploutonion
* Telesterion
* Temenos
* Temple of Artemis, Ephesus
* Temple of Zeus, Olympia

|

Oracles|

* Amphiareion of Oropos
* Aornum
* Claros
* Delphi
* Didyma
* Dodona
* Oracle of Apollo Thyrxeus at Cyaneae
* Oracle of Apollo at Ptoion
* Oracle of Artemis at Ikaros
* Oracle of Menestheus
* Sanctuary of the Great Gods
* Tegyra

Mountains|

* Cretea
* Mount Ida (Crete)
* Mount Ida (Turkey)
* Mount Lykaion
* Olympus

Caves|

* Cave of Zeus, Aydın
* Caves of Pan
* Psychro Cave
* Vari Cave

Islands|

* Island of Achilles
* Delos
* Islands of Diomedes

Springs|

* Castalian Spring
* Hippocrene
* Pierian Spring

Others|

* Athenian sacred ships
* Paralus
* Salaminia
* Eleusis
* Hiera Orgas
* Kanathos
* Olympia
* Sacred Way
* Theatre of Dionysus

Myths and mythology

Deities
(Family tree)|

| Primordial deities|

* Aether
* Ananke
* Chaos
* Chronos
* Erebus
* Eros
* Gaia
* Hemera
* Nyx
* Phanes
* Pontus
* Thalassa
* Tartarus
* Uranus

|

Titans|

| First generation|

* Coeus
* Crius
* Cronus
* Hyperion
* Iapetus
* Mnemosyne
* Oceanus
* Phoebe
* Rhea
* Tethys
* Theia
* Themis

|

Second generation|

* Asteria
* Astraeus
* Atlas
* Eos
* Epimetheus
* Helios
* Leto
* Menoetius
* Metis
* Pallas
* Perses
* Prometheus
* Selene

Third generation|

* Hecate
* Hesperus
* Phosphorus

Twelve Olympians|

* Aphrodite
* Apollo
* Ares
* Artemis
* Athena
* Demeter
* Dionysus
* Hephaestus
* Hera
* Hermes
* Hestia
* Poseidon
* Zeus

Water deities|

* Amphitrite
* Alpheus
* Ceto
* Glaucus
* Naiads
* Nereids
* Nereus
* Oceanids
* Phorcys
* Poseidon
* Proteus
* River gods
* Scamander
* Thaumas
* Thetis
* Triton

Love deities|

| Erotes|

* Anteros
* Eros
* Hedylogos
* Hermaphroditus
* Himeros
* Hymen/Hymenaeus
* Pothos

|

* Aphrodite
* Aphroditus
* Philotes
* Peitho

War deities|

* Adrestia
* Alala
* Alke
* Amphillogiai
* Androktasiai
* Ares
* Athena
* Bia
* Deimos
* Enyalius
* Enyo
* Eris
* Gynaecothoenas
* Homados
* Hysminai
* Ioke
* Keres
* Kratos
* Kydoimos
* Ma
* Machai
* Nike
* Palioxis
* Pallas
* Perses
* Phobos
* Phonoi
* Polemos
* Proioxis

Chthonic deities|

| Psychopomps|

* Charon
* Hermes
* Hermanubis
* Thanatos

|

* Angelos
* Cabeiri
* The Erinyes (Furies)
* Hades / Pluto
* Hecate
* Hypnos
* Keres
* Lampad
* Melinoë
* Persephone
* Zagreus

Health deities|

* Aceso
* Aegle
* Artemis
* Apollo
* Asclepius
* Chiron
* Darrhon
* Eileithyia
* Epione
* Hebe
* Hygieia
* Iaso
* Paean
* Panacea
* Telesphorus

Sleep deities|

* Empusa
* Epiales
* Hypnos
* Pasithea
* Oneiroi

Messenger deities|

* Angelia
* Arke
* Hermes
* Iris

Trickster deities|

* Apate
* Hermes
* Momus

Magic deities|

* Circe
* Hecate
* Hermes Trismegistus
* Pasiphaë

Art and beauty deities|

* Aphrodite
* Apollo
* The Charites (Graces)
* Aglaea
* Euphrosyne
* Thalia
* Dionysus
* The Muses
* Calliope
* Clio
* Polyhymnia
* Euterpe
* Terpsichore
* Erato
* Melpomene
* Thalia
* Urania

Other major deities|

* The Anemoi (Winds)
* Boreas
* Eurus
* Notus
* Zephyrus
* Azone
* Chrysaor
* Cybele
* Eileithyia
* Glycon
* Harmonia
* Nemesis
* Pan
* Pegasus
* Zelus

Heroes /
heroines|

| Individuals|

* Abderus
* Achilles
* Actaeon
* Adonis
* Aeneas
* Ajax the Great
* Ajax the Lesser
* Akademos
* Amphiaraus
* Amphitryon
* Antilochus
* Atalanta
* Autolycus
* Bellerophon
* Bouzyges
* Cadmus
* Chrysippus
* Cyamites
* Daedalus
* Diomedes
* Dioscuri (Castor and Polydeuces)
* Echetlus
* Eleusis
* Erechtheus
* Eunostus
* Ganymede
* Hector
* Heracles
* Icarus
* Iolaus
* Jason
* Meleager
* Menelaus
* Narcissus
* Nestor
* Odysseus
* Oedipus
* Orpheus
* Otrera
* Pandion
* Peleus
* Pelops
* Penthesilea
* Perseus
* Theseus
* Triptolemus

|

Groups|

* Argonauts
* Calydonian hunters
* Epigoni
* Seven against Thebes

Oracles
/ seers|

* Aesacus
* Aleuas
* Amphiaraus
* Amphilochus
* Ampyx
* Anius
* Asbolus
* Bakis
* Branchus
* Calchas
* Carnus
* Carya
* Cassandra
* Elatus
* Ennomus
* Epimenides
* Halitherses
* Helenus
* Iamus
* Idmon
* Manto
* Melampus
* Mopsus
* Munichus
* Phineus
* Polyeidos
* Polypheides
* Pythia
* Sibyls
* Cimmerian
* Cumaean
* Delphic
* Erythraean
* Hellespontine
* Libyan
* Persian
* Phrygian
* Samian
* Telemus
* Theiodamas
* Theoclymenus
* Tiresias

Other
mortals|

* Aegeus
* Aegisthus
* Agamemnon
* Andromache
* Andromeda
* Antigone
* Augeas
* Briseis
* Cassiopeia
* Creon of Thebes
* Chryseis
* Chrysothemis
* Clytemnestra
* Damocles
* Deidamia
* Deucalion
* Electra
* Eteocles
* Europa
* Gordias
* Hecuba
* Helen of Troy
* Hellen
* The Heracleidae
* Hermione
* Hippolyta
* Io
* Iphigenia
* Ismene
* Jocasta
* Laius
* Lycian peasants
* Lycaon
* The Maenads
* Memnon
* Messapian shepherds
* Midas
* Minos
* Myrrha
* Neoptolemus
* Niobe
* Orestes
* Paris
* Patroclus
* Penelope
* Philomela
* Phoenix
* Polybus of Corinth
* Polynices
* Priam
* Procne
* Pylades
* Pyrrha
* Telemachus
* Troilus

Underworld|

| Entrances to
the underworld|

| Rivers|

* Acheron
* Cocytus
* Eridanos
* Lethe
* Phlegethon
* Styx

|

Lakes/swamps|

* Acherusia
* Avernus Lake
* Lerna Lake

Caves|

* Cave at Cape Matapan
* Cave at Lake Avernus
* Cave at Heraclea Pontica

Charoniums|

* Charonium at Aornum
* Charonium at Acharaca

Ploutonion|

* Ploutonion at Acharaca
* Ploutonion at Eleusis
* Ploutonion at Hierapolis

Necromanteion (necromancy temple)|

* Necromanteion of Acheron

Places|

* Elysium
* Erebus
* Fields of Asphodel
* Isles of the Blessed
* Mourning Fields
* Tartarus

Judges|

* Aeacus
* Minos
* Rhadamanthus

Guards|

* Campe
* Cerberus

Residents|

* Anticlea
* Danaïdes
* Eurydice
* Ixion
* Ocnus
* Salmoneus
* The Shades
* Sisyphus
* Tantalus
* Tiresias
* Titans
* Tityos

Visitors|

* Dionysus
* Heracles
* Hermes
* Odysseus
* Orpheus
* Pirithous
* Psyche
* Theseus

Symbols/objects|

* Bident
* Cap of invisibility
* Charon's obol

Animals, daemons,
and spirits|

* Ascalaphus
* Ceuthonymus
* Eurynomos
* Menoetius

Mythical|

| Beings|

| Lists|

* Deities
* Mythological creatures
* Mortals
* Minor figures
* Trojan War characters

|

Minor spirits|

* Daemon
* Agathodaemon
* Cacodaemon
* Eudaemon
* Nymph
* Satyr

Beasts /
creatures|

* Centaur
* Centaurides
* Ichthyocentaur
* Cyclops
* Dragon
* Drakaina
* Echidna
* Giant
* Gorgon
* Harpy
* Hecatonchires
* Hippocampus
* Horses of Helios
* Lamia
* Phoenix
* Python
* Siren
* Scylla and Charybdis
* Sphinx
* Typhon

Captured
/ slain by
heroes|

* Calydonian boar
* Cerberus
* Cerynian Hind
* Chimera
* Cretan Bull
* Crommyonian Sow
* Erymanthian boar
* Khalkotauroi
* Lernaean Hydra
* Mares of Diomedes
* Medusa
* Minotaur
* Nemean lion
* Orthrus
* Polyphemus
* Stymphalian birds
* Talos
* Teumessian fox

Tribes|

* Achaeans
* Amazons
* Anthropophagi
* Bebryces
* Cicones
* Curetes
* Dactyls
* Gargareans
* Halizones
* Korybantes
* Laestrygonians
* Lapiths
* Lotus-eaters
* Myrmidons
* Pygmies
* Spartoi
* Telchines

Places
/ Realms|

* Aethiopia
* Ara
* Colchis
* Erytheia
* Hyperborea
* Ismarus
* Ithaca
* Libya
* Nysa
* Ogygia
* Panchaia
* Phlegra
* Scheria
* Scythia
* Symplegades
* Tartessos
* Themiscyra
* Thrinacia
* Troy

Events|

* Apollo and Daphne
* Calydonian boar hunt
* Eros and Psyche
* Judgment of Paris
* Labours of Heracles
* Orpheus and Eurydice
* Returns from Troy
* Odyssey

Wars|

* Amazonomachy
* Attic War
* Centauromachy
* Gigantomachy
* Indian War
* Theomachy
* Titanomachy
* Trojan War

Objects|

* Adamant
* Aegis
* Ambrosia
* Apple of Discord
* Argo
* Dragon's teeth
* Diipetes
* Eidolon
* Galatea
* Girdle of Aphrodite
* Golden apple
* Golden Fleece
* Gordian knot
* Harpe
* Ichor
* Labyrinth
* Lotus tree
* Milk of Hera
* Moly
* Necklace of Harmonia
* Orichalcum
* Palladium
* Panacea
* Pandora's box
* Petasos (Winged helmet)
* Phaeacian ships
* Philosopher's stone
* Shield of Achilles
* Shirt of Nessus
* Sword of Damocles
* Talaria
* Thunderbolt
* Thyrsus
* Trident of Poseidon
* Trojan Horse
* Winnowing Oar
* Wheel of fire

Symbols|

* Bowl of Hygieia
* Caduceus
* Cornucopia
* Gorgoneion
* Kantharos
* Labrys
* Orphic egg
* Ouroboros
* Owl of Athena
* Phallus
* Rod of Asclepius
* Swan song
* Wind
* East
* West
* North
* South

Modern
treatments|

* Classical mythology in western art and literature
* Classicism
* Classics
* Greek mythology in popular culture
* Modern understanding of Greek mythology

* v
* t
* e

Ancient Roman religion and mythology

Deities
(Dii Consentes)|

* Agenoria
* Angerona
* Anna Perenna
* Apollo
* Aurora
* Bellona
* Bona Dea
* Carmenta
* Castor and Pollux
* Ceres
* Cloacina
* Cupid
* Dea Dia
* Diana
* Dies
* Dīs Pater
* Egeria
* Fauna
* Faunus
* Flora
* Genius
* Hercules
* Janus
* Juno
* Jupiter
* Lares
* Lares Familiares
* Liber
* Libertas
* Luna
* Mars
* Mercury
* Minerva
* Neptune
* Nox
* Ops
* Orcus
* Penates
* Pluto
* Pomona
* Priapus
* Proserpina
* Quirinus
* Salacia
* Saturn
* Silvanus
* Sol
* Summanus
* Venus
* Veritas
* Vesta
* Vertumnus
* Vulcan

Abstract deities|

* Abundantia
* Aequitas
* Aeternitas
* Africa
* Annona
* Averruncus
* Bonus Eventus
* Caelus
* Concordia
* Feronia
* Fides
* Fortuna
* Fontus
* Laverna
* Pax
* Pietas
* Roma
* Salus
* Securitas
* Spes
* Tranquillitas
* Terra
* Victoria

Legendary figures|

* Aeneas
* Rhea Silvia
* Romulus and Remus
* Numa Pompilius
* Tullus Hostilius
* Servius Tullius
* Ancus Marcius
* Lucius Tarquinius Priscus
* Lucius Tarquinius Superbus
* Kings of Alba Longa
* Hersilia

Legendary beings|

* She-wolf
* Barnacle goose

Texts|

* Virgil
* Aeneid
* Ovid
* Fasti
* Metamorphoses
* Propertius
* Varro
* Res divinae
* Sibylline Books
* Apuleius
* The Golden Ass

Concepts
and practices|

* Festivals
* Interpretatio graeca
* Imperial cult
* Charity
* Palladium
* Theology of victory
* Pomerium
* Temples
* Capitolium
* Cella
* Celtic

Philosophy|

* Cynicism
* Epicureanism
* Neoplatonism
* Peripateticism
* Pythagoreanism
* Stoicism

Events|

* Golden Bough
* Founding of Rome
* Natale di Roma
* Rape of the Sabine Women
* Battle of Lacus Curtius

Objects|

* Gubernaculum
* Parabiago Plate
* Pignora imperii

Variations|

* Gallo-Roman
* Mysteries
* Cybele
* Isis
* Mithraism

See also|

* Classical mythology
* Decline
* Persecution
* Etruscan religion
* Glossary
* Greek mythology
* Myth and ritual

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template