Zeus ordered Ekho to protect him when he was dallying with her fellow nymphs. She did this by engaging his wife Hera in chat when about to discover her husband’s infidelity. As punishment, Hera cursed Ekho by only allowing her to repeat another’s words. Afterwards, Ekho fell in love with the mortal Narcissus, who spurned her. He wasted away pining for his own reflection, and she eventually did the same in mourning for him.
Focus On: (60) Echo Read Post »
Name origin: In ancient Greek myth, the first human woman. Zeus had Hephaistos and others create Pandora in order to punish Prometheus for stealing fire from the gods, as a bride for his brother Epimetheus.
Focus On: (55) Pandora Read Post »
Name origin: Greek goddess of the hearth (both private and municipal) and the home. Hestia presides over the cooking of bread and the preparation of the family meal. She was also the goddess of the sacrificial flame and received a share of every sacrifice to the gods.
Focus On: (46) Hestia Read Post »
Name origin: Greek Naiad who was transformed into a laurel tree. Daphne was loved by the god Apollo, who pursued her until she grew exhausted and cried out to Gaia for help. The goddess transformed her into a laurel tree which Apollo then adopted as his sacred plant.
Focus On: (41) Daphne Read Post »
Name origin: Roman goddess of trust and good faith (bona fides). One of the original virtues to be considered an actual religious divinity. She is everything that is required for “honour and credibility, from fidelity in marriage, to contractual arrangements, and the obligation soldiers owed to Rome.”
Focus On: (37) Fides Read Post »
Name origin: Greek sea goddess and wife of Poseidon. He courted her in the form of a dolphin (or, in some tellings, sent a dolphin as messenger).
Focus On: (29) Amphitrite Read Post »
Name origin: Roman goddess of war; the name was chosen to mark the beginning of the Crimean War. Bellona is known for her temple outside of Rome being the official decision making centre in regards to war.
Focus On: (28) Bellona Read Post »
Name origin: Roman goddess and queen of the underworld. Equivalent of the Greek Persephone, with virtually identical mythology. She was combined with, or replaced, the ancient Roman fertility goddess Libera.
Focus On: (26) Proserpina Read Post »
Phocaea or Phokaia (modern-day Foça in Turkey) was a city on the western coast of Anatolia. Greek colonists from Phocaea founded the city of Massalia (Marseille), from where the asteroid was discovered.
Focus On: (25) Phocaea Read Post »
Name origin: Greek Titan goddess of divine law and order. Themis presides specifically over the traditional rules of conduct first established by the gods. She was also a prophetic goddess who presided over the most ancient oracles, including Delphi.
Focus On: (24) Themis Read Post »
