Do You Know the Role of These Ancient Greek Gods?

By: Olivia Cantor

6 Min Quiz

Image: LordRunar / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Fans of Greek mythology will surely ace this one. If you can identify these chosen gods, whether major or minor, then you're a walking legend.

Common knowledge from pop culture such as comics, films and TV always includes references to the Olympian gods and their conquests. But true-blue Greek myth fans will know that they're not the very first gods out there.

Studying Greek mythology further, one would discover that there have been two sets of generations before the group we're very familiar with already. The Olympian gods staged a mutiny and deposed the generation before them, called the Titans. Get to know these Olympian gods and their Titan parents in this quiz.

But it didn't start with the Titans, either. After all, one would wonder where they came from, in the first place. The very first lineage of gods is called primordial beings. These ancient deities are recognized as the first generation of gods and goddesses in Greek mythology. These first generations also bore children that became gods of a certain aspect of existence. And boy, they are many!

Let's start with the men, shall we? See which of these major and minor gods handle which aspects of our lives. Open up and discover!

Married to Hera. When it comes to Greek mythological gods, the name Zeus pops out constantly. That's because he's the most recognized of them all. He overthrew his parents' ruling generation of gods called Titans to take over the rule of all creation. He's the leader of the Olympian gods, and that's his primary job. Can you identify this alpha male leader?

Zeus

Hades
Hermes

Eros

In chronological order, too. Like the watch brand's name, Chronos is all about time since he's the god personification of this concept. He is said to have existed before the primordial gods even came to being. In order of appearance, he's also the first to exist in the universe, so the word "chronology" is associated with him. From his name, you'd know that he has something to do with time. Who is he?

Tartarus

Chronos
Oceanus

Hymen

He ain't eerie! He's more popularly known as Cupid, thanks to the Roman mythological counterpart. But his Greek name is Eros, god of love and desire. Being the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, the apple doesn't really fall far from the tree here. All things love is his domain. Can you name this romantic god?

Harmonia

Phobos
Deimos

Eros

Newt, is that you? Scamander is considered one of the sons of Oceanus, and his mother is Tethys. This river god is, therefore, an official offspring of Titans. However, he's not counted as one of the Olympian gods. He is considered as a minor god in Greek mythology. Potterheads might recognize his name from the "Fantastic Beasts" movies, but he's actually a Greek myth river god. Can you identify him?

Aegis

Ichor
Scamander

Nectar

He promised humans, is why ... A Titan named Prometheus was chummy with humans, so he brought along fire down below to help them grow. Alas, Zeus got mad of this scheme and ordered him chained to a stone for all eternity. But wait, there's more: every day, an eagle eats his liver which regrows, then gets eaten again, ad infinitum. For bringing fire to humans, he was punished for all eternity. Can you name this immortal?

Perseus

Pallas
Prometheus

Phoebe

Percy Jackson's poppa. There are many gods whose domain encompassed many bodies of water, but Poseidon is the most popular of them all. That's because he is a major Olympian god, the most recognized generation of Greek gods. Many minor gods oversaw specific bodies of water, though. All bodies of water encompass his reign of domain. Who's this wet Olympian god?

Poseidon

Abderus
Ceyx

Styx

He's hypnotic indeed. Even sleep has a god, and his name is Hypnos, whose known residence is in a cave somewhere in the underworld region where it's always dark. The area is said to be surrounded by poppies which induce sleep. This god's parents are the personification of the night, Nyx, and darkness, Erebus. You're getting sleepy, sleepy, sleepy ... because of this god. What's his name?

Thetis

Helios
Hypnos

Tyche

At long last! When Zeus led the Olympian gods to overthrow the Titans, Atlas led the Titans to fight back. When they were defeated, Zeus punished him by making him carry the whole heavens on his shoulders. This godly generation war is known as the Titanomachy. When it comes to carrying the world on your shoulders, he can give you some advice. Can you name him?

Proteus

Atlas
Nemesis

Eris

Goddesses adored him. Some accounts tag him as a god of beauty, and some label him as a mortal god of beauty. Regardless of the tag, Adonis is said to have been so beautiful that even the goddess Aphrodite swooned over him. Persephone was the one who raised him, though, and she also got smitten with the young lad. Records show that this beautiful minor god is, like Aphrodite, a god of beauty and desire. What's his name?

Adonis

Limos
Pheme

Telesto

Also a luxury brand bag. Some of Zeus' offspring are also considered as major Olympian gods, and Hermes is one of such deities. Since his job requires him to be quick on his feet, he wears sandals with wings, as well as a helmet that has wings, too. Due to his skills, he's also the recognized god of trade and travelers. The great messenger of the Olympian gods is known by which name?

Echo

Circe
Hermes

Moros

It's a huge planet. Uranus is considered as one of the primordial gods. This means they are the first line or generation of gods in Greek mythology. That also means they are the recognized parents of the Titans, who were unfortunately overthrown by their own children. He's one of the primordial gods who personified the heavens. What's his legendary name?

Uranus

Aether
Phanes

Chaos

He had a few labors. Heracles is widely known by his Roman name, Hercules. In between having adventures and completing labors assigned to him, he also had the time for many lovers. Even though he's as masculine as it gets, he had both women and men lovers, which shows that love or lust has no gender for him. This demigod is appreciated for his enormous strength. Who's this half-breed?

Achilles

Peleus
Heracles

Bellerophon

Anticipate his needs. Beware all ye objects of affection, especially those who won't return the affection back. It's the job of Anteros to punish those who don't return said affection, even though that act of punishment appears harsh and cruel for a god to do. Eros had a brother, and he's the god of love that is returned in kind. Can you guess his name?

Cephissus

Keto
Anteros

Phorcys

Die of envy ... Ancient entrepreneurs who harvested grapes, especially those used in making wine, prayed to Dionysus for a bountiful harvest. He's the god of these things, as well as fertility. But he's also the god associated with revelry that can also lead to ritualistic madness of sorts. All things wine, grapes and revelry that involves celebrations are related to which happy-looking god?

Dionysus

Phonoi
Horkos

Alpheus

Don't be appalled! Apollo is the god connected to all things healing, prophecy, poetry, music, light and the sun. He is said to have a chariot that carries the sun across the sky during the daytime, as his twin sister Artemis takes over with the moon during nighttime. Who is Artemis' twin god, the guardian of the sun?

Hyades

Atropos
Apollo

Maniae

Don't arrest him yet! Ares is technically an Olympian god, even though his parents are the Olympian leader Zeus and the Olympian goddess Hera. His latest pop culture appearance is in the 2017 "Wonder Woman" film, where Diana searched the world to kill him and end World War I. In Roman mythology, his name is Mars. What's the Greek name of the god of war?

Ares

Nemesis
Thaumas

Deimos

It's healing time. Two Titan gods, Hyperion and Theia, are the identified parents of Helios, considered as the Greek sun god. His Roman mythology counterpart might be more familiar to most, though: Sol. That's the Spanish word for sun. This shining god is said to be the personification of the sun. Do you know him?

Ourea

Nephele
Helios

Cephissus

He won't bore you. Even winds, specifically all directions of it, are personified by gods in Greek mythology. Boreas is the recognized god of the north wind. A story connected to him tells of his friendly relations with the city of Athens; he is said to have blown away the troops of Xerxes to protect the city. He's one of the most familiar of the wind gods. Who controls the north wind?

Eurus

Boreas
Aeolus

Zephyrus

Hermes +Aphrodite = ? The gods Hermes and Aphrodite had a son, and his name is a combination of theirs: Hermaphroditus. Originally born a male, a water nymph fell hard for him and prayed that they can stay together forever. The gods fused the two into one being, producing the first hermaphrodite or intersex being. Humans who both have the reproductive organs of the male and female can relate to this god's similar situation. Do you know what he's called?

Psyche

Zagreus
Hermaphroditus

Philotes

It's a phobia. Phobos is the recognized god of fear. He makes for a good companion to his father, Ares, the god of war. Together with his brother Deimos, the recognized god of terror, these three male deities are indeed a force to reckon with. Thank this god of fear for bringing us many concepts of things we're afraid of--or maybe not. Who's this scary being?

Tartarus

Typhoeus
Phobos

Oenone

Satyr is a faun--fan! The wild, fields, groves, shepherds and flocks are all protected by the recognized god of wildlife named Pan. Like satyrs and fauns, his lower half is that of a goat while the upper part is human in appearance. Sex and sexuality are concepts connected to him as well. This half-goat and half-human creature is the god of flocks and shepherds. Who's this?

Pan

Aesopus
Hyades

Nephele

Yeah, he hides below. When ancient Greeks die, they expect to go directly to the underworld and maybe meet its ruler, the god Hades. They have to pass by his guard dog first, the three-headed giant canine named Cerberus. Officially an Olympian god, he's not too visible because he rules the underworld. Can you identify him?

Dysnomia

Proteus
Hades

Aura

He cares about personal growth. Zeus had a child with only a singular lock of long hair, perhaps to signify the rare opportunity to grab the proverbial brass ring before it passes by. This child is Caerus, the recognized god of luck, one who brings us to opportune moments that we should immediately seize. In need of luck, moments that fall on your favor or better opportunities? This god can help. What's his name?

Hebe

Ploutos
Thaumas

Caerus

The "Avengers: Infinity War" enemy. When the Three Fates' job is finally over, and someone needs to die and be hauled off to the underworld, Thanatos is the god that does that task. He is, therefore, considered as the god personification of death. His brother is the god of sleep, and he's the god of death, a form of permanent sleep. What's his name?

Thanatos

Ponos
Hemera

Geras

It's Laurence Fishburne's character. Since he's the son of the god of sleep, it's but natural that Morpheus is the god of dreams. He's also connected to the concept of human forms having different shapes. Therefore, the term "morphing" is associated with him. The god of dreams is named like a "Matrix" character. Can you guess who?

Trinity

The Oracle
Morpheus

Neo

He ain't a mom, yo. The Titan goddess of the night named Nyx had a son, and his name is Momus. Being the child of the dark, his domain is mockery and criticism, which makes him the god of satire. To make things darker, he's also the identified twin brother of Oizys, said to be the goddess of suffering and misery. Even mockery or satire has a Greek god personification. Without sarcasm, can you guess who?

Castalia

Achelous
Britomartis

Momus

Don't hesitate to guess. Hesperus is the Greek god's official name while Vesper is his Roman counterpart. The evening star is his domain. This twinkling god is the offspring of the goddess Eos, the identified Titan goddess of dawn. This god is in charge of the evening star of the sky, since he's the personification of it. Can you guess who?

Thaumas

Oneiroi
Hesperus

Makhai

Gotta pay 'em though. Paean is the god who acted as the doctor of the gods. He is said to have treated major Olympians when they were wounded in encounters. He treated Ares when the god of war had a confrontation with Diomedes, and he also treated Hades when Heracles' arrow hurt the god of the underworld. The gods also need a physician, and he's the one on 24/7 duty. Can you name him?

Androktasiai

Paean
Clotho

Heliadae

His punch leaves a crater. Brute strength and physical power are both related to the god Kratos, the son of Titans Pallas and Styx. He was the one who helped in carrying out Zeus' punishment for Prometheus. Kratos and his sister Bia, the personification of force, bound Prometheus to a rock. In mafia terms, we can relate this guy to a godfather's capo, since he functioned as such for Zeus. Who's this Titan?

Tethys

Theia
Kratos

Crius

He's a bit hyper, yeah. Aside from the concepts of watchfulness and wisdom, heavenly light is also associated with the Titan god named Hyperion. He's one of those who rebelled and deposed their father, Uranus. The English poet John Keats wrote an epic poem bearing the god's name in the title. This mighty Titan god is associated with watchfulness and wisdom. Who's this one?

Hyperion

Lelantos
Themis

Astraeus

Hep-hep-hurray for him! Skilled laborers such as carpenters, blacksmiths, artisans, and even sculptors all worshipped the recognized god of metallurgy, Hephaestus. His Roman counterpart is Vulcan, and volcanoes are also within his domain. He found the time to get married to Aphrodite, in between making weapons for the Olympian gods. What's this deity's name?

Ananke

Hephaestus
Dione

Tethys

He's an eerie one. Chaos is the nothingness concept in Greek mythology; the moment before the primordial gods came out. Chaos had a child named Erebus, which is the personification of darkness. Erebus is the brother of Gaia, the embodiment of planet earth, and Nyx, the identified goddess of night. Since he came out directly from Chaos, he is considered as a god of darkness. What's his name?

Pallas

Menoetius
Erebus

Leto

Don't turn into a zealot! When your siblings personify the concepts of victory like Nike, force like Bia, and strength or power like Kratos, then you have to step up to be of similar stature. Zelus can hold his own, thanks to these rather pushy concepts associated with him: zeal, envy, dedication, jealousy and emulation. When it comes to emulation, dedication, and even jealousy and rivalry, you can nod to which minor god for those things?

Alpheus

Heliades
Peneus

Zelus

Sounds the same! Titans also had children amongst themselves, and one of them is Nilus. He's the identified god of the River Nile that flows in Egypt. His parents are water-related ones: Oceanus and Tethys. Even the river Nile has a god that protects it, and his name is what?

Nilus

Peneus
Syrinx

Rhode

Live long and prosper, ya? If your mother is the goddess of dawn and your father is the god of the winds and dusk, then it's but natural that you'll be born among the heavens as well. This is Phosporus, the recognized god personification of the morning star in Greek mythology. His parents are Eos and Astraeus. If there's a god personification of the evening star, the morning star has one, too. Can you name this shining example?

Clytie

Apate
Phosporus

Hyas

7 Minute Quiz 7 Min

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!