The Minor Greek Gods

and other important characters

The Fates (Moirae) 

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Clotho: spinner who spins the thread of life Lachesis: measurer who decides one’s lot in life and how long that life will be Atropos: cutter who snips the thread of life at the appointed time

The Muses Goddess of art and science and inspirers of those who excel at such  Originally 3 Muses but eventually numbered 9  Clio (history), Urania (astronomy), Melpomene (tragedy), Thalia (comedy), Terpsichore (dance), Calliope (epic poetry), Erato (love poetry), Polyhymnia (songs to the gods), Euterpe (lyric poetry) 

The Hours (Horae) 

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The Greeks divided the daytime into 12 portions, judged by the position of the sun Each portion was ruled over by one of the Hours

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Auge: First Light, Daybreak Anatole: Rising, Sunrise Mousika: The Morning Hour of Music and Study Gymnastika: The Morning Hour of Gymnastics or Exercise Nymphe: The Morning Hour of Bathing and Washing Mesembria: Midday, Noon Sponde: Drinks Poured after Lunch Elete: Prayer, Work, the First of the Afternoon Work Hours Akte: Corn, Meal, Eating and Pleasure, the Second of the Afternoon Work Hours Hesperis: Evening Dysis: Sunset

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Arktos: Last Light

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The Graces/Charities 

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Goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity, and fertility Aglaea, Euphrosyne, and Thalia (Cleta)

The Winds (Anemoi) Boreas: north wind, bringer of winter  Notus: south wind, bringer of hot air and autumn rains  Zephyrus: west wind, bringer of spring and fertility  Eurus: east wind, rarely mentioned in myths  Aeolus is said to be the king of the winds 

Nymphs 

A nymph is any member of a large class of female nature entities  Dryads: tree nymphs  Naiads: fresh-water

nymphs  Nereids: sea nymphs

Often portrayed in the myths as targets of the gods’ pursuits  May also serve some of the nature gods, such as Artemis, Pan, etc. 

Iris  

Messenger of the gods Personification of the rainbow

Nemesis 

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Goddess of divine justice and vengeance Especially punished those guilty of arrogance toward the gods

Thanatos  

Personification of death Occasionally outwitted or overcome by a mortal (such as Heracles)

Hebe  

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Daughter of Zeus and Hera Cupbearer for the gods Eventually replaced by Ganymede Married to Heracles after he was brought to Olympus

Eris  

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Goddess of strife and discord Helps her brother Ares begin wars Helped cause the Trojan War Disliked by the other gods

Asclepius   

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Famous physician Son of Apollo and a mortal woman Was killed by Zeus because he could bring people back from the dead Had daughters named Hygenia, Meditrene, and Panacea