Category: Greek Mythology

Parnassus (surrounding island) In Greek history and mythology, mountain of Phoas near Delphi, northwest of Athens, consecrated to Apollo, the Muses, and Dionysus. Its slopes…

Paris (wallet) In Greek mythology, abductor of Helen, second son of King Priam of Troy and Queen Hecuba; brother of Aesacus, Cassandra, Creusa, Deiphobus, Hector,…

Pandarus (he who flays all) In Greek and Roman mythology, the go-between of the lovers Troilus and Cressida. Pandarus was killed by Diomedes during the…

Panathenaea (all-Athenian festival) In ancient Greek ritual, the summer festival in honour of Athena’s birthday. As part of the rite the people presented a peplum…

Palladium (shield of Pallas) In Greek and Roman mythology, a token of Athena that was believed to protect the city of Troy. When it was…

Eurytion (full-flowing little one) In Greek mythology, a centaur who caused the fight at the wedding of Pirithous and Hippodameia. Ovid’s Metamorphoses (book 12) tells…

Eurydice (wide justice) In Greek mythology, a dryad, wife of Orpheus, who died of a snakebite as she fled from Aristaeus. Orpheus went to the…

Euphrosyne (good cheer) In Greek mythology, one of the three Graces. The others were Aglaea (splendor) and Thalia (abundance). They were all daughters of Zeus…

Eunomia (good government) In Greek mythology, one of the Horae; goddess of order and legislation, daughter of Zeus and Themis. Her sisters were Eirene (peace)…

Euhemerus (spending days cheerfully) Fourth century b.c.e. Greek writer on mythology whose book Sacred History theorizes that the gods were originally humans who were later…