Key Figures in Greek Mythology

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key figures and concepts from Greek mythology including their roles, relationships, and significant events.

Agamemnon

King of Mycenae and leader of the Greek army in the Trojan War.

Clytemnestra

Wife of Agamemnon who plotted his murder after he sacrificed their daughter.

Iphigeneia

Daughter of Agamemnon, sacrificed to appease Artemis.

Helen

Daughter of Zeus, considered the most beautiful woman whose abduction sparked the Trojan War.

Menelaus

King of Sparta and husband of Helen who fought to recover her during the Trojan War.

Orestes

Son of Agamemnon who avenged his father's death by killing Clytemnestra.

Sphinx

Monster with a woman’s head and lion’s body, known for her riddle.

Pylades

Cousin and close friend of Orestes, symbolizing loyal friendship.

Electra

Daughter of Agamemnon who conspired with Orestes for revenge on Clytemnestra.

Agave

Mother of Pentheus, driven mad by Dionysus, and killed her son by mistake.

Pentheus

King of Thebes who opposed Dionysian worship and was torn apart by the Maenads.

Atlas

Titan punished to hold up the sky for eternity, symbolizing endurance.

Amazons

Tribe of warrior women known for their strength and independence.

Andromache

Wife of Hector, enslaved after the fall of Troy, representing faithful wifehood.

Andromeda

Chained to a rock as sacrifice to a sea monster, rescued by Perseus.

Oedipus

King of Thebes who solved the Sphinx's riddle and married his mother unwittingly.

Eteocles

Son of Oedipus who fought his brother Polyneices for the throne.

Polyneices

Son of Oedipus who led the “Seven Against Thebes” campaign.

Jocasta

Queen of Thebes, wife and mother of Oedipus, who took her own life.

Teiresias

Blind prophet of Thebes known for his wisdom and foresight.

Polybus

King of Corinth and foster father of Oedipus.

Merope

Queen of Corinth and foster mother of Oedipus, symbolizing maternal care.

Ariadne

Daughter of King Minos, helped Theseus escape the Labyrinth.

Phaedra

Wife of Theseus who fell in love with her stepson Hippolytus.

Hippolyta

Queen of the Amazons, associated with magical items and strong women.

Hippolytus

Son of Theseus, devoted to Artemis, who faced tragic fate due to lies.

Ascanius

Son of Aeneas and ancestor of the Roman Julian family.

Astyanax

Infant prince of Troy, thrown from the city's walls after the war.

Bacchae (Maenads)

Female followers of Dionysus known for their ecstatic frenzy.

Cadmus

Founder of Thebes, known for defeating a dragon and creating warriors.

Cassandra

Daughter of Priam, gifted with prophecy but cursed to never be believed.

Centaurs

Half-human, half-horse creatures known for their wild behavior.

Satyrs

Followers of Dionysus representing lust and playful revelry.

Cerberus

Three-headed dog guarding the Underworld, preventing the dead from leaving.

Charon

Ferryman of the Underworld who carries souls across the river.

Charybdis

Sea monster that creates whirlpools, threatening sailors.

Chimaera

Fire-breathing monster with parts of a lion, goat, and serpent.

Chiron

Wise and immortal centaur, teacher of heroes, symbolizing knowledge.

Circe

Enchantress who turned men into animals and helped Odysseus.

Symplegades

Clashing Rocks that crushed ships but were navigated by Jason and the Argonauts.

Creon

King of Thebes after Oedipus who forbade the burial of Polyneices.

Creusa

Wife of Aeneas, mother of Ascanius who died during Troy’s fall.

Medea

Daughter of King Aeëtes, sorceress who helped Jason and later killed her children.

Jason

Leader of the Argonauts who sought the Golden Fleece and betrayed Medea.

Argonauts

Heroes who sailed with Jason on the Argo in search of the Golden Fleece.

Cupid (Eros)

God of love and desire, often depicted with arrows treating love.

Daedalus

Inventor who created the Labyrinth and escaped from Crete with wings.

Icarus

Son of Daedalus who flew too close to the sun and fell.

Deianira

Wife of Heracles who accidentally caused his death.

Actaeon

Hunter transformed into a stag for seeing Artemis bathing.

Dryads

Tree nymphs or spirits connected to oak trees.

Eris

Goddess of strife who instigated the events leading to the Trojan War.

Europa

Phoenician princess abducted by Zeus in bull form, mother of Minos.