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Mediterranean & Near East
Explore myths, traditions and legendary beings grouped under Mediterranean & Near East.
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Aestas
Aestas is the Latin personification of summer in Roman literature and artistic tradition. Her name is the Latin word for “summer,” and it is related to the language of heat and burning warmth. Unlike major Roman deities …
Alecto
Alecto is one of the Erinyes, the terrifying avenging powers of Greek mythology. In Greek, her name is usually written Ἀληκτώ and is commonly understood to mean “unceasing” or “unrelenting,” especially in the sense of an…
Aequitas
Aequitas was the Roman personification of fairness, equity, and balanced dealing. Her name comes from the Latin word aequitas, meaning fairness, impartiality, or a just adjustment between people and circumstances. Unlike…
Adeona
Adeona is a minor Roman goddess associated with a child’s return home. She is traditionally paired with Abeona, the goddess connected with a child’s departure or going out. Unlike major Roman deities such as Jupiter, Jun…
Alcyone
Alcyone is a figure of Greek mythology best known as the devoted wife of Ceyx, whose grief after his death leads to the transformation of both spouses into seabirds. Their story belongs to the ancient Greek tradition of …
Acca-larentia
Acca Larentia, also called Acca Larentina, is a figure of Roman mythology associated with the childhood of Romulus and Remus, the founding legends of Rome, and the annual festival known as the Larentalia. Her identity is…
Alcmena
Alcmena—also spelled Alcmene—is a mortal woman in Greek mythology, best known as the mother of Heracles (the Roman Hercules). She was the wife of Amphitryon and became the mother of two sons: Heracles, fathered by Zeus, …
Abundantia
Abundantia was a Roman personification of abundance, prosperity and the plentiful supply of food or material goods. Her name comes from the Latin word abundantia, meaning “abundance” or “plenty”. Unlike major Roman gods …
Alcmene
Alcmene is a mortal woman in Greek mythology, best known as the mother of Heracles (Roman Hercules). A princess of the royal house of Mycenae, she becomes central to one of the most important divine-human unions in Greek…
Abeona
Abeona is a little-known Roman goddess associated with going away, departure and movement from one place to another. Her name is usually understood in relation to the Latin verb abire, “to go away” or “to depart.” In Rom…
Heracles
Heracles (Greek Hēraklēs; Latin Hercules) is one of the greatest heroes of Greek mythology. Son of Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene, he is celebrated for extraordinary strength, endurance and courage, but his stories al…