Greek and Roman Gods

Atlantic River God headstone machette: a replica of that on Dublin's Custom House

Atlantic River God headstone machette: a replica of that on Dublin's Custom House

By kind permission of The Old Dublin Society

Atlantic River God headstone machette: a replica of that on Dublin's Custom House
By kind permission of The Old Dublin Society

Atlantic River God headstone machette: a replica of that on Dublin's Custom House

Atlantic River God headstone machette: a replica of that on Dublin's Custom House

By kind permission of The Old Dublin Society

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Most of the planets in the Solar System are named after a Greek or Roman God. Earth is the only planet that is not.

Mercury is the Roman messenger of the Gods. This may have been due to its closeness to the Sun and how quickly it moves through the sky.

Venus shines brightly in the night sky and so was named after the Roman Goddess of Love.

Mars was named after the Roman God of War probably because of its red colour.

Jupiter, being the largest planet in the sky, was named after the Roman king of the gods.

Saturn was the Roman God of Harvest.

Uranus was the Greek God of the Sky.

Neptune was named after the Roman God of the Sea probably because of its blue colour. It was also the first planet to be discovered by mathematics.