Greek Gods vs Roman God Names | Zeus–Jupiter, Aphrodite–Venus Comparison Table

The Roman name of Zeus is Jupiter, or Jove, and the Roman name of Aphrodite is Venus. These are the first pair you encounter when comparing Greek and Roman mythology. That said, keep in mind from the start that just because names are paired doesn't mean all their roles, cults, and local traditions are completely identical.

Greek–Roman God Name Correspondence Table

This table is a cross-cultural reference table, carrying over the name correspondences presented in a pantheon list that organizes the gods of Greek mythology. Zeus is introduced as the Greek god of the sky and thunder, while Aphrodite is introduced as the goddess presiding over love, beauty, pleasure, and childbirth. The correspondences of Ares to Mars and Dionysos to Liber or Bacchus are recorded side by side in the same list.

What's worth noting here is the structure: the corresponding names and the domains and genealogies are organized as separate entries. The individual entry for Zeus clearly records, alongside the Jupiter–Jove correspondence, that his parents are Cronus and Rhea, while the entry for Aphrodite treats her genealogical traditions separately from the Venus correspondence. The name pairings are tied together, but each god's domain and genealogy are managed separately by culture.

Paired Names Don't Mean the Entire Tradition Is the Same

A correspondence table is closer to a reference map that places Greek and Roman names side by side. Each entry keeps the domain and genealogy separate from the corresponding name, so it doesn't confirm that a god's role, rites, or local traditions are identical across the two cultures. That's why the notation "Zeus = Jupiter" is best understood as a pairing of names.

The difference also shows up in genealogy. Multiple traditions coexist regarding Aphrodite's parents, and none is established as the single undisputed genealogy. Compare that with Zeus, whose parents are clearly recorded as Cronus and Rhea—even gods in the same correspondence table can vary in how certain their genealogy is, depending on the tradition.

Even the Twelve Olympians Aren't a Fixed List

When you hear "the twelve Olympians," it's easy to assume the twelve are set in stone, but the list varies by tradition. A prime example is Hestia: she is sometimes included and sometimes omitted from lists of the twelve in different traditions.

If even the representative group fluctuates, then creating a completely fixed twelve-god correspondence table for every era and city is difficult in the first place. So when using a correspondence table, rather than simply memorizing the name pairs, it's far less confusing when reading mythology to also check how each god's domain and genealogy are organized across different traditions.

If You Want to Go Deeper into the Representative Pairs

If you're curious about the correspondence, genealogy, and major myths of Zeus and Jupiter, you can continue with the Zeus–Jupiter overview. The story of Aphrodite and Venus, the gods of love and beauty, is organized separately in the Aphrodite–Venus overview.

Hera, Zeus's wife and the goddess of marriage, corresponds to Rome's Juno, so if you're curious about the couple, also see the Hera–Juno overview. If you'd like to read mythology from the beginning, the Greek mythology reading guide will be your starting point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are Zeus and Jupiter exactly the same god?
A. They are a pair frequently introduced side by side as corresponding names, but the pantheon list records each god's domain and genealogy as separate entries alongside the name correspondence. So while the two names are used as notations pointing to the same deity, it isn't confirmed that all their roles, cults, and local traditions are identical.

Q. Who are Aphrodite's parents?
A. There is no single answer. Multiple traditions coexist regarding Aphrodite's parents, and none is established as the undisputed genealogy.

Q. Do the Korean transliterations of god names vary by edition?
A. The Korean transliterations of names like Zeus and Jupiter can vary depending on the translation and edition. When choosing a book, it's a good idea to check the transliteration system each edition uses.