Mythology Glossary

Glossary of Terms

Ambrosia

The food or drink of the gods.

Discus

A heavy disc thrown in competition.

Hyacinth

A plant with perhaps blood-colored flowers, commemorating the death of Hyacinthus by Apollo.

Laurel tree

The bay tree, an evergreen with a pleasant scent.

Mount Olympus

The mountain upon which the Greek gods reside.

Mulberry

A tree that produces a sweet berry.

Nymph

A female, human-like spirit bound to a particular place in nature.

Oracle

A giver of wisdom and prophecy. The Oracle of Delphi often gave ambiguous responses to questions, leaving the interpretation up to others.

Pomegranate

Considered the "food of the dead," a temptingly sweet and attractive fruit with tiny seeds, which also suggests fertility.

Prophecy

A prediction of what is to come.

Theban

A person from Thebes, a city about halfway from Athens to Delphi and at one time a serious rival to Athens.