In ancient Greek and Roman mythology, spirits similar to the genies (also known as “djinn”) of Arabian folklore existed. The Greeks called these spirits *daemons* (not to be confused with “demons” in a negative sense). Daemons were invisible spirits that could be good or bad, guiding and influencing human lives. They acted as guardians or protectors, much like the genies in stories who grant wishes or offer guidance.
In Roman culture, there was a similar concept called *genii* (plural of *genius*). These spirits were believed to watch over individuals, families, and cities. Every person had their own *genius* that helped them succeed in life. The *genii* were protectors, like daemons and genies in other cultures.
While genies in Arabian tales often have magical powers, daemons and *genii* in Greek and Roman myths didn’t grant wishes. However, they played a crucial role in guiding and protecting people, showing interesting parallels to the idea of helpful spirits across different cultures. These ancient beliefs remind us how different societies shared similar ideas about mystical beings.
