Daimones (the plural of daimon) was originally (in Homer for instance), synonymous with theoi (gods). However, as Greek philosophy progressed it became a general term to mark a group of minor deities in
Greek Mythology. Though the word
Demon sprang from this word (or, more accurately, from the Latinized version of it:
daemon), daimones are not necessarily evil. However, the vast majority of them are
Chthonic Deities, and thus connected with night, death and the occult. Many daimones have the ability to influence people's moods and consequent actions for better or worse, such daimones are:
Ate - tragic blindness,
Hybris - excessive pride,
Peitho - seduction,
Lyssa - murderous rage,
Eris - quarrel,
Tyche - luck. And so a man who succumbs to his emotions will often be refered to as daimon-possessed and his actions will be daimonic. A lucky or happy person will be called eudaimon (having good daimon) and a miserable or unlucky person will be called kakodaimon (having bad daimon).
The Daimones' gifts are always two sided: Peitho can be seduction to do bad things but she can also be persuasion- the ethic basis for democracy; Eris can cause wars and fights, but also be competition and consequent growth.