Discover now what is the famous Greek Mythology! In addition, we also explain which are the main Gods, Characters, Myths and Mythological Beings. We owe a lot of what we are today to the Hellenics, check it out!
Greek Mythology is the study of sets of narratives related to the myths of ancient grains and their meanings. For many modern scholars, Greek Myths are the same as shedding light on the understanding of ancient Greek society and its behavior, as well as its ritualistic practices. Greek myths illustrate how the world's origins, ways of life, as adventures and misadventures of a wide variety of gods, goddesses, heroes, heroines and other mythological creatures.
Over the years, these myths have been expressed through an extensive collection of narratives, which predate Greek literature, and also in the representation of other arts, such as the painting of Ancient Greece and the ceramics of red figures. Initially disseminated in oral-poetic tradition, these myths are now treated only as part of Greek literature. Such literature covers the most ancient literary sources in Ancient Greece: the epic poems Iliad and Odyssey (both found in Homer and dealing with events surrounding the Trojan War, highlighting the influence of gods and other beings), also Theogony and The Works of Hercules, both sought by Hesiod.
There are numerous figures of mythological beings within Greek Mythology, among some of the most famous are listed below, check out:
Anyway, there were MANY characters in Greek Mythology. We have an Article on our website where we talk specifically about each one of them, including elements such as Titanomaquia, Religion and the Creation of the World. Just click here and select your favorite subject!
The only Hellenistic epic preserved until the present day, Argonautic, by Apolonius de Rhodes, narrates the myth of the journey of Jason and the Argonauts to recover the Golden Fleece from the mythical land of Colchis. In Argonáutica, Jason is driven by his search for King Pélias, who had received a prophecy where a man in sandals would become his nemesis. Jasão loses a sandal in a river in the region, arriving at the court of Pelias and thus beginning the epic. Almost all members of the next generation of heroes, as well as Hercules, left with Jason to Argo to seek the golden fleece.
This generation of heroes also includes: the myth of Theseus, who left for Crete to face the Minotaur; Atalanta, a female heroine, Meleagro, who in turn had an epic cycle that rivaled the Iliad and Odyssey, Idas, who fought Apollo for Marpessa, Boreas' sons: Zeto and Calais, who play an important role in the field island of Fineu and in the fight against the Cinocefalus, Laerte, father of Ulysses and also Peleus, father of Achilles.
The Greek Gods had human representation, were immortal and also felt the needs of man: love, hunger and also made MANY mistakes, just like us humans. Among the most powerful gods are the Olympian Gods (who lived on Mount Olympus) and these are considered the main gods in the Greek pantheon.
They are: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Dionysus, Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Hephaestus and Artemis. However, many times, 3 more gods were added: Hades, Hestia and Asclepius.
Contrary to what many people think, the Olympic Gods are not the main Gods of Greek Mythology, as these gods became known only after defeating the Titans in a 10-year war. Before this, there were already other gods, called "primordial gods":
Remembering, many of these deities are known as Titans (they are also known as Elder Gods) and although there are dozens more, we have brought the main ones. If you want to meet all the Greek Gods, we recommend this article here.
According to Ovid, Narcissus was a young man fully endowed with beauty. His parents were the god of the river Cefiso and the nymph Liríope. Days before his birth, his parents decided to consult the oracle Tiresias to find out what the boy's fate would be. And the oracle's revelation was that he would have a long life, provided he never saw his own face. Narcissus grew up to be a handsome young man from Boeotia, who awakened in both men and women, but was very proud and had an arrogance that no one could break. Even the nymphs fell in love with him, including a so-called Eco who loved him unconditionally, but the boy despised her. The scorned girls asked the gods to avenge them.
To teach the frivolous boy a lesson, the goddess Nemesis, (as an aspect of Aphrodite) condemned him to fall in love with his own reflection in the Echo pond. Delighted by his own beauty, Narcissus lay down on the bank of the river and languished looking at himself in the water and beautifying himself. After his death, Aphrodite turned him into a flower, Narcissus. Even at his death, he tried to see in the waters of the Styx the features he had fallen in love with.
The widespread adoption of Christianity in the West has not slowed the popularity of Greco-Roman myths. With the rediscovery of classical antiquity in the Renaissance, Ovid's poetry became an important influence on the imagination of Western poets, playwrights, musicians and artists. Since the early years of the Renaissance, personalities like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Rafael have portrayed the pagan themes of Greek Mythology by adding more conventional Christian themes. Through Latin and Ovid's works, Greek myths influence medieval and Renaissance poets such as Petrarch, Boccaccio and Dante, in Italy.
In Northern Europe, Greek mythology never achieved the same importance in the visual arts, but its influence on literature was colossal. Greek myths had an effect on the English imagination of names like Chaucer and John Milton and followed Shakespeare's prominence in Robert Bridges in the 20th century. Racine from France and Goethe from Germany revived the dramas of ancient Greek theater, reinterpreting the oldest myths.
As for Kratos from God of War, we all already know! But what about the Cratos that really existed within Greek Mythology? Have you heard of or know their incredible story?
Roman Mythology: Are Greek and Roman Gods the Same Thing? In a simplified way, yes! With the exception of their respective Names. Check out everything about the Roman Gods below.
Behemoth is a terrifying Monster from both the Bible and Greek Mythology. According to the Old Testament, he will rival Leviathan at the end of time. Learn more about this terrestrial monster below.
The Erinyes (or Furies) are, in Greek and Roman Mythology, women represented as a symbol of revenge. They are very similar to the Keres and, also, often confused, check it out.
Although Dragons are of Chinese origin, the Greeks also had their representations for the Dragon figure. We've separated for you 3 exclusive Dragons that only exist in Greek Mythology!
Pegasus is, in Greek and Roman Mythology, a white winged horse given by Zeus to Bellerophon to defeat the terrible Chimera, an exotic monster of this mythology, check it out.
Jason, in Greek Mythology, is one of the most relevant Characters, so much so that, in addition to being a Hero, he is the son of Zeus, thus: a demigod. He knows more about its history, from Medea and Argonauts to the Golden Fleece.
The Griffin, in Greek Mythology, is a mystical creature with the body of a lion and an eagle's head. Unlike the Greek sphinxes (which are perverse and treacherous), Griffins are good creatures and often help demigods.
Do you already know the Legend of Atlantis? Find out now if this legendary (and hypothetically "lost") city actually existed. Plato portrays it very well within Greek Mythology and Religion, check it out.
The Trojan Horse was a huge wooden horse used as a military strategy by the Greeks during the Trojan War. If in fact it existed, it was one of the greatest feats of warfare in history! Know.
