Ancient greek gods facts: Ancient Greek Gods & Goddesses Facts For Kids

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Ancient Greek Gods & Goddesses Facts For Kids

  • Athena
  • Poseidon
  • Hermes
  • Ares
  • Zeus
  • Aphrodite
  • Hera
  • Artemis
  • Hades
  • Apollo
  • Hephaestus
  • Hestia
Welcome to our Greek Gods and Goddesses page here on History for Kids. We have some fun facts and pictures for you to color. You will learn some interesting facts about each God as you read down the page. Take your time there is a lot of information on this page, check out the quick facts also if you just need a quick understanding and characteristics of each one.

Athena

Athena was tall, strong, graceful, gray-eyed, and she liked owls. From the beginning, she was a pretty amazing goddess. In fact, even her birth was most unusual.

Zeus, the father of gods and goddesses, was also Athena’s father. Her mother was a mortal woman named Metis. Older gods had warned Zeus that he would be in trouble if Metis gave birth to a daughter. So he swallowed Metis whole.

When it came time for Athena to be born, she sprang full grown out of Zeus’s head. She was completely dressed in armor, as she always would be. She also carried a shield and a spear. As you might guess about a woman in armor, she was a great warrior.

Athena was also a goddess of wisdom. She taught people about arts and crafts. She also taught them how to think clearly and live well. She was often seen with an owl, so owls became a symbol of wisdom.

Athena didn’t get along with the sea god Poseidon. For one thing, they were often rivals over one thing or another. Once the people of a new city were looking for a god to watch over and protect them. Athena and Poseidon both wanted the job.

To impress the city’s citizens, the two gods gave them gifts. Poseidon struck the ground with his three-pointed spear, and water poured out. The water turned into a river that flowed into the sea. Poseidon told the people to build ships to sail to the sea. He said that they could travel everywhere. They could become the most powerful people on earth.

The citizens were indeed impressed. But then Athena told them to taste the water. It tasted awful. It was saltwater, which is impossible to drink.

Then Athena gave the citizens her gift. When she hit the ground with her spear, a tree magically grew up within seconds. She explained that it was a special tree—an olive tree. Its wood was good both for building houses and for heating those houses in winter. Better still, the tree’s little green fruits, called “olives,” were delicious. And oil made out of the olives was useful for cooking.

The citizens liked Athena’s gift better than Poseidon’s. Not only did they choose Athena to watch over them, they named the city after her. They called it Athens. Poseidon left in a huff, causing a serious flood on his way. But the Athenians weren’t bothered very much. With Athena’s help, their city grew to be strong and wealthy. Athens became one of the greatest cities of all time. Today it’s the capital and the largest city of Greece.

Here are some historical facts about the city of Athens:

  • Athenians did their best to make their city live up to its name. Inspired by their tales about Athena’s wisdom, Athens became a center of civilization.
  • Athenians turned their city into the world’s first democracy.
  • Athenians wrote the world’s first plays, both comedies and tragedies. Those plays were performed in an open-air theater. They are still popular today.
  • Some of history’s greatest thinkers were Athenian. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were the city’s most famous philosophers.
  • The world’s first historians, Herodotus and Thucydides, lived in Athens.
  • Athenians created some of the world’s most beautiful buildings. The ruins of its most famous temple, the Parthenon, are still standing today. The Parthenon once held a large statue of Athena.
  • The Athenian Hippocrates is said to be the father of medicine. He wrote a famous oath that is still spoken by doctors today.

Poseidon

The brothers Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon were the most important gods of all. Zeus was the strongest and wisest of the three and ruled over the earth. Hades ruled the Underworld, the world of the dead. Poseidon ruled the seas. He was also the god of earthquakes and horses.

Poseidon had a beard and long blue hair. He drove a golden cart called a chariot.

It was pulled by strange beasts that were half-horse and half-snake. Fish and dolphins always swam along beside the sea god’s chariot.

Poseidon carried a three-pointed spear called a trident. He used this to start earthquakes or bring water out of the ground.

Like the sea he ruled, Poseidon could be either calm or stormy. As you might guess, the god of earthquakes had a short temper. He didn’t get along with other gods. He didn’t always get along with mortals, either.

The people of Troy once asked Poseidon to help build a wall around their city. He helped, but then he got angry when he didn’t get paid for his work. He was Troy’s enemy ever after that. When Troy fought a terrible war against Greece, Poseidon supported the Greeks.

Each god had a city to protect and watch over. The city showed its thanks by honoring that god especially. Maybe because he was ill-tempered, Poseidon had trouble finding a city to honor him. The people of Athens chose Athena instead of Poseidon as its protector. The people of Naxos chose Dionysus. The people of Aegina chose Zeus. Finally, all the gods had special cities except Poseidon. He was very unhappy and disappointed.

But at long last, the people of Atlantis chose Poseidon. Atlantis was a huge island, and its people loved and honored him. There he fell in love with a mortal princess named Clito. He built a palace for her, and they had ten sons. The sons grew up to be kings who ruled different parts of Atlantis. Those kings ruled wisely, and Atlantis became the greatest civilization in the world. Poseidon was proud and happy.Advertisement

But bad times came. The first kings of Atlantis died, and their sons were bad rulers. And the sons who came after them were worse yet. Years passed, and Atlantis was no longer the world’s greatest civilization. It was actually the worst. It had become both wicked and foolish.

Finally, the people of Atlantis forgot to worship Poseidon. The sea god became angry and used his trident to start a terrible earthquake. Atlantis sank beneath the waves, never to be seen again.

Here are some historical facts about Poseidon’s story:

•Horses were very important in the ancient world. Poseidon’s earliest worshippers may have been the people who first brought horses to Greece.

•There are many earthquakes in Greece. Not surprisingly, a god of earthquakes was taken very seriously there.

•The sea was very important to the Ancient Greeks. They were great explorers whose ships sailed to distant places.

•Fishermen in the ancient world caught tuna with a trident.

•Atlantis was thought to have been in a faraway ocean. Today we call that ocean the Atlantic.

•Atlantis was probably imaginary. Even so, some people still believe that it once was real. And people keep looking for it.

•Atlantis may have been based on a real place. There once was a large island called Thera. It was destroyed by a huge volcano. Like Atlantis, it sank into the sea.

Hermes

Hermes was the messenger god. He was young and intelligent-looking. He wore a winged hat and winged sandals, and he carried a magic wand. (We know what he looked like because so many sculptors made statues of him.)

Hermes was said to be the god of the marketplace. Oddly, he was also said to be the god of thieves. He himself was a clever thief. He started stealing early in life—actually on the day he was born.

His father was Zeus, the king of the gods. His mother was a young goddess named Maia. He was born in a mountain cave, and only a few minutes after his birth, Hermes decided to make himself a toy. He picked up a tortoise shell and tied strings across it, then plucked the strings. That was how Hermes invented the first musical instrument, which was called a lyre. And he invented music too!

His playing and singing put his mother to sleep. Then, when Hermes was still only an hour or two old, he left the cave and went out to look around at the world. He soon found a herd of cattle that belonged to the god Apollo. The baby Hermes liked the cattle and decided to steal them.

When Apollo wasn’t looking, Hermes tied branches to the cows’ tails. As he led them away, the branches dragged along and erased their hoof prints. Then he hid the cattle and went back to his cave. He climbed back up into his sleeping mother’s arms. When she woke up, she had no idea that he’d even been away.

When Apollo managed to track down Hermes, he was surprised to see that the thief was just a newborn baby. Even so, he demanded his cattle back. Then Hermes started playing the lyre. Apollo was so delighted by the music that he let Hermes keep the cattle in exchange for the lyre. After that, Apollo carried the lyre everywhere and became known as the god of music.

Hermes never stopped being full of mischief. But when he grew up, the gods learned that they could count on him for one important task. With his winged hat and sandals, he ran and flew as fast as the wind, so Zeus named him the messenger of the gods.

Whenever the gods wanted to send messages to mortals, they gave the job to Hermes. Although he didn’t always tell the truth himself, he always delivered those messages just the way he was supposed to.

Here are some interesting facts about Hermes’ story.

•Along with the lyre, Hermes was said to have invented another musical instrument called a panpipe. It’s a kind of flute that is still played today.

•Hermes was said to be the god of travelers. Statues of him could be found at crossroads throughout Ancient Greece. They were put there to bring travelers good luck.

•There were no telephones and no Internet in the ancient world. Messages were usually carried by runners on foot. So the god of messengers was considered a very important god.

•One of the most famous messengers of all time was a soldier named Pheidippides. Story has it that he ran from one city to another, carrying news that the Greeks had won the Battle of Marathon. He delivered the message and died. Today’s marathon races are held in his honor.

•Hermes’ magic wand was called a caduceus. It had wings, like his hat and sandals. It also had snakes wrapped around it. Today the caduceus is the symbol of the medical profession.

Ares

Ares was the god of war. He wore armor and a helmet, and he carried a shield, sword, and spear. He was big and strong and had a fierce war cry, but his war cry was mostly just a lot of noise. Ares didn’t fight at all well. The armored goddess Athena was a much better warrior.

The Ancient Greeks didn’t like war, and they didn’t like Ares, either. They considered him a troublemaker. And like many troublemakers, Ares was a coward and a bully.

In fact, Ares was never really of use to anybody in a war. One time a group of giants declared war on the gods. The giants wanted to rule the entire universe. To keep Ares out of the fighting, they sneaked up on him and knocked him out cold, then they stuffed him into a jar.

The other gods heard Ares screaming for somebody to let him out. They just ignored him because they figured they could fight better without him. They went on to defeat the giants, and then they let Ares out of the jar after the battle was over. Ares bragged about how he could have beaten the giants if he’d been free. The other gods only laughed.

Ares never stayed loyal to one side or the other in a war. He just enjoyed watching people fighting and dying. The war between Greece and Troy was one of the worst ever fought, and even the gods joined in the battle. When the war started, Ares promised his mother, Hera, to help the Greeks. But he was in love with the goddess Aphrodite, so she easily talked him into helping the Trojans.

The Trojans would have been just as happy without Ares’s help. Always the bully, he didn’t pick fights with other gods. Instead, he challenged a mortal Greek warrior named Diomedes, but Diomedes wounded Ares.

Ares liked to cause pain for others, but he whined and complained whenever he got hurt. This time was no different. The wound he got from Diomedes wasn’t very serious, but even so, Ares didn’t keep fighting. He went running back to Olympus, the home of the gods, and wept and wailed to his father Zeus. Even though Zeus bandaged up Ares’s wound, he was not at all proud of his warrior son.

That wasn’t the only time Ares was wounded. The great hero Heracles wounded him twice, and one of those times he took away Ares’s armor and weapons. Both times Ares ran away crying to Olympus.

Here are some interesting facts about Ares’s story:

•For a long time, historians thought that the city of Troy was just a legend. But the ruins of Troy have been found in modern-day Turkey.

•The Trojan War was also thought to be only a legend. But today some historians think that there really was such a war. It was fought between Greece and Troy.

•The Greeks had good reason to dislike war. The cities of Greece fought each other in a terrible war that lasted for 27 years. It’s called the Peloponnesian War.

•Although the Ancient Greeks didn’t like Ares, the Ancient Romans admired him. They called him Mars. They told stories that made Mars sound like a hero.

•The Romans liked Ares because they thought that war was noble. The Romans spoke Latin. The Latin words for “war” and “beauty” are very similar. The word for “war” is “bellum.” The word for “beauty” is “bellus.”

Zeus

Zeus was the king of the gods. He and his brothers Hades and Poseidon were in charge of the whole universe. Hades ruled the Underworld, the world of the dead. Poseidon ruled the seas. Zeus, the greatest of the three, ruled the earth and the sky. He controlled the weather, causing wind and rain. He also caused thunder and lightning. He threw his thunderbolt like a spear.

Zeus was a good reminder that the gods were not perfect. For one thing, he was not all-powerful. His daughters, the three Fates, decided the futures of both gods and mortals. Zeus couldn’t overrule their decisions.

And although Zeus was often wise, he could also be foolish. He could be selfish and even cruel. He was not a good husband to Hera, the queen of the gods. And he was not a good father to many of his children. Not surprisingly, the other gods sometimes rebelled against his rule.

Still, Zeus most gods and mortals respected Zeus. He gave laws and justice to mortals. He taught them kindness and good manners. One story shows how much Zeus prized hospitality and kindness toward strangers.

Zeus liked to travel, sometimes in disguise. Once he was traveling with his son Hermes, the messenger god, in a land called Phrygia. They were both disguised as ordinary mortal men. They stopped at all the houses in Phrygia, asking for food and a place to stay the night. Time and time again, they were rudely turned away. Even rich people turned them away.

At last they arrived at the home of an elderly couple, a woman named Baucis and a man named Philemon. Baucis and Philemon were extremely poor. Even so, they treated the travelers kindly, inviting them into their home for food and drink. They allowed the disguised gods to spend the night.

The next day, Hermes and Zeus took off their disguises. Everyone could see that they were gods. Zeus punished the couple’s Phrygian neighbors with a terrible flood. All houses were destroyed, except the little hut of Baucis and Philemon. Zeus turned it into a beautiful temple.

As a reward for their kindness, Zeus offered the couple anything that they wanted. Because they had lived happily together all their lives, they asked never to be parted. Even in death they wanted to remain together. Baucis and Philemon spent the rest of their lives serving as the temple’s priestess and priest. When they died they turned into two trees growing out of the same trunk.

Zeus Greek God

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Zeus Greek God

Here are some interesting facts about Zeus’s story:

•Weather seemed even more mysterious in ancient times than it does today. It’s no surprise that the god who controlled the weather was the most powerful god of all.

•Lightning and thunder were especially puzzling to ancient people. Many cultures have had gods of thunder and lightning. In Norse mythology, it was Thor. To the Finns, it was Ukko. To the Aztecs, it was Tlaloc.

•Lightning remained a mystery for thousands of years. During the 1700s, the American scientist and thinker Benjamin Franklin helped solve that mystery. He discovered the lightning was made up of electricity. Then he invented the lightning rods to protect houses and buildings. He was nicknamed “the Man Who Tamed the Lightning.”

•In ancient times, travel was difficult and dangerous. Travelers depended on the kindness of people they met along the way. The Greeks even had a word for kindness toward strangers and travelers. They called it xenios.

Aphrodite

Aphrodite had an unusual birth. She rose up out of sea foam, beautiful and fully grown-up. She was the goddess of love, and she liked doves, sparrows, and swans. She was married to Hephaestus, the god of the forge, but not at all happily. She was really in love with Ares, the god of war.

Aphrodite and her son Eros were in charge of making people and gods fall in love. Eros used his magic bow and arrow to make that happen.

Oddly, this goddess of love helped start a terrible war. But she didn’t really mean to. Eris, the goddess of discord, liked to stir up trouble. So one day Eris made a golden apple. She wrote the words “For the Fairest” on it. Then she threw this apple where the goddesses Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite would find it.

Each one of them thought she was “the Fairest”—the most beautiful goddess of all. They decided to hold a beauty contest. To judge the contest, they chose a mortal named Paris. He was a handsome Prince of Troy.

Each goddess took Paris aside and offered him a gift. If Paris chose Hera, she promised to make the ruler of the world. If he chose Athena, she promised to make him a victorious soldier. But Paris wasn’t very ambitious or brave. He wasn’t interested in either of those offers.

Then Aphrodite promised Paris the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. This appealed to Paris much more than the other offers did. So he judged Aphrodite “the Fairest” of the goddesses, and she got to keep the apple.

This was exactly what the troublemaking Eris had hoped for. The most beautiful woman in the world happened to be married already. Her name was Helen. She was the Queen of Sparta and the wife of King Menelaus.

When Helen and Paris ran away to Troy together, Menelaus was furious. He called all the great warriors of Greece together, and they declared war on Troy. Many thousands of warriors died in the Trojan War, which lasted ten years. It ended with the destruction of Troy.

Here are some interesting facts about Aphrodite’s story:

•Today some historians believe that there really was a Trojan war. It was fought between Greece and Troy.

•The Romans called Aphrodite by the name Venus. The planet Venus is named after her.

•Venus is the planet closest to Earth. It is also the nearest planet in size to Earth. Next to the moon, it is usually the brightest object in the nighttime sky. Venus is easiest to see in the morning and evening. That’s why it is called both the “Morning Star” and the “Evening Star.”

•The Greeks pictured Aphrodite’s son Eros as a handsome young man. The Romans called him Cupid. They came to picture him as a little boy with wings and a bow and arrow. Pictures of Cupid are very common on Valentine’s Day.

•The goddess Venus was said to be the mother of the hero Aeneas. According to legend, Aeneas helped found the city of Rome. The real-life Roman general and dictator Julius Caesar claimed to be a descendent of Venus.

Hera

Hera was the queen of the gods and the protector of women. Her husband Zeus ruled the earth and sky. She was the mother of the war god Ares and the forge god Hephaestus. Her daughter, Ilithyia, was the goddess of childbirth.

Hera was beautiful and graceful. But she was also stern and bossy. And she could be very vain about her good looks. Hera was furious when she lost a beauty contest with Athena and Aphrodite. Another time, a mortal queen claimed to be more beautiful than Hera. The goddess turned that queen into a crane.

Although Hera was the goddess of marriage, her own marriage wasn’t happy. For one thing, Zeus was always interested in other women. Hera had good reason to be jealous.
Once she sent a hundred-eyed monster named Argos to spy on Zeus. Even Zeus couldn’t get away with much with Argos watching him!

Annoyed, Zeus called upon his son Hermes, the messenger god. He ordered Hermes to kill Argos. This was hard to do, because some of Argos’s eyes were always awake and watching. But Hermes managed to put all those eyes to sleep. Then he killed Argos as Zeus had commanded.

Hera put Argos’s eyes in the peacock’s tail. The peacock was her favorite bird from that time on. Hera was also fond of cows, lions, and cuckoos.

Next, Zeus asked a young goddess named Echo for help. Echo was a wonderful storyteller. At Zeus’s orders, Echo told Hera stories. That kept Hera’s attention for hours and hours. Meanwhile, Zeus could sneak away and do whatever he wanted.

Hera figured out what was going on. She got very angry with Echo. This wasn’t fair, of course. Echo couldn’t help what she was doing. After all, she couldn’t very well disobey the king of the gods. But when Hera was angry, she could be most unfair.

Hera cursed Echo. She took away Echo’s power to tell stories. She even took away Echo’s power to speak normally. Instead, Echo could only repeat things said by others.

Echo became so sad that she disappeared completely. But it is said that you can still hear her voice. If you shout in a canyon or valley, Echo might repeat your words.

Here are some interesting facts about Hera’s story:

•Hera was the goddess of the calendar year. The ancient Athenians didn’t have just one calendar. Instead, they used a calendar for festivals, another for political matters, and another for the seasons.

•Today many cultures have different yearly calendars. The 12-month calendar mostly used in European and American countries is called the Julian calendar.

•Hera was a goddess who protected women. In Ancient Athens, women needed a protector. Even when Athens became a democracy, women had very few rights. An unmarried girl was ruled by her father; a married woman was ruled by her husband. Women could not become full citizens. Even male slaves had more rights than women did.

•Things were different in Sparta, Athens’s warlike neighbor. Spartan men were often away fighting. When the men were gone, women took charge in many important ways. Some of the wealthiest and most powerful Spartan citizens were women. Even so, Spartan women could not hold political positions.

Artemis

Artemis was the god Apollo’s twin sister. She was goddess of the moon and of the hunt. She didn’t like cities very much, preferring to roam forests and mountainsides.

She hunted with a silver bow and silver arrows. Like all good hunters, Artemis liked to protect wildlife. She took special care to watch over small animals.

Artemis was a strong-willed goddess. She knew what she wanted from an early age. Once when she was three years old, she was sitting on her father Zeus’s knee. Zeus asked the little goddess what she most wanted in life.

First, she asked Zeus for three different names. These would fit her moods, which could be seen in the changing Moon. When she was cheerful and the moon was bright, she was called Selene. When she was in a bad mood and the moon was dark, she was called Hecate. The rest of the time she was called Artemis.

She also asked Zeus for loyal goddesses to hunt with. Zeus gave her lots of female followers called nymphs. Finally, she told Zeus that she never wanted to have much to do with men. So Zeus made sure that Artemis never fell in love with a man and never had a husband.

Although she wasn’t interested in much except hunting, Artemis could also be a good warrior. In fact, she was a much better fighter than Ares, the god of war. She was also more clever. One time some giants declared war on the gods. The giants trapped Ares in a jar, so he couldn’t do any fighting at all. Artemis tricked two of the giants by taking the shape of a deer and running between them. The giants both shot arrows at the deer, but killed each other instead.

Artemis was also clever about keeping men out of her life—both gods and mortals. The river god Alpheus fell in love with her and went chasing after her through the woods. Artemis smeared mud all over her own face, then told her nymphs to do the same. Alpheus couldn’t tell Artemis and the nymphs apart. The river god gave up and went home, sad and disappointed.

Artemis was especially honored by a legendary race of women called Amazons. They were all warrior women who never married.

Here are some interesting facts about Artemis’s story:

•The “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World” was a list made by the Greeks of man-made marvels. A temple of Artemis was on that list. The Great Pyramids of Egypt are the only wonders on the list still standing today.

•Because she was the goddess of the Moon, Artemis has a crater on the Moon named after her. A crater is a hollow place that was formed by collision with an object from outer space.

•The moon has long been believed to affect human moods and actions. One Roman name for the goddess of the moon was “Luna.” The word “lunatic,” meaning insane person, came from that name.

•A lunar eclipse happens when the earth passes between the sun and the moon. On February 29, 1504, the explorer Christopher Columbus was on the island of Jamaica. He knew that a lunar eclipse was coming, and that the moon would seem to disappear. The islanders didn’t know what an eclipse was. Columbus used the eclipse to trick the islanders into doing whatever he wanted.

Hades

The brothers Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades were the most important gods of all. Zeus was the strongest and wisest of the three and ruled over the earth. Poseidon ruled the seas. Hades ruled the Underworld, the world of the dead. Hades had dark hair and a dark beard, and he drove a chariot drawn by four dark horses. He was married to Persephone, the queen of the dead.

Neither gods nor mortals liked Hades very much. This wasn’t really fair. Hades wasn’t mean or cruel. It just wasn’t his job to be kind or merciful. His duty was to make sure the dead stayed in the Underworld forever.

Few mortals ever went to the Underworld and made it back alive. One of these was the great singer Orpheus. When his wife, Eurydice, died, Orpheus went to the Underworld to bring her back.

Orpheus’s singing delighted Hades, so he agreed to let him take Eurydice back home. Hades made one rule, though. Orpheus wasn’t allowed to look at Eurydice as they fled the Underworld. But along the way, Orpheus turned to see if Eurydice was still following him. So she had to stay in the world of the dead forever.

There aren’t many stories about Hades. Because he rarely left the Underworld, he seldom had adventures. He just went about the unpleasant business of ruling the dead. When he did go out into the world of the living, it usually ended badly for him.

Once Hades left his realm in search of Sisyphus, the king of Corinth. Sisyphus was one of the cleverest mortals who ever lived. He managed to cheat death time and time again.

Hades planned to put Sisyphus in handcuffs and take him to the Underworld. Instead, the tricky king talked Hades into trying on the handcuffs himself. As long as Sisyphus held Hades hostage, nobody would ever die. The gods couldn’t allow that, so they pestered Sisyphus into letting Hades loose.

Sisyphus himself finally died and went to the Underworld. The gods knew that he might still be up to mischief even there. So they sentenced him to an impossible task.

Sisyphus had to roll a huge boulder up a hill, only to have it roll back down again. Then he had to roll it back up the hill, only to have it roll down yet again. Poor Sisyphus had to do this again and again forever. At least it kept him from causing Hades any more trouble.

Eventually, the world of the dead itself came to be called Hades, after its king. A fierce three-headed dog named Cerberus guarded Hades. The river Styx flowed between Hades and the world of the living. A ferryman named Charon rowed dead souls across the Styx.

Here are some interesting facts about Hades’ story:

•The Ancient Greeks feared Hades so much that they avoided saying his name. Instead, they called him “Pluton,” which meant “the Rich. ” This was because Hades’ realm was said to be the home of precious stones and metals. The Romans renamed Hades “Pluto.”

•Today, a plutocrat is someone who rules other people with wealth. A plutocracy is a government based on wealth.

•A small, distant object called Pluto was once thought to be the farthest planet from the sun. Today Pluto is no longer considered to be a planet at all. The farthest planet from the sun is called Neptune. This was the Roman name for Poseidon, the god of the sea.

•A task that seems pointless and endless is now sometimes called Sisyphean.

Apollo

Apollo was the twin brother of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and the Moon. Like his sister, Apollo loved hunting with a bow and arrow. He was the god of wisdom, poetry, and music.

Apollo was a handsome god, with long black hair. He drove a golden chariot drawn by swans. He was the leader of the Muses, the nine goddesses of the arts.

This god liked lions, wolves, stags, crows, and dolphins. He also liked cattle, and once had a herd of his own. The baby Hermes stole that herd from him. But Apollo let Hermes keep the cattle in return for his lyre. The lyre was a kind of harp that Hermes had made out of a tortoise shell.

When Apollo was still a young god, he wanted to know his future. So he went to a town called Delphi, where a priestess was said to tell fortunes. She was called an “oracle.”

When Apollo arrived in Delphi, he found trouble awaiting him. A monster named Python was supposed to guard the oracle. But Python had turned cruel and was terrorizing the people of Delphi.

Apollo killed Python with his bare hands. Then the citizens of Delphi built a temple in his honor. The oracle kept telling people’s fortunes there.

After that, Apollo became known as the god of prophecy—which means the ability to foretell the future. He was believed to always tell the truth.

Apollo was also known as great healer. However, he sometimes caused disease as well. His son, Asclepius, was the god of medicine for a while. But Asclepius grew so powerful that he could raise the dead. The gods couldn’t allow that, so Zeus killed Asclepius with his thunderbolt.

Because Apollo was called the god of light, he was sometimes mistaken for the sun god. The real god of the sun was Helios, who drove a flaming chariot across the sky.

Helios once made a terrible mistake. He allowed his half-mortal son Phaeton to drive his chariot. But Phaeton couldn’t control Helios’s horses. He almost destroyed the world with that flaming chariot. Like Asclepius, Phaeton was killed by Zeus’s thunderbolt.

Here are some interesting facts about Apollo’s story:

•A huge snake called a python can be found in parts of Africa and Asia. It’s named after the monster that Apollo killed.

•In ancient times Delphi was said to be the center of the world. Its ruins are still visited today.

•The Pythian Games were an athletic event held every four years in Delphi. They were named after the monster slain by Apollo. Those games were something like today’s Olympics. The earliest Olympic games were also played in Ancient Greece.

•A priestess in Delphi really was believed to tell fortunes. Once she was asked about the Athenian philosopher Socrates. She said that no one in the world was wiser than he. Socrates was surprised, because he thought he knew nothing at all. He soon noticed that people who thought themselves wise knew no more than he did. So Socrates was truly wise in knowing himself to be ignorant.

•Today the word Apollonian means wise, prudent, and well thought-out. The god Dionysus was thought to be reckless and unruly, most unlike the calm and sensible Apollo. So the word Dionysian means wild, uncontrolled, and lacking reason.

Hephaestus

Hephaestus was the god of fire. He was a blacksmith whose forge was in a volcano. His helpers were one-eyed giants called Cyclopes. He worked in bronze, iron, silver, and gold. He also made things out of clay, including living creatures. From clay he made Pandora, the first mortal woman in the world.

Hephaestus made many useful things for the gods. For the messenger god Hermes, he made a winged hat and winged sandals. For the sun god Helios, he made a golden chariot to ride across the sky. For the Eros, the god of love, he made a silver bow with silver arrows.

Hephaestus was a good-natured god who usually got along well with everybody. Even so, his mother, Hera, once got angry with him. She threw him off Olympus, the mountain where the gods lived. When he hit the ground, he broke his foot. A goddess named Thetis nursed him back to health. But he walked with a limp ever after that.

Good-natured though he was, Hephaestus didn’t forgive Hera. And he finally got even with her. He made a beautiful throne out of gold and offered it to her as a gift. When she sat on it, invisible chains wrapped around her wrists. She couldn’t get out of the throne, which rose up into the air.

All the gods tried to talk Hephaestus into letting Hera loose. Hephaestus finally did when the beautiful goddess Aphrodite agreed to marry him. Theirs wasn’t a happy marriage, though. Aphrodite was really in love with Ares, the god of war.

The goddess Thetis had a half-mortal son named Achilles. When Achilles was a baby, she bathed him in the river Styx. This was supposed to make him invulnerable, meaning impossible to hurt or kill. Even so, Thetis worried when Achilles got ready to go fight in the Trojan War.

Hephaestus made the best weapons and armor in the world. So Thetis asked Hephaestus to make a shield and armor for Achilles. Hephaestus was still grateful to Thetis for helping him after his fall from Olympus. So he was happy to do as she asked.

Hephaestus’s armor didn’t let Achilles down during the war. But Thetis had made one mistake. When she had dipped Achilles in the river Styx, she had held him by the heel. So his heel was not invulnerable. Achilles was killed by an arrow in his heel.

Here are some interesting facts about Hephaestus’s story:

•Pandora, the woman Hephaestus made from clay, was said to have had a box of evils. She opened the box, letting all those evils loose in the world. Today, to “open a Pandora’s box” means to cause a lot of trouble accidentally.

•The Romans gave Hephaestus the name Vulcan. That’s where the word “volcano” comes from.

•The word “vulcanization” also comes from the name Vulcan. Vulcanization is a process for hardening rubber, especially for tires. It uses extreme heat and sulfur.

•Today, a person’s weak spot is called an “Achilles’s heel,” after the story of how Achilles died.

•Human history is sometimes divided into three periods. These are named after the materials most used for tools in those times. The earliest was the Stone Age, followed by the Bronze Age, followed by the Iron Age. The stories about Hephaestus were told in the Iron Age, when blacksmithing was very important.

Hestia

The beautiful Hestia was the oldest of the gods of Olympus. She disliked gossip, so hardly any stories were told about he. But it would be a mistake to think she wasn’t important. In some ways, she was the most important of all the gods.

From the earliest times, the other gods of Olympus all had duties. Hermes carried messages, Ares was in charge of war, Artemis watched over all hunters, and Zeus ruled over everybody. Other gods had other jobs. But for a time, no one seemed to know what Hestia was supposed to do.

One day the gods Poseidon and Apollo told Zeus that they both loved Hestia. Both of them wanted to marry her. They demanded that Zeus choose between them. Otherwise, war would break out among the gods. And such a war would have been terrible indeed.

But Hestia solved the whole problem very simply. She refused ever to have a husband. Zeus was relieved and grateful to avoid a war. As a reward, he gave Hestia the keys to Olympus. He put her in charge of the gods’ everyday business. Hestia made sure that the gods always had plenty of food, clothing, and money. After all, even gods have to worry about such things!

Zeus also made Hestia the goddess of homes everywhere. It was she who taught mortals how to build houses. And every house had a sacred spot for her. That was the hearth, the center of family life.

Mortals prayed to Hestia more than to any of the other gods. Every family meal began and ended with a prayer to Hestia. Whenever a baby was born, the parents carried it around the hearth and prayed to Hestia. Mortals had a saying: “Begin with Hestia.” In other words, when doing anything, always start out in the right way.

Hestia lived a quiet life, leaving fame and adventure to others. Zeus’s half-mortal son Dionysus showed up on Olympus one day. He wanted to have a throne like the other important gods. Hestia gladly gave up her own throne for him. After all, she was too busy to spend much time sitting there.

Here are some interesting facts about Hestia’s story:

•A hearth in an Ancient Greek home wasn’t like today’s fireplaces. It wasn’t placed in a wall at the end of a room.

Instead, it was in the middle of the central room. Its coals burned all the time, whether for warmth or for cooking. In honor of Hestia, Greeks made sure that the fire never went out.

•Every Ancient Greek city also had a public hearth for all citizens. Hestia was sacred there also. When the people of one city founded another city, they took coals with them to light the new city’s hearth. As in hearths in private houses, the fires in public hearths were never allowed to die out.

•In Ancient Rome, Hestia was called by the name of Vesta. The six priestesses in her temple were called Vestals. Like Vesta herself, they never married.

•An asteroid called Vesta is named after the goddess. An asteroid is a body that orbits the sun but is much smaller than a planet. Although Vesta is only the second largest asteroid, it is the one most visible from Earth. The largest asteroid is called Ceres, the Roman name for the goddess Demeter.

Greek Goddesses List • Names of the Greek Goddesses

A Complete List of Greek Goddesses, Their Names & Their Realms of Influence

Throughout the course of the history of Greek mythology their have been many Greek goddesses. From the Olympian goddesses right down to the many minor goddesses.

Greek goddesses are good archetypal figures because of their exaggerated personalities. Despite their immortality and similarities to modern day superheroes, they are still plagued with personal flaws and negative emotions which caused destruction in their lives and the lives of other gods and mortals.

This page is a list of the Greek goddesses of ancient mythology and will be continually updated with additions, corrections and more information on each of the goddesses.

Achelois

A minor moon goddess whose name means “she who washes away pain”.

Alcyone

One of the seven, Pleiades and daughter of Atlas and Pleione. She bore several children with the god Poseidon.

Alectrona

An early Greek goddess of the sun, daughter of Helios and Rhode, and possibly goddess of the morning.

Amphitrite

Greek goddess of the sea, wife of Poseidon and a Nereid.

Antheia

Goddess of gardens, flowers, swamps, and marshes.

Apate

Goddess of gardens, flowers, swamps, and marshes.

Aphaea

A Greek goddess who was worshipped almost exclusively at a single sanctuary on the island of Aegina in the Saronic Gulf.

Aphrodite

Goddess of love and beauty and married to Hephaestus.

Artemis

Virginal goddess of the hunt and twin sister of Apollo.

Astraea

Known as the “Star Maiden”, daughter of either Zeus and Themis, or of Astraeus and Eos and associated with the Greek goddess of justice, Dike.

Até

Greek goddess of mischief, delusion, ruin, and folly.

Athena

Goddess of wisdom, poetry, art, and war strategy. Daughter of Zeus and born from his forehead fully grown, wearing battle armour.

Atropos

Eldest of the three Moirai, goddesses of fate and destiny (also known as The Fates). Atropos chose the mechanism of death and ended the life of each mortal by cutting their thread.

Bia

The goddess of force and raw energy, daughter of Pallas and Styx, and sister of Nike, Kratos, and Zelus.

Brizo

Ancient Greek prophet goddess who was known as the protector of mariners, sailors, and fishermen.

Calliope

One of the Muses, the muse of epic poetry, daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne and the wisest of the Muses.

Calypso

Sea nymph who lived on the island of Ogygia, where she detained Odysseus for several years. Generally said to be the daughter of the Titan Atlas.

Celaeno

One of the Pleiades, and a wife of Poseidon. Said to be the mother of the sea god’s children Lycus and Nycteus

Ceto

Primordial sea monster goddess, the daughter of Gaia and Pontus and mother of sea monsters.

Circe

A goddess of magic who transformed her enemies, or those that insulted her, into beasts.

Clio

The muse of history and one of the nine muses known as “The Muses”. Like all the muses, Clio is the daughter of Zeus and the Titaness Mnemosyne.

Clotho

Youngest of the Three Fates and responsible for spinning the thread of human life.

Cybele

The Greek goddess of caverns, mountains, nature and wild animals.

Demeter

Goddess of agriculture, fertility, sacred law and the harvest.

Doris

A sea nymph whose name represented the bounty of the sea. Mother of the Nereids.

Eileithyia

Goddess of childbirth, referred to by Homer as “the goddess of the pains of birth”.

Electra

One of the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione, known as The Pleiades.

Elpis

The spirit and personification of hope. Hope was usually seen as an extension to suffering by the Greek, not as a god.

Enyo

Minor goddess of war and destruction, the companion and lover of the war god Ares and connected to Eris.

Eos

A Titaness and the goddess of the dawn.

Erato

One of the Muses, the muse of lyric poetry, especially love and erotic poetry.

Eris

Greek goddess of chaos, strife and discord and connected to the war-goddess Enyo.

Euterpe

One of the Muses, the muse of music and lyric poetry.

Gaia

The primal Greek goddess of the Earth. Known as the great mother of all and often referred to as “Mother Earth”.

Harmonia

The Greek goddess of harmony and concord.

Hebe

Goddess of eternal youth.

Hecate

The goddess of magic, crossroads, moon, ghosts, witchcraft and necromancy (the undead).

Hemera

Primordial goddess of the day, daytime and daylight. Daughter to Erebus and Nyx (the goddess of night).

Hera

Goddess of goddesses, women, and marriage. Married to Zeus and known as Queen of the Gods.

Hestia

goddess of the hearth, home, architecture, domesticity, family, and the state. Also one of the Hesperides.

Hygea

Goddess of good health, cleanliness, and sanitation. This is where the word “hygiene” comes from.

Iris

Greek goddess of the rainbow and messenger of the gods. She is also known as one of the goddesses of the sea and the sky.

Keres

The Keres were female spirits, the daughters of Nyx, the goddess of night.

Kotys

A Dionysian goddess whose celebrations were wild and lascivious.

Lachesis

Second of the Three Fates, the measurer of the thread of life woven by Clotho’s spindle which determines Destiny.

Maia

Eldest of the seven Pleiades and the greek goddess of fields.

Mania

Spirit goddess of insanity, madness, crazed frenzy and the dead.

Melpomene

One of the Muses. Originally the muse of singing, she then became the muse of tragedy.

Merope

One of the seven Pleiades and married to king Sisyphos of Ephyra.

Metis

Titan goddess of wisdom, an Oceanid, and the first great spouse of Zeus.

Nemesis

The goddess of retribution and personification of vengeance.

Nike

Goddess of victory, known as the Winged Goddess of Victory.

Nyx

Primordial goddess of the night.

Peitho

Greek goddess of persuasion and seduction.

Persephone

Goddess of vegetation and spring and queen of the underworld. Lives off-season in the underworld as the wife of Hades.

Pheme

The goddess of fame, gossip and renown. Her favour is notability, and her wrath is scandalous rumors.

Polyhymnia

One of The Muses, the muse of sacred poetry, sacred hymn, dance, and eloquence as well as agriculture, geometry and pantomime.

Rhea

Titaness and goddess of nature. Daughter of the earth goddess Gaia and the sky god Uranus, and known as “the mother of gods”.

Selene

Goddess of the Moon, sometimes referred to as Luna and the ‘mother’ of vampires.

Sterope

One of the seven Pleiades (the daughters of Atlas and Pleione) and the wife of Oenomaus – although according to some accounts, she is his mother by Ares.

Styx

Goddess of the river Styx and a Naiad who was the first to aid Zeus in the Titan war.

Taygete

A mountain nymph and one of the seven Pleiades.

Terpsichore

Goddess of dance and chorus and one of the nine Muses.

Thalia

One of the Muses, the muse of comedy and idyllic poetry.

The Erinnyes

Goddesses of retribution and vengeance whose job was to punish men who committed heinous crimes.

The Graces

Goddesses of retribution and vengeance whose job was to punish men who committed heinous crimes.

The Muses

The nine Muses were the goddesses the arts.

Themis

Ancient Greek Titaness and goddess of divine order, law, natural law and custom.

Thetis

Sea nymph, goddess of water and one of the fifty Nereids, daughters of the ancient sea god Nereus. Also a shapeshifter and a prophet.

Tyche

Goddess of prosperity and fortune.

Urania

One of the Muses, the muse of astronomy and astrology.

Greek Gods List • Names of the Greek Gods

A Complete List of Greek Gods, Their Names & Their Realms of Influence

There have been many Greek gods mentioned across thousands of stories in Greek mythology – from the Olympian gods all the way down to the many minor gods.

The gods, much like the Greek goddesses of history, have very exaggerated personalities and they are plagued with personal flaws and negative emotions despite they immortality and superhero-like powers.

This page is a list of the names of Greek gods in ancient mythology and their roles. It will be continually updated with additions, corrections and more information on each of the gods.

Achelous

The patron god of the “silver-swirling” Achelous River.

Aeolus

Greek god of the winds and air

Aether

Primordial god of the upper air, light, the atmosphere, space and heaven.

Alastor

God of family feuds and avenger of evil deeds.

Apollo

Olympian god of music, poetry, art, oracles, archery, plague, medicine, sun, light and knowledge.

Ares

God of war. Represented the physical, violent and untamed aspect of war.

Aristaeus

Minor patron god of animal husbandry, bee-keeping, and fruit trees. Son of Apollo.

Asclepius

God of medicine, health, healing, rejuvenation and physicians.

Atlas

The Primordial Titan of Astronomy. Condemned by Zeus to carry the world on his back after the Titans lost the war.

Attis

A minor god of vegetation, fruits of the earth and rebirth.

Boreas

A wind god (Anemoi) and Greek god of the cold north wind and the bringer of winter. Referred to as “The North Wind”.

Caerus

Minor god of opportunity, luck and favorable moments.

Castor

One of the twins, Castor and Pollux, known as Dioscuri. Zeus transformed them into the constellation Gemini

Cerus

The large and powerful wild bull tamed by Persephone and turned into the Taurus constellation.

Chaos

The nothingness that all else sprung from. A god who filled the gap between Heaven and Earth and created the first beings Gaia, Tartarus, Uranus, Nyx and Erebus.

Charon

The Ferryman of Hades. Took the newly dead people across the rivers Styx and Acheron to the Greek underworld if they paid him three obolus (a Greek silver coin).

Cronos

The god of time. Not to be confused with Cronus, the Titan father of Zeus.

Crios

The Titan god of the heavenly constellations and the measure of the year..

Cronus

God of agriculture, leader and the youngest of the first generation of Titans and father of the Titans. Not to be confused with Cronos, god of time.

Dinlas

Guardian god of the ancient city Lamark, where wounded heroes could find comfort and heal after battle. He was the son of Aphrodite.

Deimos

Deimos is the personification of dread and terror.

Dionysus

An Olympian god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, of ritual madness, religious ecstasy and theatre.

Erebus

Primordial god of darkness.

Eros

God of sexual desire, attraction, love and procreation.

Eurus

One of the wind god known as Anemoi and god of the unlucky east wind. Referred to as “The East Wind”.

Glaucus

A fisherman who became immortal upon eating a magical herb, an Argonaut who may have built and piloted the Argo, and became a god of the sea.

Hades

God of the Dead and Riches and King of the Underworld.

Helios

God of the Sun and also known as Sol.

Hephaestus

God of fire, metalworking, stone masonry, forges and the art of sculpture. Created weapons for the gods and married to Aphrodite.

Heracles

The greatest of the Greek heroes, he became god of heroes, sports, athletes, health, agriculture, fertility, trade, oracles and divine protector of mankind. Known as the strongest man on Earth.

Hermes

God of trade, thieves, travelers, sports, athletes, and border crossings, guide to the Underworld and messenger of the gods.

Hesperus

The Evening Star – the planet Venus in the evening.

Hymenaios

God of marriage ceremonies, inspiring feasts and song.

Hypnos

The Greek god of sleep.

Kratos

God of strength and power.

Momus

God of satire, mockery, censure, writers and poets and a spirit of evil-spirited blame and unfair criticism.

Morpheus

God of dreams and sleep – has the ability to take any human form and appear in dreams.

Moros

The physical embodiment of doom

Nereus

The Titan god of the sea before Poseidon and father of the Nereids (nymphs of the sea).

Notus

Another Anemoi (wind god) and Greek god of the south wind. Known as “The South Wind”.

Oceanus

Titan god of the ocean. Believed to be the personification of the World Ocean, an enormous river encircling the world.

Oneiroi

Black-winged daimons that personified dreams.

Paean

The physician of the Olympian gods.

Pallas

The Titan god of warcraft and of the springtime campaign season.

Pan

God of nature, the wild, shepherds, flocks, goats, mountain wilds, and is often associated with sexuality. Also a satyr (half man, half-goat).

Phosphorus

The Morning Star – the planet Venus as it appears in the morning.

Plutus

The Greek god of wealth.

Pollux

Twin brother of Castor, together known as the Dioskouri, that were transformed into the constellation Gemini.

Pontus

ancient, pre-Olympian sea-god of the deep sea, one of the Greek primordial deities and son of Gaia.

Poseidon

Olympian Greek god of the sea, earthquakes, storms, and horses.

Priapus

Minor rustic fertility god, protector of flocks, fruit plants, bees and gardens and known for having an enormous penis.

Pricus

The immortal father of sea-goats, made into the Capricorn constellation.

Prometheus

Titan god of forethought and crafty counsel who was given the task of moulding mankind out of clay.

Primordial

A group of gods that came before all else.

Tartarus

The god of the deep abyss, a great pit in the depths of the underworld, and father of Typhon.

Thanatos

A minor god and the god of death.

Triton

Messenger of the sea and the son of Poseidon and Amphitrite.

Typhon

The deadliest monster in Greek mythology and “Father of All Monsters”. Last son of Gaia, fathered by Tartarus and god of monsters, storms, and volcanoes. He challenged Zeus for control of Mount Olympus.

Uranus

Primordial god of the sky and heavens, and father of the Titans.

Zelus

The god of dedication, emulation, eager rivalry, envy, jealousy, and zeal.

Zephyrus

A wind god (Anemoi). God of the west wind and known as “The West Wind”.

Zeus

God of the sky, lightning, thunder, law, order, justice, King of the Gods and the “Father of Gods and men”.

Greek Myths • Famous Stories, Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece

This section of the site covers some of the most popular myths, legends and stories of ancient Greece.

Arachne

In Ancient Greek mythology, gods and goddesses regularly interacted with mere mortals. In most cases, the greek gods did acts that were worthy of praise and worship. However, some interactions highlighted the vindictive nature of the deities. Those cautionary tales served as warnings to Ancient Greeks while continuing to teach valuable lessons today. One notable […]

Argus Panoptes

Who is the Greek mythological creature Argus Panoptes? In ancient Greek mythology, Argus Panoptes is a giant who had many eyes. Some stories described him as having 100 eyes and it even created a saying. The saying “the eyes of Argus” refers to being watched closely or followed by the eyes. Panoptes also refers to […]

Arion

Arion was an ancient Greek mythical creature that took the form of a giant, extremely swift horse. Arion was endowed with both eternal life and the ability to speak. By some accounts Arion was born from a union of the Sea god Poseidon in the form of a stallion and the Earth goddess Demeter in […]

Centaurs

In Greek mythology, Centaurs (or Kentauroi) are half-man, half horse creatures that inhabited the mountains and forests of Thessaly. Centaurs were said to be primal, existing in tribes and making their homes in caves, hunting wild animals and arming themselves with rocks and tree branches.

Cerberus

Cerberus: The three Headed Dog of Greek Mythology There are many unique creatures mentioned in Greek mythology. One of the most well known may be the three-headed dog known as Cerberus. It was the job of Cerberus to guard the entrance to Hades. In Greek mythology, this was the underworld where spirits of the dead […]

Ceryneian Hind

In the Greek Mythology, the Ceryneian Hind was an enormous female deer that was believed to have lived in the region of Keryneia. Based on various Greek tales, the Ceryneian Hind was considered sacred and was associated with the hunt goddess Artemis. A careful review of the Ceryneian Hind reveals that although the mythical creature […]

Charybdis

The most awe-inspiring elements of Greek mythology are, without a doubt, the ferocious beasts and monsters. These legendary creatures have inspired tales throughout history and continue to mystify fans of the mythos. Most are already familiar with the Cerberus, the Harpies, and the famous Gorgons. However, plenty of other monsters deserve their time in the […]

Chimaera – A Fire-Breathing Monster

Chimaera has become one of the most famous female monsters described in Greek mythology. An aura of mystery has always surrounded this creature. (Even today, the name “chimaera” sometimes refers to a genetic puzzle.) Greek sailors considered it a very bad omen to see Chimaera. She usually appeared right before a disaster!   A Lion, […]

Chiron

The Wisest Centaur Of all the centaurs in Greek mythology, Chiron was the most important. Like other centaurs, Chiron had the upper body of a man and the lower body of a horse. However, unlike the others, Chiron’s front legs were human. This unusual physical attribute made him easy to identify in art. It also […]

Chrysaor

When one carefully scrutinizes the sheer volume of intricate cultural and mythological representations emerging from ancient cultures, the Greeks are of no exception. Known for their innumerable advancements in civilization, philosophy, art, literature, technology, and politics, the Greeks are still highly esteemed to this day. Perhaps most notable of the development of ancient Greek civilization […]

Cretan Bull

The island of Crete was the home of the legendary King Minos, who worshiped bulls. Poseidon, God of the Sea, gave King Minos a magical bull that rose from the sea. Poseidon gave Minos this bull on the condition that it was to be sacrificed in Poseidon’s honor, but Minos was so impressed with this […]

Cyclopes

The Cyclopes were giant; one-eyed monsters; a wild race of lawless creatures who possess neither social manners nor fear of the Gods. Cyclopes means ‘round eye.’ Considered the sons of Uranus and Gaea they were the workmen of the God Hephaestus whose workshop was in the heart of the volcanic mountain Etna. According to Homer’s […]

Delphyne

Delphyne is a female dragon born to Gaia, the Greek goddess of Earth. The name Delphyne means “womb” and related forms of the name, Delphyna (female) and Delphynes (male), were also used for the dragon of Delphi. There are different accounts of Delphyne in Greek mythology. Delphyne is sometimes called Python, a monster who lived […]

Echidna

Echidna The She-Viper – Mother of Monsters Echidna is a somewhat obscure, but nevertheless fearsome monster in Greek mythology. Homer’s The Iliad and Hesiod’s poem Theogony are some of the oldest writings to feature her, and have therefore been influential in shaping Echidna’s modern narrative. Other than what is established in The Iliad, Theogony and […]

Erymanthian Boar

What Was the Erymanthian Boar? Put simply, the Erymanthian Boar was a massive feral pig. More specifically, the texts describe this creature as a shaggy, wild boar of immense weight with dangerous tusks attached to jaws that foamed with rage. While an enterprising individual might see the opportunity to use such a beast in an […]

Giants – Ancient Greek Mythical Creature

Greek mythology refers to the teachings of the ancient culture of the southern European nation of Greece, one of the world’s earliest recognized civilizations. Credited with introducing democracy, literature, philosophy, the dramatic arts, fundamental mathematical and scientific principles, as well as dozens of other significant contributions to modern civilization, Greece’s historical footprint is felt in […]

Gorgons

In Greek mythology, the Gorgon was first referred to by the poet Homer as a single monster who had risen from the underworld. The concept of the Gorgon is at least as old in mythology as Perseus and Zeus. The name is Greek, being derived from “gorgos” and translating as terrible or dreadful. Another Greek […]

Harpies

The Harpies were mythical monsters in Greek mythology that had the form of a bird with a human female face; often agents of punishment they abducted people and tortured them on their way to Hades’ domain, employed by the God as instruments for the punishment of the guilty. They stole food from their victims and […]

Hecatoncheires

Who are the Hecatoncheires creatures in Greek mythology? The battle between the Titans and the Olympians is one of the most pivotal moments in Greek mythology. It shaped Ancient Greeks’ lives and led to a wealth of captivating stories that continue to inspire works of art. While most are familiar with iconic figures like Zeus […]

Kraken – Fearsome Giant Sea Monster of Norse Legend

The Kraken is one of the most fearsome and famous legendary sea monsters to terrorize sailors on the high seas. This beast is often described as a gigantic cephalopod-like creature. It resembles an enormous octopus or giant squid with many strong tentacles. In some Scandinavian stories, the Kraken terrorizes ships and sailors, dragging crews to […]

Laelaps – The Hunting Dog

If you have an interest in Greek Mythology, you have probably read or heard about Laelaps, an ancient Greek mythical dog. Laelaps was a magical hunting dog that was destined to always catch its prey. There are no stories concerning Laelaps parentage, but there are some who suggest that it is the same dog that […]

Lamia – The Child-Devouring Queen – Ancient Greek Creature – Monster

In many cultures around the world, old legends become cautionary tales. Eventually, they turn into metaphors and allegories used to frighten people into good behavior. There’s no more remarkable example of that than Lamia in Greek mythology. Ancient writers described Lamia, the daughter of Poseidon, as a ” queen of surpassing beauty.” It was her […]

Mantikhoras

Greek mythology is full of legendary creatures that continue to inspire fiction today. From the famous Cerbeus guarding the gates to the Underworld to the ghastly Hecatoncheires of immortal lineage, these beasts frequently appeared throughout the mythos. Most served as obstacles for heroes and their tales of triumph. Others served as allegories to instill fear […]

Marsyas

The Story of Marsyas Marsyas was a Satyr, which in Greek mythology refers to a man with horse ears and a horsetail, who hailed from Phrygia. His role is deeply connected with music, which started the day he found an aulos, similar to a modern day flute. Athena had thrown that flute down to Earth. […]

Medusa

Greek Mythology is known for its many fearsome beasts such Mantikhoras and Cyclopes. One of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology is Medusa. She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon. She went against […]

Meliae – Ash Tree Nymphs

Ash Tree Nymphs, also known as Meliae, were born from the blood of Uranus when he was castrated by his son, the Titan Cronus. The blood fell to the earth and impregnated Gaia (Earth), thus creating the Furies, the Giants, and the Meliae. The Meliae are nymphs that inhabit ash-trees. The ash tree nymphs are […]

Minotaur

The tale of the Minotaur is one of the classics of Greek mythology and contains an extraordinary number of important elements. Characters like the brilliant Daedalus, strong Theseus, evil King Minos and his beautiful daughter Ariadne all make an appearance in this story. The concept of the labyrinth, or the endless underground maze, also originates […]

Nemean Lion

The Nemean Lion was a legendary monster in Greek mythology infamous for prowling and terrorizing the valley of Nemea. It was larger than any other lion and benefitted from fur thought to be impervious to human weapons, making it virtually unstoppable. Thanks to the lion’s appetite and lore, King Eurystheus made killing it the very […]

Nessus

Who is the Greek Creature Nessus? In the world of Greek mythology, Nessus was one of the centaurs. A centaur was a half-man, half-horse creature. While the lower half of the body was a horse, it had a man’s torso in place of its neck, giving the creature a rare look. Nessus was part of […]

Pegasus

Pegasus is a mythological creature described as a beautiful, pure white stallion with wings. He was born from the blood of Medusa, a frightful Gorgon whose gaze could turn men to stone, when the hero Perseus decapitated her.

Polybotes

Polybotes were giant serpents who lived in the sea. He was a terrible monster that had some sort of magical power over the winds and seas. In this article, you will learn about the description of Polybotes and the things that he could do – the way he looked, how he behaved, and other useful […]

Polyphemus

Cyclopes are the only beasts of the first creation that are not punished by Zeus when he overthrows his father, Cronus. This may have something to do with them being his nephews as sons of Poseidon, and no, there are no female cyclopes. They will eventually become favorites of the god, forgers of his thunderbolts, […]

Porphyrion

The Creature Porphyrion in Greek Mythology The Porphyrion was first conceived by the Ancient Greeks as a giant. It has the ability to change its appearance, but it is always described as being of enormous stature. His name means “colored purple” or “purple-red”. According to legend, this creature would come before Uranus (the father of […]

Python – Ancient Greek Mythical Creature

What is the creature Python? Many people have heard of the Python snake. In Greek mythology, Python was also a tough serpent. It was also called a dragon by some people. Python was a child of Gaea who was “Mother Earth” in the mythology. The serpent was placed by Gaea as a guardian of Delphi. […]

Scylla

There is no shortage of fantastic beasts in Greek mythology. Many recognizable monsters challenge famous figures like Odysseus, Heracles, and more. One monster that’s inspired creatures throughout history is Scylla. Scylla is a sea monster that guards one side of a narrow strait. While most versions leave the exact location up to interpretation, some say […]

Silenus (Satyr)

Silenus (also known as Satyr) was the creature who raised and tutored the god Dionysus, the god of Wine and Fertility. After Dionysus was born, Zeus entrusted the infant Dionysus to Silenus’ care to be raised and taught. Once Dionysus grew to adulthood, Silenus was his companion along with his group of satyrs.   Depictions […]

Sphinx

The Sphinx is arguably one of the world’s most well-known images. The creature is closely associated with Egypt, mostly due to the 5,000-year-old statue still standing tall guarding the Giza plateau to this day. However, this isn’t the only image of the Sphinx in ancient culture. The Greeks had their own Sphinx as well, and […]

Talos

Emerging from the resonances of the industrious cultural developments of the Bronze Age, the Greek mythological creature Talos is the embodiment of a metallic automaton in humanoid form. In other words, Talos can loosely be equated to the representation of a bronze robot in Greek mythology. Culturally, Talos came to symbolize the potential of human […]

Teumessian Fox

The Teumessian fox was a giant, man-eating fox that could not be caught by any captor. It was sent by the gods to punish the city of Thebes for a crime the people had committed. It preyed on their children, and eventually Amphitryon was tasked with finding a solution for the catching the impossible fox […]

The Phoenix – Mysterious Mythological Creature

The phoenix, or phenix, is a famous mythical bird. It is a sacred creature. A part of many cultures, different people know it by different names. Names of the phoenix The Greeks call it Phoenix; the Egyptians call it Bennu, and the Chinese call it Fêng-Huang. In Japan it’s named Ho-o, in Russia, it is […]

The Sirens

The Sirens were creatures that sang beautifully, luring those passing by to their deaths. Each Siren combined the appearance of a woman and a bird, with the exact appearance varying depending on the artist. Some artists drew Sirens that had bodies of birds with the heads of women, while others made them look like women […]

Aegis – Element of Godly Protection

In Greek mythology, the aegis was an item of protection used mainly by Zeus, the god of gods. It was either the hide (or skin) of an animal or a shield made from the skin of a goat, and it sometimes had the head of a Gorgon, a monster along the lines of Medusa. It […]

Ambrosia – Ancient Greek Mythical Element

Ambrosia has several different meanings in today’s world. Not only is it a dessert salad made of fruits and marshmallows, but it’s also a word used to describe delicious food. Ambrosia’s origins, however, are rooted in Greek mythology.   Ambrosia: A Nymph That Turned Into Food According to Greek legend, in the beginning, Ambrosia was […]

Ichor – Ancient Greek Element

While most ancient cultures were taught to fear their gods, the Greeks tried to make their gods relatable by giving them human-like qualities. People gave food and other items as offerings to a specific god for blessings, but the gods never ate the food given to them. The Greeks said the gods had their own […]

Necklace of Harmonia

The Necklace of Harmonia was an object that brought misfortune to most of its owners. It was originally a wedding gift from Hephaestus, the blacksmith god, to the goddess Harmonia for her wedding to the King of Thebes, Cadmus. Hephaestus had caught his wife Aphrodite having an affair with Ares, god of war. Hephaestus claimed […]

Nectar – Ancient Greek Element

In Ancient Greek Mythology, nectar is the drink of gods and goddesses who lived on Mount Olympus, the mythical home of many of the deities. The stories explain that Ancient Greek deities ate ambrosia and drank nectar with it, as their nourishment. The nectar of the gods was a drink with magical properties. Not only […]

Shield of Achilles

The Shield of Achilles is referenced in Homer’s Iliad and was used by Achilles when he fought the Trojan prince Hector. The shield is best known for its intricate designs. During the Trojan War, Troy had gained the upper hand over Greece, and had begun to threaten Greek shipping. Patroclus, a close fiend and mentor […]

The Golden Fleece

The Golden Fleece is the fleece of a golden winged ram. The fleece resided in Colchis and was the object that Jason wanted as an order of King Pelias. To obtain it, he organized an expedition with the Argonauts. Athamas, a founder of Halos and king of Orchomenus, married the goddess of hospitality, Nephele. The […]

The Shirt of Nessus – Ancient Greek Mythological Element

In Greek mythology, the Shirt of Nessus was a mythological element associated with the hero Heracles. It was a poisoned shirt that was used to kill Heracles. The shirt originally belonged to the centaur named Nessus. Heracles, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, is often considered to be the greatest of the Greek heroes. Known […]

King Midas

Midas was a king who reigned in Macedonian Bromium in what is now modern day Turkey. The people he ruled over were called the Brigians or the Moschians. He was the son of the goddess Ida and an unnamed satyr and loved pleasure and wealth. When he was a baby, ants would climb up the […]

Medea

Medea is the daughter of King Aeetes of Colchis. She is a sorceress who marries the hero Jason. She is the title character of the play written by Euripides. Medea is an enchantress, and is sometimes seen as a priestess of the goddess Hecate. Medea saw Jason after he arrived from Iolcus to Colchis. Looking […]

Pandora

Many people are familiar with the concept of “opening Pandora’s box of trouble.” The common idiom means to do something that causes problems that did not exist before. While many have heard or even used this phrase before, few know the origins. Believe it or not, this phrase goes back to ancient Greek times! The […]

Sisyphus

Sisyphus was the creator and first king of the city Ephyra (later Corinth). He married the nymph Merope and had four children: Glaucus, Ornytion, Almus and Thersander. Sisyphus helped his city become a commercial hub. He is also rumored to have created the Isthmian Games, a competition featuring athletic and musical feats. It was held […]

Aeaea – Ancient Greek Places

In ancient Greek mythology, Aeaea was an island that was home to the sorceress and goddess known as Circe. The island was also mentioned in Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, when one of the characters says that he spent a year there, lured by Circe, on his voyage back to his home in Ithaca. Odysseus, […]

Ancient Sparta

Sparta was a city-state in ancient Greece. Sparta was renowned for its military preeminence in the region. The entire city-state was organized to maximize its military capabilities. Given this reputation, Sparta led all of the combined Greek armies in the war against the Persians in the early 400s B.C. Sparta was unique for its militaristic […]

Arcadia – Ancient Greek Places

Arcadia is a place that is both a real geographical location, as well as a mythological place from Ancient Greek Mythology. The real Arcadia currently exists in the country of Greece, while the idea of the fictional, mythological Arcadia is coming from the time of history when Ancient Greek mythologies were born. It was and […]

Aulis – Ancient Greek Place

An ancient port-city in central Greece, Aulis held a strategically significant position in the region of Boeotia. Located directly opposite of the island of Euboea on the Euripus Strait, Aulis was never a fully independent polis, or city-state, but instead was under the sovereignty of the cities of Thebes and Tanagra. In Greek mythology, Aulis […]

Calydon – Ancient Greek Place

Calydon was ancient city located in Greece roughly seven miles west of the Evenus river and east of modern Mesolóngion. It is famous for hosting the Calydonian Boar, a beast from Greek mythology sent by Artemis to capture the land of Calydon because the king failed to honor the gods. The Calydonian Boar was quickly […]

Colchis – Ancient Greek Places

In ancient times, Colchis was a city in what is now the country of Georgia. It is located on the western side of the country. The city is also on the eastern border of the Black Sea. Colchis contained the fertile valleys along the Phasis River. Because of its fertile soils and mild climate that […]

Corinth

In ancient Greece, Corinth was a large city-state. It was located on a long stretch of land called an isthmus. The name of the isthmus that Corinth belonged to was also Corinth. Geographically, Corinth was located between Sparta and Athens, which were two important city-states in ancient Greece. They were also rival towns of Corinth. […]

Crete – Ancient Greek Places

Crete is the biggest island of Greece and the whole Mediterranean world. With a rich history of over 9000 years total, it is one of the most important places of Ancient Greece. Crete was already inhabited by 7,000 BCE, but for the first few thousands of years, Cretans were most likely early farmers, forming villages […]

Delphi – Home to the Oracles of Ancient Greece

An advanced settlement and independent city-state, Delphi was the primary and most distinguished sacred site in Ancient Greece. Located in central Greece, Delphi was built atop of Mount Parnassos. Believed to have been designated the “center of the world” by Zeus, it was a considerably important place for the citizens of ancient Greece. Delphi had […]

Elysium

Most religions around the world have some form of afterlife. The standard conventions we know today separate the afterlife into two distinct realms: Heaven and hell. But in ancient Greece, those concepts did not exist. Religious ideologies were much different, and the people of antiquity believed in different realms for souls to reside. Elysium, also […]

Iolcus – Ancient Greek Places

Iolcus is an ancient Grecian city that was located in Magnesia. In modern times, the place is a village that used to be a municipality. It’s in the middle of Magnesia, somewhat north of the gulf. The overall land area of the place is 1,981 kilometers squared. In modern times, the municipality has been divided […]

Ithaca – Ancient Greek Places

Ithaca, also written as Ithaka, is a name for one of the Greek islands that belonged to the Ionian Sea. Ithaca Island is the second smallest island after Paxi. The island forms part of the separate regional units among the Greek Ionian Islands as part of the Ionian Islands region and the region’s only municipality. […]

Lerna – Ancient Greek Place

In ancient Greece Lerna stood in the northern part of the Greek Peloponnese, just a short distance south of Argos. This region of mountains and rocky cliff faces included some difficult to traverse terrain. The online encyclopedia Wikipedia reports in that era a large portion of the land outside Lerna fell within a region of […]

Lycia – Ancient Greek Places

Lycia is a city in the present-day southwestern part of Turkey. At the time that it was founded, the area where Lycia is located was called Anatolia. The alternative name for Lycia, which appears in some Greek myths, is “Lukka Lands.” The people who lived in Lycia in ancient times were linked to the Sea […]

Mount Nysa

Greek mythology is a collection of notable myths from the past that continue to inform current storytelling and truth in modern days. Its content is mysterious creatures, human beings of supernatural powers, and godly spirits that define reality. As a result, the characters at the center stage of these myths are held in high esteem, […]

Mount Olympus – Ancient Greek Places

Mount Olympus was the home and meeting place of all the gods and is an actual place in Greece. A visit to Mount Olympus will give a magnificent view since it is the tallest mountain in Greece. Mount Olympus in Greek mythology is a much different place than the one visited today. The actual Mount […]

Nemea – Ancient Greek Places

Nemea lies in a valley in the far northeastern region of the Greek Peloponnese, near Argolis. This location held great importance for people in the ancient world. They believed a number of significant events had occurred here.   The Nemean Lion Legends in Greek mythology described a ferocious lion which resided in the vicinity of […]

Tauris

Tauris is located in modern Crimea. While the Greeks had a colony there, the native people of the peninsula were rumored to be brutal savages. We hear about them most in the play Iphigenia in Tauris. During the play, Iphigenia, the daughter of a leader of the Trojan war named Agamemnon, was going to be […]

The Underworld – Ancient Greek Places

The Underworld was a place hidden deep underground where the souls of the dead went for eternity. It was ruled by Hades, the Greek god of the dead. Hades was said to be a greedy god, and his sole purpose was to collect souls for his kingdom and prevent them from ever leaving. The Underworld […]

Thebes

Located in the Boeotia region of central Greece, Thebes is a city steeped in the ancient Greek myths and its gods. The city, located 31 miles north of Athens, is situated on a plain bordered by the Cithaeron Mountains and Lake Yliki and is still populated today. Thebes has been central to the myths of […]

Troy

Troy is an ancient Greek city that was located in a region known as Asia Minor at the time of existence. Now, if Troy still existed, it would be located in Turkey south of the Dardanelles Strait. Troy was founded in 3000 BC and abandoned in 500 AD. Troy was the battleground in which the […]

Adventures of Theseus

According to Greek mythology, Theseus was the son of Aethra, yet his father was unknown. At the time, Aethra supposedly had two suitors; King Aegeus of Athens, and Poseidon, God of the Sea. King Aegeus assumed the child was his own, and in the months preceding the birth of Theseus, he gave instructions to Aethra […]

Apollo and Daphne

In Greek Mythology, Apollo was the God of Light, and it was his job to pull the sun across the sky in his 4-horse chariot every day. He has also been referred to as the God of music, poetry, art, medicine, knowledge, plague and archery. Apollo was the son of Zeus (the God of Thunder) […]

Myths of the Constellations

Since the beginning of time man has looked up at the night sky and wondered about the stars. These points of light were once a mystery. Before man discovered all we know today about the stars and planets, they used the constellations to tell a story. Constellations are like a dot to dot puzzle. People […]

The Adventures of Perseus

Perseus’ myths are full of gods, creatures, and monsters that you might see in a number of Hollywood movies and television shows. Even if Perseus’ myth is a little on the simple side, it has still had a huge impact on Greek mythology.

The Amazons

According to Greek Mythology, the Amazons were a tribe of entirely female warriors. It was believed that the Amazons lived in Themiscyra near the Black Sea. This area is now Turkey, Eastern Europe. The Amazons were famous for being all women and for hating men. No men were allowed to live alongside the Amazons. They […]

The Argonauts

The Argonauts were a band of heroes united in the common cause of taking the Golden Fleece from Colchis. This was a group of some of the most legendary heroes of all of Greek mythology, one of the few times in the myths where a group of heroes team up to accomplish a goal. The […]

The Story of Leda & The Swan

Who Was Leda? Leda was a princess of King Thestius, also known as the name Thestias, until such time that she married off to Sparta’s King Tyndareus. Although she did not accomplish much in the grand scheme beyond her work as a mother, she was quite beautiful and her beauty is what brings her into […]

The Trojan War

Understanding a Mythical War of History: Everything You Need to Know About the Trojan War For thousands of years, the mythical Greek tale of the Trojan War has delighted and haunted readers with its epic characters and unbelievable twists and turns. The topic of Hollywood movies, such as the 1997 film Trojan War, the story […]

Theogony

Theogony literally means the “birth or genealogy of the gods.” It is the name of an epic poem by Hesiod, a Greek poet who is believed to have lived between 750 and 650 BC. He was thus a contemporary of Homer, the author of the “Iliad” and the “Odyssey.” Along with Homer’s works, the “Theogony” […]

Titanomachy

The Wars between the Titans and Olympians The Titanomachy is a series of wars in Greek mythology. These wars took place in Thessaly, and were also called the War of the Titans, the Battle of the Titans, the Battle of the Gods or just the Titan War. These wars were between the Titans, the older […]

List of Greek Mythological Creatures and Monsters • Facts & Information

The heroes are probably the best-known part of Greek mythology, but what makes a hero?

Having monsters to fight, that’s what. Luckily for the heroes, the Ancient Greeks had the strangest, coolest, most terrifying creatures & monsters mythology had to offer ranging from Dragons, Giants, Demons and Ghosts, to multi-formed creatures such as the Sphinx, Minotaur, Centaurs, Manticores & Chimaera.

There were also many fabulous animals such as the Nemean Lion, golden-fleeced Ram and the winged horse Pegasus, not to mention the creatures of legend such as the Phoenix, the Griffin and Unicorns.

In this section, you’ll learn interesting facts and information about the many creatures and monsters of ancient Greek mythology

Children of Typhon

Many of the great Greek monsters were descendants of Typhon, the most deadly monster of Greek mythology.

Typhon was the last son of Gaia, fathered by Tartarus, he was known as the “Father of All Monsters”. Instead of a human head, a hundred dragon heads erupted from Typhon’s neck and shoulders. His wife Echidna, half woman half snake, was likewise the “Mother of All Monsters.”

Together, Echidna and Typhon raised some of the most well known monsters and creatures in all mythology.

  • Orthrus. A fearsome two-headed hound that lived with giants
  • Sphinx. A half human, half lion who would slay anybody who did not answer her riddles. When Oedipus was able to answer a riddle correctly, she jumped into the ocean in a fit of rage and drowned.
  • Nemean Lion.  A gigantic lion with impenetrable skin that eventually became the star constellation Leo.
  • Cerberus. This well-known monster was a three-headed dog that guarded the entrance to Hades.
  • Ladon. A serpentine dragon (drakon) that guarded the golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides.
  • Lernaean Hydra. An ancient serpent-like water monster with reptilian traits and many heads that multiplied if they were cut off.
  • Caucasian Eagle. An eagle that every day ate the liver of Prometheus.
  • Chimera. A monstrous fire-breathing hybrid creature with the body of a lion, the head of a goat, and a tail with a snake’s head.

Arachne

In Ancient Greek mythology, gods and goddesses regularly interacted with mere mortals. In most cases, the greek gods did acts that were worthy of praise and worship. However, some interactions highlighted the vindictive nature of the deities. Those cautionary tales served as warnings to Ancient Greeks while continuing to teach valuable lessons today. One notable […]

Arion

Arion was an ancient Greek mythical creature that took the form of a giant, extremely swift horse. Arion was endowed with both eternal life and the ability to speak. By some accounts Arion was born from a union of the Sea god Poseidon in the form of a stallion and the Earth goddess Demeter in […]

Centaurs

In Greek mythology, Centaurs (or Kentauroi) are half-man, half horse creatures that inhabited the mountains and forests of Thessaly. Centaurs were said to be primal, existing in tribes and making their homes in caves, hunting wild animals and arming themselves with rocks and tree branches.

Cerberus

Cerberus: The three Headed Dog of Greek Mythology There are many unique creatures mentioned in Greek mythology. One of the most well known may be the three-headed dog known as Cerberus. It was the job of Cerberus to guard the entrance to Hades. In Greek mythology, this was the underworld where spirits of the dead […]

Charybdis

The most awe-inspiring elements of Greek mythology are, without a doubt, the ferocious beasts and monsters. These legendary creatures have inspired tales throughout history and continue to mystify fans of the mythos. Most are already familiar with the Cerberus, the Harpies, and the famous Gorgons. However, plenty of other monsters deserve their time in the […]

Chimaera – A Fire-Breathing Monster

Chimaera has become one of the most famous female monsters described in Greek mythology. An aura of mystery has always surrounded this creature. (Even today, the name “chimaera” sometimes refers to a genetic puzzle.) Greek sailors considered it a very bad omen to see Chimaera. She usually appeared right before a disaster!   A Lion, […]

Cretan Bull

The island of Crete was the home of the legendary King Minos, who worshiped bulls. Poseidon, God of the Sea, gave King Minos a magical bull that rose from the sea. Poseidon gave Minos this bull on the condition that it was to be sacrificed in Poseidon’s honor, but Minos was so impressed with this […]

Cyclopes

The Cyclopes were giant; one-eyed monsters; a wild race of lawless creatures who possess neither social manners nor fear of the Gods. Cyclopes means ‘round eye.’ Considered the sons of Uranus and Gaea they were the workmen of the God Hephaestus whose workshop was in the heart of the volcanic mountain Etna. According to Homer’s […]

Echidna

Echidna The She-Viper – Mother of Monsters Echidna is a somewhat obscure, but nevertheless fearsome monster in Greek mythology. Homer’s The Iliad and Hesiod’s poem Theogony are some of the oldest writings to feature her, and have therefore been influential in shaping Echidna’s modern narrative. Other than what is established in The Iliad, Theogony and […]

Harpies

The Harpies were mythical monsters in Greek mythology that had the form of a bird with a human female face; often agents of punishment they abducted people and tortured them on their way to Hades’ domain, employed by the God as instruments for the punishment of the guilty. They stole food from their victims and […]

Kraken – Fearsome Giant Sea Monster of Norse Legend

The Kraken is one of the most fearsome and famous legendary sea monsters to terrorize sailors on the high seas. This beast is often described as a gigantic cephalopod-like creature. It resembles an enormous octopus or giant squid with many strong tentacles. In some Scandinavian stories, the Kraken terrorizes ships and sailors, dragging crews to […]

Lamia – The Child-Devouring Queen – Ancient Greek Creature – Monster

In many cultures around the world, old legends become cautionary tales. Eventually, they turn into metaphors and allegories used to frighten people into good behavior. There’s no more remarkable example of that than Lamia in Greek mythology. Ancient writers described Lamia, the daughter of Poseidon, as a ” queen of surpassing beauty.” It was her […]

Mantikhoras

Greek mythology is full of legendary creatures that continue to inspire fiction today. From the famous Cerbeus guarding the gates to the Underworld to the ghastly Hecatoncheires of immortal lineage, these beasts frequently appeared throughout the mythos. Most served as obstacles for heroes and their tales of triumph. Others served as allegories to instill fear […]

Medusa

Greek Mythology is known for its many fearsome beasts such Mantikhoras and Cyclopes. One of the most popular monsters of Greek Mythology is Medusa. She was a beautiful maiden with golden hair. She vowed to be celibate her entire life as a priestess of Athena until she fell in love with Poseidon. She went against […]

Minotaur

The tale of the Minotaur is one of the classics of Greek mythology and contains an extraordinary number of important elements. Characters like the brilliant Daedalus, strong Theseus, evil King Minos and his beautiful daughter Ariadne all make an appearance in this story. The concept of the labyrinth, or the endless underground maze, also originates […]

Nemean Lion

The Nemean Lion was a legendary monster in Greek mythology infamous for prowling and terrorizing the valley of Nemea. It was larger than any other lion and benefitted from fur thought to be impervious to human weapons, making it virtually unstoppable. Thanks to the lion’s appetite and lore, King Eurystheus made killing it the very […]

Pegasus

Pegasus is a mythological creature described as a beautiful, pure white stallion with wings. He was born from the blood of Medusa, a frightful Gorgon whose gaze could turn men to stone, when the hero Perseus decapitated her.

Polyphemus

Cyclopes are the only beasts of the first creation that are not punished by Zeus when he overthrows his father, Cronus. This may have something to do with them being his nephews as sons of Poseidon, and no, there are no female cyclopes. They will eventually become favorites of the god, forgers of his thunderbolts, […]

Scylla

There is no shortage of fantastic beasts in Greek mythology. Many recognizable monsters challenge famous figures like Odysseus, Heracles, and more. One monster that’s inspired creatures throughout history is Scylla. Scylla is a sea monster that guards one side of a narrow strait. While most versions leave the exact location up to interpretation, some say […]

Silenus (Satyr)

Silenus (also known as Satyr) was the creature who raised and tutored the god Dionysus, the god of Wine and Fertility. After Dionysus was born, Zeus entrusted the infant Dionysus to Silenus’ care to be raised and taught. Once Dionysus grew to adulthood, Silenus was his companion along with his group of satyrs.   Depictions […]

Sphinx

The Sphinx is arguably one of the world’s most well-known images. The creature is closely associated with Egypt, mostly due to the 5,000-year-old statue still standing tall guarding the Giza plateau to this day. However, this isn’t the only image of the Sphinx in ancient culture. The Greeks had their own Sphinx as well, and […]

The Sirens

The Sirens were creatures that sang beautifully, luring those passing by to their deaths. Each Siren combined the appearance of a woman and a bird, with the exact appearance varying depending on the artist. Some artists drew Sirens that had bodies of birds with the heads of women, while others made them look like women […]

12 Greek Gods and Goddesses


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Cruel and fickle, passionate and vindictive, jealous and insecure, petty and insane: the inhabitants of Mount Olympus represent an attempt by the ancient Greeks to explain the chaos of the universe through human nature. Thus, like every deity invented before and since, these gods and goddesses are embodiments of human solipsism. (Of course lightning is caused by a giant, angry man in the sky…obvi. I mean, what else could it be?) The stories of their battles, bickering, and sexual conquests have indelibly influenced the course of Western language and narrative. Here is a selection of some of the A-list names of the Greek pantheon.


  • Aphrodite

    Titian: Venus and Adonis© Photos.com/Jupiterimages

    Aphrodite was the goddess of love, sex, and beauty. Unsurprisingly for a love goddess, she was said to have emerged from the foam generated when the severed testicles of her father, Uranus, were thrown into the sea by his son, the Titan Cronus. (Or is that surprising?) Kind of makes Botticelli’s surreally lovely Birth of Venus—which depicts Aphrodite’s Roman counterpart emerging from the waves—a little more visceral, doesn’t it?

  • Athena

    Athena© Sergey Rusakov/Shutterstock. com

    Athena was the goddess of reason, wisdom, and war. She famously sprung fully formed from the forehead of Zeus. A major figure in the Odyssey, in which she instructed Odysseus, she also guided Perseus and Heracles through their trials. The Parthenon was her chief temple in Athens, which is named in her honor. Her Roman equivalent was Minerva.

  • Artemis

    ArtemisAlinari/Art Resource, New York

    Artemis was the fleet-footed goddess of the hunt. Often depicted in painting and sculpture with a deer or a hunting dog, she was both huntress and protectress of the living world. Her Roman equivalent was Diana.

  • Ares

    AresAnderson—Alinari/Art Resource, New York

    Ares was the god of bloodlust. (His half-sister Athena represented the more «noble» aspects of combat and civil conduct during war.) Though his fellow deities weren’t particularly fond of him, the Spartans had no problems, er, donating some prisoners of war to his worship. And sacrificing dogs…yeah, that’s right, Ares liked dead puppies. Jerk. His Roman equivalent was Mars.

  • Apollo

    Alinari/Art Resource, New York

    The twin brother of Artemis, Apollo was among the most important (read: feared) of the gods. Son of Zeus, he disseminated the will of his divine compatriots through various means, notably oracles. The Oracle at Delphi was his mouthpiece; a 2001 study determined that the oracle was likely hallucinating due to ethylene gas rising from the rocks beneath the temple.

  • Demeter

    Demeter© Magryt/Dreamstime.com

    Demeter, an agricultural goddess, was mother to Persephone, who was abducted by the underworld god Hades to be his bride. While searching for her stolen daughter, she accepted the hospitality of the royal family of Eleusis. The Eleusinian Mysteries, perhaps the most important religious rites in ancient Greece, are attributed to her teachings. Her Roman equivalent was Ceres.

  • Dionysus

    Dionysus© Photos. com/Thinkstock

    Dionysus was a son of Zeus born to a mortal mother. When Zeus accidentally killed her, he sewed the young Dionysus into his thigh and, when the young god emerged, passed him to the care of the maenads. The cult of Dionysus revolved around intoxication, sex, and savage ritual sacrifice. He was often symbolized by a bull due to his association with the sacrificial animal. Elements of his character are seen in the Roman god of wine, Bacchus.

  • Hades

    Gian Lorenzo Bernini: Pluto and ProserpinaAnderson—Alinari/Art Resource, New York

    Hades ruled the world of the dead, with which he was sometimes synonymous. The chilly lord of the underworld was among the few Greek gods to come across as dispassionate. He was not the ultimate judge of the souls that wandered his domain nor did he mete out their punishments for sins committed during their mortal lives. He was, however, cunning; he tricked Persephone into eating enchanted pomegranate seeds so that she would have to remain with him for a portion of the year.

  • Hera

    the gods on OlympusAlinari/Art Resource, New York

    The queen goddess of Olympus, Hera was both sister and wife to Zeus. Though she is often depicted as reserved and austere, she was mercilessly vindictive when it came to her husband’s [many] extramarital adventures. Unfortunately for the objects of Zeus’s godly affections, Hera tended to torment the «other women» (and their offspring, including Heracles) rather than Zeus himself. Her Roman equivalent was Juno.

  • Hermes

    HermesCourtesy of the trustees of the British Museum

    Like many gods in the Greek pantheon, Hermes presided over multiple spheres. He was a pastoral figure, responsible for protecting livestock, and was also associated with fertility, music, luck, and deception. In the Odyssey, he is depicted as a messenger god. His Roman equivalent was Mercury.

  • Poseidon

    PoseidonWGS Photofile

    Poseidon is best known as the Greek sea god, but he was also the god of horses and of earthquakes. (Thus, many of his temples were inland.) And he had some seriously strange children. Though humanoid, he fathered both the winged horse Pegasus (by Medusa, no less) and the Cyclops Polyphemus, who is blinded by Odysseus and his crew in the Odyssey. His Roman equivalent was Neptune.

  • Zeus

    Anderson—Alinari/Art Resource, New York

    With the assistance of Hades and Poseidon, Zeus overthrew his father, Cronus, king of the Titans, and became the chief deity in a new pantheon comprising mostly his siblings and children. In addition to controlling the weather, Zeus was noted for his chronic infidelity to his sister-wife, Hera. Among the results of his weakness for comely mortal women was Helen of Troy. His Roman equivalent was Jupiter.

Curtis Travel » Interesting facts about Ancient Greece

WINGED WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS

Augean stables

In Greek mythology, the Augean stables are the vast stables of Augius, king of Elis, which have not been cleaned for many years. They were cleansed on the same day by Hercules: he directed the river Alpheus through the stables, the waters of which carried away all the impurities. This myth was first reported by the ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus. The expression “Augean stables”, which arose from here, is about an extremely neglected room, as well as (trans.) about affairs that are in extreme disorder.
Aurora
In Roman mythology, Aurora is the goddess of the dawn. In figurative and poetic speech, it is generally a synonym for dawn. The expression «pink-fingered Aurora» entered the literary speech from Homer’s poems. In Greek mythology, it corresponds to Eos.

Antaeus
In Greek mythology, Antaeus is a giant, the ruler of Libya, the son of the god of the seas Poseidon and the goddess of the earth Gaia. Called to battle all who appeared in his domain, and was invincible while in contact with mother earth. Strangled by Hercules, who tore him off the ground. This myth is transmitted by the Greek writer Apollodorus in the «Library». The image of Antaeus is used when talking about the power that a person possesses if he is connected with his native land, native people.

Argus, Argos
In Greek mythology, Argus is a hundred-eyed giant, the personification of the starry sky, the son of Gaia. The goddess Hera forced him to guard Io, the beloved of her husband Zeus, who was turned into a cow by him in order to protect him from the wrath of his jealous wife. Hera begged a cow from Zeus and assigned Argos to her, who vigilantly guarded her — only two of his eyes closed at the same time, the others were open and vigilantly watched Io. Only Hermes managed to kill him. Hera transferred the eyes of Argos to the plumage of a peacock. The name of Argus has become a household name for a vigilant and vigilant guardian. According to another legend, the stout-eyed Argus personifies the starry sky.

Ariadne’s thread, Ariadne’s thread
In Greek mythology, Ariadne is the daughter of the Cretan king Minos and Pasiphae. When Prince Theseus arrived in Crete from Athens, along with young men doomed to be eaten by the Minotaur, Ariadne fell in love with him. The Minotaur was in the Labyrinth — a palace with so many passages that it was impossible to get out of it. Ariadne gave Theseus a ball of thread, which he unwound as he entered the Labyrinth. Having killed the Minotaur, Theseus got out of the Labyrinth along an unwound thread (Ovid, Metamorphoses). In a figurative sense, the thread of Ariadne is a guiding thread, an opportunity that helps to get out of a difficult situation.

Arcadia
region in the central part of the Peloponnese (Greece). In ancient literature and later (mainly in the pastorals of the 16th-18th centuries), Arcadia was portrayed as a paradise country with a patriarchal simplicity of morals. In a figurative sense, a happy country.

Achilles’ heel
In Greek mythology, Achilles (Achilles) is one of the strongest and bravest heroes; He is sung in Homer’s Iliad. The post-Homeric myth, transmitted by the Roman writer Hyginus, reports that Achilles’ mother, the goddess Thetis, wishing to make her son immortal, immersed him in the sacred waters of the Styx River; only the heel, by which Thetis held him, did not touch the water and remained vulnerable. In this heel, Achilles was mortally wounded by the arrow of Paris. The expression «Achilles’ heel» that arose from here is used in the sense of: a weak, vulnerable spot.

Poor as Ir
In Greek mythology, Ir is one of the characters in the Odyssey, a beggar who got into a fight with Odysseus when he, disguised as a beggar, returned to his home. In a figurative sense — the poor. (“The poet was poor, like Ir.” Herzen A.I. Past and thoughts).

Danaid barrel, bottomless barrel
Danaids in Greek mythology are fifty daughters of the king of Libya Danae, who, at the behest of their father, killed their husbands on their wedding night. Only one decided to disobey her father. As a punishment, the Danaids had to fill a bottomless barrel with water forever in Hades. In a figurative sense — «barrel of Danaid», «work of Danaid» — useless and endless work. The myth of the Danaids was first described by the Roman writer Hyginus (Fables), but the image of a bottomless vessel was found among the ancient Greeks earlier. Lucian was the first to use the expression «danaid barrel».

Age of Astrea
In Greek mythology, Dike Astrea is one of Or, the goddess of justice, the daughter of Zeus and Themis. Dike informed Zeus about all the injustices happening on earth. The time when she was on earth was a happy, «golden age.» She left the earth in the Iron Age and since then, under the name of Virgo, has been shining in the constellation of the Zodiac. The nickname Astrea (starry, heavenly) is probably associated with the idea that true justice is possible only in heaven. The expression «age of Astrea» is used in the meaning: a happy time.

Libation [worship] of Bacchus [Bacchus]
Bacchus (Bacchus) is the Roman name of the Greek god of wine and fun Dionysus. Among the ancient Romans, when sacrificing to the gods, there was a rite of libation, which consisted in pouring wine from a bowl in honor of the god. From this arose the playful expression «libation to Bacchus», used in the meaning: a drinking bout. The name of this ancient Roman god is also used in other playful expressions about drunkenness: “worship Bacchus”, “serve Bacchus”.

Hercules. Herculean labor [feat]. Pillars of Hercules [pillars].
Hercules (Hercules) is a hero in Greek mythology, the son of Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene. He performed the famous twelve feats: he strangled the Nemean lion, killed the Lernean hydra, cleared the Augean stables, etc. In memory of his wanderings, Hercules erected the Pillars of Hercules. So in the ancient world they called two rocks on opposite banks of the Strait of Gibraltar. These pillars were considered «the edge of the world», beyond which there is no way. Therefore, the expression «to reach the Pillars of Hercules» began to be used in the sense: to reach the limit of something, to the extreme point. The name of Hercules himself became a household name for a person with great physical strength. The expression «Hercules labor, feat» is used when talking about any business that requires extraordinary efforts.

Hercules at the crossroads
The expression arose from the speech of the Greek sophist Prodicus, which became known to us in the presentation of Xenophon. In this speech, Prodicus told an allegory he had composed about Hercules (Hercules), sitting at a crossroads and reflecting on the life path that he was to choose. Two women approached him: Pampering, who promised him a carefree life full of pleasures, and Virtue, who showed him the difficult path to glory. Hercules preferred the latter, and after many labors became a god. The expression «Hercules at the Crossroads» is applied to a person who finds it difficult to choose between two solutions.

Hydra
In Greek mythology, the hydra is a multi-headed snake, in which new heads grow in place of severed heads. For the first time, the myth about her was conveyed by the ancient Greek poet Hesiod in Theogony. Figuratively: a hostile force, the fight against which is unusually difficult.

Hymen. Bonds [chains] of Hymen
In Greek and Roman mythology, the deity of marriage. He was depicted as a naked young man, decorated with garlands of flowers, with a torch in his hand. In a figurative sense, the “bonds of Hymen” is a marital union.

Homeric laughter (laughter)
Uncontrollable, extraordinary laughter (from the description of the laughter of the gods in Homer’s Iliad).

Heap Pelion on Ossa
Pelion and Ossa are mountains in Thessaly, located near Olympus. The expression «heap Pelion on Ossa» originates from Homer’s Odyssey, which tells how the brothers Aloids, Otos and Ephialtes, tried to pile Mount Pelion on Mount Ossa and climb Olympus. Only Apollo was able to stop them with his arrows. «To heap Pelion upon Ossa» means to do something unusual and grandiose.

Sword of Damocles
The expression originated from an ancient Greek legend told by Cicero. Damocles, one of the associates of the Syracusan tyrant Dionysius the Elder, began to enviously speak of him as the happiest of people. Dionysius, in order to teach the envious man a lesson, put him in his place. During the feast, Damocles saw that a sharp sword was hanging on a horsehair over his head. Dionysius explained that this is a symbol of the dangers to which he, as a ruler, is constantly exposed, despite his seemingly happy life. Hence the expression «sword of Damocles» got the meaning of impending, threatening danger.

Gifts from the Danes. Trojan horse.
The expression is used in the meaning: insidious gifts that bring death to those who receive them. Originated from Greek legends about the Trojan War. The Danans (Greeks), after a long and unsuccessful siege of Troy, resorted to a trick: they built a huge wooden horse, left it at the walls of Troy, and pretended to swim away from the shores of Troy. The priest Laocoön, seeing this horse and knowing the tricks of the Danaans, exclaimed: “Whatever it is, I am afraid of the Danaans, even those who bring gifts!” But the Trojans, not listening to the warnings of Laocoon and the prophetess Cassandra, dragged the horse into the city. At night, the Danaans, who hid inside the horse, went out, killed the guards, opened the city gates, let in their comrades who returned on ships, and thus captured Troy (Homer’s Odyssey, Virgil’s Aeneid). Virgil’s half-line «I’m afraid of the Danaans, even those who bring gifts», often quoted in Latin («Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes»), has become a proverb. From here arose the expression «Trojan horse», used in the meaning: a secret, insidious plan; betrayal.

Two-faced Janus
In Roman mythology, Janus — the god of time, as well as of every beginning and end, entrances and exits (janua — door) — was depicted with two faces facing in opposite directions: young — forward, into the future, old — back , in the past. The expression «two-faced Janus», or simply «Janus», which arose from here, means: a hypocrite, a two-faced person.

Dragon seed (seed of discord)
Ancient Greek myth tells how the Theban king Cadmus killed the dragon guarding the Key of Kastal. Athena ordered the dragon’s teeth to be pulled out and sowed. Cadmus did what the goddess commanded, and immediately a whole detachment of armed warriors grew out of the teeth of the dragon, who entered into an internecine battle and killed each other. From this legend, the expression «dragon seed» was born — i.e. seed of discord.

Echidna
In Greek mythology, Echidna is a monster, a half-maiden half-snake that gave birth to a number of monsters: Sphinx, Cerberus, Nemean lion, chimera, etc. In a figurative sense — an evil, caustic and treacherous person.

Golden fleece. Argonauts
Ancient Greek myths tell that the hero Jason went to get the Golden Fleece — the golden skin of a magical ram — which was guarded by the dragon of the king of Colchis, Eeta. Jason built the ship «Argo» and, having gathered the greatest heroes, who, after the name of the ship, became known as the Argonauts, set off. Having overcome many adventures, Jason obtained the Golden Fleece. The poet Pindar was the first to expound this myth. Since then, the golden fleece is called gold, wealth, which they seek to master; Argonauts — brave sailors, adventurers.

Golden Age
Golden Age Hesiod called the very first and happiest time in the history of mankind, when people knew neither wars, nor cares, nor sufferings. In a figurative sense, the golden age is called the time of the highest prosperity.

Golden rain
This image originated from the Greek myth about Zeus, who, captivated by the beauty of Danae, the daughter of King Acrisius, appeared to her in the form of a golden rain, after which her son Perseus was born. Danae, showered by a rain of gold coins, is depicted in the paintings of many Renaissance artists (Titian, Correggio, Van Dyck, etc. ). Figuratively, “golden rain” is called abundant income, profit, wealth.

sink into oblivion. Leta
In Greek mythology, Leta is the river of oblivion in the underworld. The souls of the dead, having tasted the water from Lethe, forgot about their earthly life. «Sink into oblivion» — to be forgotten, to disappear without a trace.

Cassandra, prophetic Cassandra
In Greek mythology, Cassandra is the daughter of the Trojan king Priam. Cassandra received a prophetic gift from Apollo, but when she rejected his love, he made it so that her prophecies were no longer believed. So, the Trojans did not heed the words of Cassandra, who warned her brother Paris against the abduction of Helen, the latter, as you know, led to the Trojan War and the death of Troy. The name of Cassandra has become a household name for a person who warns of danger, but who is not believed.

Castor and Pollux
In Greek mythology, Castor and Pollux (Rom. Pollux) are twin brothers, sons of Leda. Polydeuces was the son of Zeus, and Castor was the son of the Spartan king Tyndareus. The brothers were always inseparable, together they participated in the campaign of the Argonauts and the Calydonian hunt, together they accomplished a number of feats. When Castor died, Polydeuces obtained permission from the gods to share immortality with him. Since then, the brothers spend one day on Olympus, one day in Hades. Their names have become synonymous with two inseparable friends.

Labyrinth
In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth is a palace from which it is impossible to find a way out. Built by a skilled craftsman Daedalus in Crete on the model of a similar Egyptian palace. Now the word «labyrinth» is used to refer to an intricate network of paths, passages, rooms that communicate with each other. In a figurative sense — a complex, intricate arrangement, a combination of something.

Mars. Son of Mars. Field of Mars
In Roman mythology, Mars (Greek Ares) is the god of war. A military or belligerent person is sometimes called a «son of Mars.» The expression «Champion of Mars» in ancient times was used in the meaning of «battlefield». Also in ancient Rome was called one of the parts of the city on the left bank of the Tiber, intended for military and gymnastic exercises. In Paris, this name is given to a square in the western part of the city, which originally served for military parades. In St. Petersburg, this was the name of the square between the Summer Garden and the barracks of the Pavlovsky Life Guards Regiment, where large military parades were held under Nicholas I and later.

Between Scylla and Charybdis
Scylla and Charybdis — two monsters that lived on both sides of a narrow strait and killed sailors passing between them. Hence the expression «between Scylla and Charybdis» is used in the meaning: to be between two two dangers, between two fires.

Mentor. Mentor Tone
Mentor is a peer of Odysseus and his closest friend in Ithaca. Odysseus, going under Troy, entrusted Mentor with the care of his son and house. The wise and prudent Mentor has always stood guard over the interests of the Odysseus family. Having adopted his image, Athena takes care and instructs Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, during his trip to Greece (hence the “mentor” — an authoritative mentor). The mentor’s tone is strict and instructive.

Morpheus. Embrace of Morpheus
In Greek mythology, Morpheus is the god of dreams. Appeared to people in dreams, taking the form of any person. He was usually depicted as a young man with wings on his temples. In a figurative sense — «plunge into the arms of Morpheus» — fall asleep and dream.

Torments of Tantalus
In Greek mythology, Tantalus is the son of Zeus and the Phrygian queen Pluto. A Lydian or Phrygian king, a cunning and greedy man. Being a demigod, he took part in the feasts of the gods, while he stole nectar and ambrosia from their meals and distributed it to his earthly relatives, divulged the secrets of the gods. One day, wanting to test their omniscience, Tantalus served them during the meal the meat of his son Pelops. The gods resurrected the young man, and Tantalus was doomed to eternal torment in Hades (“Tantalum torment”): standing up to his neck in water and seeing the fruits descending from the tree, Tantalus could not quench his thirst and hunger, as the water left from under his lips, and a branch with fruits was removed. Hence the expression «torment of Tantalus» — the torment caused by proximity, the seeming achievability of desire and the impossibility of implementation.

Narcissus. Narcissus, like Narcissus
In Greek mythology, Narcissus is a beautiful young man, the son of the river god Kefiss. Seeing his reflection in the water, he fell in love with his own reflection in the water (hence the expression «narcissus narcissus») and died of anguish. According to one version of the myth, Narcissus rejected the love of the nymph Echo, for which he was punished by Aphrodite: he fell in love with himself and stabbed himself out of hopelessness. A narcissus flower grew from drops of his blood. His name has become a household name for a person who admires himself, narcissistic.

Start with Leda’s eggs
In Greek mythology, Leda is the daughter of the king of Aetolia, Testius and Leucippe, the wife of the Spartan king Tyndareus. Zeus, captivated by the beauty of Leda, took possession of her, turning into a swan. From this connection came Elena. According to one of the myths, Elena was born from one Leda’s egg, and her brothers, the twins Castor and Polydeuces, from another. Helen, who later married Menelaus, was kidnapped by Paris and served as the culprit of the Trojan War. The expression «begin with Leda’s eggs» goes back to Horace, who praises Homer for starting his story about the Trojan War not ab ovo — not from an egg (meaning the myth of Leda), not from the very beginning, but immediately introduces the listener in medias res — in the middle of things, in the very essence of the matter. It should be added to this that the expression «ab ovo» among the Romans was proverbial; in full: «ab ovo usque ad mala» — from beginning to end; literally: from egg to fruit (the Roman dinner began with eggs and ended with fruit).

Nectar and ambrosia
In Greek mythology, nectar is a drink, ambrosia is the food of the gods, giving them immortality. Portable: an unusually tasty drink, a gourmet dish; supreme pleasure.

Olymp. Olympians. Olympian bliss, greatness, tranquility
Olympus is a mountain in Greece, where, as it is told in Greek myths, the gods lived. The Olympians are immortal gods; in a figurative sense, people who stand above ordinary passions and unrest, maintaining an imperturbably calm appearance and outward grandeur. From here a number of expressions arose: «literary Olympus», «musical Olympus» — a group of recognized poets, writers, musicians. «Olympic bliss» — the highest degree of bliss; «Olympic greatness» — solemnity in manners, in all appearance; «Olympic calm» — imperturbable calm.

Panic fear
In Greek mythology, Pan is the god of the flocks, the patron of shepherds, then of all nature. Pan can instill such fear when a person rushes headlong to run, without looking at the road, through forests, over mountains, along the edge of abysses, not noticing that flight threatens him with death every minute. It happened that Pan inspired a whole army with such fear, and it turned into an unstoppable flight. The Greeks believed that he struck the Persians with such fear at the battle of Marathon. Hence the «panic fear» — unaccountable, sudden, uncontrollable fear, covering a person or many people, causing confusion. This is where the word «panic» comes from.

Parnassus
In Greek mythology, Parnassus is a mountain in Arcadia. On Parnassus, the sacred Kastalsky spring, dedicated to the muses, originates. Habitat of Apollo and Muses. In a figurative sense, Parnassus is the world of poetry, poets. «Parnassian sisters» — muses.

Pegasus
In Greek mythology, the winged horse of Zeus. From the hoof of Pegasus on Mount Helikon, the source of Hippocrene arose, from which poets drew inspiration. Symbol of poetic inspiration.

Penelope. The work of Penelope
In Greek mythology, Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, waited for her husband’s return from Troy for twenty years, stubbornly rejecting the harassment of numerous suitors. She promised to choose a new husband for herself after she finished weaving a veil for her father-in-law’s coffin, so that, according to custom, when he died, she would prepare a decent funeral for him. However, at night she unraveled everything that she had time to weave during the day. The image of Penelope is a symbol of female nobility and marital fidelity. Allegorically: the work of Penelope is an endless work.

Pygmalion and Galatea
In ancient Greek myth Pygmalion is the king of Cyprus. Having fallen in love with Aphrodite, he carved her statue from marble and turned to the goddess with a plea to breathe life into the cold statue. Touched by such love, Aphrodite revived the statue, which, under the name of Galatea, became the wife of Pygmalion. In a figurative sense, a person who fell in love with his creation.

Procrustean bed
Procrustean bed — a bed on which the giant robber Procrustes forcibly laid travelers: those who had a short bed, chopped off their legs; those who were long, pulled out. In a figurative sense — an artificial measure that does not correspond to the essence of the phenomenon.

Prometheus. Prometheus fire
Prometheus in Greek mythology is a titan, in myths he acts as a theomachist and protector of people. After the victory of the gods over the titans, Prometheus took the side of the people, stole the fire from Olympus and brought it to the people. For this, on the orders of Zeus, Prometheus was pierced in the chest with a spear, and he was chained to a rock on the spurs of the Caucasus Range and doomed to constant torment: an eagle that flew in every day pecked at his liver, which grew again during the night. The figure of Prometheus symbolizes a man who fights for the truth and goes to the most terrible torment in the name of an idea. The expression «Promethean fire» is used in the sense: the sacred fire burning in the human soul.

Cut the Gordian knot
In Greek mythology, Gordius is the first king of Phrygia, the eponym of the city of the same name in Asia Minor. Gordius was a simple farmer, and one day, while plowing, an eagle sat on the yoke of his oxen. This was interpreted as a sign foretelling royal power to Gordia. Soon the Phrygians, left without a ruler, turned to the oracle for advice on who to choose as king. The oracle predicted that they should choose the one they met first on the wagon. This man was Gorgias. Having become king, he built a city that received his name, and placed his wagon in the citadel, entangling its yoke with the most complex knot. It was believed that whoever unraveled this knot would become the ruler of all of Asia. According to legend, Alexander the Great in 334 BC. instead of unraveling the knot, he simply cut it with a sword, which is where the expression «cut the Gordian knot» came from — to make a quick and bold decision.

Cornucopia
In Greek mythology, the cornucopia is the horn of the goat Amalthea, who nursed Zeus with her milk; possessed the magical property of giving whatever its owner wished. In a figurative sense — an inexhaustible source of wealth, benefits.

Sisyphean labor
In Greek mythology, the Corinthian king Sisyphus was punished by the gods for his many sins: in the afterlife he was sentenced to roll a heavy stone up the mountain, which, barely reaching the top, rolled down, and all the work had to be started anew. The expression is used in the meaning: hard, endless and fruitless work.

Sphinx. Mysterious as the Sphinx
In Greek mythology, the Sphinx is a winged half-woman, half-lion who lived on a rock near Thebes. She asked each approaching traveler the same riddle (“who walks on four legs in the morning, on two at noon, on three in the evening”). Those who failed to find an answer were devoured by the monster. Only Oedipus solved the riddle of the Sphinx, answering that it is a person — in childhood, maturity and old age; after that the Sphinx threw herself off the cliff. The Sphinx is the embodiment of mystery. “Mysterious, like the Sphinx” — they say about a person whose words and actions are incomprehensible to others.

Titans
In Greek mythology, the titans are archaic gods of the first generation, born of Gaia and Uranus. They rebelled against the Olympian gods, for which they were cast into Tartarus. Figuratively, titans are people distinguished by strength, gigantic power of mind, geniuses; titanic — huge, grandiose.

Themis. Scales of Themis. Servants of Themis
In Greek mythology, Themis is the goddess of justice. She was depicted with a blindfold (a symbol of impartiality), with a sword and scales in her hands. Allegorically: Themis — justice, law; scales of Themis — a symbol of justice; servants (priests) of Themis — servants of the law, judges.

Phoenix. Rise like a Phoenix from the ashes
In Greek mythology, the Phoenix is ​​a fabulous eagle-like bird covered in fiery red and golden plumage. She lives for 500 years, and before her death she burns herself, but is immediately reborn from the ashes. A symbol of rebirth and renewal. «Rise like a Phoenix from the ashes» — die and come to life again.

Fortune. Wheel of Fortune
Fortuna — in Roman mythology, the goddess of blind chance, happiness and misfortune. She was depicted blindfolded, standing on a ball or wheel, holding a steering wheel in one hand and a cornucopia in the other. The steering wheel indicated that fortune controls the fate of a person, the cornucopia — well-being, the abundance that it can give, and the ball or wheel emphasized its constant variability. Her name and the expression «wheel of Fortune» is used in the meaning: chance, blind happiness.

Fury
In Roman mythology, each of the three goddesses of vengeance (in Greek mythology, Erinyes). Aeschylus, who brought the Erinyes on stage, depicted them as disgusting old women with snakes for hair, with bloodshot eyes, with protruding tongues and bared teeth. Figuratively, an angry, grumpy woman.

Chimera
In Greek mythology, the Chimera is a monster with the head and neck of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a dragon. Allegorically, a chimera is something unreal, impossible, unrealizable and strange dream.

Cerberus
In Greek and Roman mythology, Cerberus is a monstrous three-headed dog with a snake tail that guarded the entrance to the underworld. Hence the word «Cerberus» is used in the meaning: an evil, ferocious overseer.

Cyclopes. Cyclopean buildings
In Greek mythology, the Cyclopes are three one-eyed giants. They were credited with the construction of gigantic buildings. Hence «cyclops» is used in the meaning of one-eyed. «Cyclopean structure» — huge, gigantic buildings.

Circe
Circe (Latin form; Greek Kirk) — sorceress from Fr. Eya, who turned the companions of Odysseus into pigs, and kept him on his island for a year. In a figurative sense — an insidious seductress.

What is allowed to Jupiter, is not allowed to the bull
According to the ancient Greek myth, Jupiter (Greek Zeus) liked the daughter of the Phoenician king Europe. Jupiter turned into a bull and kidnapped her. Quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi — the proverb speaks of an immodest or baseless claim

Apple of discord
In Greek mythology, the apple of discord is a golden apple with the inscription “the most beautiful”, which was thrown by the goddess of discord Eris to three goddesses: Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. The mortal youth Paris was supposed to award the apple to the most worthy (“Judgement of Paris”). Hera promised Paris power and wealth, Athena — wisdom and military glory, and Aphrodite — to marry the most beautiful woman. And Paris recognized the most beautiful of the goddesses Aphrodite. Fulfilling her promise, the goddess helped Paris kidnap the most beautiful of mortal women, Helen. This kidnapping started the Trojan War. The expression «apple of discord» means: the cause of the dispute, contention.

Pandora’s Box
In Greek mythology, Pandora is the first woman created by the gods to punish people for stealing fire from Prometheus. Zeus gave her in marriage to the titan Epimetheus. For the wedding, Zeus gave Pandora a box that contained all human vices, troubles, misfortunes and illnesses, but forbade him to open it. Seeing this vessel in her husband’s house, the curious Pandora, despite the ban, opened it, and all the disasters from which humanity suffers spread throughout the earth. Only one Hope remained at the bottom of the vessel, as Zeus wished. In a figurative sense, «Pandora’s box» is the source of all kinds of disasters.

myths and history, interesting facts

Statue of Zeus: UGC

Zeus is the most famous of the gods of Ancient Greece. Numerous myths and legends tell about his difficult temper and love affairs. He had many wives and children. Some of them became gods, others became famous heroes. Let’s talk more about Zeus.

Zeus: myths and history

Probably every schoolchild knows the answer to the question, who is Zeus. Ancient Greek mythology is at the core of modern Western civilization. Therefore, stories about gods and heroes have been part of the school curriculum for a long time.

Zeus is the god of the third generation. According to Greek mythology, at the beginning of time, the gods fought each other for the right to rule the Earth. Sigmund Freud, arguing that the basis of human history is a crime — the murder of the father’s sons — relied on Greek myths. Kronos (or Kronos) — the youngest of the children of Uranus (Heaven) and Gaia (Earth) — overthrew his father and became the supreme deity. His reign is considered in myths to be a golden age.

The Greek gods were not omnipotent and obeyed Doom. Kronos was predicted that his son would overthrow him. The myth of the birth of Zeus says that the supreme god devoured his children. But instead of the last child — Zeus — the wife presented him with a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes.

There are several versions as to where the baby grew up. According to two of them, he was fed by a goat. He grew up and entered into a confrontation with his father.

According to legend, Zeus’s father spat out the swallowed offspring by drinking a potion that his son offered him. Together with them, Zeus revolted and overthrew his father.

The myths about Zeus have a historical background. Greece experienced three waves of conquest. The tribes of the Ionians, Achaeans and Dorians, pushing each other out, mastered the Greek lands. Historians suggest that the struggle of the three generations of gods who were related in the myths reflects three waves of conquest in which kindred tribes fought each other for dominance in Greece.

The Dorians, the last of the conquerors, mixed least of all with the local pre-Greek cultures, retaining their Indo-European roots. Their gods are known to the world as the Olympians. They are an aristocracy of conquerors who never claimed to be the creators of the universe. They only conquered the world and spent their time in entertainment, periodically demanding tribute in the form of sacrifices.

Over time, strife began among the conquerors. This is also reflected in the myths. According to legend, Athena, the daughter of Zeus, Poseidon, his brother, and Apollo, another son of Zeus, tried to overthrow the supreme god. They were supported by Hera, the wife of Zeus. Interestingly, as punishment for the rebellion, Poseidon and Apollo were sent to build the Trojan walls.

Studying the epithets that the Greeks endowed Zeus, scientists identified the functions that he had and the places associated with him. Epithets were divided into several groups:

  • Meteorological , which characterize God as the lord of the elements (thunderer, rain-sending, etc. ).
  • Topographical linking the god to a certain area. There are about ten of them, and most of them are associated with mountains in a particular area or territory, for example, Zeus of Crete.
  • Functional , describing how God helped people. There are about two dozen of them from “fly driving away” to “leading to flight”.

Photo: pixabay.com: UGC

Zeus is known for his love of love. In addition to dozens of deities, myths attribute to him the paternity of more than 50 heroes. Most of them were born from the connection of God with earthly women.

To get close to them, Zeus turned either into animals, or into people or deities. Four cases are known of its transformation into birds (from a quail to an eagle), two — transformation into cattle (a bull and a stallion), one — into a reptile (a snake). There were also cases of transformation into people and other deities (satyr) and even elements (fire and rain).

In the Greek legends, Zeus killed and gave life again, judged people, taught them justice, and punished them for misdeeds. But it was not safe to approach places associated with God. On the island of Crete there are several caves in which, according to legend, a god was born. For a long time, locals believed that everyone who visited it must die within a year.

Read also: Gods of Ancient Egypt: list, description and their meaning0320

God Zeus has become a part of myths, culture and various traditions. Here are the most interesting facts about him:

Zeus is not the only god with lightning

Greek myths formed the basis of European culture. Therefore, many peoples perceived Zeus as a thunderer who punishes not only the Greeks with lightning.

But in the mythology of the Indo-European peoples, there are many gods who are endowed with the same functions as the Greek Zeus. The Thunderers were the Roman Jupiter, the Baltic Perkunas, the Slavic Perun and the Indian Indra.

Zeus was depicted in only two poses

Zeus was worshiped in Greece and the Greek colonies. Many images of God have survived to this day. But sculptors, regardless of where they live, created images of the Olympian god in just two poses: he stands and takes a step forward, raising his hand to throw lightning, and he sits in all his majesty on the Olympian throne.

Photo: pixabay.com: UGC

Zeus is the only deity whose name has clear Indo-European roots

Back in the Rigveda, a collection of religious hymns dated 1700-1100. BC e. the name of the god of daylight, Deus (‘heavenly father’), is mentioned. Its name comes from the root Deyu — ‘shine’. The first known spellings of the Greek name of the god are consonant with the Indo-European ones.

Thanks to Zeus, the Earth has a navel

The expression «Earth’s navel» in many mythologies means the center of the universe. Interestingly, in many nations it is associated with stone. For example, in the Muslim and Jewish tradition, this is the stone from which the creation of the world began. Later, Abraham (Ibrahim) tried to sacrifice his son on it. Now the stone, which is also commonly called the cornerstone, is located in Jerusalem under the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

But the tradition of looking for the so-called navel of the Earth appeared thanks to the Olympian gods. Greek mythology calls the navel of the Earth a stone that was kept in the Delphic temple. According to one version, instead of Zeus, he was swallowed by Kronos. After Zeus overthrew the cruel father, he took out not only the swallowed brothers and sisters, but also the stone that replaced him. According to legend, it was the only item that could defeat the almighty Zeus.

According to another legend, Zeus, wanting to divide the world in half, released eagles from the western and eastern edges. He threw a stone at the place in the middle of the earth where the eagles were to meet. And so the navel of the Earth appeared.

Photo: en.wikipedia.org: UGC

Zeus caused the Flood

The story of Noah is known everywhere. But the legend that Zeus decided to punish people for human sacrifice and asked Poseidon to send a flood, only experts know.

According to legend, the god of the sea took pity on the human race and taught Deucalion how to build a ship. Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha escaped the flood, and their son Hellen became the progenitor of the Greek tribes. Since then, the Greeks call themselves Hellenes.

Zeus was presumably the king of Crete

Many memorial sites associated with Zeus have been preserved in Crete. Some researchers of myths have suggested that the struggle of the Olympians with the Titans is, in fact, a reflection of the struggle of the newcomer Greeks with the indigenous Balkan peoples.

Even the Greek writer Euhemerus (340-260 BC) put forward the theory that Zeus is none other than the king of Crete, who after death began to be deified. Interestingly, there was a cave on the island, which the locals revered as the tomb of Zeus.

The Russian philosopher A. Losev suggested that the Cretan Minotaur is one of the incarnations of Zeus.

Zeus is mentioned in the writings of philosophers and the New Testament

In late antiquity, the philosophical movement Neoplatonism appeared, which was based on Plato’s doctrine of ideas. For the philosophers of this direction, Zeus was none other than the Demiurge (divine mind). During the late Middle Ages, the doctrine influenced the views of Thomas Aquinas, one of the church fathers.

The New Testament describes a case when the Apostle Peter healed a lame man in the city of Lystra (the modern Turkish city of Kleistra), and the inhabitants mistook him for the living incarnation of Hermes, and his companion for Zeus, and even tried to make sacrifices.

Zeus has three fathers

The mythology of Ancient Greece preserved the legends about three Zeus. Two were born in Arcadia. The fathers were in one version of the myth — Ether, in the other — Uranus. The third option is known to many Europeans from school. In it, the god descended from Kronos and was born on the island of Crete.

Zeus is the source of good and evil

According to one of the myths, there are two vessels near the throne of Zeus. From them he extracts gifts that he sends to people. One vessel contains good. From it, God gives gifts to those who are faithful to him and make sacrifices. In the other is the evil that Zeus sends to wicked people.

Zeus is not indifferent to his own images

Although Zeus was revered since ancient times, the temple with his statue appeared in Olympia only in the 5th century. BC e. According to sources, the sculptor Phidias created the statue from gold, wood and ivory. Upon completion of the work, he turned to God with a question whether he was satisfied with the image. Lightning struck near the statue, which the sculptor considered a good sign.

Later in 40 B.C. e. Emperor Caligula ordered the statue to be transported to Rome. However, the workers were frightened by the thunder that rang out as soon as they got to work. The statue remained in place, and Caligula was killed shortly after the events.

Photo: en.wikipedia.org: UGC

God Zeus: the image in the cinema

Cinematographers repeatedly addressed the image of Zeus. And we are not talking about films such as Zeus and Roxana (1997), where the name of the Greek god was borne by a dog, but about paintings created based on Greek myths.

Here are some interesting films about the gods of Olympus and their leader:

Hercules in New York (1969)

In addition to the highest rated films, IMDb lists the 100 lowest rated films. «Hercules in New York» ranks 50th in it. Its users of the resource rated it at 3.5 points.

A B movie made history thanks to the debut of the actor who was credited as Arnold Strong — Mr. Universe. Such an addition was necessary, since the famous comedian Arnold Stang played in the film and the novice actor could be confused with him. Arnold Strong later became known to the world as Arnold Schwarzenegger. At 1969 he was dubbed. Many years later, the film was re-released and Arnold’s voice was heard in it.

In the film, he played Hercules, the son who quarreled with Zeus and went to Earth in search of adventure.

Clash of the Titans (1981)

Hollywood interpretation of the myth of Perseus saving his beloved Andromeda. The picture is interesting because Zeus was played in it by one of the best actors of the 20th century — Laurence Olivier — the owner of the Oscar and dozens of other awards.

The role of Aphrodite in the film went to Ursula Anders, the Golden Globe winner and the first Bond girl from the famous film franchise.

In 2010, a remake was released in which Liam Neeson played Zeus. Two years later, a sequel appeared — «Wrath of the Titans».

Still from Clash of the Titans: UGC

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (2010)

Greek mythology fantasy directed by Chris Columbus, director of Gremlins (1984), the first two parts of the Home Alone franchise and the first three films of the Harry Potter franchise.

The story tells about an American teenager Percy, who one day finds out that he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon. The role of Zeus in the film was played by Sean Bean.

Three years later, the sequel to Percy Jackson and the Sea of ​​Monsters was released. It featured Chris Columbus as executive producer and no mention of Zeus.

There are many more pictures and anime in which the supreme deity of the Greeks is mentioned or plays a minor role.

Photo: el.wikipedia.org: UGC

Zeus is the hero of Greek mythology, the supreme deity of Olympus, who left a significant mark on world culture. Numerous legends about the origin of a particular area or name are associated with it. He has become a part of popular culture and has made numerous appearances in various films.

Read also: Who created man according to the legends and myths of the ancient peoples

Original article: https://www.nur.kz/family/school/1807949-zevs-mify-i-istoria-interesnye-fakty/

Ancient Greece: 20 interesting facts

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Ancient Greece is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Originating before our era, this country gave outstanding achievements to mankind: democracy, theater, the Olympic Games, ancient philosophy — all this first appeared in Ancient Greece. We read ancient Greek myths about gods and heroes, we are surprised by their education system and scientific achievements. Until now, millions of tourists from all over the world come to this sunny land to admire the ancient buildings, which are more than one millennium old. Museums keep Greek amphoras and vases, manuscripts — treatises of the Greek sages. In this article, we want to talk about 20 outstanding achievements and facts related to ancient Greek history and culture.

1. Ancient Greeks called their country Hellas, and themselves — Hellenes. Hellas is the birthplace of democracy, which translates as «the power of the people.» In the constitutions of most world powers, including the Russian one, it is precisely the democratic way of life that is fixed in our time. In ancient Greece, the demos was called the common people, who, before the reforms of Solon, were in a semi-slave position due to debts to the rich. Solon ordered to forgive all debts, throw debt stones into the abyss, introduced free elections, a fair trial and legitimized the rights of free Greeks. But this is still the first democracy in the world and it had drawbacks: women did not have rights, foreigners were captured and became slaves as a result of wars, and the demos did not receive land, which was still owned only by noble residents of policies.

2 . According to legend, the most famous poet of the Hellenistic world, Homer, was blind. He was such a great man that seven Greek cities at once argued for the right to be considered the region where the poet was born. Homer wrote the poems Iliad and Odyssey known to all mankind, several hymns and a comedy. In Alexandria there was a monument in honor of Homer. Many of the phrases in Homer’s works have become proverbs and sayings. So, the expression «Between Scylla and Charybdis» (these are the characters of Homeric poems) means to be in a position where enemies threaten from both sides.

Between Scylla and Charybdis

3 . After the death of the outstanding commander Alexander the Great, Ancient Greece broke up into three parts. One of these states was the Egyptian kingdom. In Alexandria of Egypt there was the largest scientific and educational center — the Museum. So it was named after the nine goddesses who patronized the sciences and arts: Clio was the muse of history, Polyhymnia was the muse of hymns, etc. All of them, according to mythology, were the daughters of the supreme god of the Hellenes, Zeus. The Museum, which occupied an entire area of ​​the city, had an observatory for the study of celestial bodies, the largest library in the Hellenistic world, the Alexandrian Library (more than 700,000 papyrus scrolls).

4 . The ancient Greeks were bad at swimming. Therefore, they entered the water only in shallow water, and moved in deep water only in boats. They were afraid of the water element, which brought not only the death of people due to the inability to swim, but also storms and floods. The god Poseidon was the lord of the seas in the mythology of the Hellenes and was one of the three main deities. They made sacrifices to him, asked for good weather at sea, and prayed for the health of the sailors.

5 . Ancient Greece is considered the birthplace of the Olympic Games. It was here in the 8th century BC that the first Olympic Games of antiquity dedicated to the thunder god Zeus took place. The tournament, as now, was held every four years. A feature of those games was that women and slaves were not allowed there, and athletes competed naked. Women could not be either competitors or spectators. A fact was recorded when a woman dressed in men’s clothes made her way to the stands. When she began to emotionally cheer for her son, an athlete, everyone realized that this was a woman who had violated the law of Hellas. But they took pity on her and did not severely punish her just because her son won the competition.

Ancient Greek Olympic Games

6 . The Spartans (inhabitants of the Spartan polis) were forbidden to dine at home. Therefore, they united in groups of 15 people, and together at one common table they ate the same food, which was distinguished by modesty. There was a case when a well-known Spartan commander was severely punished with a heavy fine because, having come home from a victorious battle, he wished to dine with his beloved wife.

Spartan dinner

7 . The ancient Greeks loved to drink wine, but they drank it in a completely different way than they do today. The wine was heavily diluted with salt water, six parts of water was added to one part of the wine. Fresh water was in short supply, so salt water was used.

8 . The ancient Greeks had such a great faith in the magical power of music that they sincerely believed that with the help of the sounds of musical instruments, rhythmic dances and singing, an owl could be hypnotized.

9 . Among Greek men, universal development was valued. The most famous thinker of antiquity, Plato, could not only philosophize and be eloquent, but also twice became the strongest at the Olympic Games.

10. The Greek capital is so named after the pagan goddess of the Hellenes Athena. Athena was the patroness of sages and warriors. She made a great gift for the city — a tree bearing olives. The residents of the city did not like the gifts of other gods and they decided to give the palm to Athena.

11 . The word «erotica» is of Greek origin. Eros was the ancient Greek god of love, and the Greeks called erotica the doctrine of body love.

12 . Diogenes of Sinop was the most outrageous sage of antiquity. The Greek philosopher, who loved to argue with Plato, adored eating in the square, sleeping in an earthen vessel, openly engaging in masturbation and mocking religion. The thinker criticized many Athenians, and proclaimed himself a «citizen of the world.»

Diogenes of Sinop

13 . Theater is an invention of the Greeks. It originated more than 2500 years ago and was the favorite show of the Hellenes along with the Olympic Games. The ruins of the theater have survived to this day. The actors were exclusively men, who, wearing masks, performed male and female roles. Performances were divided into tragic and comedic. Tragedies with the death of the main characters were especially popular among the audience. The tragedy of Sophocles «Antigone» and the comedy of Aristophanes «The Birds» are outstanding masterpieces of Greek art.

14 . Phrygia was for some time part of the Greek world in the southern Balkans. Phrygian women hated men. This is where the adjective «frigid» came from.

15 . Ancient Greece was divided into city-states, which were called policies. The inhabitants of the policies lived a very short life. Infant mortality was very high. Many died in wars in which policies were constantly involved. Men lived an average of 46 years, and a woman’s age was even shorter — only 37 years. In the Spartan policy, children were examined by elders after birth. They decided whether to leave the life of the baby. If, in their opinion, the child was frail, he was thrown into the abyss, because he would not be able to grow up to be a good warrior. And only healthy babies were kept alive. These children only lived with their parents until they were seven years old. Then they were taken to the community, where they lived together, ate and were brought up as future warriors.

16 . The Greeks loved to read and listen to myths. In these stories, the main characters were goddesses who had exceptionally blue eyes. The Hellenes wanted to be like them, but most naturally had brown eyes. Then they came up with the idea that if you put blue vitriol in your eyes, your eyes will change color. The eyes really turned blue, but at the same time, vision and health deteriorated greatly.

17 . The women of Hellas did not like to study and were not distinguished by their education. They loved only beautiful and expensive jewelry in life. They didn’t even feed the children themselves, but special milk slaves did this instead of them. But a small part of the Greek women still knew the letter and understood poetry and the arts. Such women were called getters and it was not customary to marry them.

18 . At the first Olympic Games, there was such a case: an athlete lost his bandage while running and ran to the finish line naked and the very first. Since then, fortunately, the Greeks have decided to compete naked.

19 . Ancient Greece is known for the appearance of the first teachers. But then it was people who helped a boy from a wealthy family accompany him and carry school supplies to school. Thus, wealthy Hellenes appointed elderly slaves from among foreigners as teachers, who, due to their age, could no longer engage in heavy physical work. The teachers also taught good manners, but often they themselves did not know how to read or write Greek.

20 . There were many gods in Greek mythology. So, one of the mysterious deities was God Charon. He served as a carrier from the world of the living to the underworld of the dead across the river Styx (Acheron). For this he took money. Therefore, after death, a coin was placed under the tongue of the deceased so that he could pay off Charon. And they put a cake in their hand to treat the three-headed dog Cerberus. This mythical dog was always hungry and therefore angry, he could be bribed with a loaf of honey, which he adored.

Charon’s boat

The most interesting myths about the gods of Ancient Greece

If you read articles about the ancient gods of Greece, you may get a somewhat exaggerated impression that these particular mythical symbols have existed on its territory forever.

Zeus and Hera

Brief History of

Greece was not always called that. Historians, in particular, Herodotus, single out even more ancient times in those territories that were later called Hellas, the so-called Pelasgian.

This term comes from the name of a tribe of Pelasgians («storks») who came to the mainland from the Greek island of Lemnos. According to the conclusions of the historiographer, the then Hellas was called Pelasgia. There were primitive beliefs in something unearthly, saving for people — cults of fictional creatures.

See also: What does Zeus look like — the father of gods and people

The Pelasgians united with a small Greek tribe and adopted their language, although they never developed from barbarians into a nationality.

Gods of Ancient Greece

Where did the Greek gods and myths about them come from?

Herodotus assumed that the Greeks adopted from the Pelasgians the names of many gods and their cults. At least, the veneration of the lower deities and Kabirs — the great gods, with their unearthly power, rid the earth of troubles and dangers. The sanctuary of Zeus in Dodona (a city near the present Ioannina) was built much earlier than the Delphic one, which is still famous. From those times came the famous «troika» of Kabirs — Demeter (Axieros), Persephone (Axiokersa, in Italy — Ceres) and her husband Hades (Axiokersos).

In the Pontifical Museum in the Vatican, there is a marble statue of these three kabirams in the form of a triangular pillar by the sculptor Scopas, who lived and worked in the 4th century BC. e. At the bottom of the pillar are carved miniature images of Mitra-Helios, Aphrodite-Urania and Eros-Dionysus as symbols of an inseparable chain of mythology.

From there also the names of Hermes (Camilla, Latin «servant»). In the History of Athos, Hades (Hell) is the god of the other world, and his wife Persephone gave life on earth. Artemis was called Caleagra.

The new gods of Ancient Hellas descended from the «storks», took away their right to reign. But they already had a human appearance, although with some exceptions left over from zoomorphism.

Myths about the gods of Ancient Greece are interesting to read

Athena and Poseidon

Athena and Poseidon

The goddess, the patroness of the city named after her, was born from the brain of Zeus, the main god of the third stage. Therefore, before him, the heavens and the earthly firmament were ruled by others.

The first lord of the earth was the god Poseidon. During the capture of Troy, he was the main deity.

According to mythology, he ruled both the seas and the oceans. Since Greece has a lot of island territories, the influence of Poseidon and his cult also applied to them. Poseidon was the brother of many new gods and goddesses, including such well-known ones as Zeus, Hades and others.

See also: Acquaintance with ancient Greek mythology: all the exploits of Hercules in order

Then Poseidon began to stare at the continental territory of Hellas, for example, at Attica — a huge part to the south of the central mountain range of the Balkan Peninsula and to the Peloponnese. He had a reason for this: in the Balkans there was a cult of Poseidon in the form of a fertility demon. Athena wanted to deprive him of such influence.

Athena argues with Poseidon. Image on a vase 4th century BC

The goddess won the dispute over the lands. Its essence is this. Once there was a new alignment of the influence of the gods. At the same time, Poseidon lost the right to land, he was left with the seas. The sky was intercepted by the god of thunder and lightning. Poseidon began to challenge the rights to certain territories. He struck the ground during a dispute on Olympus, and water came out from there, and

Athena gave Attica an olive tree. The gods decided the dispute in favor of the goddess, considering that the trees would be more useful. The city was named after her.

Aphrodite

When the name of Aphrodite is pronounced in modern times, her beauty is generally revered. In ancient times, she was the goddess of love. The cult of the goddess first originated in the colonies of Greece, its current islands, founded by the Phoenicians. Worship similar to Aphrodite was then reserved for two other goddesses, Asherah and Astarte. In the Greek pantheon of gods

Aphrodite was more suited to the mythical role of Ashera, lover of gardens, flowers, inhabitant of groves, goddess of spring awakening and lust in pleasure with Adonis.

Aphrodite of Knidos. Ancient sculpture

Reincarnating as Astarte, the «goddess of heights», Aphrodite became impregnable, always with a spear in her hand. In this guise, she protected family fidelity and doomed her priestesses to eternal virginity.

Unfortunately, in later times the cult of Aphrodite split into two, if I may so express the differences between the various Aphrodites.

Ancient Greek myths about the gods of Olympus

They are the most common and most cultivated in both Greece and Italy. This supreme pantheon of Mount Olympus included six gods — the children of Kronos and Hera (the Thunderer himself, Poseidon and others) and nine descendants of the god Zeus. Among them are the most famous Apollo, Athena, Aphrodite and others like them.

Sculptures of the Gods of Ancient Greece

In the modern interpretation of the word «Olympian», except for the athletes participating in the Olympiads, it means «calmness, self-confidence, outward greatness.» And earlier there was also the Olympus of the gods. But at that time, these epithets applied only to the head of the pantheon — Zeus, because he fully corresponded to them. We talked about Athena and Poseidon in detail above. Other gods of the pantheon were also mentioned — Hades, Helios, Hermes, Dionysus, Artemis, Persephone.

See also: Did the Amazons ever exist?

A few short myths also about Olympians, but less well known.

Ares — god of war and blood

Ares — son of Zeus and third wife. Obviously, her bad blood was transferred to this son. He was just as bloodthirsty and cruel. Therefore, the thunderer gave the offspring a stormy sky, especially since he himself belonged to Thrace by birth with its snow storms. Then he became the god of war.

Ares. Statue of the God of War, dates from the 1st-2nd century AD.

Ares always armed; his mood rises from the noise-din of battles. This god is extremely furious. With him, no one from the Olympic pantheon wanted clashes. He showed particular dislike for Athena, the goddess of a clear and calm sky. They are antipodes! In the myths of ancient Greece, Athena and Ares are shown as especially hostile parties.

Ares founded a tribunal for murders, he came down to us under the name Areopagus — after the name of the hill where the mythical trials took place.

Hestia — goddess of the hearth

Hestia. Hearth Goddess

In myths, the role of the hearth is great — the center of nepotism, the strength of tribal life. The goddess was first responsible for the fire in each hearth and for the one that burns constantly and invisibly in the sky. After that, it personified a symbol of public improvement with the union of two elements — heaven and earth. The cult of Hestia was ubiquitous. It was believed that the one who sat on the ashes of the hearth near him had her patronage.

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Interesting facts about Ancient Greece

Interesting facts about Ancient Greece.
Ancient Greece is reasonably considered the cradle of world civilization. On the territory of this state, traditions and foundations are born that remain relevant to this day. The foundations of philosophy, democracy, feminism and many other phenomena are of ancient Greek origin. It is worth noting that Hellas and its population had a number of specific features.

Mythology

The system of mythological beliefs of Ancient Greece is characterized by complex systematization and great diversity. Numerous traditions and legends closely enveloped the life of the ancient Greeks. So, the well-known myth about the apple of discord with the participation of competing goddesses became the basis for a rather peculiar custom. To show their sympathy for the fair sex, the men of Hellas threw apples at them. This somewhat dangerous way of expressing feelings was evidence of the influence of mythological beliefs on the daily life of society.

Olympic Games

The result of the developed system of mythology was the establishment of sports competitions held in honor of the numerous gods of the ancient Greek pantheon. The local sporting event has gained massive fame and worldwide popularity over time. A number of interesting facts are also associated with this event. For example, the first Olympic Games, held in 776 BC , included only one sport — running. And the athletes of antiquity, for the greatest convenience, performed at sports games extremely naked. In the future, the composition of the Olympic Games has somewhat diversified. In particular, athletes began to compete in various types of martial arts.

It is worth noting that the ancient Greek athletes were distinguished by their incredible passion. So, the ancient Greek champion Arrhichion won his last victory already being dead. In a terrible confrontation with the enemy, he managed to knock him out, however, he himself died of suffocation. The judges recognized his corpse as the winner and held an appropriate awards ceremony.

Policy

Politics was also one of the favorite topics for discussion. People who were not interested in this problem were treated rather hostilely. They were labeled «idiot». When drafting laws, interesting moments also often occurred. For example, Zelevka’s Law has existed unchanged for a long time. The reason for this was one interesting point, which said that a person who proposed some amendments to the legislative system should have committed a suicidal act if his proposals were positively considered.

Democracy

Democracy is also a product of Greek civilization. An interesting fact is that in order to attract a large number of people to participate in the elections, they were paid. That is, every citizen of Greece, who expressed his opinion by voting, received a monetary reward. And to distract people from transient material values, iron bars served as a monetary equivalent in some parts of Greece. Their heavy weight and large size contributed to the suppression of corruption.

Leisure

It’s no secret that the ancient Greeks liked to have a good rest. Alcohol occupied a special place at their holidays. It was then that Pythagoras invented a glass that prevents rapid alcohol intoxication. Designed according to the law of communicating vessels, the glass could only be filled up to a certain point. Exceeding the line threatened to pour out all the contents.

Women

Ancient Greek women occupied a special place in the life of society. The main purpose of their existence was considered to be the decoration of the world around them with their presence. Therefore, most often they did not burden themselves with obtaining any knowledge. The opposition to most women was the so-called «getters». The emerging notes of feminism provoked them to get an education.

Education

As for the male sex, education played an important role in his life. Many modern terms from the field of education are of ancient Greek origin. True, they were used in Hellas in a slightly different meaning than now. For example, the word «school» originally meant rest. People, tired of everyday bustle, gathered in certain places and had philosophical conversations. Gradually, such people had young listeners, who gradually turned into students. And the term teacher denoted people who contributed to the upbringing of children. However, during the period of Ancient Greece, this contribution was to bring the child to school and pick him up from there.

Medicine

Ancient Greece achieved considerable success in the field of medicine. Hippocrates , famous for his oath, for the first time in history began to study cancer. Cancer takes its name from his writings. Describing the tumor, Hippocrates compared its appearance to a crab-like creature. Subsequently, the name was somewhat transformed, but the essence has remained the same to this day.

Erotic

The art of love was highly revered by the ancient Greeks. The famous phrase of Socrates «I know that I know nothing» has a continuation. The famous philosopher remarked, “I always say that I know nothing, except perhaps one very small science — erotica (the science of love). And in it I am terribly strong. The term love in ancient Greece had many connotations. Dozens of different concepts were used to denote this bright feeling.

Homosexuality was quite common in ancient Greece and was by no means condemned. The facts show that even special military detachments and divisions were created, which included men with a non-traditional orientation. It is noteworthy that such detachments were distinguished by special courage and courage. And examples of desertion and flight from them were practically not observed.

Myths of Ancient Greece: Interesting Facts

Why did they put a coin under the tongue of the deceased in Ancient Greece?


According to the ideas of the ancient Greeks, in order to get into the kingdom of the dead, the shadow of the deceased had to cross one of the surrounding rivers of Hades — the Styx, Acheron, Kokit or Piriflegeton. The carrier of the shadows of the dead across these underground rivers, Charon — a gloomy but energetic mean old man in dirty rags — demanded a payment of one obol from each shadow.
It was for this that pious relatives put a coin under the tongue of the deceased. This was the so-called «right of the dead.» Further, a honey cake was put into the hand of the deceased. Her purpose is to propitiate the three-headed Cerberus, who guards the entrance to the realm of the dead.
If the shadow of the deceased was without money, she had to while away the time on the shore.

In addition, it was customary to leave everything that he might need for the dead: weapons were placed in the coffin for men, jewelry for women.

Where did the ancient Greeks think the winds blow from?

Once the Thunderer Zeus locked all the winds behind the sheer rocks of the floating island of Aeolia, because he feared that, if given full freedom, they would lift both the earth and the sea into the air.

He entrusted Eol, the king of the island of Aeolia, to look after them. Eol’s duty was to release the winds one by one in accordance with the desire of the gods or his own. When a storm was needed, Eol threw a spear into the rock, and winds began to blow from the resulting hole until Eol closed it. Eol performed his duties so well that, in Hera’s opinion, he deserved the honor of attending the feasts of the gods. Only Poseidon was dissatisfied, who considered the sea and air above it

Why did Zeus, the youngest son of Kronos and Rhea, become the chief among the Olympian gods?

Kronos, the father of Zeus, fearing to be deposed by his children, each time swallowed the child Rhea had just born.

First he swallowed Hestia, then Demeter and Hera, then Hades, and then Poseidon.

Rhea was beside herself with what was happening, and when Zeus was born, she swaddled the stone and gave it to Kronos to swallow instead of the baby. The deception was successful, and little Zeus survived. Having matured, Zeus, on the advice of the titanides Metis, asked Rhea to make him the butler of Kronos. Rhea expressed her readiness to help her son and even took out mustard and salt, which the same Metis advised to mix in Kronos’ honey drink. Having taken a sip of the drink, Kronos first spewed out a stone from the mouth, and then swallowed the older brothers and sisters of Zeus. All were safe and sound, and in gratitude they offered Zeus to lead them in the fight against the titans.

The war (titanomachia) lasted ten years, until Gaia (Earth) predicted victory for her grandson Zeus, on the condition that he take the Cyclopes and the Hundred-armed, who had been cast into Tartarus, as allies.

Having killed the keeper of Tartarus Kampa, Zeus freed both of them, for which the Cyclopes forged lightning for him. Putting on the helmet of Hades, which made him invisible, Zeus quietly entered the abode of Kronos and struck him with lightning, and then the hundred-handed began to throw stones at the remaining titans. Kronos and all the defeated titans, except for Atlas, were thrown into Tartarus, where they were left under the protection of the hundred-handed. Thanks to the intervention of Metis and Rhea, all the Titanides were spared.

After that, the three brothers — Zeus, Poseidon and Hades — divided power among themselves. Zeus received supremacy over the rest of the Olympic gods and dominance in heaven, Poseidon — power on the sea and in all the waters of the earth, Hades — the kingdom of the dead (the earth and Olympus remained common). Thus, Zeus took the leading position in the family of the Olympic gods due to two circumstances: firstly, it was he who freed his brothers and sisters from the womb of their father, and, secondly, only he, the Thunderer, was subject to lightning, and sometimes only fear before its deadly power made the inhabitants of Mount Olympus obedient.

Why did Prometheus steal fire and give it to people?

Some say that Prometheus made people out of earth and water in the image of the gods, and Athena breathed life into them.

Others argue that humans and animals were created by the gods from a mixture of fire and earth, and Prometheus and his brother Epimetheus were instructed by the gods to distribute abilities between them. The improvident Epimetheus generously endowed the abilities of animals, leaving people defenseless.

It turned out that the animals were carefully provided with everything necessary for survival, and the man was «naked and not shod, without a bed and without weapons.» In addition, Zeus decided to starve humanity, forcing the best part of the food to be sacrificed to the gods. However, Prometheus managed to outsmart him.

When the question was being decided which part of the bull should be sacrificed to the gods and which part should be left to people, Prometheus tore off the skin from the bull and sewed two bags out of it. After butchering the carcass, he put all the flesh in one bag, covering it on top with offal — the least tempting part of any animal, and in the second he put all the bones, hiding them under a thick layer of fat. Zeus, whom Prometheus offered to choose a bag, succumbed to the deception and took a bag of bones and fat, which since then were considered to belong to the gods. Having discovered the cunning of Prometheus, Zeus decided to teach him a lesson by depriving people of fire and forcing them to «eat their flesh with raw materials.»

Then Prometheus stole the fire (according to one version, he took it in the forge of Hephaestus, according to another — with the help of Athena, having risen from the back entrance to Olympus, lit the torch from the fiery solar chariot) and gave it to people.

In addition, he taught people to build houses, ships, engage in crafts, wear clothes, read, write and count, distinguish between the seasons, make sacrifices to the gods and fortune tell. But at the same time, he deprived them of the knowledge of the future (which they previously possessed), so as not to break their hearts.

At night, Zeus saw from Olympus a myriad of fires flickering on the ground and was furious. At his command, Prometheus was chained to the Caucasus Mountains. Every day a vulture eagle flew to him and tormented his liver, which grew again the next day.

How did Zeus punish people for Prometheus stealing fire?

In order to punish people for the theft of fire by Prometheus, Hermes, by order of Zeus, fashioned a woman — Pandora from
clay, making her stupid, evil, lazy, cunning and deceitful.

Athena breathed life into Pandora, after which Aphrodite endowed her with irresistible beauty.

Accompanied by Hermes, the Thunderer sent Pandora to the titan Epimetheus, who was immediately captivated by her beauty and took her as his wife.

In the house of Epimytheus, a vessel left to him for

storage by Prometheus, his brother, was kept, in which Prometheus had previously with great difficulty enclosed all the hardships that annoy mankind: old age, birth pangs, illness, madness, vice and passion. One day, Pandora, unable to resist the natural female curiosity (Zeus counted on this), opened the vessel. Instantly, thousands of troubles flew out of it and began to sting Pandora and Epimetheus, and then attacked mortals. An impossible dream, which Prometheus also hid in a vessel, prevented people from committing suicide.

There are those who say that Prometheus’s vessel contained all the good gifts with which he intended to make mankind happy. When Pandora opened the lid, they flew apart, never to return again, and only a lingering hope remained at the bottom.

Who led the rebellion of the Olympian gods against Zeus?

One day the arrogance and capriciousness of Zeus became so unbearable that Hera, Poseidon, Apollo and other Olympian gods rebelled against him.

The rebellion was led by Hera, the lawful wife of Zeus, whose cup of patience had long since
overflowed due to Zeus’s frequent adultery.
The rebels surrounded the sleeping Thunderer and “fettered” with rawhide belts with a hundred knots so that he could not move.
Zeus threatened them with immediate death, but in response the gods, who prudently hid his lightning away, only laughed insultingly.

By alexxlab

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