We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience and to analyze site traffic. The myth of Eros and Psyche is probably one of the dearest love stories in classical Greek mythology. There is some form of mischief. Greek mythology calls these gods “Rustic” deities. Creation myths didn't necessarily emerge so civilizations could provide detailed accounts of their history. Leda and the Swan is perhaps one of the most perplexing tales in Greek mythology to the modern reader. Aeolus. Meet the Greek Gods. What challenges do they each face? This is actually the myth of the ancient Greeks to explain the change of the seasons, the eternal cycle of nature's death and rebirth. The Nymphs in Greek Mythology. At this point the poet intercalates the Age (or Race) of Heroes. The list is presented in alphabetical order by Greek name, with commonly alternate names following, including both Roman and Etruscan versions. The cast of Greek gods and creatures, from Aphrodite to Zeus, from centaurs to cyclopes, is huge so let's take a look at some of the most well-known examples of Greek mythology. Perseus is one of the greatest heroes of Mythology of Greece. Nature gods are more than simply the gods of natural features (those are tutelary gods, so keep reading). Myth of the legendary Odysseus Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, is probably the most famous hero of all times. The Monster: Scylla and Charybdis Greek creation myths (cosmogonies) and views of the universe (cosmologies) were more systematic and specific than those of other ancient peoples. The interplay between these gods functioned as a sort of divine soap opera, in which harmonious or disharmonious actions … Eros was the personification of intense love desire. The myth of Perseus and Andromeda contains very deep wisdom on the interactions of male and female energy. The Athenian women planted the "gardens of Adonis" where the seeds would spring to life and then die to be reborn a few months later. Actaeon . Aeneas . Types of Females in the Odyssey . Greek sword history. Every city had its own festivals, its own mythology, its own calendar (to celebrate the festivals). But even that was not the worst, for he believed that a time would come when infants would be born old and there would be no recourse left against the universal moral decline. Below, we detail six myths essential to understanding the Greek mythology that has been woven into art history. Cloud - Nephelai (Cloud-Nymphs) Grass - Leimonides (Pasture Nymphs) (Close enough to grass) Flower - Anthousai (Flower Nymphs) All from here. These races or ages are separate creations of the gods, the Golden Age belonging to the reign of Cronus and the subsequent races being the creation of Zeus. Most often, the animals were oxen, goats, bulls and sheep. The closest island where Icarus fell and got drowned took its name and it is called Ikaria till today. Greek myths are stories that explain the meaning of life and teach moral lessons through the values of heroes, gods and mortals. Comment by Alex on July 10, 2014 at 10:54 pm . Scylla and Charybdis Scylla and Charybdis. The corpus of Greek Mythology is immerse and we would need several volumes of books to cover most of the stories. Perhaps the best-known myth of this type is the one that tells how Hades (Latin Pluto), the god of the underworld, carried Persephone off to be his consort, causing her mother, Demeter, the goddess of grain, to allow the earth to grow barren out of her grief. Where did this all begin? It is probably one of the most famous stories in Greek Mythology. In fact, many myths have been created to explain the existence of stars. What happened to some women in their lives? One of the best resources that can help you is the Greek gods’ quiz. And more? Indeed, the Danaides were punished for this after their death with a horrible and eternal torment. The first gods Olympians born to Titans Kronus and Rhea. Theseus . Type to Search. The Sun (Helios) traversed the heavens like a charioteer and sailed around the Earth in a golden bowl at night. The Sirens as Sea Deities . He is also known as the man who brought the written alphabet from the Phoenicians to the Greeks, and through the Greeks to the whole world. Click here to return to our main World of the Greeks page. The Halcyon Days are some warm days in the middle of winter, in January. Someone plays tricks on someone else. A story about the Greek god Poseidon and his brother Zeus could best be described as a: Fable Folk tale. The myth dates back to the first centuries of humanity, just after the Titanomachy, the Great War between the Titans and the Olympians. What are some weaknesses they have? Check out five of these fascinating Greek myths below, and meet the people-eating, fire-breathing beasts and the heroes who battled them! Midas wished that everything he touched would turn into gold. I disagree with a lot of the listed creatures in top 10 most terrifying monsters here; though, I do certainly agree on the #1 most terrifying. The Greek mythology is a sum of fables told by the ancient Greeks to explain the existence of the world, some natural phenomena or just for pleasure, to intrigue the imagination of people. Ancient Greek culture comes down to us not only through recorded myths but also through the poems of Homer and the dramas of the ancient Athenian playwrights. Satyrs (youthful folk deities with bestial features) and sileni (old and drunken folk deities) were the nymphs’ male counterparts. The story of Deucalion and Pyrrha resembles a lot to the Biblical story of Noah's Ark. BuzzFeed Quiz Party! This was an offense towards the gods, which was a very serious and even deadly sin for the ancient Greeks. When they died, they became guardian spirits on Earth. The Sirens are amongst the most famous characters from Greek mythology, for their encounters with Greek heroes really is the stuff of legends. Poseidon took the shape of a stallion to beget the wonder horses Arion and Pegasus. Heracles . Such etiological myths proliferated during the Hellenistic era, though in the earlier periods genuine examples are harder to detect. Jealousy was the motive for the slaying of Niobe’s many children, because Niobe flaunted her fecundity to the goddess Leto, who had only two offspring. The immortals include gods (deities), spirits and giants.Being immortal means that they live forever.The mortals include heroes, kings, Amazons and other people. However, as he was young and inexperienced, he lost control of the horses and got killed. There are conflicting stories about the beginnings of human life in Greek mythology. Someone does not follow the rules or disobeys . This simple and imaginary concept is actually the basis for a psychological understanding of male behaviour and wish. Hesiod may have known this version; he wishes to have been born either earlier or later. Spread your mental wings in this odyssey of mythical gods, goddesses, and famous characters of Greek mythology. From a very early period, Greek myths seem to have been open to criticism and alteration on grounds of morality or of misrepresentation of known facts. The table is ordered by the Greek god's name. Aetiological myths (sometimes spelled etiological) explain the reason why something is the way it is today. Charon, the grisly ferryman of the dead, was also a popular figure of folktale. The myth says that he had two fathers, king Aegeus of Athens and god Poseidon. Legend has it that, without male assistance, Gaia (Mother Earth) gave birth to Uranus (the Sky). Gaia had three siblings: 1. Transformational Myth. Picking one play, such as Aristophanes' The Clouds or focusing on a specific topic, such as the portrayal of Athena in Greek literature, is a good way of providing your speech with focus and direction. This tragic story has inspired many painters and it is the basic concept for many operas and songs. Snake-haired Medusa, for instance, killed by Perseus aided by Athena, Hades, and Hermes is one of the three Gorgon sisters and is the only … Homer barely mentions the judgment of Paris, but he knew the far from trivial consequences for Troy of the favour of Aphrodite and the bitter enmity of Hera and Athena, which the “judgment of Paris” was composed to explain. The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is a great tragic myth. The gods and goddesses of ancient Greece were supernatural beings who possessed great magical & mystical powers. These myths do not suggest theriolatry. Aether and Hemera who happened to be born of Erebus and Nyx mated with one another, and from their union, Gaia (Earth) came to be. The myth of Persephone was very popular in the ancient times and it is said that her story was represented in the Eleusinian Mysteries, the most secret celebrations of ancient Greece. Human heroes—such as Heracles, the adventurer who performed 12 … These were the characteristics of only five Greek gods and goddesses, and you may not be sure which one you are. Ares is the God of War, representing the violence and aggression of battle. The myth of Asclepius is connected to the origins of medical science and the healing arts. Io was to suffer many misfortunes until she was finally turned into a woman again and have a normal life. They are explanations that have meaning for us as human beings. “Race” is the more accurate translation, but “Golden Age” has become so established in English that both terms should be mentioned. Centaurs, Cyclopes, Harpies, Legends from Greek Myth and more. Marpessa was a young maiden who some time in her life found herself in the need to choose her husband between a mortal and a god. TYPES OF GREEK MYTHS: STUDY. Myths of origin represent an attempt to render the universe comprehensible in human terms. They were used as a means of understanding their current condition. The cult of Adonis comprised of women, as it is evident from the 2,600-year-old remains found on the island of Lesvos. Hector donning his breastplate, amphora by Euthymides, c. 500, Dionysus and Ariadne with an Eros figure, fragmentary Apulian red-figure pelike, terra-cotta from Apulia, Italy, about 360–350, Poseidon, Apollo, and Artemis, marble relief, portion of the east section of the Parthenon frieze, 448–429, Reverse side of a silver denarius showing Odysseus walking with a staff and being greeted by his dog, Argus, in a narrative illustration of Homer's. The Arachne is a creature from Greek mythology, whose name was later used for words like “arachnid” and “arachnophobia.” There’s very little to fear about the story of Arachne, however. Everyone was amazed at her work and one day, Arachne boosted that she had a greater talent than goddess Athena herself. Meleager . In the myth, Zeus takes the form of a swan to rape Leda, the queen of Sparta, resulting in the birth of Helen. This is a story of excitement, danger and adventure. Myth of Theseus, the legendary king of Athens, Europa, the godmother of a whole continent. His cult was particularly popular all over Greece and people from all Mediterranean countries used to come to his temples, named Asclepieion, to be cured. Heracles . This page is a list of the names of Greek gods in ancient mythology and their roles. Some, like the Centaur Chiron, are capable of giving up the gift of immortality. Similarly, the presence of the cuckoo on Hera’s sceptre at Hermione or the invention of the panpipe were explained by fables. Ancient Greek Mythology for Kids - The Powers of the Greek Gods Discover the supernatural powers of the Greek Gods according to Greek Mythology and legends. Hesiod's first (after Chaos) are Gaia, Tartarus, Eros, Erebus, Hemera and Nyx.The primordial deities Gaia and Uranus give birth to the Titans, and the Cyclopes.The Titans Cronus and Rhea give birth to Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Hera and Demeter who overthrew the Titans. But how did Athens got its name? The ancient people of Greece used to explain things they couldn't understand with myths. As he descended from a god, he had super-natural powers. In other myths, Gaea wrapped a rock with baby clothes and a blanket with Kronus thinking it was Zeus. For example, Pan is the Greek god of revelry, the wilds and lust. After reading and answering this question, it caused me to believe that in Greek mythology, there were a lot of nymphs. Similarly, myths about Athena, the patroness of Athens, tend to emphasize the goddess’s love of war and her affection for heroes and the city of Athens, and those concerning Hermes (the messenger of the gods), Aphrodite (goddess of love), or Dionysus describe Hermes’ proclivities as a god of thieves, Aphrodite’s lovemaking, and Dionysus’s association with wine, frenzy, miracles, and even ritual death. In fact, it was Zeus who punished Prometheus into eternal torture for stealing fire from the gods and giving it to the people. The punishment of mortals’ presumption in claiming to be the gods’ superiors, whether in musical skill or even the number of their children, is described in several myths. Of these heroes the more-favoured (who were related to the gods) reverted to a kind of restored Golden Age existence under the rule of Cronus (forced into honourable exile by his son Zeus) in the Isles of the Blessed. List of fictional deities; Cthulhu Mythos; William Blake's mythology; Bumi Langit Universe; J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth; Marvel Comics universe; DC Universe; Discworld; See also. Alastor. Do you have a question about Greece and the Greek islands? A silver denarius showing a caduceus and bust of the Roman god Mercury wearing a winged petasos. After their death they passed six months alternately beneath the Earth and in the world above, which suggests that their worship, like that of Persephone (the daughter of Zeus and Demeter), was connected with fertility or seasonal change. Please select a name from the list below to view the Greek god’s description. Greek mythology; Roman mythology; Etruscan mythology; Germanic mythology. They can be dangerous to people who travel alone and decide to spy on them. The story of Idas and Marpessa is a myth of love. His story is a myth with monsters, bad luck and much adventure. These two characters proved that love and eternal devotion cannot be conquered by sword, power, beauty or glory. Yet their very artistry serves as an impediment to interpretation, since the Greeks embellished the myths with folktale and fiction told for its own sake. She prayed to be turned into a tree, so that god could not seduce her. Others may think it’s because of the amazing backstory of a Trojan War veteran. All the best-known Greek hero myths, such as the labours of Heracles and the adventures of Perseus, Cadmus, Pelops, or Oedipus, depend more for their interest on folktales than on legend. PLAY. After an inordinately prolonged childhood, the men of the Silver Age began to act presumptuously and neglected the gods. Tartarus (Hell) 2. Types of Females in the Odyssey ... Aeneas is an important part of Greek and Roman Mythology, along with Jason, Odysseus, and Achilles. On the other hand, events described in the Iliad probably owe far more to Homer’s creative ability than to genuine tradition. Link/cite this page. The myth of Daedalus and Icarus shows us that the power of man has no limits but also that we should be very careful how to use this power. Someone does not follow the rules or disobeys . They were often of divine ancestry and noted for superhuman courageous acts. The myth of Danaides is the story of fifty women who committed a horrible act: guided by their father, they all killed their husbands on their wedding night! Trickster Myth. That is how Delos emerged, which was believed to be a floating island. However, he had not thought that this wish was not actually a blessing, but a curse. The myth says that the Amazons were a tribe of independent, mighty women who had rebelled against the male-dominated society and the atrocities of men. Nature Myths. Although there are no clear outcomes whether the Amazons really existed or not, they are frequently referred into myths and legends. The list does not include creatures.. Jason . They were responsible for the care of the … They are associated with Greek and Latin myths, and they are usually connected with nature. The final age, the antithesis of the Golden Age, was the Iron Age, during which the poet himself had the misfortune to live. According to Hesiod, four primary divine beings first came into existence: the Gap (Chaos), Earth (Gaea), the Abyss (Tartarus), and Love (Eros). Odysseus . You might also like our Argonauts and Mythical Heroes range. Their name directly means “hundred-handed ones” because they each had a hundred hands. This list includes Etruscan, Greek, Roman and Norse versions of similar gods and goddesses. Water nymphs (Naiads) were reputed to drown those with whom they fell in love, such as Hylas, a companion of Heracles. Poseidon (god of the sea) was unusually atavistic in that his union with Earth, and his equine adventures appear to hark back to his pre-marine status as a horse or earthquake god. This is the Greek word for changing shape, usually into plants or animals, as in the novel by Kafka and the book of mythology by Ovid. Top Greek islands & Mainland Destinations, Most popular Greek islands & mainland destinations. Pandora's Box. Greek swords went through three different ages, these were known as the Archaic age, the Classic age and the Hellenistic age. Greek Mythology: Some New Perspectives - Volume 92. The following is a list ofgodsand other divine and semi-divine figures fromGreek mythology. 5 It may be that ‘traditional tale’ is as far as one can reasonably go in defining the common quality of everything that tends to be classified as a myth (excluding specialised applications like ‘falsehood’). They used to live in isolate places, exclude men from their society and make wars against them. Myth Epic. Which God Or Goddess From Ancient Greek Mythology Are You? Arabian mythology; Slavic mythology ; Fictional mythologies. Mythology refers to a set of legends, stories, or beliefs, especially ones that illustrate a religious or cultural tradition. Myth Epic. Greek myths were a huge part of the religion in Ancient Greece, and offer a glimpse into the lives of the ancient people who told them. Its residents managed to develop a wonderful civilization that is admired till today. Myths of seasonal renewal, in which the deity dies and returns to life at particular times of the year, are plentiful. Thus, the loves of Apollo, virtually ignored by Homer and Hesiod, explained why the bay (or laurel) became Apollo’s sacred tree and how he came to father Asclepius, a healing god. This myth was popular in ancient literature, poetry and art. Phaethon was the son the god Helios who secretly took the chariot one day to drive it. Two Types of Cyclopes Even though they appear to have shared their most distinctive features between them, there seems to have been two very different types of Cyclopes in Ancient Greek mythology. Discover the most famous ancient Greek myths You will find below 29 Greek myths: Odysseus, Jason and the Argonauts, Theseus, the Amazons, Persphone and many more myths. Odysseus . This made them especially attractive to both gods and men. Get inspired by our gallery of Greek Mythology photos. The Nymphs presided over various natural phenomena--from springs, to clouds, trees, caverns, meadows, and beaches. Pandora’s Box . Cadmus is known as the founder and the first king of Thebes, a powerful town in the ancient times, close to Athens. This great massacre was unbelievable, even for the bloody ancient Greek myths. There he convinces the God of the Dead, Pluto, to allow his wife to come back to Earth so that they could lead a normal life. In ancient Greek there was no such thing as universal Greek festivals for the different gods. Greek mythology does not just tell the stories of gods and goddesses, however. Odysseus left Troy after then years of war and started his journey to his home on Ithaca. There are different types of these quizzes; for example, the trivia type helps you know more about the gods. He was a very beautiful young man, and many fell in love with him. No worship is offered to the deity concerned. It is also one of the most prominent myths that echoes across centuries of art history. Greek mythology has animal and part animal creatures. He is best known as the slayer of the Gorgon Medusa, a fearsome monster, and as the rescuer of the Ethiopian princess Andromeda. They are, of course, not based on rationalism but on the unbelievable and the supernatural. Of folk deities, the nymphs (nature goddesses) personified nature or the life in water or trees and were said to punish unfaithful lovers. Peleus . Helios in his chariot, relief sculpture excavated at Troy in 1872; in the National Museums in Berlin. The tragic tale of Niobe is one of the most memorable Greek myths, for Niobe's story features a striking example of the consequences of hybris, a Greek term defined as arrogance or excessive pride. These myths usually took place in otherworldly realms: in heaven, the cosmos or mythological locations such as the Greeks' Mount Olympus. This concept is pretty usual in Greek mythology. Myth stories usually address the origins of a people or culture, or explain events. In many ways, it was easier for ancient civilizations to believe that the world was created by unseen gods or creatures, than face a series of unknown questions. from Greek Mythology. Thus, whereas Heracles, a man of Tiryns, may originally have been a historical character, the myth of his demise on Oeta and subsequent elevation to full divinity is closely linked with a cult. Even heroes like Achilles, Hector, or Diomedes are largely fictional, though doubtlessly based on legendary prototypes. Bulls were the most powerful animals known to the Greeks and may have been worshipped in the remote past. Natural fissures were popularly regarded as entrances to the subterranean house of Hades—i.e., the home of the dead. The Greek mythology names and the Roman mythology names of each culture include gods and goddesses who interacted with humans, with good, bad, and indifferent motives. Greek mythology has changed over time to accommodate the evolution of their culture, of which mythology, both overtly and in its unspoken assumptions, is an index of the changes. Some of the ancient Greek myths are shocking, but all are bound to captivate you. If humans were involved, they were usually larger than life with tremendous heroic prowess. In Greek mythology, who flew too close to the Sun? Drinking cups and other vessels were painted with scenes from Greek myths. Adonis was the deity of plants and rebirth. Anglo-Saxon mythology; Norse mythology; Late Antiquity. Leto gave birth to Artemis and Apollo there and since then Delos became the sacred place of god Apollo. The gods become angry. In time, Heracles’ popularity was responsible for connecting his story with the Argonauts, an earlier attack on Troy, and with Theban myth. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. That is how the Sun would rise and set. Many Greek myths involve animal transformations, though there is no proof that theriolatry (animal worship) was ever practiced by the Greeks. Thus, the Homeric Hymns to Demeter, a goddess of agriculture, and to the Delian and Pythian Apollo describe how these deities came to be associated with sites at Eleusis, Delos, and Delphi, respectively. What was her decision? In one of the most enduring Greek myths, young Echo is a nymph and something of a chatty Cathy who babbles on and on about everything, irritating the goddesses above. Episodes in the Trojan cycle, such as the departure of the Greek fleet from Aulis or Theseus’s Cretan expedition and death on Scyros, may belong to traditions dating from the Minoan-Mycenaean world. In fact, she is the symbol of the soul purified by passions and misfortunes and who is, from now on, prepared to enjoy eternal happiness. It describes God’s love for us. According to the ancient myths, the Sun was put in a chariot and everyday God Helios would drive the chariot all along the sky. Thus, though the aim of Hesiod’s Theogony is to describe the ascendancy of Zeus (and, incidentally, the rise of the other gods), the inclusion of such familiar themes as the hostility between the generations, the enigma of woman (Pandora), the exploits of the friendly trickster (Prometheus), and the struggles against powerful beings or monsters like the Titans (and, in later tradition, the Giants) enhances the interest of an epic account. This son of a Titan was regarded as a great benefactor of humankind, the bringer of fire and the original teacher of technology and useful arts to the mankind. Link/cite this page. This is the version of the ancient Greeks in their attempt to purify the old world from sins and give birth to a new race of human. Most of these Ancient Greek myths survive till our days because they have been included in the works of famous ancient writers and historians. The Odyssey is the prime example of the wholesale importation of folktales into epic. There are many types of mythology characters, much as there are many types of characters in other stories, though a few general categories can include most of these figures.