- "The Greek myths spread beyond the Hellenistic world when adopted into the culture of ancient Rome, and Western cultural movements have frequently incorporated them ever since, particularly since the Renaissance."
Explore how mythology was used in literature, such as in the works of Ovid and Virgil.
The Twelve Olympians: The leading deities of the Greek pantheon who resided atop Mount Olympus.
Creation Myths: The various mythological stories about the origination of the universe and the divine beings who played a role in creation.
Heroes and Heroines: Mythical figures who exhibited extraordinary courage or moral strength in their actions, often serving as inspiration or role models.
The Trojan War: The legendary conflict between the Greeks and Trojans, as recounted in Homer's epic poem, the Iliad.
The Underworld: The realm of the dead, ruled by Hades and significant in many Greek myths.
Myths of Love and Sexuality: Stories of the romantic relationships and affairs of the gods and goddesses, including those of Aphrodite and Eros (Cupid).
Myths of Revenge and Retribution: Tales of divine punishment and reckoning, often driven by personal grudges or moral transgressions.
Mythological Creatures: A range of diverse beasts from Cerberus, the three-headed dog guarding the entrance to the Underworld, to the Minotaur, the half-human, half-bull monster living in the Labyrinth.
Oracles and Prophecy: The forecasting of future events by an individual or group believed to have a direct link to the gods, such as the priestess Pythia at the Oracle of Delphi.
Heroic Journeys: The epic quests of mythical heroes, such as Jason and his Argonauts, who set out on dangerous voyages in search of glory or specific relics or objectives.
Religious Practices: The celebrations, festivals, and prayers associated with the worship of the Greek gods and goddesses within ancient Greek culture.
Tragic Themes: The concepts of hubris, nemesis, and fate as explored in works of ancient Greek tragedy, such as Oedipus Rex and Antigone.
Greek Mythology: Greek mythology is the collection of myths and legends that originated in ancient Greece. These stories were passed down orally for generations and were eventually written down by Greek poets like Hesiod and Homer. Some of the most popular Greek myths include the stories of Zeus and the other Olympian gods, the labors of Hercules, the Trojan War, and the adventures of Odysseus.
Roman Mythology: Roman mythology is similar to Greek mythology but with its own unique gods and legends. The Romans adopted many of the Greek myths and altered them to fit their own culture and beliefs. The most famous Roman myth is the story of Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers who founded Rome.
Norse Mythology: Norse mythology is the collection of myths and legends that originated in Scandinavia during the Viking Age. These stories feature gods like Odin, Thor, and Loki, and tell tales of fantastic creatures like dragons and giants. Norse mythology was handed down orally from generation to generation and was eventually written down in the Icelandic Sagas.
Egyptian Mythology: Egyptian mythology is the collection of myths and legends that originated in ancient Egypt. These stories feature gods like Ra, Anubis, and Osiris, and tell tales of pharaohs and other figures from Egyptian history. Egyptian mythology was an important part of the culture and religion of ancient Egypt.
Celtic Mythology: Celtic mythology is the collection of myths and legends that originated in the British Isles and surrounding areas. These stories feature gods like Lugh and Brigid, and tell tales of magical creatures like fairies and the Banshee. Celtic mythology was an important part of the culture and religion of the Celts.
Hindu Mythology: Hindu mythology is the collection of myths and legends that originated in ancient India. These stories feature gods like Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma, and tell tales of fantastic creatures like the Garuda bird and the Rakshasa demon. Hindu mythology was an important part of the culture and religion of ancient India.
Chinese Mythology: Chinese mythology is the collection of myths and legends that originated in ancient China. These stories feature gods and goddesses like Nuwa and Fuxi, and tell tales of supernatural creatures like dragons and phoenixes. Chinese mythology was an important part of the culture and religion of ancient China.
Japanese Mythology: Japanese mythology is the collection of myths and legends that originated in ancient Japan. These stories feature gods and goddesses like Amaterasu and Susano, and tell tales of strange and mysterious creatures like kappa and tengu. Japanese mythology was an important part of the culture and religion of ancient Japan.
Aboriginal Mythology: Aboriginal mythology is the collection of myths and legends that originated among the indigenous peoples of Australia. These stories feature gods and spirits like the Dreamtime ancestors, and tell tales of animals and natural phenomena. Aboriginal mythology was an important part of the culture and religion of the indigenous peoples of Australia.
Aztec Mythology: Aztec mythology is the collection of myths and legends that originated in ancient Mexico. These stories feature gods like Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca, and tell tales of sacrifice and the afterlife. Aztec mythology was an important part of the culture and religion of the Aztec people.
- "Mythological elements feature in Renaissance art and in English poems, as well as in film and in other literature, and in songs and commercials."
- "Along with the Bible and the classics-saturated works of Shakespeare, the myths of Greece and Rome have been the major 'touchstone' in Western culture for the past 500 years."
- "Elements appropriated or incorporated include the gods of varying stature, humans, demigods, titans, giants, monsters, nymphs, and famed locations."
- "Many types of creatures — such as centaurs and nymphs — are used as a generic type rather than individuated characters out of myth."
- "The Greek myths spread beyond the Hellenistic world when adopted into the culture of ancient Rome"
- "Western cultural movements have frequently incorporated them ever since, particularly since the Renaissance."
- "Along with the Bible and the classics-saturated works of Shakespeare, the myths of Greece and Rome have been the major 'touchstone' in Western culture for the past 500 years."
- "Mythological elements feature in Renaissance art"
- "Mythological elements feature [...] in other literature"
- "Mythological elements feature [...] in songs and commercials."
- "Elements appropriated or incorporated include the gods of varying stature, humans, demigods, titans, giants, monsters, nymphs, and famed locations."
- "Many types of creatures — such as centaurs and nymphs — are used as a generic type rather than individuated characters out of myth."
- "The Greek myths spread beyond the Hellenistic world when adopted into the culture of ancient Rome."
- "Western cultural movements have frequently incorporated them ever since, particularly since the Renaissance."
- "Along with the Bible and the classics-saturated works of Shakespeare, the myths of Greece and Rome have been the major 'touchstone' in Western culture for the past 500 years."
- "Mythological elements feature in Renaissance art."
- "Elements appropriated or incorporated include the gods of varying stature, humans, demigods, titans, giants, monsters, nymphs, and famed locations."
- "Their use can range from a brief allusion to the use of an actual Greek character as a character in a work."
- "Elements appropriated or incorporated include the gods of varying stature, humans, demigods, titans, giants, monsters, nymphs, and famed locations."