Greek Myths

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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. Most of these Ancient Greek myths survive till our days because they have been included in the works of famous ancient writers and historians. They are, of course, not based on rationalism but on the unbelievable and the supernatural. Some of the ancient Greek myths are shocking, but all are bound to captivate you.​

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.

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Myth of the legendary Odysseus​

Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, is probably the most famous hero of all times. His story is a myth with monsters, bad luck and much adventure. The story of Odysseus is actually the long trip of a man who has only one aim, to go back to his beloved homeland and his family. Odysseus left Troy after then years of war and started his journey to his home on Ithaca. However, this journey was long and adventurous.

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Jason and the Argonauts​

Myth of Jason and the Argonauts​

The myth of Jason, his fellow Argonauts and the trip to get the Golden Fleece has enthralled the world. This is a story of excitement, danger and adventure. Jason, the legitimate king of Iolcus, sets the voyage on his ship Argo to the foreign land of Colchis to get the Golden Fleece and prove that he is worth to become king. On the way, he encounters many troubles and delays. Even when he arrives in Colchis, he has to confront the deceptions of the local king.

 

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Myth of Theseus, the legendary king of Athens​

Theseus was a semi-mythical, semi-historical figure. The myth says that he had two fathers, king Aegeus of Athens and god Poseidon. As he descended from a god, he had super-natural powers. The most famous labor of Theseus was the killing of the Minotaur in Crete Greece to relieve Athens from the burden to sacrifice seven young men and seven young women to this monstrous figure. After the death of king Aegeus, Theseus became king of Athens and legend says that his first wife was an Amazon.

 

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The Amazons​

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. They used to live in isolate places, exclude men from their society and make wars against them. Although there are no clear outcomes whether the Amazons really existed or not, they are frequently referred into myths and legends.

 

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Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld​

The myth of Persephone, the sweet daughter of Greek goddess Demeter who was kidnapped by Hades and later became the Queen of the Underworld, is known all over the world. 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. Persephone is understood as a naïve little girl who flows between the protection of the mother and the love of her husband. 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.

 

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Prometheus, the friend of man​

The myth of Prometheus holds a special place in Greek mythology. 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. The great love he had for humans would often bring Prometheus into a dangerous conflict with Zeus. In fact, it was Zeus who punished Prometheus into eternal torture for stealing fire from the gods and giving it to the people.

 

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Myth of the fall of Icarus​

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. Icarus could fly with his wings, however when he flied too close to the sun, his wings were burnt and he fell to the sea. The closest island where Icarus fell and got drowned took its name and it is called Ikaria till today.

 

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Perseus and Andromeda​

The myth of Perseus and Andromeda contains very deep wisdom on the interactions of male and female energy. Perseus is one of the greatest heroes of Mythology of Greece. He was the son of mighty Zeus and mortal woman Danae. He is best known as the slayer of the Gorgon Medusa, a fearsome monster, and as the rescuer of the Ethiopian princess Andromeda.

 

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Orpheus and Eurydice​

The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is a great tragic myth. Orpheus gets in love with nymph Eurydice and when she dies, right after their wedding, he descends to the Underworld. 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. This tragic story has inspired many painters and it is the basic concept for many operas and songs.