GreekMythology

The legends and religion of Hellenic (Greek) civilization (see GreekCivilization?). These stories were familiar to all ancient Greeks, even if they did not believe them, and provided the people with both rituals and history.

In Greek mythology, the Greek gods are given human form, but are first and foremost personifications of the forces of the universe. As such they are more or less unchanging, and while they sometimes have a sense of justice, they are often petty or vengeful. The gods' favors are bought by sacrifices and piety, but this does not guarantee them, and they are prone to frequent changes of mind. Their anger is harsh and their love can be just as dangerous.

The world of Greek mythology is expectedly difficult. It is full of monsters, wars, intrigue, and meddling gods. And there are heroes to help overcome these problems. Men and women were much greater in those days, of course, though the Greeks did not see any wide gulf between their history and their mythology (see, for example, TheIliad and TheOdyssey?). All in all it makes for some wonderful stories.

So far these pages are devoted to GreekMythology...

ZeuS -- EuropA -- AchillEus -- HecTor -- HerA -- HelenOfTroy -- ApollO -- AthenA -- ArtemiS? -- LetO? -- OdyssEus? -- HeracleS? -- OedipUs? -- JasoN? -- ThesEus? -- PromethEus?

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Sources: OvidTheMetamorphosis? ApuleiusTheGoldenAsse? TheIliad TheOdyssey?