Greek Mythology

The legends and religion of Hellenic (Greek) civilization (see [Greek Civilization]?). 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, The Iliad and The Odyssey). All in all it makes for some wonderful stories.

Some important gods and goddesses:

Aeolus -- Aether -- Aphrodite -- Apollo -- Ares -- Artemis -- Athena -- Boreas? -- Circe -- Demeter -- Dionysius? -- Erinyes -- Eris -- Eros? -- Eos? -- Eurus? -- Hades -- Hebe? -- Hecate? -- Hephaestus? -- Hera -- Hermes? -- Hespera? -- Hestia? -- Hygeia? -- Hypnos -- Iris? -- Morpheus -- Mors? -- Nemesis -- Nike -- Notus -- Pan -- Persephone -- Poseidon -- Zephir? -- Zeus

Some important titans:

Atlas -- Cronus? -- Prometheus -- Epimetheus -- Tethys

Some important mortals:

Achilles -- Actaeon -- Aeacus -- Aeneas -- Agamemnon -- Callisto -- Daedalus -- Dioscuri? (Castor? and Pollux?) -- Europa -- Hector -- Helen of Troy -- Heracles -- Icarus? -- Io -- Jason -- Lycaon -- Midas -- Minos -- Odysseus -- Perseus -- Theseus -- Pandora

Some important mythical creatures:

Argus? -- [Calydonian Boar]? -- Centaur -- Cerberus -- Charybdis -- Chimera -- Cyclops? -- Dryad? -- Echidna -- [Erymanthian Boar]? -- Geryon? -- Gorgon? -- Harpy? -- Hippocampus? -- Hydra -- Lamia? -- Minotaur -- Nereid -- Nymph? -- Pegasus -- Satyr -- Scylla -- Siren? -- Sphinx? -- [Stymphalian Birds]? -- Talos? -- Triton

Some important mythical places:

Elysium? -- Hades -- Lethe -- Mt. Olympus -- Styx

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Sources: Ovid, The Metamorphoses -- Apuleius, The Golden Ass -- Homer, The Iliad and The Odyssey -- Hesiod, The Theogony

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