Greek Myths and Legends

Read how Atalanta lost a footrace and had to get married, how an infant Hermes outsmarted his sophisticated brother Apollo, how Athena enabled several aspiring Greek men to become heroes, how Demeter in her sorrow didn't pay attention to the fact that she was eating Pelops' shoulder, and how Pelops' own quest for a mate led to the Olympic Games.
Greek Myths and Legends
MORE: Olympian Gods and Goddesses
Stories from Greek mythology entertain, explain early events in Greek history, and provide insight into what the ancient Greeks valued and disdained. For instance, in the story of Pandora and the box, we see the aftermath of unbridled curiosity. But even in its darkest hour, when Pandora's curiosity has unleashed plague and pestilence on the world, something good may come of it -- in this case, hope. We also see that all the gods and goddesses, as well as the mortals, have to answer to a higher power and take responsibility. After displeasing Zeus Apollo has to serve a mortal, Admetus, for a year. [See: Asclepius] And even the highest of the gods, Zeus, has to pay attention to what the women in his life say.