Ancient Greek Myths and Legends - The Stories of the Ancient Greeks
Greek myths and legends. Stories about the Greek gods and goddesses and the fantastic adventures of the heroes of Greek mythology.
Cannibals in Greek Mythology
Boorish cannibals contrast with civilized Greeks in mythology. Medea was a horrible mother because she killed her children, but at least she didn't kill them secretly and then serve them to their father at a "reconciliation" feast, as Atreus did. The cursed House of Atreus actually contains two instances of cannibalism. A story…
Boorish cannibals contrast with civilized Greeks in mythology. Medea was a horrible mother because she killed her children, but at least she didn't kill them secretly and then serve them to their father at a "reconciliation" feast, as Atreus did. The cursed House of Atreus actually contains two instances of cannibalism. A story…
Worst Betrayals in Greek Mythology
Looking at the actions of the men and women of ancient Greek mythology, it is sometimes easier to come up with the people involved in the betrayal than who betrayed whom. One of the forum members posted a good description of what we need to look for in an ancient betrayal:
Looking at the actions of the men and women of ancient Greek mythology, it is sometimes easier to come up with the people involved in the betrayal than who betrayed whom. One of the forum members posted a good description of what we need to look for in an ancient betrayal:
- ". . . the interesting thing about betrayal is that it is almost entirely born out of expectation and a sense of contract…
Argus
The giant Argus had 100 eyes.
The giant Argus had 100 eyes.
Deucalion and Pyrrha
The story of Deucalion and Pyrrha is the Flood Myth of Greek mythology.
The story of Deucalion and Pyrrha is the Flood Myth of Greek mythology.
Cannibalism in Greek Mythology
Occasionally in Greek mythology someone's children are served up at a dinner feast.
Occasionally in Greek mythology someone's children are served up at a dinner feast.
Niobe
In Greek mythology, Niobe was the proud and fertile daughter of Tantalus who lost all her children as a result of her boast to the mother of Apollo and Artemis, Leto (Latona).
In Greek mythology, Niobe was the proud and fertile daughter of Tantalus who lost all her children as a result of her boast to the mother of Apollo and Artemis, Leto (Latona).
Erechtheus - Founder of Athens
Erectheus was the autochthonous founder of Athens who named the city after the goddess Athena.
Erectheus was the autochthonous founder of Athens who named the city after the goddess Athena.
Leda and the Swan, by William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeat's poem based on Greek mythology about the story of Leda and the Swan.
William Butler Yeat's poem based on Greek mythology about the story of Leda and the Swan.
Andromeda
Andromeda was rescued by Perseus, married him, produced 6 children and was transformed into a constellation.
Andromeda was rescued by Perseus, married him, produced 6 children and was transformed into a constellation.
Worst Betrayals in Ancient Myth
A look at some of the most famous betrayals in ancient Greek mythology.
A look at some of the most famous betrayals in ancient Greek mythology.
Greek Mythology - An Introduction to Greek Mythology
An introduction to Greek Mythology and all the fascinating Greek gods and goddesses. Greek Mythology remains a part of western culture.
An introduction to Greek Mythology and all the fascinating Greek gods and goddesses. Greek Mythology remains a part of western culture.
Eponymous Heroes of Athens
Each of the ten tribes of Athens was named for a hero. That is what is meant by an eponymous hero.
Each of the ten tribes of Athens was named for a hero. That is what is meant by an eponymous hero.
What Is Myth?
A starting point for looking at the nature of myths is to say that myths are stories shared by a group, and which are a part of their cultural identity. As such, they are important to understand when looking at the history of a people. There is no completely satisfactory definition of myth*, although many of the world's greatest thinkers have provided partial answers.
A starting point for looking at the nature of myths is to say that myths are stories shared by a group, and which are a part of their cultural identity. As such, they are important to understand when looking at the history of a people. There is no completely satisfactory definition of myth*, although many of the world's greatest thinkers have provided partial answers.
Myths vs. Legends
In common parlance the stories of the Greek and Roman deities and heroes are indiscriminately referred to as myths and legends. If we wish to be more careful, however, we can differentiate between the two types of story, and between them and folktales and fairy tales, although a story may shift between these different categories, or may contain elements from each of them.
In common parlance the stories of the Greek and Roman deities and heroes are indiscriminately referred to as myths and legends. If we wish to be more careful, however, we can differentiate between the two types of story, and between them and folktales and fairy tales, although a story may shift between these different categories, or may contain elements from each of them.
Dorian Invasion - Greece and the Dorian Invasion
The Greeks believed in a Dorian Invasion of their homeland.
The Greeks believed in a Dorian Invasion of their homeland.
People in the House of Atreus - Index
Index of people in the House of Atreus.
Index of people in the House of Atreus.
Bulfinch -The Age of Fable or Stories of Gods and Heroes
The tales from Greek mythology written by Thomas Bulfinch.
The tales from Greek mythology written by Thomas Bulfinch.
The Heroes, or Greek Fairy Tales for My Children
Preface to a collection of Greek myths and legends for children written by Charles Kingsley, who covers the heroes Theseus, Perseus, and Jason.
Preface to a collection of Greek myths and legends for children written by Charles Kingsley, who covers the heroes Theseus, Perseus, and Jason.
Hawthorne - Tales from Greek Mythology
Hawthorne tells the story of the Golden Fleece. A linkbox at the top of the page will direct you to the other stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Hawthorne tells the story of the Golden Fleece. A linkbox at the top of the page will direct you to the other stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Kingsley - The Heroes, or Greek Fairy Tales for My Children
Tales from Greek mythology about the heroes Jason, Theseus, and Perseus.
Tales from Greek mythology about the heroes Jason, Theseus, and Perseus.
Achilles
Here you'll see the lineage of Achilles and information on some of his divine forebears.
Here you'll see the lineage of Achilles and information on some of his divine forebears.
Cadmus of Thebes
The story of Cadmus and the founding of the city of Thebes. Among other events, Cadmus slew a dragon that had eaten his men.
The story of Cadmus and the founding of the city of Thebes. Among other events, Cadmus slew a dragon that had eaten his men.
Callisto - Bulfinch
The story of Juno's jealousy, her adulterous husband Jupiter, and the reason the bear constellations never sets.
The story of Juno's jealousy, her adulterous husband Jupiter, and the reason the bear constellations never sets.
Cephalus and Procris - Bulfinch
The story of a hunter whose wife thinks he is having an affair with the breeze and winds up shot by her husband's javelin.
The story of a hunter whose wife thinks he is having an affair with the breeze and winds up shot by her husband's javelin.
Golden Fleece - Jason and the Argonauts - Hawthorne
Hawthorne tells the story of how King Pelias directed the rightful heir to the throne, Jason, to bring him the golden fleece.
Hawthorne tells the story of how King Pelias directed the rightful heir to the throne, Jason, to bring him the golden fleece.
House of Atreus
The House of Atreus was cursed. Among its unlucky members were Pelops, whose shoulder was eaten by Demeter, Menelaus, whose wife was taken by Paris, Agamemnon, who was murdered by his own wife after he murdered their daughter, and Orestes, who was hounded by the Furies.
The House of Atreus was cursed. Among its unlucky members were Pelops, whose shoulder was eaten by Demeter, Menelaus, whose wife was taken by Paris, Agamemnon, who was murdered by his own wife after he murdered their daughter, and Orestes, who was hounded by the Furies.
Io - Bulfinch
The story of Juno's jealousy, her adulterous husband Jupiter, and the mortal Io who suffered the consequence.
The story of Juno's jealousy, her adulterous husband Jupiter, and the mortal Io who suffered the consequence.
Jason - by Charles Kingsley
Story of the adventures of the heroes known as Argonauts and led by Jason to capture the Golden Fleece.
Story of the adventures of the heroes known as Argonauts and led by Jason to capture the Golden Fleece.
Jason's Angels
Jason, the Argonauts, and Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece.
Jason, the Argonauts, and Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece.
Lovers' Legends - The Gay Greek Myths
Review of "Lovers' Legends: The Gay Greek Myths," by Andrew Calimach. Stories of Tantalus, Pelops, Laius, Ganymede, Hylas, Orpheus, Hyacinth, Narcissus, and Achilles.
Review of "Lovers' Legends: The Gay Greek Myths," by Andrew Calimach. Stories of Tantalus, Pelops, Laius, Ganymede, Hylas, Orpheus, Hyacinth, Narcissus, and Achilles.
Minotaur - Hawthorne
Theseus stopped the tribute Athens paid to King Minos through the help of a string given him by the king's own daughter, Ariadne, so that he could find his way out of the labyrinth.
Theseus stopped the tribute Athens paid to King Minos through the help of a string given him by the king's own daughter, Ariadne, so that he could find his way out of the labyrinth.
Olympics
The mythological origins of the Olympic games.
The mythological origins of the Olympic games.
Perseus - by Kingsley
Story of Perseus who cut off the head of the Gorgon Medusa.
Story of Perseus who cut off the head of the Gorgon Medusa.
Philemon and Baucis
According to ancient Roman mythology and Ovid's Metamorphoses, Philemon and Baucis had lived out their long lives nobly, but in poverty. Jupiter, the king of the gods, had heard of the virtuous couple, but based on all his previous experiences with humans, he had serious doubts.
According to ancient Roman mythology and Ovid's Metamorphoses, Philemon and Baucis had lived out their long lives nobly, but in poverty. Jupiter, the king of the gods, had heard of the virtuous couple, but based on all his previous experiences with humans, he had serious doubts.
Pygmies - Hawthorne
In the course of his labors, Hercules had to wrestle with the giant Antaeus who gained his strength by coming into contact with mother earth.
In the course of his labors, Hercules had to wrestle with the giant Antaeus who gained his strength by coming into contact with mother earth.
Pyramus and Thisbe - Bulfinch
The story made famous and fun of in Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream.
The story made famous and fun of in Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream.
Theseus - by Kingsley
Story of Theseus and the Minotaur and the later adventures of Theseus.
Story of Theseus and the Minotaur and the later adventures of Theseus.
Tiresias
The legendary seer Tiresias, famous from The Odyssey and the Oedipus legends, appears in Ovid's Metamorphoses as the first (unhappy) transgendered individual. His plight came to the attention of the contentious king and queen of the gods.
The legendary seer Tiresias, famous from The Odyssey and the Oedipus legends, appears in Ovid's Metamorphoses as the first (unhappy) transgendered individual. His plight came to the attention of the contentious king and queen of the gods.
The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles
Etext of The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles by Padraic Colum.
Etext of The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles by Padraic Colum.
Review Thomas Cahill - Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea - Why the Greeks Matter
Review of Thomas Cahill's overview of ancient Greece, Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea - Why the Greeks Matter.
Review of Thomas Cahill's overview of ancient Greece, Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea - Why the Greeks Matter.
Love, Sex, and Tragedy, by Simon Goldhill Book Review
Book Review of Simon Goldhill's "Love, Sex, and Tragedy," a new answer to the "Why study classics?" question.
Book Review of Simon Goldhill's "Love, Sex, and Tragedy," a new answer to the "Why study classics?" question.