Greek Mythology - Introduction to Greek Mythology

The Trojan War is the most famous story from Greek mythology -- because of the importance of Homer and his Iliad and Odyssey, but it isn't the only important story from Greek mythology. Here are starting points for some of these great Greek myths:

1. Trojan War - Sequence of Major Events

   The Trojan War provides the background for much of both Greek and Roman literature. Classical writers assumed the subject was familiar to readers. It would be an unnecessary handicap when reading about ancient Greek and Roman history not to know at least the basics of the Trojan War.

   When Paris handed Aphrodite the prize, the apple of discord, he started the series of events that led to the destruction of his homeland Troy, which, in turn, led to the flight of Aeneas and the founding of Troy. On the Greek side, the Trojan War led to the murder of his daughter Electra by Agamemnon, his own murder at the hands of his wife, Clytemnestra (Helen of Troy's sister), and her murder at the hands of her son.

   Unravel these twisted threads with the articles on the Trojan War.

2. Odysseus

   Sometimes called Ulysses by the Romans, Odysseus was the most famous hero of the Trojan War who made it home. Granted, the war took 10 years and his return trip another 10, but Odysseus made it back safely to a family that was, oddly, still waiting for him. His story makes up the second of the 2 works attributed to Homer, The Odyssey, which contains more fanciful encounters with mythological characters than the more war-story Iliad.

3. House of Atreus

   The House of Atreus was cursed. Horrible crimes were committed by the members of this house, which included Agamemnon and Orestes. In the Greek dramatic festivals the tragedies frequently centered on one or another member of this royal house.

4. Oedipus

   Another famous house that couldn't keep from violating major societal laws was the Theban royal house of which Oedipus, Cadmus, and Europa were important members who featured prominently in tragedy and legend.

   • House of Thebes - Founding

5. Hercules

   Hercules (Heracles or Herakles) was immensely popular to the ancient Greeks and Romans and continues to be popular in the modern world. Herodotus found a Hercules figure in ancient Egypt. Hercules' behavior was not always admirable, but Hercules paid the price without complaint, defeating impossible odds, time and again. Hercules also rid the world of horrible evils.

   All Hercules' tastes were superhuman, as befits the half-mortal (demigod) son of the god Zeus.

6. Love Apples and Pomegranate Seeds

   Fruits, which are, after all, the ovaries of their plants, play important roles in love stories of Greek mythology. The apple, familiar from the story of the Garden of Eden, was used in Greek mythology (and in real life) as a means of gaining one's end.

   • Love Apples and Pomegranate Seeds

7. Greek Myths and Legends

   A collection of legends and re-tellings of the Greek myths. There are also public domain texts of the Greek myths told by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Thomas Bulfinch.

   • Greek Myths and Legends

More on Greek Mythology

• Introduction: The Gods and Goddesses of Greek Mythology and More
• Which Greek Goddess Are You? (Quiz)
• The Beginnings of Human Life in Greek Mythology
• Introduction to Myth and Where Myth Fits in With Legend and Religion
• Myths vs Legends

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