---
title: Greek Mythology
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2025-02-04
---

# Greek Mythology

_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_

[Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) [mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/) was used as a means to explain the environment in which humankind lived, the natural phenomena they witnessed and the passing of time through the days, months, and [seasons](https://www.worldhistory.org/Horae/). Greek myths were also intricately connected to [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/) and explained the origin and lives of the gods, where humanity had come from and where it was going after [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/).

Greek myths gave faces and characters to the gods of the [Greek religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Religion/) but they also gave people helpful practical advice on the best way to lead a happy life. Another purpose of myths was to re-tell historical events so that people could maintain contact with their ancestors, the wars they fought, and the places they explored.

### The Telling of Myths

In modern usage the term 'myth' perhaps has negative connotations suggesting a lack of authenticity and reliability. However, it should not be assumed that myths were whole-heartedly believed in nor should it be assumed that the Greeks were wholly sceptical of them. Probably, the Greek myths, as with any religious or non-written sources, were believed by some and discounted by others. Myths were certainly used for religious and educational purposes but also may well have had a simple aesthetic function of entertainment. What is certain is that the myths were both familiar and popular with a wide section of Greek society through their common representation in art, whether that be [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/) on public buildings or scenes painted on [pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/pottery/).

Without wide-spread literacy, the passing on of myths was first done orally, probably by [Minoan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Minoan/) and [Mycenaean](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mycenaean_Civilization/) bards from the 18th century BCE onwards. This of course allows for the possibility that with each re-telling of a particular myth, it is embellished and improved upon to increase audience interest or incorporate local events and prejudices. However, this also is a modern interpretation, for it is also possible that the telling of myths followed certain rules of presentation, and a knowledgeable audience may not have willingly accepted *ad hoc* adaptations to a familiar tale. Over centuries though, and with increasing contact between [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)-states, it is difficult to imagine that local stories did not become mixed with others to create a myth with several diverse origins.

[ ![The Titan Oceanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/1083.jpg?v=1772417465) The Titan Oceanus Mary Harrsch (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/1083/the-titan-oceanus/ "The Titan Oceanus")The next development in the presentation of myths was the creation of poems in [Ionia](https://www.worldhistory.org/ionia/) and the celebrated poems of [Homer](https://www.worldhistory.org/homer/) and [Hesiod](https://www.worldhistory.org/hesiod/) around the 8th century BCE. For the first time mythology was presented in written form. Homer's *[Iliad](https://www.worldhistory.org/iliad/)* recounts the final stages of the [Trojan War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Trojan_War/) - perhaps an amalgamation of many conflicts between Greeks and their eastern neighbours in the late [Bronze Age](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Bronze_Age/) (1800-1200 BCE) - and the *[Odyssey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Odyssey/)* recounts the protracted voyage home of the hero [Odysseus](https://www.worldhistory.org/odysseus/) following the Trojan [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/). Hesiod's *[Theogony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Theogony/)* gives a genealogy of the gods, and his *[Works and Days](https://www.worldhistory.org/Works_and_Days/)* describes the creation of man. Not only are gods described with typically human feelings and failings but also heroes are created, often with one divine parent and the other mortal, thus providing a link between man and the gods.

The next principal representation of myths was through pottery from the 8th century BCE onwards. A myriad of mythical scenes decorate ceramics of all shapes and function and must surely have spread the myths to a wider audience.

Greek mythology continued to be popular through the centuries, and major public buildings such as the [Parthenon](https://www.worldhistory.org/parthenon/) at [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/), the [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of [Zeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/zeus/) at [Olympia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Olympia/), and the Temple to [Apollo](https://www.worldhistory.org/apollo/) at [Delphi](https://www.worldhistory.org/delphi/) were decorated with larger-than-life sculpture representing celebrated scenes from mythology. In the 5th century BCE the myths were presented in the new format of [theatre](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/theatre/), especially in the works of the three tragedians [Aeschylus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aeschylus/), [Sophocles](https://www.worldhistory.org/sophocles/), and [Euripides](https://www.worldhistory.org/Euripides/). At the same time, from the 6th century BCE the first documented scepticism and even rejection of the myths began with the [pre-Socratic philosophers](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pre-Socratic_Philosophers/) who searched for a more scientific explanation for phenomena and events. Finally, in the 5th century BCE the first historians [Herodotus](https://www.worldhistory.org/herodotus/) and [Thucydides](https://www.worldhistory.org/Thucydides/) sought to document as accurately as possible and record for posterity a less subjective view of events and so the modern subject of history was born.

### Greek Myths - An Overview

Broadly speaking, the imaginative Greeks created myths to explain just about every element of the human condition. The creation of the world is explained through two stories where a son usurps the place of his father - [Cronus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cronus/) from Ouranos and Zeus from Cronus - perhaps referring to the eternal struggle which exists between different generations and family members. The Olympian gods led by Zeus twice defeated the sources of chaos represented by the Titans and the [Giants](https://www.worldhistory.org/Giants/). These gods then, rule man's destiny and sometimes directly interfere - favourably or otherwise. Indeed, the view that events are not human's to decide is further evidenced by the specific gods of Fate and Destiny. A further mythological explanation of the seemingly random nature of life is the blind [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Pluto](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pluto/) who randomly distributes wealth. The gods also illustrated that misdemeanours would be punished, e.g., [Prometheus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Prometheus/) for stealing fire and giving it to man. The origin of other skills such as [medicine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/medicine/) and [music](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Music/) are also explained as 'divine' gifts, for example, Apollo passing on to his son [Asklepios](https://www.worldhistory.org/Asclepius/) medicinal knowledge for man's benefit. Finally, certain abstract concepts were also represented by specific gods, e.g., Justice (Dike), Peace (Eirene), and Lawfulness (Eunomia).

[ ![Gilded Bronze Hercules](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/1169.jpg?v=1765250723) Gilded Bronze Hercules Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/1169/gilded-bronze-hercules/ "Gilded Bronze Hercules")The Heroes - the most famous being [Hercules](https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/), [Achilles](https://www.worldhistory.org/achilles/), Jason, [Perseus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Perseus/), and [Theseus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Theseus/) but including a great many more - all have divine parents and therefore bridge the gap between mortals and gods. These popular heroes pursue fantastic adventures and epitomise ideal qualities such as perseverance e.g., Hercules' twelve labours, or fidelity e.g., Penelope waiting faithfully for Odysseus' return. Heroes also added prestige to a city by being credited as its founder, e.g., Theseus for Athens, Perseus for [Mycenae](https://www.worldhistory.org/mycenae/), or Kadmus for [Thebes](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Thebes/). The heroes and events such as the Trojan War also represented a past golden age when men were greater and life was easier. Heroes then were examples to aspire to, and by doing great deeds a certain immortality could be reached, either absolutely (as in the case of Hercules) or through commemoration in myth and tradition.

In contrast, many mythological figures represent qualities to be avoided and their sad tales illustrate the dangers of bad behaviour. King [Midas](https://www.worldhistory.org/midas/), for example, was granted his wish that everything he touched turned to [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/), but when he found out that this included food and drink, his avarice almost resulted in his death from starvation and thirst. The myth of [Narcissus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Narcissus/) symbolises the dangers of vanity after the poor youth fell in love with his own reflection and he lost the will to live. Finally, the story of [Croesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/croesus/) warns that vast riches cannot guarantee happiness when the fabulously rich King misinterpreted the Delphic oracle and lost his kingdom to [Persia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Persia/).

[ ![The Twelve Olympian Gods of Ancient Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/19516.png?v=1760395206-1760078703) The Twelve Olympian Gods of Ancient Greece Simeon Netchev (CC BY-NC-ND) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19516/the-twelve-olympian-gods-of-ancient-greece/ "The Twelve Olympian Gods of Ancient Greece")Natural phenomena were explained with myth, e.g., earthquakes are created when [Poseidon](https://www.worldhistory.org/poseidon/) crashes his trident to the ground or the passage of the sun is [Helios](https://www.worldhistory.org/Helios/) in his [chariot](https://www.worldhistory.org/chariot/) riding across the sky. Myths such as [Persephone](https://www.worldhistory.org/persephone/)'s half year descent to [Hades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hades/) explained the seasons. Time itself had mythological explanations: Helios' seven herds of 350 cattle correlate to the days of the year, [Selene](https://www.worldhistory.org/Selene/)'s 50 daughters are the weeks, and Helios' twelve daughters the [hours](https://www.worldhistory.org/Horae/).

Greek mythology also includes a number of monsters and strange creatures such as the one-eyed [Cyclops](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Cyclops/) in the Odysseus story, a gigantic boar in the fabled Kalydonian hunt, sphinxes, [giant](https://www.worldhistory.org/Giants/) snakes, fire-breathing bulls and more. These creatures may represent chaos and lack of reason, for example, the centaurs - half-man and half-horse. Fierce and fantastic creatures often emphasise the difficulty of the tasks heroes are set, for example, the many-headed Hydra to be killed by Hercules, the gorgon [Medusa](https://www.worldhistory.org/Medusa/) whose look could turn you into stone and whom Perseus had to behead, or the Chimera - a fire-breathing mix of lion, goat and snake - which [Bellerophon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bellerophon/) killed with the help of his winged-horse [Pegasus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pegasus/). Alternatively, they may represent the other-worldliness of certain places, for example the three-headed dog Kerberos which guarded Hades or simply symbolised the exotic wildlife of distant lands visited by Greek travellers.

[ ![Artemis / Diana](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/684.jpg?v=1774729811) Artemis / Diana Timothy Tolle (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/684/artemis--diana/ "Artemis / Diana")Perhaps unfamiliar experiences were also explained in myth, for example, one can imagine that a Greek visiting King Minos' sophisticated and many-roomed [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) at [Knossos](https://www.worldhistory.org/knossos/) might have thought it a [labyrinth](https://www.worldhistory.org/Labyrinth/), and the worship there of bulls and the sport of bull-leaping might be the source of the [Minotaur](https://www.worldhistory.org/Minotaur/) - is it coincidence it was killed by the visiting Athenian, Theseus? Could Jason's expedition for the [Golden Fleece](https://www.worldhistory.org/Golden_Fleece/) be a reference to the rich gold of the Caucasus and a Greek expedition to plunder this resource? Do the [Amazons](https://www.worldhistory.org/amazon/) represent an encounter with another [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/) where [women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/) were treated more equally than in the Greek world? Do the Greek myths of the Sirens and [Charybdis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Scylla_and_Charybdis/) warn of the dangers of travel beyond familiar territory?

Such questions may well remain unanswered but starting with the [discovery of Troy](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2196/discovery-of-troy/) in the 19th century CE, archaeological finds have steadily contributed an ever-growing body of physical evidence which illustrates that the oral traditions and stories from Greek mythology had an origin and a purpose they were not previously credited with.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- Carabatea, M. *Greek Mythology.* Pergamos, Peania, 2007
- [Carpenter, T.H. *Art and Myth in Ancient Greece.* Thames & Hudson, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B000EQ2DA0/)
- [Hesiod. *Hesiod.* Loeb Classical Library, 2007.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0674996224/)
- [Homer. *The Iliad.* Penguin Classics, 1998.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0140275363/)
- Hope Moncrieff, A.R. *Classical Mythology.* Senate, London, 1994
- [National Geographic. *National Geographic Essential Visual History of World Mythology.* National Geographic, 2008.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/142620373X/)

## About the Author

Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.

## Timeline

- **c. 1250 BCE**: [Trojan War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Trojan_War/), according to [Herodotus](https://www.worldhistory.org/herodotus/).
- **c. 800 BCE - c. 700 BCE**: [Homer](https://www.worldhistory.org/homer/) of [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) writes his *[Iliad](https://www.worldhistory.org/iliad/)* and *[Odyssey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Odyssey/)*.
- **c. 700 BCE**: [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) poet [Hesiod](https://www.worldhistory.org/hesiod/) writes his *[Theogony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Theogony/)* and *[Works and Days](https://www.worldhistory.org/Works_and_Days/)*.
- **c. 700 BCE**: The earliest depiction of a [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) fighting an [Amazon](https://www.worldhistory.org/amazon/) is found on a terracotta votive shield.
- **c. 540 BCE**: A black-figure vase by Exekias depicts [Achilles](https://www.worldhistory.org/achilles/) killing the [Amazon](https://www.worldhistory.org/amazon/) Penthesilea.
- **c. 484 BCE - c. 413 BCE**: Life of the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) historian [Herodotus](https://www.worldhistory.org/herodotus/) of [Halicarnassos](https://www.worldhistory.org/halicarnassus/).

## External Links

- [The science behind the myth: Homer's "Odyssey" - Matt Kaplan](http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-science-behind-the-myth-homer-s-odyssey-matt-kaplan)
- [The scientific origins of the Minotaur - Matt Kaplan](http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-scientific-origins-of-the-minotaur-matt-kaplan)
- [Everything you need to know to read Homer's "Odyssey" - Jill Dash](https://ed.ted.com/lessons/everything-you-need-to-know-to-read-homer-s-odyssey-jill-dash)
- [The myth of Icarus and Daedalus - Amy Adkins](https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-myth-of-icarus-and-daedalus-amy-adkins)
- [The History of Ancient Greece Podcast](http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/)
- [The myth of Cupid and Psyche - Brendan Pelsue](https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-myth-of-cupid-and-psyche-brendan-pelsue)
- [The myth of Prometheus - Iseult Gillespie](https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-myth-of-prometheus-iseult-gillespie)
- [The myth of Arachne - Iseult Gillespie](https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-myth-of-arachne-and-athena-iseult-gillespie)
- [The myth of King Midas and his golden touch - Iseult Gillespie](https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-myth-of-king-midas-and-his-golden-touch-iseult-gillespie)
- [10 Creatures From Greek Mythology – Ancient History et cetera](http://etc.ancient.eu/photos/10-creatures-greek-mythology/)
- [Did the Amazons really exist? - Adrienne Mayor](https://ed.ted.com/lessons/did-the-amazons-really-exist-adrienne-mayor)
- [Gods & Myths - Ancient Greek Society 03](https://ed.ted.com/on/hYFXUVmS)
- [33 Captivating Mythological Creatures From Folklore](https://allthatsinteresting.com/mythological-creatures)
- [The myth of Sisyphus - Alex Gendler](https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-myth-of-sisyphus-alex-gendler)
- [The myth of Pandora's box - Iseult Gillespie](https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-myth-of-pandora-s-box-iseult-gillespie)
- [In Our Time, The Odyssey](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004y297)
- [In Our Time, The Greek Myths](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0093z1k)
- [M. R. Wright, A Dictionary of Classical Mythology](http://mythreligion.philology.upatras.gr/pages/en/dictionary.html)
- [Medusa - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz5uvO6lRjo&t=1s)
- [So you want to learn about Greek Mythology? — Kell-Read](https://www.kellread.com/blog-avenue/so-you-want-to-learn-about-greek-mythology)
- [Greek Gods and Religious Practices | Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grlg/hd_grlg.htm)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Cartwright, M. (2012, July 29). Greek Mythology. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek\_Mythology/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/)
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Greek Mythology." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 29, 2012. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek\_Mythology/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/).
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Greek Mythology." *World History Encyclopedia*, 29 Jul 2012, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek\_Mythology/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/).

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 29 July 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.