Greek mythology

Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the ancient Greeks, and a genre of Ancient Greek literature. These stories concern the origin and nature of the world, the lives and activities of deities, heroes, and mythological creatures, and the origins and significance of the ancient Greeks' own cult and ritual practices. Modern scholars study the myths to shed light on the religious and political institutions of ancient Greece, and to better understand the nature of myth-making itself.

Origins

Greek mythology has roots in Pre-Greek proto-history, and the Mycenaean civilization. The oldest known Greek literary sources, the epic poems Iliad and Odyssey, focus on events surrounding the Trojan War. Two poems by Homer's near contemporary Hesiod, the Theogony and the Works and Days, contain accounts of the genesis of the world, the succession of divine rulers, the succession of human ages, the origin of human woes, and the origin of sacrificial practices.

Gods and heroes

The gods of Greek mythology are described as having essentially human form and human emotions. The gods were divided into three categories: the Twelve Olympians, the primordial gods, and the chthonic gods. The Twelve Olympians, ruled by Zeus, are the major deities of the Greek pantheon. The heroes of Greek mythology were often given divine ancestry and were revered as demigods.

Mythical creatures

Greek mythology features a variety of mythical creatures. Among these are the Centaurs, the Minotaur, the Cyclopes, the Gorgons, and the Sirens. These creatures often feature in mythological tales, serving as antagonists or allies to the gods and heroes.

Influence

Greek mythology has had an extensive influence on the culture, arts, and literature of Western civilization. It continues to be a part of Western heritage and language. Poets and artists from ancient times to the present have derived inspiration from Greek mythology and have discovered contemporary significance and relevance in these mythological themes.

See also

• List of Greek mythological figures
• Family tree of the Greek gods
• Greek mythology in popular culture