Classical Mythology Overview

The study of ancient Mediterranean stories, especially Greek, Roman, and Mesopotamian.

A traditional tale passed down through generations with many variations, featuring plots, characters, conflict, and settings.

The study of myths.

Logical explanation or truth.

Story or narrative.

Ovid, a Roman poet, wrote the Metamorphosis, a collection of myths about shape-shifting deities and humans. He explored themes of transformation and change.

Ovid, a famous Roman poet, was exiled by Emperor Augustus possibly due to his poem "Ars Amatoria" (The Art of Love) or because he was involved in a scandal. He was banished to the Black Sea.

Ovid, a Roman poet, wrote "Ars Amatoria" (The Art of Love), a collection of poems offering advice on pursuing love. It might have contributed to his exile by Emperor Augustus.

In Greek mythology, Titans were powerful beings, offspring of Uranus (sky) and Gaia (earth), known for their strength and ambition. They were involved in a war with the Olympian gods.

In ancient times, oracles were often associated with temples or shrines where people consulted with deities or prophets for guidance. Their responses were often cryptic and subject to interpretation.

A belief system based on actions and beliefs. It doesn't mean the actions are true.

Explains a natural phenomenon or the origin of something.

The belief in multiple gods. These gods can be abstractions representing concepts.

Gods with human-like qualities, both physically and emotionally. They have biographies and are born.

Hymns written after Homer. They were sung and used in rituals.

A period marked by the invention of the Greek alphabet and the works of Homer and Hesiod. It's a time of transition from oral stories to written texts.

A period of great cultural and intellectual development in ancient Greece, characterized by democracy and a flourishing of art and literature.

A period following Alexander the Great's conquests which spread Greek culture over a vast region. This period is marked by a blending of cultures and the rise of new empires.

The city of Delphi, located on a mountainside, was the center of ancient Greece. It was home to a famous oracle and a temple dedicated to Apollo.

The first civilization in Southwestern Asia, known for its invention of writing and the construction of cities.

The first state in Mesopotamia, followed by the Akkadian Empire. The Sumerians are known for their advanced civilization and contributions to art, literature, and science.

The first period of ancient history, marked by the rise of civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egypt.

The famous epic poem by Homer, which tells the story of the Trojan War and the anger of Achilles.

The famous epic poem by Homer, which tells the story of Odysseus' journey home after the Trojan War.

The violent battle between the Olympians and the Titans, ultimately won by the Olympians.

The god of the sky, weather, and order. He is the king of the gods and father of many.

The god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He is the brother of Zeus and carries a trident.

The god of the underworld, also known as Pluto or Aidoneus. He is a powerful god, but not an Olympian.

The goddess of marriage, women's fertility, and queen of heaven. She is known for her jealousy and her constant nagging of Zeus.

The goddess of grain crops and Persephone's mother. She is known for her love for her daughter and her grief over her abduction.

The three goddesses who determine the lifespan and fate of gods and humans.

The goddess of the hearth and home. She is admired and is replaced by Dionysus in the Olympian pantheon.

The titan who created man from clay. He is known for his cleverness and his punishment by Zeus.

A beautiful woman created by Hephaestus who brings evil to mankind. She is known for her curiosity and her infamous jar.

The god of light, music, poetry, prophecy, and medicine. He is known for his lyre and his archery skills.

The kidnapping of Persephone by Hades, which leads to the cycle of seasons.

The secret religious ceremonies held in Eleusis, which promised a better life after death.

The prophecy that the Olympians could not win in the Gigantomachy unless a mortal fought alongside them. Zeus invites Heracles.

The act of offering sacrifices to gods, where animals are burned and the bones and fat are given to the gods, while the meat is eaten by humans.

A god who creates order and kingship from chaos. He represents the sky and is part of the second generation of gods.

The goddess of sexual love. She embodies desire and passion, representing the power and beauty of love.

The god of storms, winds, and kingship. He's part of the second generation of gods and signifies destructive power.

The god of fresh water, wisdom, and fertility. He's a trickster god who represents intelligence and male fertility.

A primeval goddess who embodies the primordial salt water. She represents chaos and the untamed forces of nature.

The god of Babylon, who is also the god of storms. He represents the power and destructive force of nature.

A ritual tradition that symbolizes a sacred bond of hospitality and friendship. It's about offering protection and giving gifts to guests.

The story of how the world, including gods, was created. Usually starting with chaos and ending with order.

The story of the gods, their relationships, and their lineage. It reveals their genealogy and the structure of the divine world.

The primordial force of chaos that existed before creation. It embodies the raw, unpredictable power of the universe before order emerged.

The power of sexual desire, driving creation and change. Often represented as a god, embodying the urge to reproduce and love.

The Titan who castrated his father, Uranus, and became the king of the gods. He symbolizes power struggles and overthrowing authority.

The ancient Greek myth of a devastating flood sent by the gods to punish humans. It represents the destructive power of nature and divine judgment.

The Roman goddess of wisdom, crafts, and war. She is associated with the owl, snake, and olive tree. She is also known for her strategic thinking and practical skills.

A goddess from Asia Minor known for her love of hunting and wild animals. She is often depicted with animals and is a protector of women and young girls.

A powerful goddess who is often associated with the moon. She is known for her beauty and was the lover of Adonis, the most handsome man.

The most important temple dedicated to Artemis, located in the Anatolian region of Greece. It was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple contained a cult statue of Artemis depicting many breasts and animals.

A nymph who bathed with Athena and was seen by Tiresias, a son of her own. This led to Tiresias's blindness, but as a gift of apology, he received the power to see the future.

A village woman in Asia Minor known for her exceptional weaving skills. Her pride in her craft led to a contest with Athena, which resulted in her being transformed into a spider.

A Greek hero who was also known as a great hunter. He is the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea, and is often depicted as a skilled hunter with the ability to walk on water.

A hunter who accidentally stumbled upon the naked Artemis bathing. This act resulted in his transformation into a stag and subsequent death by his own hunting dogs.

A mortal man, considered by many to be the most beautiful man in the world. Aphrodite chose him as her lover, but his fate was sealed by a tragic hunting accident.

A powerful and cunning goddess who resides in the heart of a city. Although a virgin, she is a defender of cities, arts, and civilization.

A divine healer who taught the art of medicine, Asclepius was the son of Apollo and Coronis. He was raised by Chiron, a wise centaur, who trained him to become a skilled physician. Asclepius's medical skills became so advanced that he could even resurrect the dead, which angered Zeus, who feared Asclepius's power.

Hephaestus, a god in Greek mythology, is known for his exceptional skills as a metalworker. He was the divine smith, crafting weapons and tools for the gods. The ancient Greeks recognized both the beauty and power of technology, which Hephaestus embodied. He was respected for his craftsmanship, but his disability – lameness – made him vulnerable to mockery.

The goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite was a powerful figure in Greek mythology. She was known for her irresistible charm, captivating beauty, and passionate nature. She was associated with both romantic love and sexual desire. While often depicted as a symbol of beauty, she was also entangled in numerous love affairs.

Known as the messenger god, Hermes is a swift and cunning figure in Greek mythology. With winged sandals and a staff called the Caduceus, he traveled quickly between the realms of gods and mortals. Hermes had many responsibilities, including guiding souls to the underworld, protecting travelers and merchants, and representing trade and communication.

Ares, the god of war, was a fearless and aggressive deity in Greek mythology. He was known for his violence and bloodlust. Ares's role was to represent the fierce and destructive aspects of war, embodying both its power and its brutality.

Cassandra, a prophetess in Greek mythology, was cursed by Apollo with a tragic fate. She received the gift of prophecy but was cursed that no one would believe her predictions. This curse was known as the "gift of Cassandra." Despite her ability to see the future, her warnings were ignored, leading to catastrophic consequences.

The Sibyl of Cumae was a prophetess in Greek mythology known for her long life and the ability to predict the future. However, her lifespan came with a price: She was granted immortality but never youth. She was said to be a powerful and ancient figure, residing in the city of Cumae.

Daphne, a nymph in Greek mythology, was pursued by Apollo, the god of light, music, and poetry. To escape his advances, she prayed to her father, the river god Peneus, for protection. He transformed her into a laurel tree, granting Daphne a safe haven from Apollo's unwanted affections.

The most important oracle in ancient Greece, located at Delphi, was a sacred site where people sought prophecies from the Pythia, the priestess of Apollo. Its central location, combined with the power attributed to its pronouncements, made Delphi a vital center for religious and political life in ancient Greece.

The story of Hephaestus's birth illustrates the conflicting perspectives on his creation in Greek mythology. Some believed that his exceptional skills as a metalworker came from his birth as an asexual being from Hera, who was jealous of Zeus. Others suggested that he was born from Zeus and Hera, aligning with the traditional view of creation. These conflicting narratives emphasize the Greek gods' complexities and the changing stories about their origins.