Being a hero in Ancient Greece did not consist of doing small acts of kindness, such as saving a dog or an elderly person. Nor was anything about being a criminal figure with superpowers implied. In Greek culture, all it took to be considered a hero was to be blessed …
The events of Homer’s epic The Odyssey are largely driven by Poseidon’s antagonistic actions against the hero Odysseus but why does Poseidon hold this deep unrelenting grudge against poor, homesick Odysseus? There is no shortage of potential reasons for Poseidon’s wrath however the most prevalently cited reason is that Odysseus …
Even passive Greek mythology enthusiasts know Hades has the god of the underworld and Dionysus has the god of wine and debauchery but what if I told you their identities were much more complex? Hades and Dionysus were likely viewed as the same deity by the Mystery Cults and potentially …
The story of Hercules’ life and exploits are well known even amongst modern audiences however the story of his untimely demise is equally captivating despite its relative obscurity. Hera’s jealousy may have plagued Hercules’ life but it would be the jealousy of a mortal woman that would be his undoing. …
It would seem a safe assumption that the virgin goddess Athena would not have any children, but you would be mistaken. As is often the case in Greek mythology the truth is somewhat murkier. Erichthonius was produced from a failed attempt by Hephaestus to rape Athena. Hephaestus was the god …
Some mythologies do not give Aphrodite a traditional parentage. Instead she is conceived in an unusual fashion. If not by sex then, how did the goddess of sex, love, desire come to be? There are several versions of Aphrodite’s birth myth but the two most widely accepted versions come from …
Sometimes Greek Gods were personifications of concrete subjects such as the ocean, music, or wine but often the Gods personified abstract concepts such as love or chaos. Minor deities that fall into that category are called Daemones. One such Daemone is Hedone. Hedone was the Greek goddess of delight, enjoyment …
Zeus is a complicated figure in Greek mythology, on one hand he is a God of justice, hospitality, and oaths; on the other hand he is a shapeshifting womanizer who commits infidelity at every opportunity. With this juxtaposition of characteristics it’s natural to wonder if the king of the gods …
Heracles was characterized by his strength but his story is almost entirely shaped by his weakness. His shortcomings drive the narrative of his mythology so innately there would not be much of a story to tell without them. In this article we will discuss his most defining strengths and weaknesses. …
Of all the Greek deities, Hades is probably the most misunderstood and frankly relatable. Unlike his brothers, he lacks a certain viciousness and hunger for power. He’s got the Underworld and all the souls to take care of and he does it fairly well. The Underworld as Hades stated in …