Greek Mythology

Greek Mythology is the term used to describe the myths and legends of the culture of Ancient Greeks. The Greeks had a complex hierarchy of myths and legends that covered everything from the creation of the world through to the establishment of their Gods, how the world should work and how people should live their lives.

Most of our knowledge of Greek Mythology comes from the stories that have been passed down over the centuries in literature (both oral and written). But, the mythology of the Greeks can also be seen in art, ceramic and pottery decorations. Popular sources here also include poems, epic poems and theatre.

Although mythical in nature the building stones of Greek Mythology were very real for the Ancient Greeks. They believed that the world was created and ruled by the Titans and the Gods taking them from a state of Chaos to the halcyon days of rule by the Olympian Gods.

Myths here didn’t just explain how the world began and what the current world order was for the Ancient Greeks. They also used their myths and legends as signposts that told them how to behave in life. This probably explains why so many of their myths and fables used heroes and Gods as examples.

For the Ancient Greeks everything they did in life had to be directed at death. If you behaved in the right manner, died well and were buried correctly then you would be taken to Elysium after death. If you had not behaved well then you were taken to Tartarus where you would be punished in the after life.

Greek Mythology did not simply die out with the Ancient Greeks. The culture and development in architecture, literature and the arts that they created based on their myths and legends has influenced the Western world through the centuries.