| The collection of stories that comprises Greek | | | | of the ancient Greek mythological gods and |
| mythology describes the exciting lives of the gods | | | | heroes can be found in the archeological treasures |
| and heroes of ancient Greece, including the origins | | | | that have been discovered during the past 200 |
| of the world, the birth of the gods, and the | | | | years. |
| volatile times in which they lived. Many of today's | | | | During the 19th century, archaeologist Heinrich |
| modern traditions, rituals, and even many literary | | | | Schliemann discovered the ancient Mycenaean |
| expressions can all have their origins traced back | | | | civilization. Then, in the 20th century, a British |
| to the days when Titans, Giants, centaurs and | | | | archaeologist unearthed the Minoan civilization of |
| heroes ruled the earth. | | | | ancient Crete. |
| Many gods, goddesses, and elaborate mythological | | | | The discoveries of these two men helped to |
| creatures are brought vividly to life through the | | | | explain and expand upon much of the information |
| tales of ancient Greek mythology. The Cyclops, | | | | contained in Homer's epic poems, and provided |
| the Pegasus, and Medusa all can be found in its | | | | historians with archaeological evidence that |
| stories. | | | | corresponded with many of the myths and |
| Greek Mythology in Literature | | | | stories surrounding the gods and goddesses of |
| Many ancient yet famous writings were entirely | | | | ancient Greek mythology. |
| based upon the lives of the gods and the heroes | | | | Over time, many of the stories and myths have |
| of Greek mythology. The poet Homer wrote his | | | | changed to follow the evolution of society and |
| epics Iliad and Odyssey to tell the stories of the | | | | culture. Later poets and storytellers brought in |
| Trojan War. Such heroes as Achilles, Ares, and | | | | gods that followed settlers from other parts of |
| Heracles figured heavily in these tales. | | | | the world, and combined their new knowledge |
| Another writer of the time and possibly a | | | | with the ancient gods, creating newer versions of |
| contemporary of Homer, Hesiod wrote | | | | old mythological tales. Sometimes a writer would |
| Theogony, or Origin of Gods. It is the most | | | | re-tell one of the old stories but add his own twist |
| complete work of the time to survive which | | | | with an alternate ending, although there are not |
| accounts for the origins of the world and the birth | | | | many of those to be found anymore. The |
| of the gods. Hesiod's Works and Days tells of | | | | merging of new cultures with the ancient Greek |
| farming life in a land filled with gods, and includes | | | | culture has caused some of the old stories to |
| stories of Prometheus, Pandora, and the Four | | | | bend, or to blend with tales brought from other |
| Ages. | | | | places. |
| Archaeology and Artifacts | | | | One thing is for certain, though. The wild, |
| Ancient Greek artifacts such as pottery and | | | | fantastic, and sometimes violent details of the |
| vases are painted with pictures that depict the | | | | gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus, their |
| gods, the goddesses, and their adventures. In | | | | exploits and adventures, betrayals and acts of |
| fact, much of today's Greek mythology is derived | | | | heroism, are enough to capture the minds and |
| from paintings, drawings, and writings that date | | | | imaginations of all who partake in their |
| back as far as 900 BC. | | | | magnificence. |
| Another source of information regarding the lives | | | | |