A-Z List of Greek Mythology
Ancient Greece was a wonderful time in history. Art, philosophy, culture, trade combined to make Greece the centre of the world.
Many of us know at least one or two of the Gods and mythology. This illustrated page creates a simple and fun AZ list of some of the best known.
Greek mythology is like modern day proverbs. Tales that teach lessons and make people aware of the consequences of actions. Good teachings passed down to the hopeless new world.
As the author of this page acquires more knowledge of Greek Gods, myth or philosophy so new drawings appear along with a short commentary. This is not Wiki level. It is simple cartoons and trying to spell the name correctly.
Although this page started off for fun and gentle mocking there is much to admire and learn from the Ancient Greeks.
Here is an illustrated AZ collection of famous Greek Gods, myth and the occasional philosopher.
Many of us know at least one or two of the Gods and mythology. This illustrated page creates a simple and fun AZ list of some of the best known.
Greek mythology is like modern day proverbs. Tales that teach lessons and make people aware of the consequences of actions. Good teachings passed down to the hopeless new world.
As the author of this page acquires more knowledge of Greek Gods, myth or philosophy so new drawings appear along with a short commentary. This is not Wiki level. It is simple cartoons and trying to spell the name correctly.
Although this page started off for fun and gentle mocking there is much to admire and learn from the Ancient Greeks.
Here is an illustrated AZ collection of famous Greek Gods, myth and the occasional philosopher.
Aphrodite
The Greek goddess of love, beauty and procreation - whatever that means.
Unusually for the Greeks she was an attractive woman who didn't have snakes for hair.
In the picture she is seen rising from the sea.
Aphrodite was probably the Kardashian style celebrity of the time with her custom of not wearing much while posing for accidental paparazzi paintings.
Unusually for the Greeks she was an attractive woman who didn't have snakes for hair.
In the picture she is seen rising from the sea.
Aphrodite was probably the Kardashian style celebrity of the time with her custom of not wearing much while posing for accidental paparazzi paintings.
Centaur - Half Man Half Horse
In Greek mythology, which is basically lying and untruths to scare children, there was a famed beast. Half man and half horse.
Fortunately they decided the man would be the top half and the horse supporting him - rather than the other way round which might have been less believable and a bit rude.
Probably someone saw a normal horse and rider when they were full of the Greek grape. They repeated this story and it became part of the lore that has fascinated people up until the present time.
You could fight the Centaur or just give him an apple.
The least popular toy in the My Little Greek Mythological Pony range - Centaur was withdrawn from sale after a number of accidents involving stupid children and the metal sharpened spear.
History does not tell us what became of the Centaur but Wiki does. Unfortunately they are on a donation drive so I am avoiding them.
Fortunately they decided the man would be the top half and the horse supporting him - rather than the other way round which might have been less believable and a bit rude.
Probably someone saw a normal horse and rider when they were full of the Greek grape. They repeated this story and it became part of the lore that has fascinated people up until the present time.
You could fight the Centaur or just give him an apple.
The least popular toy in the My Little Greek Mythological Pony range - Centaur was withdrawn from sale after a number of accidents involving stupid children and the metal sharpened spear.
History does not tell us what became of the Centaur but Wiki does. Unfortunately they are on a donation drive so I am avoiding them.
Cerberus - Three-Headed Dog
This crazy dog guarded the underworld but don't think you can get one to guard your home. It is no longer a popular breed and has been banned in most States.
Imagine being attacked by a dog with three heads. Or even one head come to think of it.
All dogs have teeth and this non Disney style canine was a fearsome creature.
Did Cerberus have three food bowls or share one between them? With only one stomach only one head would have needed to eat. The other heads could sleep and bark.
The Greeks have not told us much about Cerberus. Whether he had a favourite toy or enjoyed an afternoon walk.
Here is a philosophical question. Is Cerberus three dogs with one body or one dog with three heads?
Imagine being attacked by a dog with three heads. Or even one head come to think of it.
All dogs have teeth and this non Disney style canine was a fearsome creature.
Did Cerberus have three food bowls or share one between them? With only one stomach only one head would have needed to eat. The other heads could sleep and bark.
The Greeks have not told us much about Cerberus. Whether he had a favourite toy or enjoyed an afternoon walk.
Here is a philosophical question. Is Cerberus three dogs with one body or one dog with three heads?
Dinosaur Bones
The Greeks were smart but they didn't know everything.
Even though it was a long time ago they still found dinosaur bones in the ground. When they discovered them they believed they were the bones of the Gods. From such things myths are born.
Even though it was a long time ago they still found dinosaur bones in the ground. When they discovered them they believed they were the bones of the Gods. From such things myths are born.
Golden Fleece
The fabled Golden Fleece belonged to a golden ram. This fleece was stolen by Jason and the Argonauts so he could become a king.
History tells us little of what happened to the ram but it is likely he was turned into kebabs.
In Hollywood times that story is reinterpreted so the Ram gets a nice new jacket and his own theme tune plus set of merchandising.
The quote "You would have the fleece off my back" is often incorrectly attributed to the ram who was unable to speak due to him being a sheep.
History tells us little of what happened to the ram but it is likely he was turned into kebabs.
In Hollywood times that story is reinterpreted so the Ram gets a nice new jacket and his own theme tune plus set of merchandising.
The quote "You would have the fleece off my back" is often incorrectly attributed to the ram who was unable to speak due to him being a sheep.
Hermes
Hermes is one of those flying gods much loved by the Greeks.
With advances in modern science we can tell that the design would be unlikely to get off the ground due to the small wing size relative to non flying bit - ie. Hermes.
It may be that in ancient times the wings were a lot bigger and have moulted - leaving us with only the vestigial wings or winglets.
If the hat was not tied on securely it could fly off on its own which gave us the expression "Hold on to your hat Hermes".
Ed: move on
Hermes was a trickster and thief. He was also an Olympian. Nowadays we are used to Olympic trickery so we have Hermes to thank for that.
Mercury is the name given to the similar Roman God.
With advances in modern science we can tell that the design would be unlikely to get off the ground due to the small wing size relative to non flying bit - ie. Hermes.
It may be that in ancient times the wings were a lot bigger and have moulted - leaving us with only the vestigial wings or winglets.
If the hat was not tied on securely it could fly off on its own which gave us the expression "Hold on to your hat Hermes".
Ed: move on
Hermes was a trickster and thief. He was also an Olympian. Nowadays we are used to Olympic trickery so we have Hermes to thank for that.
Mercury is the name given to the similar Roman God.
Icarus - The Flying God
They didn't just have flying horses in Ancient Greek days!
Icarus ignored his father's instructions and made himself special flying wings so he could flap like a bird.
This guy actually flew so high he got too close to the sun. The wax on his wings melted and he fell to earth.
With our modern knowledge of space travel we know this is a myth.
If even Richard Branson cannot fly to the sun what chance does a normal God have?
Icarus ignored his father's instructions and made himself special flying wings so he could flap like a bird.
This guy actually flew so high he got too close to the sun. The wax on his wings melted and he fell to earth.
With our modern knowledge of space travel we know this is a myth.
If even Richard Branson cannot fly to the sun what chance does a normal God have?
Ilissos River God - Elgin Marble Connection
The Elgin marbles were 'borrowed' from Greece a while back and placed in the British Museum.
This has been annoying for the Greeks who want their marbles back. They have built a new museum specially for them.
I was very keen to see these for myself and slightly disappointed to realise they were old broken statues. Not marbles at all.
To annoy the Greeks a bit more the British Museum has loaned the Ilissos River God statue to Russia.
This God is not one of my favourites as he seems to have no head, arms or feet.
The Ancient Greeks made a lot of statues without heads, arms and feet. Some call it art but I say it is laziness.
This has been annoying for the Greeks who want their marbles back. They have built a new museum specially for them.
I was very keen to see these for myself and slightly disappointed to realise they were old broken statues. Not marbles at all.
To annoy the Greeks a bit more the British Museum has loaned the Ilissos River God statue to Russia.
This God is not one of my favourites as he seems to have no head, arms or feet.
The Ancient Greeks made a lot of statues without heads, arms and feet. Some call it art but I say it is laziness.
Medusa - Snake Haired Woman
This woman had snakes instead of hair and could turn a man to stone if he looked into her eyes.
She was eventually defeated by Perseus who had a special mirror to look into.
Imagine how tricky that would be - wielding a sword while looking at the reflection. Everything is back to front in mirrors which is why cutting your own hair is impossible. Let alone cutting off the head of a fierce woman.
He should have had two mirrors like a periscope so he could see properly. The Greeks didn't know everything.
When she died she gave birth to Pegasus which is quite interesting.
She was eventually defeated by Perseus who had a special mirror to look into.
Imagine how tricky that would be - wielding a sword while looking at the reflection. Everything is back to front in mirrors which is why cutting your own hair is impossible. Let alone cutting off the head of a fierce woman.
He should have had two mirrors like a periscope so he could see properly. The Greeks didn't know everything.
When she died she gave birth to Pegasus which is quite interesting.
King Midas and the Midas Touch
A king can turn everything he touches to gold. Brilliant idea for investment bankers and people who like money.
There is a a sting in the tale.
Because everything turned to gold poor King Midas ended up ruining his life. His daughter was turned to gold. He couldn't touch anything.
On the plus side he still had a lot of gold.
There is a a sting in the tale.
Because everything turned to gold poor King Midas ended up ruining his life. His daughter was turned to gold. He couldn't touch anything.
On the plus side he still had a lot of gold.
Pegasus - Greek Flying Wonder Horse
This horse was amazing. It seems he had actual wings so he could fly all over the place. Probably carrying a God or two as riders.
"Shall we take the train?" they might have said.
"No - take Pegasus the Winged Wonder Horse" the servants or whatever would respond.
They would wheel out the mighty horse and off he would go.
Note. This is not the horse that people hid inside when they wanted to surprise each other at parties.
"Shall we take the train?" they might have said.
"No - take Pegasus the Winged Wonder Horse" the servants or whatever would respond.
They would wheel out the mighty horse and off he would go.
Note. This is not the horse that people hid inside when they wanted to surprise each other at parties.
Sacrifices - Sheep, Goats and Carrots
The Greeks did some animal sacrificing as part of their religious ceremonies.
They built fancy kitchen / temples with marble topped slaughter tables - also called altars.
This served two purposes. One would be to appease the Gods.
The other part was to have a dead animal which might as well be eaten.
In order to avoid offending sensitive souls the illustration shows a vegan sacrifice where a whole carrot has been offered up to the Gods. It is not clear from the picture how pleased they will be about that.
They built fancy kitchen / temples with marble topped slaughter tables - also called altars.
This served two purposes. One would be to appease the Gods.
The other part was to have a dead animal which might as well be eaten.
In order to avoid offending sensitive souls the illustration shows a vegan sacrifice where a whole carrot has been offered up to the Gods. It is not clear from the picture how pleased they will be about that.
Sisyphus - The Boulder Guy
Sisyphus was condemned by Zeus to roll a boulder endlessly up a hill.
The original zero hours contract and the ultimate in endless tasks and punishment.
Nowadays Zeus would probably tell Sisyphus to work in an office or a burger joint.
Answering work emails or flipping burgers can feel like a Sisyphean task although sometimes you get a coffee break.
It is not clear from the original Greek writings or Wiki what the exact terms and conditions of this task were.
Holidays, pension rights, perhaps a change of boulder every now and again? With the right equipment and explosives the job could have been done in a day.
The original zero hours contract and the ultimate in endless tasks and punishment.
Nowadays Zeus would probably tell Sisyphus to work in an office or a burger joint.
Answering work emails or flipping burgers can feel like a Sisyphean task although sometimes you get a coffee break.
It is not clear from the original Greek writings or Wiki what the exact terms and conditions of this task were.
Holidays, pension rights, perhaps a change of boulder every now and again? With the right equipment and explosives the job could have been done in a day.
Stoic Philosophy
The Stoics seemed to belong to the "whatever" school of thought.
Nothing much rattled them unless some wine got spilt when they might briefly go into a rage and have to calm down again.
I am so keen on becoming a Stoic that there seemed to be no point researching them. They would probably think that was OK or not bother to form any opinion on it at all.
My kind of people really.
Nothing much rattled them unless some wine got spilt when they might briefly go into a rage and have to calm down again.
I am so keen on becoming a Stoic that there seemed to be no point researching them. They would probably think that was OK or not bother to form any opinion on it at all.
My kind of people really.
Plenty More Gods to Come
There are a lot of Greek Gods and myths. That means an endless opportunity for merchandising product on tees and other gifts.
ed: you mean creating useful information?
Coming soon will be many more snippets about your favourite moments of old history.
All this and much more from one of the leading authorities on Greeks and other history business.
ed: you mean creating useful information?
Coming soon will be many more snippets about your favourite moments of old history.
- The Trojan Horse which may not even be Greek at all
- The woman who launched ships with her face and still kept her looks
- Jason and the Astronauts
- The Pythagoras love triangle
All this and much more from one of the leading authorities on Greeks and other history business.