Greek mythology: basics

In short: Greek mythology tells of gods, heroes and monsters and has shaped European art, language and literature to this day. Zeus, Athena and Poseidon are among its best-known figures.

In more detail: The gods were imagined to live on Mount Olympus and actively intervened in human life.

In detail

• Twelve Olympians: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes, Demeter, Dionysus.
• Heroes: Heracles, Odysseus, Achilles with their adventures and trials.
• Epics: Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey as the most important sources.
• Legacy: Many words come from myths, for example “narcissism” or “chaos”.
• Tragedies: Greek dramas drew on mythological material.
• Comparison: Similarities to Roman mythology, often with different names (roemische-mythologie-grundlagen).
• Continuing life: Still a subject in films, books and games today (antikes-griechenland-und-die-demokratie).