Greek mythology

Greek mythology is a collection of traditional stories from ancient Greece. These stories were told for many centuries before they were written down. They describe gods, goddesses, heroes, monsters, and the beginning of the world. Greek mythology was part of ancient Greek religion and daily life. People used these stories to explain nature, history, and human behavior.

The gods of Greek mythology were believed to live on Mount Olympus. The most powerful god was Zeus, the ruler of the gods and the god of the sky. Other major gods included Hera, the goddess of marriage; Poseidon, the god of the sea; and Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Each god had specific powers and areas of control. The gods were described with human shapes and emotions.

Greek mythology also includes many heroes. A hero is a human with great strength or skill who often completes difficult tasks. Famous heroes include Heracles, known for his great strength, and Theseus, who defeated the Minotaur. Heroes often interacted with gods and monsters. Their stories were told to explain bravery, travel, and struggle.

Many stories explain how the world began. One early story describes Chaos, which means a state of nothingness. From Chaos came the first gods, including Gaia, the Earth. Over time, newer gods replaced older ones. These stories helped explain why the world has order and change.

Greek myths were shared through poems, songs, and plays. Writers such as Homer and Hesiod recorded many of these stories. Homer wrote long poems called the Iliad and the Odyssey. These works describe gods and heroes during and after the Trojan War. Greek mythology later influenced Roman mythology and many later stories.

Greek mythology remains an important part of ancient Greek culture. It appears in art, buildings, and writing from that time. The stories help explain how ancient Greeks understood their world, their gods, and their past.