Greek Mythology

There is a plethora of ancient Greek myths for people to read and study today that help one to understand the culture of the ancient Greeks. Many of the Greek myths attempted to explain the origins of the world, or they gave guidance to the people on how they should have conducted themselves in life. The deities in these myths were often given very human reactions; however, they also had powers that went far beyond that of the Greek people.

In ancient Greece, the culture perpetuated the belief of many deities. These deities lived in many places, but the major gods and goddesses of Greece made their home on Mount Olympus. Mount Olympus is the highest point of land in Greece. Thus, this majestic mountain was the perfect home for the major deities.

According to the ancient myths of Greece, twelve gods and goddesses ruled the universe from the top of Mount Olympus. These gods, or Olympians, had control over many different aspects of life on Earth. Three of the most well-known Olympians include Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. Zeus was the ruler over all the lands as well as the gods and goddesses. His brother, Poseidon, ruled the seas, and their brother, Hades, ruled the Underworld. Also powerful were the goddesses of Mount Olympus. Hera was the queen of the gods, while Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty. The final seven gods and goddesses represented the remaining civilization of the world.

The stories found in Greek mythology are entertaining for us to read. For the ancient Greeks, the stories of the gods were an important part of their lives. The Greeks’ beliefs would, in fact, heavily influence later cultures, including the mighty Roman Empire.