Ancient Greek mythology is filled with different characters who all played an important role in Greek society and culture. Read about these gods, learn their stories, and see how the ancient Greeks understood their world.
Lamia was a shapeshifting monster that devoured children in Greek mythology. Described as a half-woman, half-monster, Lamia roamed the countryside in search of her next meal. The name Lamia likely is derived from the Greek word laimios, meaning esophagus. Thus, Lamia’s name hints at her tendency to devour children whole. Like many supernatural dangers that …
In Greek mythology, Morpheus is a deity associated with dreams and sleep. He is often depicted as one of the Oneiroi, which were the personifications of dreams and the children of the primordial goddess Nyx (Night). Morpheus had the ability to bring dreams that appear as human forms, as opposed to other types of dreams …
A centaur is a mythological creature belonging to Greek mythology. They are an infamous bunch with a reputation that precedes them, who apparently value good wine and worldly pleasures above all else. For a creature that is as notorious as the centaur, it is no wonder that their progenitor is described by Pindar as an …
Achilles is a great hero from ancient Greece, but there is more to this soldier than a pretty face and a mean right hook. As a hero, Achilles symbolized both mankind’s excellence and its extreme vulnerability. The Greeks of eld venerated this man: the bravest, most handsome, toughest of the Achaean forces. However, his sensitivity …
In Greek mythology, the Empusa (plural: Empusae) is a supernatural creature often depicted as a female demon or monstrous being. The concept of Empusa has evolved over time and appears in various ancient texts, including those of Hesiod, Aristophanes, and Philostratus. Empusa is associated with being a shape-shifter, capable of assuming various forms to deceive …
In Greek mythology, Hermes’ staff is an interesting serpent-bearing staff carried by Hermes, the ambassador of the Olympian Gods. The staff is called a caduceus. Sometimes known as the wand of Hermes’, the staff was a powerful weapon symbolizing peace and rebirth. With such a powerful-looking wand, one would expect Hermes to be a rather …