Greek mythology

Introduction & Top Questions
Sources of myths: Literary and archaeological
- The Homeric poems: The Iliad and the Odyssey
- The works of Hesiod: Theogony and Works and Days
- Other literary works
- Archaeological discoveries
Forms of myth in Greek culture
- Religious myths
- Legends
- Folktales
Types of myths in Greek culture
- Myths of origin
- Myths of the ages of the world
- Myths of the gods
- Myths of heroes
- Myths of seasonal renewal
- Myths involving animal transformations
- Other types
Greek mythological characters and motifs in art and literature

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images, Videos & Interactives

Painting by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo showing crowds pulling the large wooden Trojan Horse into the city of Troy, with excited figures and ancient buildings in the background.

Ancient Greek vase painting showing Achilles in armor kneeling to bandage the arm of Patroclus, who is also dressed as a warrior, both seated within a circular border.

Did Ancient Greeks Believe Their Myths Were Real?

Partially restored entrance of the Palace of King Minos at Knossos, showing ancient stone ruins and red columns, with trees and greenery in the background.

Digital Greek mythology flashcard showing a statue of a woman in a helmet and text reading Goddess of war, crafts, and wisdom, with answer choices Demeter, Hera, Athena, and Artemis.

Lazar Widmann: Cronus Carrying Off Two Infants

At a Glance

Greek mythology summary

Quizzes

From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology

Marble bust of Alexander the Great, in the British Museum, London, England. Hellenistic Greek, 2nd-1st century BC. Said to be from Alexandria, Egypt. Height: 37 cm.

Ancient Greece

James Barry (1741-1806) painting title: The Education of Achilles, oil on canvas by James Barry, c. 1772; in the Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, Connecticut. 102.9 x 128.9 cm Alternate title: Chiron and Achilles

Gods, Goddesses, and Greek Mythology

Aphrodite. Greek mythology. Sculpture. Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love and beauty.

Ancient Gods and Monsters Quiz

Hades. Persephone. Hades (aka Pluto or Pluton)& Persephone enthroned. God&Goddess of underworld sit. 3 headed dog Cerberus at feet. Females on harp and rebec (L)men on harps or tortured. Les Echecs amoureux, Manuscript produced 4 Louise de Savoy,15th c.

Ancient Greek Underworld Quiz

Related Questions

How did Apollo become connected with prophecy, music, archery, and healing?
How did Artemis become associated with hunting, wild animals, chastity, and childbirth?
How did Greek religion differ from Greek mythology?
How did Greek religious festivals connect communities to their gods?
How did Heracles become both a Greek hero and a god?
How did Zeus defeat Cronus and become ruler of the gods?
How did ancient Greek seers use birds, dreams, smoke, and animal entrails for divination?
How did myths about Greek gods explain local rituals and sacred places?
How did the ancient Greeks explain the origin of the universe in Hesiod’s Theogony?
How did the conflict between Uranus, Cronus, and Zeus shape Greek creation myths?
How did the judgment of Paris lead to the Trojan War?
How did the myth of Pandora appear in Hesiod’s Theogony and Works and Days?
How did the story of Persephone explain Demeter’s connection with seasonal change?
How was Ares different from Athena as a god of war?
What happened during the Anthesteria festival in ancient Athens?
What powers were associated with Athena in Greek mythology?
What responsibilities did priests have in ancient Greek temples?
Which Greek gods lived on Mount Olympus?
Which four divine beings first appeared in Hesiod’s Greek creation story?
Why did Aphrodite receive the golden apple in the judgment of Paris?
Why did Zeus punish Prometheus in Greek mythology?
Why did ancient Greek city-states hold public religious festivals?
Why did ancient Greek religion have no sacred book or official creed?
Why did ancient Greeks continue to worship old wooden cult statues?
Why is Hesiod’s Theogony an important source for Greek myths about the gods?
Why was Demeter important to agriculture and the Eleusinian Mysteries?
Why was Hades usually not counted among the gods living on Mount Olympus?
Why was Poseidon associated with the sea, earthquakes, and horses?
Why was there no separate priestly class in ancient Greece?
Why were prayer and animal sacrifice important in ancient Greek religion?
Why were statues of Hecate placed outside ancient Greek homes?
Who are some of the major figures of Greek mythology?
What are some major works in Greek mythology?
What do Rastafarians believe?
Where does Confucianism come from?
How did Confucianism spread?
What are the basic teachings of Daoism?
Who were the great teachers of Daoism?
How does Daoism differ from Confucianism?
How was Zoroastrianism founded?
What are the major beliefs of Zoroastrianism?

Philosophy & Religion Ancient Religions & Mythology

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External Websites

Pressbooks - Itï¿½s All Greek to Me! - Article: Why Study Greek Mythology?
World History Encyclopedia - Greek Mythology
Humanities LibreTexts - Why Study Greek Mythology?
PBS LearningMedia - Homer and the Gods - The Greeks

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Greek mythology - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
Greek mythology - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Greek mythology

religion

Written by

A.W.H. Adkins

Edward Olson Professor of Greek, of Philosophy, and of New Testament and Early Christian Literature, University of Chicago. Author of Merit and Responsibility: A Study in Ancient Greek Values and...

A.W.H. AdkinsAll

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

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Last updated

Sep. 26, 2026 •History

Greek mythology, body of stories concerning the gods, heroes, monsters, and rituals of the ancient Greeks and Classical antiquity. The myths and legends often explained natural events, such as seasonal change, helped determine social and moral values, and deeply influenced ancient art and literature. In the popular piety of the Greeks, the myths were viewed as true though complex accounts and formed the basis of religious beliefs and practices.Greek mythology has subsequently had extensive influence...

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