For questions about Greek mythology and legends from ancient Greece to the present day.
See also http://meta.mythology.stackexchange.com/questions/39/greek-and-ancient-greek-tags.
Questions tagged [greek]
693 questions
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Did the Greeks build temples for all of the children of Cronus?
I know that the Ancient Greeks built temples for a lot of the children of Cronus, such as the Temple of Zeus and the Temple of Hera. Were temples built for all of the children of Cronus, or were they only built for the major ones? If some were left…
kuwaly
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What is the difference between Hecate, Selene, Artemis, and Phoebe?
I always thought that Artemis was the Goddess of the Moon (and Hunting, stags, etc.)... until I thought about how there's Helios/Apollo which caused me to learn about Selene. But further research revealed yet another Moon goddess - Hecate, who is…
durron597
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Is Robert Graves' Greek Myths considered trustworthy?
Robert Graves wrote the widely published book Greek Myths.
I have heard that classicists dispute that his account of the myths is valid1, in the sense that either:
Graves' editing, translation and collation of the source texts lacks fidelity to…
Samuel Russell
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Were there some differences in mythology between the different city-states?
I have always wondered how the Greek city-states managed to keep the same mythology before they got united into the same country. There seems to be no central authority to maintain the beliefs (it is not really an organized religion) but every time…
meneldal
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Achilles and his gold?
In the song "Something Just Like This," by Coldplay and the Chainsmokers, there's a line that says:
I've been reading books of old
The legends and the myths.
Achilles and his gold,
Hercules and his gifts.
I recall Achilles being associated with…
Obie 2.0
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Why did Zeus release Cronos?
In this answer, Hamlet quotes this page:
and Cronos rules over them; for the father of men and gods released him from his bonds.
It is safe to assume that the "father of men and gods" is Zeus, as he was the king of the gods of Olympus. However, it…
HDE 226868
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What was the explanation in Greek mythology for the absence of their deities?
The most well-known religions of the developed world teach about an all-powerful, transcendental God, existing in a state far beyond our understanding of space and time, who will come at the end of the world but until then doesn't interfere too much…
vsz
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Does Poseidon rule over all the sea gods?
According to Edith Hamilton's Mythology, there are several sea gods and river gods. Since Poseidon is one of the twelve main greek god(desses), is he the ruler of or otherwise in charge of those sea and river gods?
user28
15
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2 answers
Pegasus and the Hydra - Is there a Myth behind this Painting?
Pegasus and the Hydra by Odilon Redon
It seems to be a winged horse (Pegausus) fighting a many-headed figure.
I have not been able to locate an established and credible myth behind Pegasus fighting the Hydra. Is there one, or did this originate in…
sehcheese
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What is the significance of gods eating offspring in Greek mythology?
In Greek mythology Cronus ate his children. After he dies Zeus eats Metis, while she is pregnant with Athena. What is it with gods eating their children?
Young Guilo
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Were each of the myths in the Epic Cycle of Greek mythology intended to be related to one another?
The Epic Cycle, a group of eight Greek epics, collectively tell the story of the Trojan War, as well as related events. It is an ongoing matter of debate as to when the epics were first complied into a "cycle", and as it doesn't seem as if that…
HDE 226868
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Can the Greek Gods Be "Killed"?
If Zeus and his siblings were able to hold Chronos down and chop him into pieces, effectively "killing" him, could there be a way for the gods or goddesses to die as well?
Or in other words, can the gods be destroyed so that they are reduced to a…
Caitlin L.
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What would happen if you made contradictory vows on the River Styx?
It is said in Greek Mythology that a swear over the river Styx cannot be broken. So what would happen, theoretically of course, if two swears from the same person contradicted one another?
For example, suppose I said:
"I swear by the river Styx that…
tethernova
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Symbolism of Ixion's Punishment
Ixion is punished for loving Hera by being tied to a wheel that travels through the sky:
Ixion fell in love with Hera and attempted to force her; and when Hera reported it, Zeus, wishing to know if the thing were so, made a cloud in the likeness of…
user62
12
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6 answers
Do the apples of the Hesperides grant immortality?
According to Wikipedia,
The Garden of the Hesperides is Hera's orchard in the west, where either a single apple tree or a grove grows, producing golden apples that grant immortality when eaten.
That is, the golden apples of the Hesperides grant…
roymend
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