Classical Mythology
The Classical Mythology has epics and tales of the ancient Greek and Roman myths and literature. The Greek and Roman myths show great variety and originality that has not been matched.
Greek mythology is heavily intertwined with Greek classical literature. The classical works contain the oldest myths in European history. It has withstood the test of time, surviving largely through the works of classical writers between the time of the Greek colonisation of the Mediterranean (8th century BC) and the decline of the Roman Empire (3rd century AD).
Roman myth and legend was not written down until between the 1st century BC and the decline of the Roman Empire. Ovid and Vergil were two of the Roman greatest authors on this subject. They and other Roman writers made classical myths so popular that medieval Europe and modern society now has the tendency to use the more popular Roman names for the Greek gods and heroes, instead of their Greek names.
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, interest in Greek and Roman myths was renewed in arts and literature. Even today, their popularity is still evident.
The pages devoted to Classical myths have been divided into four sections:
The Pantheon contains information on Greek deities, including the tale of the Creation and a number of other myths.
The Heroic Age contains information on Greek heroes and heroines and their adventures in "Heroes I" "Heroes II" and "Heroines". There are also the tales of "Jason and the Argonauts", "Seven Against Thebes", the "Trojan War" and the "Odyssey".
Royal Houses includes stories of famous families in some of the most powerful cities in Greece. They include stories of the Aeolids, the Perseids and the House of Atreus, and of Troy. There is also a page on the legend of the foundation and monarchy of Rome.
The Geographia contains extra information about ancient Greece, like the city and regions mentioned in the Greek Myths. There, you will find more myth and legends associated with these sites.
Heracles in full battle gears.
Euphronius
Red-figured volute crater
late 6th century BC
Museo Pubblico, Arezzo
Other useful information includes:
If you want to know more information about Classical myths, click on About Classical Myths.
Related Information
Note
It should be noted that I changed this page from Greek Mythology to Classical Mythology. Since there are quite a few Roman myths and legends, then Classical Mythology would be a more appropriate name than Greek Mythology. Besides, I've used both Greek and Roman sources.
Another thing I should point out is that I will use mostly Greek names rather than the Roman names, unless the pages are all on Roman tales. For example, if there are Roman and Greek versions of the same tale, I will use the Greek names to avoid confusion. Pages like Tales of Rome and Roman Deities, I will definitely use Roman names.
Sing O Muse,
Sing to us of the glorious gods,
Who ruled the land and sea.
And tell us
Of the fair beauty of the goddesses
Who dwell in Eternal Olympus.
Sing to us, O Muse:
Of Ages that have come to pass,
Of those mighty warriors
Wielding their deadly spears,
From the lore
Of our Timeless Myths.
Song of the Timeless Myths,
from the Book of Heroes.
By Timeless Myths
Created: April 9th, 1999
Modified: April 12th, 2024
