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What Are the Major Elements of Greek Mythology?

Tara Barnett
Tara Barnett

There are many elements associated with Greek mythology, but the Greek gods and heroes may be one of the most distinctive elements of this type of cultural lore. In addition to the characters, Greek mythology often involves clever tales that teach lessons, explain rituals or natural phenomena, and even tell the history of ancient Greece. Specific elements in these stories are not always the same in all versions, but the overall message of the story is typically consistent. One of the most common themes in Greek myths involves the problems that arise when gods and men interact or when men disobey the gods.

Greek mythology is typically characterized by a large number of well-defined gods and heroes whose tales have been told repeatedly, giving each character a unique and complex history. For example, Zeus, who is the king of the gods, is involved in many different myths to varying degrees. Heroes, much like gods, often appear in multiple tales. This predictable cast of characters is one of the defining elements of Greek mythology. Many tales concern the genealogy of the characters, their relationships, and their problems.

Greek mythology told stories that often taught lessons.
Greek mythology told stories that often taught lessons.

The setting for most Greek myths is in ancient Greece, although some myths are set in the underworld, Mount Olympus, and other purely mythical areas. Even when these stories were told, most of the tales were set in the past. The line between history, religion, and myth was much more blurred in ancient Greece than it is in most current societies, and so many elements of these stories were possibly taken to be literal facts about the past. The historical focus of these myths and the epic scale they sometimes reach is a distinctive element of these stories.

Greek mythology used gods and heroes to teach lessons and morals.
Greek mythology used gods and heroes to teach lessons and morals.

Magic and prophecy are also major themes in Greek mythology. Fate, for example, is often a major tripping point for the protagonist in a Greek myth. When characters disobey the gods or persist in actions they have been told to avoid, consequences are almost always unavoidable. Rituals often play a major role in Greek myths, as sacrifices can often appease the gods.

In Greek mythology, dead souls had to be ferried across the river Styx to the underworld.
In Greek mythology, dead souls had to be ferried across the river Styx to the underworld.

In terms of storytelling, there are many different ways in which Greek myths can be presented. The myths themselves typically have a coherent beginning, middle, and end, although some appear to depend on knowledge of other elements of the mythology. As these tales were originally transmitted orally, they were sometimes told entirely in verse. Given the diverse storytellers, many different versions of these myths exist, sometimes including characters with different names or slightly different plots.

Discussion Comments

anon999161

It's a part of history people! I mean, come on!

anon993148

Greek gods are so fascinating.

rugbygirl

@dfoster85 - I think it was just a different kind of religion than we know today. Christians especially think of worship as an act of love, and you don't necessarily have to *love* a god in order to fear him (or her) and believe that s/he has power. And the mythology grew over time as the Greeks encountered other cultures and incorporated their gods into the pantheon.

Other cultures have also had religions that were surprisingly negative - like the Norse. Christians, of course, believe that there will be a great battle between good and evil and good will win. The Norse believed that evil would win and that their father-god, Odin, would be swallowed by a giant wolf (Fenrir, which you might also have noticed as the name of a Harry Potter werewolf).

dfoster85

Something that has always been interesting to me about Greek mythology and its gods is that the gods behave in ways that would have been absolutely unacceptable for mere mortals. You have Zeus running around cheating on his wife - who was also his sister, of course, which the Greeks did not permit for mortals - and not just with women who consented, either. And that's after he castrated his father.

And not just him - his brother Hades kidnapped his own niece to marry her against her will, Hera persecuted her husband's illegitimate children (like Hercules) who hadn't done anything to her personally, and on and on.

How could the Greeks *worship* gods who would have made terrible people?

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    • Greek mythology told stories that often taught lessons.
      By: superpohn
      Greek mythology told stories that often taught lessons.
    • Greek mythology used gods and heroes to teach lessons and morals.
      By: Alena Stalmashonak
      Greek mythology used gods and heroes to teach lessons and morals.
    • In Greek mythology, dead souls had to be ferried across the river Styx to the underworld.
      By: zwiebackesser
      In Greek mythology, dead souls had to be ferried across the river Styx to the underworld.
    • Fate is a major part of Greek mythology, and is often embodied by the three Fates.
      By: nickolae
      Fate is a major part of Greek mythology, and is often embodied by the three Fates.