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Mythology
Myths, gods, heroes, and ancient epics from all different ancient civilizations, with clear retellings, context, and links to traditions.
Heracles and the Twelve Labors: The Hero Who Became a God
In one Greek tradition, Heracles served King Eurystheus after killing his children. His twelve labors took him from Nemea to Hades, but the myth…
Poseidon: Greek God of the Sea, Earthquakes and Horses
Poseidon ruled the sea, shook the earth and protected horses. Ancient myths, temples and new excavations reveal how Greeks worshipped this powerful god.
Hades in Greek Mythology: His Realm, Myths and Worship
Hades ruled the Greek underworld. His myths involve Persephone, Orpheus and Heracles, while ancient texts and cult sites reveal how Greeks understood death.
Who Is Pan? Greek God of the Wild
Pan was the goat-legged Greek god of shepherds, wild places and music. His myths, Arcadian sanctuaries and Athenian worship reveal a complex deity.
Jötunheim: The Norse Land of Giants
Jötunheim is the giants’ homeland in Norse mythology. The Eddas reveal its rivers and halls, the gods’ encounters with the jötnar, and the limits…
Greek Curse Tablets: What People Wrote to the Gods
Greek curse tablets preserved binding spells for lawsuits, marriage, trade and rivals. Read what the texts say, where they were buried and what scholars…
Zeus: Greek God of Thunder and King of the Olympians
Zeus ruled the Greek gods, wielded thunder and guarded oaths. His myths, family, heroes and sanctuaries reveal the reach and limits of his power.
Hera and Marriage in Ancient Greece: Weddings, Oaths, and Law
Hera protected Greek marriage, but city laws decided dowries, divorce and legitimate heirs. Wedding rites and the Gortyn Code show how the two worked.
Orestes at the Areopagus: The Trial of a Mother’s Killer
Why was Orestes tried for killing his mother? Aeschylus, Athena, the Furies and the real Athenian homicide court explain the famous Areopagus trial.
Proto-Indo-European Mythology: What Zeus, Jupiter and Odin Share
Zeus and Jupiter preserve the name of an ancient Sky Father. Odin has a different origin. Here is what language, Vedic hymns and surviving…
How Susanoo Killed Yamata no Orochi With Eight Jars of Sake
Susanoo defeated the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi with strong sake, then found the sword Kusanagi in its tail. The Kojiki and Nihon Shoki…
Can We Trust Snorri Sturluson’s Account of Norse Mythology?
Snorri preserved the gods and stories of Norse mythology in the Prose Edda, but his Christian world and poetic aims shaped what he recorded.
