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]
703 questions
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When and how did the Greek mythos transfer to the Romans?
It seems that there are a great many similarities between Roman and Greek Mythology. In fact, many people consider them synonymous and only really differ in the names. For example:
Greek ⇄ Roman
Zeus ⇄ Jupiter
Poseidon ⇄ Neptune
Hades ⇄…
user93
43
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3 answers
What is the difference between a God and a Titan?
In Greek mythology, the words "Titan" and "God" seem to be used interchangeably. For example, Zeus is a God, but Cronus (his father) was a Titan. So what is the difference between a Titan and a God in Greek mythology?
Dom
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Why does looking at Medusa with a mirror work?
Medusa is known for being so ugly that if men even look at her face, they would immediately be turned into stone statues. Perseus was somehow able to overcome this challenge of killing her by looking at her reflection in a mirror. Even though he was…
Anthony Pham
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Why were there exactly 12 main Olympian Gods?
Did the ancient Greeks believe that the number 12 symbolized everything? Was it random that there were 12 Olympian gods and no more (or less)?
Shev
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Why was it a good thing that hope remained in Pandora's box?
One thing has always confused me about the story of Pandora. When she opened her box (or jar, whatever), all sorts of evil things escaped outside the box, and this is why we have evil in the world now. Then, she closed the box before hope could…
senshin
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Why did Zeus assume so many different forms for seduction?
The character of Zeus is well-known for seducing many women, both human and goddesses. In many of these stories, Zeus assumes a form other than his true self.
The most famous is perhaps Leda - it is said that Zeus seduced her in the form of a swan…
Luna
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Was the Minotaur a single being, or a race?
In the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur, we know that the Minotaur dwelled at the center of the maze built by Daedalus. However, the creature itself (part man, part bull) doesn't appear to show up in any other well-known legends.
Was this Minotaur…
Luna
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Why did Charon collect a toll at the River Styx
Charon is known as the ferryman of the River Styx, letting certain people cross the river with a fee. Charon himself is well known for helping many significant heroes in multiple Greek legends.
He always seems to collect a toll from those who cross…
Anthony Pham
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What differences were there in Greek soldiers worship of Ares and Roman soldiers worship of Mars?
I am looking for a comparison/contrast of war gods. (Feel free to mention other deities in your answer if they are relevant or helpful in explaining)
Considering their direct linkage I am curious to know how Ares and Mars were treated different by…
James
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How did Athena keep from being turned into stone by her shield?
After Perseus killed Medusa, he gifted her head to Athena, who mounted it on a shield and used it in battle to turn her enemies into stone. How did she keep herself from being turned into stone by looking at the shield?
Mr. Bultitude
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Who worshipped the Titans?
According to Greek mythology, there was a mythical time known as the Golden Age where the Titans ruled and the gods of Olympus didn't exist.
Were there any real cultures that actually worshipped the Titans, to the exclusion of the Olympians? Or…
congusbongus
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What was Plato's inspiration for the Atlantis myth?
Did an island actually sink in ancient Greece, due to a volcanic eruption or some other cataclysmic event perhaps?
Was it completely wiped off the map by a tsunami?
Did Plato base his story on fact or is it a work of fiction?
Daft
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Why was Medusa the only mortal of the Gorgons?
As far as I understood the myth of Medusa, she was punished by Athena (either for letting herself being raped by Poseidon or for succumbing to Poseidon's woes). Her sisters, Euryale and Stheno (all daughters of Phorcys and Ceto) stood with Medusa,…
Kreann
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Why is Athena considered the goddess of both fighting and craft skills?
In all the Olympic Pantheon, Athena was revered as goddess of many things: she is a warrior, representing the "noble" part of war, but she is also the goddess of "feminine arts", like weaving.
How come this goddess is associated with activities so…
user40
24
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Who held the celestial sphere before Atlas?
After Zeus defeated Kronos, all Titans on the losing side were punished. Atlas in particular was tasked with holding the celestial sphere for all eternity.
When Herakles later meets him, it's strongly implied that while Atlas isn't chained or…
Mumu
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