We show you our Top 10 Characters Of Greek Mythology. Discover the most famous and powerful, their legends and stories.
Top 10 Characters Of Greek Mythology
Although the world of the ancient Greeks has been left behind, it lives on in the stirring tales of Greek mythology. More than gods and goddesses, this long-ago culture gave us legendary characters from Greek mythology whose exploits still thrill us. Butwho are the greatest heroes of Greek mythology– was it the mighty Hercules, or perhaps the valiant Achilles?
Characters of Greek Mythology
The mythology of the ancient Greeks included a dazzling array of characters, deities, demigods, monsters and heroes. These figures inhabited a realm that extended beyond the Greek landscape to the palaces of the gods on snowy Mount Olympus, as well as to the shadowy underworld. Over time, Greek mythology became part of European culture, and many of its stories became known throughout the world.
Despite their awesome powers, the Greek gods and goddesses were very much like people. Their actions stemmed from recognizable passions, such as pride, jealousy, love and a thirst for revenge. The deities often left Mount Olympus to involve themselves in the affairs of mortals, interacting with men and women as patrons, enemies, and sometimes lovers. They were not above using tricks and disguises to influence events, and their plans and plots often entangled people.
Heroes and ordinary humans in Greek myths frequently discovered that things were not what they appeared to be. The underlying moral principle, however, was that the gods rewarded honorable behavior and obedience, and people who disgraced themselves or defied the gods usually paid a high price.
1.- Heracles or Hercules
Son of Zeus and enemy of the goddess Hera, Hercules was always too powerful for his enemies. He is perhaps best known for his fantastic feats of strength and daring, often called the“12 labors.”
Some of these labors include slaying the nine-headed hydra, stealing the girdle of the Amazon queen Hippolyta, taming Cerberus, and slaying the lion of Nemea. Hercules died after his wife, jealous that he might have another lover, smeared a robe with deadly centaur blood which led Hercules to commit suicide. But Hercules lived among the gods.
2.- Achilles
Achilles was the best warrior of the Greeks in the Trojan War. His mother, the nymph Thetis, dipped him in the river Styx to make him invulnerable in battle; except for his heel, where she clutched the baby.
During the Trojan War, Achilles achieved fame by slaying Hector outside the city gates. But he did not have long to savor his conquest. Achilles later died in battle when an arrow shot by Paris and guided by the gods struck the only vulnerable spot in his body: his heel.
3.- Theseus
Theseus was the Athenian hero who freed his city from the tyranny of King Minos of Crete. Each year, the city had to send seven men and seven women to Crete to be devoured by the monstrous Minotaur. Theseus vowed to defeat Minos and restore the dignity of Athens. With the help of the creature’s half-sister, Ariadne, Theseus was able to enter the labyrinth where the monster lived, kill the beast and find the exit.
4.- Odysseus
A cunning and capable warrior, Odysseus was the king of Ithaca. His exploits in the Trojan War were documented by Homer in the “Iliad” and later in the “Odyssey,” which recounts Odysseus’ 10-year struggle to return home.
During that time, Odysseus and his men faced numerous challenges, including being kidnapped by a Cyclops, threatened by sirens and ultimately shipwrecked. Odysseus survives, only to face additional trials before finally returning home.
5.- Perseus
Perseus was the son of Zeus, who disguised himself as golden rain from Perseus’ impregnated mother Danae. When he was young, the gods helped Perseus kill the gorgon Medusa, so ugly that she could turn anyone who looked directly at her to stone. After killing Medusa, Perseus rescued Andromeda from the sea serpent Cetus and married her. He later gave Medusa’s severed head to the goddess Athena.
6.- Jason
Jason was born the son of the deposed king of Iolcos. As a young man, he embarked on a quest to find the Golden Fleece and thus restore his place on the throne. of gathered a crew of heroes called the Argonauts and set sail. He encountered a series of adventures along the way, including facing harpies, dragons and mermaids. Although he eventually triumphed, Jason’s happiness did not last long. His wife left him and he died sad and alone.
7.- Bellepheron
Bellerophon is known for capturing and taming the wild winged stallion Pegasus, something said to be impossible. With divine help, Bellerophon managed to mount the horse and set out to slay the chimera that threatened Lycia. Having slain the beast, Bellerophon’s fame grew until he became convinced that he was not a mortal but a god. He tried to ride Pegasus to Mount Olympus, which so enraged Zeus that he caused Bellerophon to fall to earth and die.
8.- Orpheus
Known more for his music than for his fighting ability, Orpheus is a hero for two reasons. He was an Argonaut in Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece, and he survived a quest that even Theseus failed. Orpheus went to the Underworld to retrieve his wife, Eurydice, who had died of a snakebite.
He went to the royal couple of the Underworld, Hades and Persephone, and convinced Hades to give him the opportunity to bring his wife back to life. He got permission on the condition that he would not look at Eurydice until they reached daylight, which he was unable to do.
9.- Cadmus
Cadmus was the Phoenician founder of Thebes. After failing in his quest to find his sister Europa, he wandered the earth. During this time, he consulted the Oracle of Delphi, who ordered him to stop wandering and settle in Boeotia. There, he lost his men to a dragon of Ares.
Cadmus slew the dragon, planted his teeth and watched as armed men (the Spartoi) emerged from the ground. They fought their way down to the final five, who helped Cadmus found Thebes. Cadmus married Harmonia, daughter of Ares, but suffered from guilt for killing the dragon of the god of war. In repentance, Cadmus and his wife were transformed into serpents.
10.- Atalanta
Although the Greek heroes were overwhelmingly male, there is one woman who deserves a place on this list: Atalanta. She grew up wild and free, able to hunt as well as a man. When a furious Artemis sent the boar Calydonius to devastate the land in revenge, Atalanta was the first hunter to pierce the beast.
She is also said to have sailed with Jason, the only female on the Argo. But she is perhaps best known for vowing to marry the first man who can beat her in a foot race. With three golden apples, Hippomenes was able to distract the swift Atalanta and win the race, and her hand in marriage.
