Demigods in Greek Mythology
Demigods were the offspring of a deity and mortal, half-gods, who were invariably renowned for their courage, leadership and great strength.
Many of the ancient gods, like Zeus, had children as a result of their romantic involvement with mortals. Demigods, being part god and part mortal, had great powers and abilities and often featured in the mythology of the Ancient Greeks.
The Demigods were fabulous famous heroes such as Achilles, Hercules, Theseus and Perseus.
Demigod
Achilles
Achilles was a Greek hero, most famous for his part in the Trojan War. When he was born, his mother dipped him in the river Styx to make him immortal. She held him by the heel and it did not touch the water - making it the only part of him that could be harmed.
Aeneas
Aeneas is a Trojan hero in both Greek and Roman mythology, though he is more prominent in the Roman tales. His origin story is told in the Homeric “Hymn to Aphrodite”. Aphrodite caused Zeus to fall in love with mortal women, and Zeus decided to get payback. He provoked her infatuation with a cattle farmer […]
Bellerophon
Perseus is not the only one to ride the winged horse, Pegasus. Bellerophon (Bellerophontes) is also granted the right to ride the magical steed. Though prophecies and divine intervention abound in this man’s life, he still meets a tragic end due to his careless arrogance. In Corinth before it is called Corinth, Bellerophon is born […]
Castor
God of Horsemanship – Twin of Pollux, with whom they form the Dioscuri Castor is the twin brother of Polydeuces (Pollux in Latin), a pair of demigods. The two in collective are known as the Dioscuri. The twins feature in a number of myths, crossing paths with other notable figures in Greek Mythology like Jason. […]
Castor and Pollux – Dioscuri
The Dioscuri: Castor and Pollux The Dioscuri are twin brothers Castor and Pollux. Both were demigods in mythology. The twins had the same mother but different fathers. Their mother Leda, had a relationship with Tyndareus, Castor’s father and king of Sparta, and Zeus, Pollux’s father and king of Olympus. They are commonly said to be […]
Heracles ( Hercules )
Heracles, also known as Hercules in Greek texts, is one of the most recognised and famous of the divine heroes in Greek mythology. The son of Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene, he was considered the greatest of the heroes, a symbol of masculinity, sire of a long line of royal clans and the champion […]
Minos – King of Crete and Judge of the Dead
When reading and discussing Greek mythology, it is common to picture the grandiose tales of the gods: their relationships, their squabbles, and their battles. Humans also played an important role in many different myths; in fact, some, like King Minos, were half-god, or “demigod.” Despite demigods’ mortal nature, they possessed divine traits and responsibilities, and […]
Orpheus
Orpheus is unique here in Greek mythology. Most tales involving mortal heroes revolve around great wars, feats of physical strength, or acts of immense bravery. However, Orpheus is different. He wasn’t known for his skilled fighting. Instead, he was a musician and poet with abilities that made even gods melt. He wasn’t an ordinary artist. […]
Perseus
One of the oldest out of all of the Greek mythological heroes. He is best known in Greek mythology as the slayer of Medusa, one of three female creatures, or Gorgons, with hair said to be made of poisonous snakes. Perseus and his origins on Argos Perseus was thought to exist several generations before the […]
Theseus
Not many heroes are best known for their use of silk thread to escape a crisis, but it is true of Theseus. The Greek demi-god is known for feats of strength but is even better remembered for divine intelligence and wisdom. He had many great triumphs as a young man, but he died a king […]