Greek Heroes
Below is an A-Z list of Greek heroes from the stories and myths of ancient Greece.
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 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
Perseus was 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 […]
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 […]
Mortals
Actaeon – Ancient Greek Heroes
In ancient Greek mythology, Actaeon was a prince of Thebes and famed hunter. The Theban hero was trained by the centaur Chiron and eventually slain by Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, the moon, the forest, and archery. Actaeon’s crime varies depending on the source, but his ultimate fate remained constant. Artemis transformed the hunter […]
Aegeus
The Origins of Aegeus In Greek mythology, Aegeus (“Aigeús”), possibly from the Etruscan Aivas, was an archaic figure in the founding myth of Athens. The “goat-man” who gave his name to the Aegean Sea was, next to Poseidon, second in importance to Athena. He was a founder-hero, like Perseus, Cadmus, or Heracles, all of whom […]
Agamemnon
The famous Trojan War was a decade-long conflict that tickled the imagination of Ancient Greeks more than any other story. It’s a significant event in Greek mythology involving both mortals and deities. Thanks to works like “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” by Homer, events continue to captivate. Figures like Achilles, Odysseus, and Helen of Troy […]
Ajax
Ajax the Great was one of the most epic heroes from Greek mythology. He was known for his strength, bravery, and determination. He is best known for his fight against the Trojans. Ajax was a champion of the people and fought for justice and honor. He is a hero that everyone can admire and learn […]
Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great, also known as the King of Macedonia, was a famous Greek king who came to the throne in the year 336BC. He is widely regarded as being one of the most successful military commanders in all of history and was responsible for changing the face of the ancient world.
Andromeda – From Damsel in Distress to Queen of Greece
Greek mythology is known for its great stories and fables that have lasted throughout history. These myths have influenced much of modern culture, as is seen in movies, art and books that retell these stories in a way that can be enjoyed by many people today. However, these sometimes served a deeper purpose as they […]
Ariadne
Ariadne is a major character in Greek mythology. She is the daughter of the Cretan King Minos. Theseus is an Athenian hero who Ariadne helped escape from the Labyrinth. With Ariadne’s help, Theseus was able to kill the Minotaur who lived in the Labyrinth. This is a beast that is half man and half bull. […]
Atalanta – Ancient Greek Heroes
Atalanta was a huntress and a favorite of the goddess Artemis. She was one of the few female heroes in Greek mythology, and is first mentioned in “Catalogues of Women,” a poem believed to have been written by Hesiod. Atalanta had a number of adventures. She took part in the Calydonian boar hunt. The king […]
Atreus
Atreus, in Greek mythology, was Pelops and Hippodamia’s son. He was Mycenae’s king in Peloponnes and father to Menelaus and Agamemnon. The name means fearless or tremble. Collectively, Atreus’ descendants are called Atreidae or Atreidai. Atreus had a twin brother named Thyestes, and when they were adults, they had a desire for the throne of […]
Cassiopeia
The Fate of Queen Cassiopeia Cassiopeia – Queen and Constellation Queen Cassiopeia is a mortal woman in Greek mythology most known for angering the god of sea and earthquakes, Poseidon. The ancient Greeks named a constellation after her, which is seen year round in the shape of a W and located in the northern sky. […]
Daedalus
Daedalus was well known as a genius inventor in Greek mythology and he is both a central part of several myths as well as a side character in a few others. He is perhaps best known for two things, though – he is both the architect behind the Labyrinth and the father of the tragic […]
Eurydice
Many tales in Greek mythology continue to inspire works of art today. While many legends of ancient Greece focus on monstrous beasts, bloodshed, and the almighty power of the gods, some appeal to softer emotions of the heart. One example is the story of Eurydice. Eurydice is more of a supporting player in the grander […]
Hector
Greek mythology is filled with tales of gods and monsters, which is part of the attraction of myths and why they have continued to be told by people from all walks of life around the world generation after generation. While many of the Greek gods are well known, such as Zeus, Hera, Apollo and Athena, […]
Helen of Troy
The need to understand the world has been the motivation behind human innovation and progress. Before the development of the tools necessary to discover scientific facts, creativity and imagination were employed to fashion answers that explained a world beyond comprehension. One of the most enduring and comprehensive attempts is found in ancient Greek mythology. Greek […]
Hippolyta
In Greek mythology, tales of heroic figures and skilled fighters are nothing new. Many people are familiar with Ares, the Greek god of War, and famous warriors like Heracles and Achilles. But despite the prevalence of male figures, female fighters were common in Ancient Greece, too. One of the most famous female warriors was Hippolyta, […]
Icarus
The Tragic Story of Icarus A Cautionary Tale A young man named Icarus holds center stage in a very memorable tale from ancient Greek mythology. Even today, some people recount this story as a cautionary warning. Overconfidence sometimes produces disastrous results! The Son of a Famous Craftsman Icarus became well known in legends mainly […]
Ixion
Ixion was a mortal in Greek Mythology who had the misfortune of making Zeus his enemy. As punishment for this, Zeus condemned Ixion to an eternity in hell on a spinning wheel of fire. This article will outline the story behind Ixion, how he offended his powerful god, and what kind of immortality he’s faced […]
Jason
Jason: A Different Type of Greek Hero Jason’s Story There are many heroes, foes, and gods in Greek mythology. Some of the most recognized names are Zeus and Hera. Of course, there is also Hades, the god in charge of the underworld. Perhaps one of the most famous figures in Greek mythology is Hercules (or […]
Jocasta
Jocasta is a character from Greek mythology. She was the daughter of King Oedipus and Queen Iocaste, wife of her father, sister to his children, mother to his grandchildren. She had two children by him: sons Eteocles and Polyneices. With her husband’s tragic fate sealed, she committed suicide with assistance from their son Antigone. […]
Meleager
In Greek mythology, Meleager was a heroic figure from Calydon in Aetolia. His father was King Oeneus and his mother was Queen Althaea. He had a number of brothers and sisters, including Toxeus, Thyreus, Clymenus, and Gorge. According to some versions of his story, his father was actually Ares, the god of war, with whom […]
Narcissus
Greek Mythology is a fascinating body of myths, legends, and tales that heavily influenced Greek culture. The tales of gods, goddesses, monsters, heroes, and deities, still play a significant role in even today’s storytelling. The roots of Greek Mythology can be traced all the way back to 900 B.C. Even in Western civilization, the extensive […]
Odysseus
In Greek mythology, Odysseus is the great-grandson of Hermes, one of the twelve Olympian Gods. He is the son of Laertes, the king of Ithaca, and Anticlea and the husband of Penelope and father of a child named Telemachus. Known for his leadership skills, wit, and intelligence, Odysseus is most famous for his ten-year journey […]
Patroclus
Have you ever heard of Patroclus? Even if you haven’t, there’s a pretty good chance you know about Achilles. They were two of the most famous heroes in Greek mythology, and they were best friends – until tragedy struck. This is their story. Origin of Patroclus Patroclus was the son of Menoetius. Patroculos’ name […]
Peleus
A hero in Greek mythology, Peleus was born to King Aeacus of Aegina and the mountain nymph Endeïs. Alongside his brother Telamon, Peleus was forced to flee his home after the accidental killing of their half-brother Phocus in a hunting accident. In exile, the brothers joined their friend Heracles on a series of famous adventures, […]
Philoctetes
Philoctetes (pronounced “phil-ah-sit-ees,” rhyming with “philosophies”) is the story of a mythical war hero in the Sophocles tragedy. Sophocles was an Ancient Greek tragedian who wrote his plays with his characters’ suffering being the highlights of the story. In the case of Philoctetes, the wound on his foot was his great suffering. The odor from […]
Pyrrha
Who is Pyrrha in Greek Mythology? Pyrrha is a mortal woman who played a huge role in Greek mythology. Not only does she have a very infamous mother, she also is responsible, along with her husband, for repopulating the entire earth after humanity was destroyed by Zeus. She and her husband, Deucalion, were the king […]
Semele
The story of Semele embraces a wide array of themes and tropes found in Greek Mythology. Although born a mortal woman, Semele gave birth to the god Dionysus and soon became a goddess herself, being worshipped as part of the cult of her son. The earliest telling of the myth of Semele dates back to […]