Mortals of Greek Mythology
Below is an A-Z list of mortals from the main myths, legends and stories from ancient Greece.
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Pandora
Many people are familiar with the concept of “opening Pandora’s box of trouble.” The common idiom means to do something that causes problems that did not exist before. While many have heard or even used this phrase before, few know the origins. Believe it or not, this phrase goes back to ancient Greek times! The […]
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 […]
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 […]