Ancient Literature
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ancient-literature
All articles from the old ancient-literature.com website.
445 Articles
We Have A Mission If you are here, chances are you are like us: in search of wisdom that is tried and true, battle tested and guaranteed to provide in
(Tragic Playwright, Greek, c. 525 – c. 455 BCE)Introduction Aeschylus (Aiskhylos) is often recognized as the father of tragedy, and is the first of th
(Fabulist, Greek, c. 620 – c. 560 BCE)Introduction Aesop was by tradition a Greek slave, and he is known today exclusively for the genre of fables asc
(Tragedy, Greek, 458 BCE, 1,673 lines)Introduction - Who wrote Agamemnon "Agamemnon" is the first of the three linked tragedies which make up "The Ore
(Tragedy, Greek, c. 444 BCE, 1,421 lines)Introduction “Ajax” (Gr: “Aias”) is a tragedy by the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles. Although the exact d
(Tragedy, Greek, c. 442 BCE, 1,352 lines)Introduction - Who wrote Antigone “Antigone” is a tragedy by the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles, written
(Religious text, anonymous, Hebrew/Aramaic/Greek, c. 9th Century BCE – 2nd Century CE, 31,101 verses)Introduction “The Bible” is a compilation of vari
Introduction Catullus was a short-lived but very influential Roman lyric poet. Carmen 1 is the introductory poem for 116 Carmina, the collective term
Introduction Catullus begins the poem by talking about his friend Varus who took him from the Forum. At this time, Catullus was relaxing, but Varus to
Introduction In Catullus 100, the poet talked about his friend and competition, Caelius. This man had an affair with Catullus’s lover Clodia/Lesbia. H
Introduction In poem 102, Catullus talks about his ability to be a trusted friend. In line one and two, he talks about how a friend could keep a secre
Introduction In poem 103, the poet wants his money back from Silo. In the four-line poem, he asks for his money, but seems to threaten the man who too
Introduction In this poem, Catullus questions why “you and Tappo” make things prodigious. In the first line of the poem, Catullus questions why someon
Introduction In poem 105, Catullus addresses Mamurra again. Catullus refers to him as Mr. Penis again. In line one, Mamurra wants to climb “the Piplea
Introduction Catullus lived during the time of slaves, and this poem shows it. While he does not write about slaves in the poem, he does write about p
Introduction In poem 107, the poet talks about his fortune in life in relation to Lesbia, his lover. In lines one and two, he talks about how the true
Introduction In this poem, Catullus shares his feelings about Cominius and those feelings are not filled with love. In line one, Catullus comments on
Introduction In poem 11, Catullus references several allusions to places and people of the ancient world - contemporaries of the poet. As the poem beg
Introduction In this poem, Catullus writes about Aufilena and how a woman should be happy to be married to her husband and to have no other man in her
Introduction In Catullus 113, the poet addresses a situation with Pompey and Maecilia. Catullus is telling his friend Cinna about how Maecilia was fre
Introduction In Catullus 114, the poet takes aim at a man named Mentula, who is reality is Mamurra. This man served Caesar and Pompey and had a large
Introduction Catullus does not like Mamurra and his nickname, Mr. Penis, proves it. This poem is similar to 114, where he talks about Mamurra owning l
Introduction In Catullus 116, the poet is addressing a Roman author named Gellius. In the first two lines, Catullus wonders how he could send poems by
Introduction Usually, when you invite a friend over for dinner, you provide the dinner. But, not when Catullus invites Fabullus over for dinner. In Ca
Introduction Catullus 14 is the equivalent of a rap war between ancient poets - albeit, ancient poets who are the best of friends. In this case, the r
Introduction Catullus does not want Aurelius to have an affair with his lover Juventius. In this poem, Catullus asks Aurelius a modest favor: to keep
Introduction It is not too often that you read a classical work that will rival George Carlin in the need for “bleeped” out words, but Carmen 16 defin
Introduction In this unusual poem, Catullus refers to a woman named Colonia. This woman wishes to have a bridge to play games on, but she fears that t
Introduction In Catullus 2, the poet writes about his lover, Lesbia, and her pet sparrow. He focuses on how the bird sits in Lesbia’s lap and plays wh
(Lyric Poem, Latin/Roman, c. 60 BCE, 10/13 lines)Introduction “Passer, deliciae meae puellae” (“Sparrow, darling of my girl”) is a lyric poem by the R
Introduction In this poem, Catullus addresses Aurelius who wants to have an affair with Juventius - his lover. Catullus calls Aurelius the father of a
Introduction In this poem, Catullus addresses Varus about his thoughts on a fellow poet he calls Suffenus. In line two, he compliments Suffenus, say h
Introduction In this poem, Catullus directly addresses Furius, who is another poet in his social circle. Furius may have had an affair with Catullus’s
Introduction In this poem, Catullus speaks to the flower of Juventius or his family. The reader does not know if the flower is a man or a woman, but t
Introduction In this poem, Catullus addresses Thallus, a man that he does not respect. In the first line, Catullus calls him a sodomite, which is the
Introduction In this poem, Catullus addresses a boy who serves in the area of Falernian, which is an Italian wine country. Catullus tells the boy to f
Introduction In this poem, Catullus discusses the family of Piso and the people who serve the family. He uses an interesting play on words calling the
Introduction This poem is another that focuses on Mamurra, who Catullus regularly refers to as Mr. Penis. In the first four lines, Catullus asks who c
Introduction In Catullus 3, the poet shares that his girl’s sparrow has died. This is a reference to his lover, Lesbia, who had a pet sparrow. And, ac
Introduction In this poem, Catullus is addressing a man who is better known as Alfenus Varus, a lawyer. After reading line one, it is easy to see that
Introduction In this poem, Catullus wrote about a place that he loved to visit: Sirmio. This is a promontory off of Lake Garda where Catullus seemed t
Introduction Catullus 32 is all about sex with a woman named Ipsitilla. Catullus talks about how he wants to “rest with her at noonday” and have “nine
Introduction In this poem, Catullus write about a father and son who are thieves. These two men are clever clothes-stealers at the Roman baths. The tw
Introduction In this poem, Catullus talks about the lieges of Diana, who is the Greek Roman variant of Artemis. She is the goddess of the hunt and a v
Introduction In this poem, Catullus references a poet named Caecilius. Catullus writes an invitation to Caecilius to come to Verona and leave his home
Introduction When Catullus wrote poetry, he wrote about people he liked and disliked. In this poem, he addresses Volusius, who he does not seem to lik
Introduction This poem is about men who visit brothels. In the first line, Catullus talks about people who visit them, and some of them are men who ar
Introduction In this poem, Catullus shares his emotional status with his friend Cornificius and asks for a word of comfort. Cornificius was a friend o
Introduction In this poem, Catullus writes about Egnatius, who is a man that had an affair with Lesbia. He was supposedly from Spain and Catullus goss
Introduction In this poem, Catullus writes about a yacht that once was the best of all ships. He describes her as being the fleetest and that no other
Introduction In this poem, Catullus accuses Ravidus for trying to mock or ridicule his poems. Catullus begins the poem by asking what Ravidus is doing
Introduction In the poetry of Catullus, there is one man that the poet absolutely hates: Mamurra. The poet refers to him as Mr. Penis and insults him
Introduction In this poem, Catullus refers to a woman who is not Lesbia. He calls the woman an “ugly drab” and talks about how she will not return his
Introduction This poem could have become an inspiration for Shakespeare’s sonnet knowns as “My Mistress’s Eyes are Nothing Like the Sun.” In Catullus’
Introduction In this poem, Catullus addresses the social groups in Italy and how they don’t necessarily follow the social rules. He argues that poetry
Introduction The story of Acme and Septimus is one of true love. In this poem by Catullus, Septimus tells Acme that he loves her to desperation. To pr
Introduction In this poem, Catullus shares the joy of spring bringing warmth back to the land. He also shares his joy in looking forward to traveling,
Introduction In this poem, Catullus talks about the two assistants of Piso: Porcius and Socration. But, instead of calling them his left and right han
Introduction In this poem, Catullus writes to his boyfriend, Juventius. The first line addresses Juventius’s honeyed eyes. In the next line, Catullus
Introduction In this poem, Catullus writes about his advocate, Marcus Tullius. This man is a descendent of Romulus, the first king of Rome. Romulus is
Introduction Catullus 50 tells of a lively poetry writing session between Catullus and his friend Licinius Calvus, as well as lethargy and ennui Catul
Introduction This verse is based on a poem fragment from the Poetess, Sappho. It is, logically, written in Sapphic Meter, and is nearly identical to t
Introduction This brief poem by Catullus questions why Catullus does not want to die quickly. He repeats the first line in the fourth line. Between, h
Introduction Catullus 53 is about a man who made the poet laugh. The poet laughed because a man moked Calvus, who was accusing Vatinius. The man calle
Introduction In this poem, Catullus addresses several leaders who might be offended by his poetry. The allusions he makes in the poem include Otho, Er
Introduction In Catullus 55, the poet is busy searching for his friend Camerius. In the first two lines, he asks his friend to show him what dark corn
Introduction In this poem, Catullus talks to his friend Cato about a strange sight. In lines one and two, Catullus speaks directly to Cato to tell him
Introduction In this poem, Catullus attacks Mamurra and Julius Caesar. He calls them the abominable sodomites and fellators. He calls them stains, one
Introduction Catullus loved Lesbia. Caelius also loved Lesbia. In fact, Caelius was the man that Lesbia turned to after her husband died. In this poem
Introduction In Catullus 59, the poet wrote about the sexual behaviors of Rufa of Bononia, the wife of Menenius. These are not famous people who are k
Introduction This poem is written to Flavius about his mistress who Catullus calls unrefined and rustic. She is not of the city, according to Catullus
Introduction In this poem, Catullus wonders who bore someone that he finds hard-hearted and monstrous. Catullus questions whether it was a lioness or
Introduction In poem 61, Catullus wrote another bridal song. This poem is written in stanzas of varying length and they end with a refrain to “O Hymen
Introduction Catullus 62 is a wedding poem. In it, he moves the song back and forth from young men and young women. In nearly every switch, he ends th
Introduction Catullus 63 is one of his longest poems having nearly 100 lines of text. The poem is lyrical, telling the story of Attis, Cybele, and the
Introduction Carmine 64 tells the story of Theseus voyage and his defeat of the Minotaur from the maiden’s point of view. The verse opens with a beaut
Introduction Catullus 66 was written while the poet was grieving the death of his brother. This poem is not about death, but is about Berenice who is
Introduction In Catullus 67, the poet writes a piece that looks like nothing else he has written. In the beginning of the poem, he speaks to the door
Introduction This is one of the poets longest works at 160 lines. The poem addresses several topics within the lines, which is why some scholars belie
Introduction In 69, Catullus takes aim at Rufus, who had an affair with Lesbia after the death of her husband. Catullus also had an affair with her an
Introduction Written in Hedecasyllabic meter, this piece is consistent with the Neoteric (“new poets”) style employed by Catullus. The subject of this
Introduction Catullus 70 is a mocking love poem about a special woman. She tells him that she only wants to marry him. She attempts to convince him th
Introduction Catullus addresses a man who suffers from gout in this poem. He does not name anyone, but this could easily be a reference to one of the
Introduction Catullus 72 is addressed to his lover, Lesbia. In the poem, he writes about how strong their friendship was in the past. But, now, she is
Introduction In this poem, Catullus has had enough of friendship that has gone wrong. The poet starts the piece off with a frustrating tone where he r
Introduction Gellius has to be the most demented person that Catullus knows. And, readers of Catullus’s poetry should be grateful, because he provides
Introduction In this poem, Catullus writes to Lesbia, whom he calls “my Lesbia.” In line one, he shares how his mind is reduced by her fault. This mea
Introduction Catullus 76 is an autobiographical poem where Catullus works through his personal torment of loving Lesbia while she does not love him in
Introduction Rufus is the man who replaced Catullus as the lover of Lesbia. Rufus is also called Caelius in other poems as his full name is Marcus Cae
Introduction In several of Catullus’s poems, he wrote about his love for Lesbia. In this one, he addresses Lesbia’s brother, who he calls Lesbius. He
Introduction In this poem, Catullus wrote about himself. He began talking about his folly and how all is lost. In line three he wrote about how the su
Introduction Catullus’s poems show the world that Rome, during ancient times, was open to relationships of all kinds. In poem 80, Catullus wrote about
Introduction In 81, the poet wrote about Juventius, another one of his homosexual lovers. Juventius had several other male lovers besides Catullus. In
Introduction Catullus wrote this poem to his friend Quintus. The poem is almost circular in its logic as Catullus begins by talking about how Quintus
Introduction In this poem, Catullus returns to his poems about Lesbia. This one includes a conversation between Catullus and Lesbia’s husband. Catullu
Introduction In Catullus 84, the poet mocks a man named Arrius, who adds an aspirant to his words. During the time that Catullus was alive, it was pop
Introduction Catullus wrote several of his poems about his love, Lesbia. She was married to Metellus, but she had an affair with Catullus. After he di
Introduction In Catullus 86, the poet reflects on the beauty of a woman named Quintia. While she is thought to be beautiful by many, Catullus believes
Introduction In Catullus 87, the poet declares his love for Lesbia. He says that no woman was loved like he loved her. He never kept a commitment to a
Introduction In 88, the poet questions the behavior of Gellius, who he has written about in other poems. Gellius is another person that Catullus does
Introduction In this poem, Catullus shares the joy he has because of his friendship to Veranius. In the first two lines, Catullus talks about how he p
Introduction This is another one of Catullus’s poems that focuses on the man he hates: Gellius. In this one, he addresses Gellius’s incestuous relatio
Introduction The poet addresses Gellius in Catullus 91. In it, he addresses Gellius and how he had a relationship with a woman who was not a mother or
Introduction In Catullus 92, the poet shares his struggles his love for with Lesbia. He wrote several poems about her and many of them involved his st
Introduction Catullus lived during the time of Julius Caesar. His father was friends with the senator and general, but Catullus did not respect the ma
Introduction Catullus hates Mamurra. He hates him so much that he wrote seven poems to this man he refers to as Mentulla, or Mr. Penis. Mamurra was an
Introduction Catullus often wrote verses about his friends and this is one of those poems. He wrote about the death of his friend Calvus and his love,
Introduction In this poem, Catullus insults Victius. He often calls Victius a stinkard, but in this poem, he is disgusting. Catullus tells Victius tha
Introduction In Catullus 99, the poet writes about his male lover, Juventius, and he did not like it. The kiss was stolen, according to Catullus. He s
(Lyric and Elegiac Poet, Roman, c. 87 – c. 57 BCE)Introduction Catullus was a short-lived but very influential Roman lyric poet whose surviving works
(Epic poem, anonymous, Sumerian/Mesopotamian/Akkadian, c. 20th – 10th Century BCE, about 1,950 lines)Introduction - What is the epic of Gilgamesh “The
(Fables, Greek, c. 550 BCE)Introduction "Aesop's Fables" (Lat: "Aesopica") refers to a collection of well-known fables credited to Aesop, a slave and
Ancient Greek society placed considerable emphasis on literature and, according to many, the whole Western literary tradition began there, with the ep
(Didactic Poet, Greek, c. 750 – c. 700 BCE)Introduction Hesiod is often paired with his near contemporary Homer as one of the earliest Greek poets who
(Epic Poet, Greek, c. 750 - c. 700 BCE)Introduction Homer is traditionally held to be the author of the ancient Greek epic poems "The Iliad" and "The
(Lyric Poem, Greek, c. 570 BCE, 28 lines)Introduction “Hymn to Aphrodite” (sometimes referred to as "Ode to Aphrodite" or “Fragment 1”) is the only po
(Tragedy, Greek, c. 429 BCE, 1,530 lines)Introduction – Oedipus Story “Oedipus the King” (Gr: “Oidipous Tyrannos”; Lat: “Oedipus Rex”) is a tragedy by
(Lyric Poem, Greek, 476 BCE, 116 lines)Introduction "Olympian Ode 1" is one of the best known of the many victory poems of the ancient Greek lyric poe
(Lyric Poet, Greek, c. 522 – c. 443 BCE)Introduction Pindar was one of the most famous ancient Greek lyric poets, and perhaps the best known of the ca
(Tragedy, Greek, c. 415 BCE, 1,093 lines)Introduction "Prometheus Bound" (Gr: "Prometheus Desmotes") is a tragedy often attributed to the ancient Gree
(Lyric Poem, Greek, 470 BCE, 100 lines)Introduction "Pythian Ode 1" is one of the better known of the many victory poems (or "epinicia") of the ancien
Roman literature, written in the Latin language, remains an enduring legacy of the culture of ancient Rome. Some of the earliest extant works are hist
(Lyric Poet, Greek, c. 630 – c. 570 BCE)Introduction - Who is Sappho Sappho was the quintessential lyric poet of ancient Greece. Although the bulk of
(Tragedy, Greek, 467 BCE, 1,084 lines)Introduction "Seven Against Thebes" (Gr: "Hepta epi Thebas"; Lat: "Septem contra Thebas") is a tragedy by the an
(Tragic Playwright, Greek, c. 496 – c. 406 BCE)Introduction Sophocles (Sophokles) was the second of the three great ancient Greek tragedians (after Ae
I have made use of various freely available sources on the Internet, including, but not limited to, the following: Wikipedia Google Books SparkNotes T
(Tragedy, Greek, 458 BCE, 1,047 lines)Introduction "The Eumenides" ("The Kindly Ones" or "The Gracious Ones") is the third of the three linked tragedi
(Epic Poem, Greek, c. 750 BCE, 15,693 linesIntroduction - Who wrote the Iliad "The Iliad" (Gr: "Iliás") is an epic poem by the ancient Greek poet Home
(Tragedy, Greek, 458 BCE, 1,076 lines)Introduction "The Libation Bearers" (Gr: "Choephoroi") is the second of the three linked tragedies which make up
(Epic Poem, Greek, c. 725 BCE, 12,110 lines)Introduction “The Odyssey” (Gr: “Odysseia”) is the second of the two epic poems attributed to the ancient
(Tragedy, Greek, 458 BCE, 3,796 lines over 3 plays)Introduction - Who Wrote Oresteia "The Oresteia" trilogy by the ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus
(Tragedy, Greek, 472 BCE, 1,076 lines)Introduction "The Persians" (Gr: "Persai"; Lat: "Persae") is a tragedy by the ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus
(Tragedy, Greek, c. 469 BCE, 1,073 lines)Introduction "The Suppliants" (Gr: "Hiketides"; Lat: "Supplices") is a tragedy by the ancient Greek playwrigh
(Tragedy, Greek, c. 440 BCE, 1,278 lines)Introduction “The Trachiniae” (Gr: “Trachiniai”, also known as “The Trachinian Women”, “The Women of Trachis”
(Didactic Poem, Greek, c. 700 BCE, 1,022 lines)Introduction - What is Theogony and why is it important? The "Theogony" (Gr: "Theogonia") of the ancien
(Didactic Poem, Greek, c. 700 BCE, 828 lines)Introduction "Works and Days" (Gr:"Erga kaí Hemérai"; Lat: “Opera et Dies”) is a didactic poem written by
Aetna Greek mythology is an interesting character because of her origin and connections. She was a nymph and a goddess of the mountains at the same ti
Alope was an ancient Greek woman from the town of Eleusis famous for her ravishing beauty. She was so beautiful that her grandfather, Poseidon, fell f
Anticlea in The Odyssey has a brief yet impactful role in the play; she was a mother who met her demise waiting for her son's return home to Ithaca. B
Djerba was the lair of the lotus-eaters, Odyssey island, where addictive lotus plants grew. Odysseus encountered the lotus-eaters on his long journey
Was Achilles a real person? The answer is uncertain. He may have been a great warrior of human birth, or he might have been a compilation of the deeds
The epithets in the Iliad are replete with that are usually titles that praise a character or reveal their unique characteristics. Since the Iliad is
Why did Zeus marry his sister? Unlike the God of Western monotheistic religions, Zeus and all of the Greek gods and goddesses are much more symbolic o
Medea kills her sons because her husband, Jason, betrayed her and broke the marriage vows they made to stay together and have a family. Medea was a so
Why does Poseidon hate Odysseus is a question one would ask after reading Homer's poem, the Odyssey, which covers the period after the 10-year Trojan
Why is Beowulf important in the study of English Literature? Reading Beowulf opens your eyes to the Anglo-Saxon culture of old while intriguing you wi
In the discussion of archetypes (ark-uh-types), it is necessary to begin at the beginning.What is an archetype? The definitions, and types, vary. Psyc
Before Oedipus, "tragic hero" meant very little as a literary device. Ever since Aristotle outlined the qualities of tragic drama, scholars continue t
Why was Medusa cursed? It was either to punish or to protect. However, since she was a mere mortal and her violator was a god, even if she was the vic
Some people think that the epic hero Beowulf should be considered a perfect knight because his attitude and adventures are comparable to the knights o
Wiglaf in Beowulf is one of the most important characters, but he doesn't show up until the end of the poem. He is the only one of Beowulf's warriors
The Ilium City, also known as Wilusa, is part of Troy's famed Kingdom and is a key point in an archeological and historical mystery. In 347AD, a man n
The importance of Xenia in The Odyssey is no surprise to anyone familiar with ancient Greek culture. In life and literature, the Greeks considered xen
Zeus appeared to Leda in the form of a swan and impregnated her. Leda gave birth to four children; only two of them were Zeus'. This tale of love and
Zeus children, depending on the source, could be between 50 to 100 or even more because of his numerous affairs with a big number of women. It was tol
Zeus was the king of the Olympian gods in Greek Mythology. He is A very complex character, both loved and loathed among the followers of this ancient
Zeus in the Odyssey influenced the epic poem by acting as the supreme ruler, powerful enough to kill a fleet of men with just a throw of his thunderbo
Zeus vs Cronus is a very fascinating debate since both the characters who killed their fathers. Cronus and Rhea are the parents of Zeus while Cronus w
Zeus vs Hades is one of the most interesting comparisons in Greek mythology. The reason behind it is that Zeus was the god of everything living and Ha
Cerberus and Hades are Greek characters that are synonymous with the Land of the Dead. Even though there are only a few stories featuring Cerberus, he
Ceyx and Alcyone lived in the region of Trachis near the river Spercheious and loved each other dearly. According to the myth, they both referred to e
Characters in the Odyssey are numerous, but the most significant ones include Odysseus, the Greek hero, around whom the story revolves; Penelope, his
Charybdis in the Odyssey is one of the most remarkable creatures in The Odyssey. This story in Greek mythology tells of the struggles of Odysseus whil
Beowulf and Christianity: Examples and Values of Christianity Throughout the poem, it's clear that all the characters are Christian and believe in one
For Briseis, Iliad is a story of murder, kidnapping, and tragedy. For Helen, a story of kidnapping and uncertainty as her captors fight a war to retai
Antigone's civil disobedience can be considered one of the play's central themes, considering the Greek classic revolves around our main heroine's def
The Climax of Antigone sneaks up on the viewers, the rising action of the play is subtle enough to pass, and before you know it, the climax has appear
Comitatus in Beowulf is an agreement or bond between a nobleman and his warriors. It is a sworn oath that involves allegiance, loyalty, and bravery. I
In Odysseus's journey home, he faces significant conflicts in The Odyssey. The various challenges Odysseus faces are essentially the center of Homer's
King of Thebes Creon, the king of Thebes, brought about disaster towards himself and his family due to his hubris. Creon prohibits burying Polyneices,
When it comes to Antigone, knowing side characters such as Eurydice, better known as "Creon's wife," is crucial. They add more depth and color to the
Cyparissus was a story told to explain why the cyparissus plant had its sap run down its trunk. It also illustrated the tradition of pederasty in anci
Damia, in Greek mythology, is a minor goddess of the fertile Earth. She was also considered one of the Horae, the goddesses of the seasons, and the na
Dardanus was the son of Zeus who established the city of Dardania in the northwestern Anatolian region of Troad. He was a king in Arcadia but had to r
Daughter of Poseidon, who is she? Eirene, Lamia, Herophile, and Despoena are some of the names of Poseidon's daughters. However, as Poseidon is infamo
By defying Creon, Antigone sealed her own fate, quite literally. But how did it come to that? How did the daughter of Oedipus end up sealed alive in a
Deianira had several Greek myths that gave her different parentages and families. However, one common event that appears to run through all the accoun
Deidamia was the daughter of Lycomedes, king of the island of Scyros who secretly had an affair with Achilles. Thetis, the mother of Achilles, disguis
Dikaiosyne is the spiritual embodiment of righteousness and justice in Greek mythology. She was a minor deity and was of Olympian descent like many ot
It seems as if there is little mention of Diomedes in the Iliad, considering the importance of his exploits to the continuation of the storyline. A re
Dionysian Ritual is an ancient spiritual performance of trance-inducing techniques that were used to liberate men and women from social constraints. T
Divine interventions in the The Odyssey made the epic novel more interesting. They also showed different sides of the gods and goddesses like Poseidon
The goddess of peace in Greek mythology is Eirene. She is the personification of peace and is likewise considered the goddess of peace and tranquility
Elpenor in The Odyssey was Odysseus' youngest man in his troop. On Circe's Island, he was turned into a pig and, once freed, drank himself to a stupor
Empousa is a demonic creature who is believed to be the foundation of the characteristics of modern-day vampires. She was a descendant of a spirit inf
Eosphoros is the morning star or the light bringer in Greek mythology and has some remnants in Roman mythology as well. In reality, the god of the pla
Epithet in Beowulf is an extra description given to the verses of the poem to add further imagery to the story. There are plenty of examples of epithe
Erichthonius of Athens was a great ruler who taught his people how to use horses to make their lives easier and better. The ancient Greeks believed th
Eurylochus in The Odyssey represents a specific archetype in fiction. He is quick to complain and criticize but often afraid to act himself. When he d
Eurymachus in The Odyssey plays an essential role as one of the mortal antagonists in the play. Eurymachus, an Ithacan noble who Penelope's father bac
Fate in Antigone has been running after our Heroine since the events of Oedipus Rex. Her family's curse goes back to her father and his transgressions
What Is Fate in the Iliad? Fate in the Iliad is "how the gods determine the destiny of characters" in the epic poem and how the action of the characte
Fate vs Destiny has a very subtle line between them that separates the two terms. In shallow meaning, the two words are very similar and also represen
Fate in the Odyssey showed how Odysseus suffered during his long journey back to his home in Ithaca. As fate is described as the development of occurr
Faun vs Satyr is a raging debate because many modernists consider them to be the same creature but that was not the case in ancient times. Fauns were
The female centaur, also known as a centauride, existed alongside their male counterparts between Mt. Pelion and Laconia. They were wild and dangerous
What roles are played by the female characters in the odyssey? They are either Helpers or Hindrances. Women in the Odyssey offer an insight into the r
A forest nymph in Greek mythology is an interesting character. The nymphs are the most beautiful maidens and are one of a kind. Apart from their beaut
Who Are the Gegeines? The Gegeines is a mythical creature with six arms that lived on the Marmara Sea coast in Asia Minor. In the epic poem, Argonauti
Giant 100 Eyes – Argus Panoptes, as stated was a giant with 100 eyes in Greek mythology. The mythical giant with 100 eyes was also very famous because
The God of rocks is present in almost all of the mythologies around the world in addition to the god of mountains, these gods of rocks and mountains h
God vs Deity is a comparison of broadly monotheism and polytheism but in reality, the two words go hand in hand and are synonyms of each other. Both w
Goddess Aura was most frequently associated with the light wind more like a breeze. She was written about in both Greek and Roman mythology which make
Good vs Evil in Beowulf is exemplified in every action in the plot of the story. Beowulf is the symbol of all heroic virtues, and what is a better her
The most widely known Greek goddess of nature is Gaia. She might be the most known but she is not the only one. There are many gods and goddesses of n
Greek gods vs Norse gods comparison has always fascinated scholars and literature enthusiasts for centuries. Their similarities and differences make a
The Muse in the Odyssey is a deity or goddess whom Homer, the author, made an appeal to as he began writing the epic poem. In Greek mythology, there w
Greek vs Roman gods are hard to be distingusihed because they share similar functions and roles. For instance, Zeus was the king of the gods and his c
Hades daughter would be Melinoe, the most well-known daughter, but unknown to many, Hades has three children. Two of whom he shares with his wife, whi
Hades is a unique figure in Greek mythology, as he is the only one of the key entities in Greek mythology that is not a part of the Twelve Olympians.
Haemon in Antigone represents an often forgotten character in classic mythology – the innocent victim. Often the offspring of acting characters, victi
Halitherses in the Odyssey is an Ithacan prophet who foresees the homecoming of his dear friend Odysseus. He, together with Athena, fights for Odysseu
Hamartia in Antigone refers to the tragic flaw exhibited by Antigone and other characters that led to their ultimate demise at the end of the classica
Hebros, in ancient Greek mythology, is a god who is the personification of a river located in Greece called Hebrus. Let us learn more information abou
Classical literature enthusiasts have compared Hector vs Achilles during the Trojan War and have analyzed their strengths, weaknesses, missions, and g
Helen of Sparta is often accused of being the cause of the Trojan War. But was the war truly her fault or was Helen a pawn of the gods, a hapless vict
Helenus, the Trojan prince, was the son of King Priam. He had many relatives that were famous in Greek mythology, as explained by Homer in the Iliad.
Helios vs Apollo were the two characters in Greek mythology that were both associated with the sun. Greek mythology is a fascinating tale of many char
Heorot, Beowulf's center, is the mead hall for the Danes in the poem, Beowulf. It is the place where the monster, Grendel, attacks, kills and takes aw
Hera in the Iliad follows all the schemes of the queen of the gods to turn the tide of the war in favor of the Greeks. Some of her attempts were succe
Heracles vs Hercules is a debate that has been very popular among the Greeks and the Romans. The reason for this debate is that both characters are fa
Hermes in The Odyssey guided and aided Odysseus in his quest to save his men. But how exactly did this come about? Who is Hermes in The Odyssey? We mu
Heroism in the Odyssey is one of the prevalent themes easily recognizable in this timeless piece of literature similar to the case of any other epic.
The Hesiod Theogony Family Tree describes the origins and families of the major Greek deities. It tells of how the primordial deities gave birth to th
Hesiod vs Homer compares the two great Greek epic poets of ancient Greek literature. The idea is to establish the similarities and differences between
Who Was Hipparete? Hipparete was an Athenian woman who came from a wealthy family. Her most unfortunate, life-turning point was when she was married t
Hippocampus mythology is part of ancient Greek mythology that has plenty of interesting facts and history. In this article, you will hav better insigh
Homeric epithets appear throughout the epic works and help ground the listeners in the writer's expressions of the people and places described. Epithe
Honor in the Iliad was more valuable than life, therefore, everyone strived to achieve it. Characters such as Achilles, Agamemnon, Odysseus, Patroclus
Hospitality in The Odyssey played a crucial role in Odysseus' journey to his hometown and his family's struggles back home in Ithaca. Still, to fully
If Helen of Sparta was referred to as "the face that launched a thousand ships," it was Aphrodite in The Iliad who was the true catalyst for the war.
Even though Beowulf was the story of an epic hero highlighting his strength, it ends with Beowulf's death. The death of Beowulf is shown in his final
Oedipus is a prominent character in two of Sophocles' three plays about him and his family. The plays were written over a thirty-six-year span of the
How Long Is the Iliad? The standard accepted version of the Iliad consists of exactly 15,693 lines all grouped into 24 books. The events of the story
Hubris in Antigone is vigorously portrayed by both the protagonist and the antagonist in the Sophoclean play. From a healthy dose of pride to irration
Hubris in the Iliad is an exposition of some characters in the poem who was excessively arrogant and the price they paid for their insolence. This ext
Hubris in The Odyssey and other Greek literature plays a vital role. In a way, Homer's The Odyssey served as a cautionary tale to the ancient Greeks,
Idomeneus was the King of Crete and served as the commander of the Cretan army during the Trojan war. He was very instrumental in repelling several Tr
While the Iliad vs Odyssey question is related and even considered sequential by some, there are various subtle and not-so-subtle differences. For exa
An epic poem tells the story of heroic acts or significant historical or mythological events. In Homer's Odyssey, the poem recounts Odysseus' epic jou
Ino in The Odyssey appears for only a handful of verses, but she plays an essential role. Without her assistance, Odysseus would have perished just be
Invocation of the muse Odyssey, in Greek mythology, refers to the act of the author, Homer, requesting the muse to give him inspiration and blessing a
The Ipotane is a mystical creature that belongs to various mythologies but most prominently is seen in Greek mythology. It is a morphologically divers
Irony in Antigone is written to build up anticipation and give interest to the characters of the plot. It creates a certain depth and richness to the
Irony in the Odyssey was used by its author, Homer, in writing his epic poem. Irony refers to a situation expressing a contrast between reality and ex
Ismene in Antigone is the sister of Antigone and the youngest daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta. She is a loyal but cautious sibling. In contrast to Ant
Itys is one of the tragic characters in Greek mythology because of the actions of his parents. This story is no doubt one of the worst ones in the who
Itzpapalotl-butterfly goddess was known as the one who ruled in the paradise land of Tamoanchan, which is the paradise of stillborn infants and women
Jocasta Oedipus is the queen of Thebes and wife of King Laius who received a prophecy that she would give birth to a boy who would kill her husband an
Jupiter vs Zeus compares the strengths and weaknesses of the two chief gods of Roman and Greek mythologies. Since the Romans heavily borrowed from Gre
Justice in Antigone is controversial; from the perspective of different characters, justice served through their fates often enough ends in tragedy. S
The name of the king of the Danes in Beowulf is Hrothgar, and he is the one whose people struggle against a monster for years. He called Beowulf to as
King Priam was the last standing king of Troy during the Trojan War. He was an important figure in ancient Greek mythology. His story is explained in
Kleio was one of the goddesses of music, dance, and song, famously known as the Muses in Greek mythology. Clio muse was commonly depicted holding an o
Kleos in the Iliad explores the theme of prestige and honor that drove major characters in Homer's epic poem. The setting of the poem provides a rich
Koalemos is the Greek god of stupidity and foolishness. Not as infamous as the Twelve Olympian gods and goddesses that include Zeus, Poseidon, Athena,
Kymopoleia, was one of the goddesses like other deities which were not mentioned, and one of the goddesses never brought up. Although not quite famous
Ladon Greek mythology follows the legend of the Hesperian Dragon who was tasked by the Hesperides, the daughters of Atlas, to guard the golden apples.
Laestrygonians in The Odyssey resided on the Island of the Laestrygonians and are known in Greek mythology to be cannibalistic. They are one of the is
Lamia started as a beautiful young queen who fell in love with Zeus, according to Greek folk traditions. However, certain circumstances changed her ap
Lampades in Greek mythology are torch-bearing nymphs who accompany a goddess on her night wanderings. They are trained followers of Hecate residing in
Lelantos is an invisible, formless god, a direct personification and representation of one of the key elements of nature. Being a second-generation ti
Literary devices in Antigone vary far and wide and are used to create a deeper understanding of the story's characters and their journey in the play.
Loyalty in Beowulf is an important theme, probably one of the key major themes because of its importance to the culture during that period. Throughout
When Calchas the seer prophesied that Achilles would die in the Trojan War, his mother Thetis took him to the island of Scyros and hid him there. She
Makhae was famously known as Machae, Makhai, or Machai name, in the mythology of the ancient Greek. The Machai personify battle and combat and were of
The male nymph would have similar functions as the well-known female nymphs; they are also connected to a particular location and are generally believ
Manticore vs Chimera are two interesting hybrid creatures from the world of mythologies. One comes from the ever-known Greek mythology while the other
Manticore vs Sphinx is a comparison of two hybrid creatures that belong to two different mythologies. Manticore is a known creature in Persian mytholo
In ancient Greek mythology, there were two Megapenthes; a son of King Proetus of Argos and Tiryns and a son of Menelaus, the King of Mycenae. Each Meg
Melanthius is one of those characters in Greek mythology that found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Melanthius was the goatherd of Od
Melinoe goddess was the bringer of madness, nightmares, and darkness in Greek mythology. She is most famously referred to in the Orphic Hymns. The god
Memnon vs Achilles is the comparison of the two champions who fought each other during the war in Troy. Memnon was the King of Aethopia in Africa and
Menelaus in The Odyssey is presented as Odysseus' friend and the king that offered Odysseus' son, Telemachus, assistance to find our hero's whereabout
Metaphors in Beowulf are a figure of speech, used to add a little bit more interesting imagery to the famous poem. They are used in the form of charac
Minotaur vs centaur is the comparison of the two beasts of Greek and Roman mythology to discover their strengths, weaknesses and roles in ancient lite
Moirae is a name given to a group of three sisters that instruct, maintain, and conduct the fates of mortal and immortal beings. In Greek mythology, t
In Greek mythology, the monster in the Odyssey includes Scylla, Charybdis, the sirens, and Polyphemus the cyclops. They are important figures in the O
Motifs in The Odyssey have been studied and scrutinized by numerous scholars ranging from old to young. The Odyssey comprises various books with diffe
Mt IDA Rhea in Crete is one of the two sacred mountains in Greek mythology. One of the mountains associated with Rhea is located in Crete, whereas the
Neptune vs Poseidon is an article that will uncover the similarities and differences between the two gods of Roman and Greek mythologies respectively.
Nessos, or Nessus, is one of the centaurs, which are iconic creatures of Greek mythology. He is one of the most notable of these half-man, half-horse
Nostos in the Odyssey refers to Odysseus' return home 'from Troy by sea. The word nostalgia is also derived from the words "nostos" and "algos," which
Odysseus in the Iliad is a Greek warrior and wise man who left to fight in the Trojan War. His story was a famous one because of how clever he was in
The Odyssey is a story of a journey in Odysseus' boat, as our Hero tried to find his way home following a conquest. Unfortunately for Odysseus, the go
The Odyssey cyclops or Polyphemus is known as the son of the god of the sea, Poseidon. Like his father, the demigod is strong and holds deep resentmen
Odyssey's Muse does not pertain to a figure that evokes inspiration from our Greek author. Instead, The Odyssey starts with the invocation of the Muse
Oedipus is the tragically fated lead character of Oedipus the King by the Greek playwright Sophocles. Abandoned as a baby by his parents King Laius an
The family relations in Sophocles' Three Theban Plays (Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone) are a key part of the famous tragedies. These fam
The story of Oedipus was well-known to Greek audiences: the king who unwittingly fulfilled a prophecy while trying to escape it. The earliest recorded
Oedipus Tiresias follows the events involving the blind prophet and how those events influence the outcome play, Oedipus Rex. Tiresias is one of the O
Oeno goddess was an ancient Greek deity that had the ability to turn water into wine. She was the great-granddaughter of Dionysus who gave her and her
Omens in the Aeneid are signs that foreshadow future events while giving assurances of what is to come. Several times throughout the poem, the gods us
Otrera, according to Greek mythology, was a female warrior who possessed the strength, skill, courage and agility comparable to her male counterparts.
Ourania was a muse in charge of astronomy and astronomical writings during the Classical period. She often held a globe in one hand and pointed rod in
Alexander of Troy, also known as Paris, was the younger brother of Troy's hero, Hector. Paris, however, did not have the pampered upbringing of his he
Patroclus – Death by Hubris Patroclus' death was one of the most poignant and powerful scenes in the Iliad. It reveals the futility of mortals endeavo
Peleus was an Argonaut who fled the city of Aegina after he and his half-brother, Telamon, murdered their sibling, Phocus. The two brothers landed in
Penelope in the Odyssey, the poem by Homer, is the faithful wife of Odysseus (or Ulysses for the Romans). Odysseus is the King of Ithaca, and he is th
Perse Greek mythology is one of the most famous characters because of her abilities and connections. She was a naiad, the daughter of a power couple,
Perses Greek mythology is an account of two characters with the same name. One of them was a Titan who was famous for fathering more important Greek f
Phaeacians in The Odyssey play a small but crucial role in Homer's Greek classic; the irony of how they meet our hero and become the Ithacan's lifesav
Singer for both humans and the Divine, Phemius in The Odyssey, is a self-taught player of the lyre specializing in songs of sorrow. He is described as
Pholus was an intelligent centaur and a dear friend to Heracles. He lived away from the population in a cave and rarely came out. His personality and
In Greek mythology, Phorcys is a name given to two different creatures. These creatures have different stories and are mentioned in separate works by
Phthia Greece was an ancient city that is most famously known for its various Greek rulers. This ancient city is highly associated with Achilles, the
Poseidon in The Odyssey is the god of the seas who is infamous for his bad temper, mood swings, and vengeful nature. Although known for his ever-chang
The Potamoi were the 3000 sons of Oceanus and Tethys, both of which are Titans born to Uranus and Gaia. They were the brothers of the Oceanids and the
Praxidike is the goddess of justice in Greek mythology. Her powers presided over the humans and their matters only not of gods and goddesses. She was
Protesilaus was a Greek warrior who hailed from the city-state of Phylace and bravely led his men into war against the Trojans. He was also a suitor o
Proteus in The Odyssey had a small yet impactful part in the Greek classic. He, the Greek Sea god, had insurmountable knowledge and would only share h
The protogenoi are the primordial gods that existed before the Titans and the Olympians. These gods were actively involved in the creation of the cosm
Sappho 31 is an ancient Greek lyrical poem written by a Greek female poet, Sappho of Lesbos. Not only is it one of the most significant pieces of her
Sarpedon was the controversial son of Zeus and Laodameia in Greek mythology. He later became the king of Lycia through a series of good and bad fortun
Scheria was a utopic town in ancient Greek mythology where Odysseus ended his 10-year-long journey before returning to Ithaca. This region is very fam
Sciapods were a mythical race of men with only one giant foot centered in the middle of their bodies. They had a habit of lying on their backs during
Scylla in the Odyssey is the female sea monster encountered by Odysseus and his men on their journey back home. She haunted the rocks on one side of t
Sinis was a robber who was cast out of the Isthmus of Corinth, probably due to his criminal activities. He spent the rest of his life on the road wait
Siren vs Mermaid is a fascinating comparison between two creatures that have the same physical trait, they have the head of a human and the body of an
Iliad themes cover a bunch of universal topics from love and friendship to honor and glory as presented in the epic poem. They represent universal tru
The sphinx Oedipus was originally an Egyptian creation that was adopted by Sophocles in his tragic play, Oedipus Rex. The gods sent the creature to ki
Sthenelus of Mycenae was the son of Perseus and Andromeda, a princess of the Ethiopian king Cepheus and his wife Cassiopeia. He became king of Mycenae
Styx goddess of the underworld is known for binding the oaths that ancient Greek gods and goddesses will take in the River Styx under her name. Zeus g
Sophocles used symbolism in Antigone to carry out deeper messages that were not obvious to the audience. These symbols gave weight to the play and add
Symbols in the Odyssey can also be seen as allegories in the Odyssey; however, it may seem that the poem is just about the story of a Greek hero and h
Telemachus in The Odyssey played a small but crucial role in Homer's Classic. The Homeric classic plays the son of our missing hero, Odysseus, and str
Telkhines were one of the most interesting creatures of Greek mythology because of their origin and powers. These creatures existed from the start and
Temptation in the Odyssey is one of the themes in the epic poem. It was exhibited repeatedly throughout the poem. On many occasions, the concept of te
Teucer was a name borne by two significant figures in Greek mythology. The first was a legendary archer who fought in the Trojan War alongside his hal
Thanatos vs Hades is the comparison between the carrier of the dead and the king of the dead in Greek mythology. It is an interesting comparison becau
The Cicones in the Odyssey mark one of the times the crew's disobedience nearly cost them everything. As Odysseus and his crew traveled, they needed t
The rivers of the Underworld were believed to be in the earth's bowels in the domain of Hades, the god of the Underworld. Each river had unique charac
The Greek god of rain was Zeus, the king and father of the Olympians and the men. Zeus is the most famous Olympian god from Greek mythology, and right
The heroic code was a set of values and ways to act in a warrior society. Even if you've never heard of the heroic code before, you can certainly imag
Homer's Odyssey is one of the two most famous ancient Greek epic poems (the first one was The Iliad). This is regarded as one of history's great stori
Bia Greek Goddess was the personification of force, rage, and raw energy who lived on Mount Olympus with Zeus. Though they were Titans, Bia and her fa
Porphyrion was known as one of the greatest Giants in Greek mythology who dared to challenge Zeus during the Gigantomachy. He has different adaptation
Lapiths vs Centaurs is an interesting and gripping tale about the two creatures that came face to face in a battle. The two belong to Greek mythology
The Odyssey ending the way it is is still heavily debated in the literary world, with various scholars discussing it. Still, to fully grasp the schola
In Homer's Odyssey, setting determines many of Odysseus' challenges and becomes a significant part of the tale as the characters and events. While the
The role of Glaucus in the Iliad was to offer a contrast to the extremes of some of the behaviors of the other characters, in particular Achilles and
The Role of Women in the Iliad with their treatment of female characters in the Iliad and Odyssey can be seen as dehumanizing by today's standards but
Typically, Trojan horse history is considered mythological. While it seems a bit far-fetched that a giant wooden horse could have been used to trick a
The Aeneid's themes are plenty; each gives an idea of what shaped the lives of the ancient Romans. A theme such as fate tells of how the ancient Roman
Themes in The Odyssey are written intricately well to create a dynamic piece that fully comprehends the culture and nature of those living within thos
The poem of Beowulf acts as a code of conduct. It contains moral instructions which were a representation of the Anglo-Saxon culture at that time. No
Theoclymenus in The Odyssey plays a small but vital role in the play. He is a famous prophet's descendant fleeing prosecution for a crime of manslaugh
When presenting Thetis, Iliad readers tend to focus upon her role as the mother of Achilles. But does Thetis have a larger role to play in the epic of
In Tiresias, Antigone had a champion, one who, ultimately, failed to save her from the fate her uncle's pride brought on. Tiresias, from his first app
Tiresias of the Odyssey is quite peculiar in Greek mythology. He is one of the most celebrated characters in Ancient Greek literature. The Tiresias Od
Titans vs Gods is a comparison of two extremely powerful generations of Greek mythology. The second and the third generation of gods came face to face
The Titans vs Olympians, also known as Titanomachy, was a war fought to establish supremacy over the cosmos. The Olympians, led by Zeus, attacked the
Troy vs Sparta is a comparison of two very important Greek cities in which one was a real city and the other was a city in Greek mythology. Both of th
Tydeus was a leader of the Argive army that fought against the Thebans to remove their King, Eteocles, and to hand over the throne to Polynices, the b
Typhon vs Zeus is a comparison between a Titan monster and an Olympian god. These creatures belonged to two different generations of Greek gods but we
The Underworld in The Odyssey plays a crucial role in Odysseus' return home to Ithaca. But to fully understand how he entered the land of the dead, ho
The vengeance in the Odyssey is one of the most remarkable themes in Homer's epic poem. It made a huge impact that affected the rest of the story. The
Violence in the Aeneid explores the subjects of conquest and defeat, glory and infamy, that characterized the establishment of the Roman Empire. The p
The answer is both 'yes' and 'no' because the Old English poem had several elements which were factual and other features that were fictitious. Some s
Was Medusa real? Is her character based on a real-life story? We will discover the reason behind Medusa's one-of-a-kind appearance and whether there i
What do the muses do for Hesiod becaus he is regarded as one of the greatest Greek poets that lived as evidenced by his literary works, especially the
What does Beowulf look like? Is he a mythical hero who possesses godly features? In the poem, he is described as a tall young man with extraordinary s
What does Grendel look like? This question has been asked a lot of times because of his fierce personality in the epic poem since Grendel was the main
What does Grendel represent in the Old English poem, Grendel? The answer to this question is complex and requires a bit of a back story. Grendel was t
A simile is a figure of speech in which one thing is likened to another in such a way as to clarify and enhance an image. It is an explicit comparison
The Antigone family tree is crucial to understanding what happens in the Greek playwright Sophocles' tragedy Antigone. She is a member of the Royal Li
Athena in the Trojan War acts as a mentor to Achilles, battling on the side of the Achaeans. Achilles is a hot-headed warrior, impulsively rushing int
An oracle informs Laius of Delphi that he can only save the city of Thebes from certain destruction if he never fathers a child. The prophecy further
The gods in the Iliad, as in most Greek mythology, heavily influenced events as they unfolded. While Zeus, the king of the gods, remained neutral, sev
The Iliad is viewed as the one epic poem that has influenced generations of Western poetry and is considered a masterpiece among literature enthusiast
Where do gods live? This question has been asked many times and the answers are just a little blurry. The reason for this is that there are many diffe
Who are the Achaeans in the Odyssey, this is a question to ask as a reader, the Achaeans play an exciting part in the life of the ancient Greeks. Thro
Who is Cain in Beowulf? Cain is believed to be the origin of all evil in the epic poem Beowulf. His biblical story, which made him the first human mur
Laertes is the father of Odysseus and grandfather to Telemachos. Laertes' Odyssey has long since ended when he is introduced in the epic poem by Homer
Mentes in The Odyssey along with other mentors, were just a few of the characters whom Athena used to disguise herself to be able to help Odysseus. Kn
Creon is often mentioned as the tragic hero in Antigone, the third of the Theban plays. Is it possible, though, that an Antigone tragic hero essay cou
Zeus is the king of the Greek gods and the supreme ruler of Olympus. Zeus is the supreme deity in Ancient Greek religion and is also known as the Fath
Ajax the Great was considered second only to Achilles among the Greek heroes. He was the son of Telmon, the grandson of Aeacus and Zeus, and was cousi
The death of Patroclus is critical to Achilles' participation in the Trojan war. Achilles had been sulking in his tent, refusing to join the battle. I
The main characters in The Iliad included women and men, mortal and immortal, victims, warriors, and gods. Their stories are intertwined and overlappi
Was it love or pride that led Achilles to kill Hector? The Trojan war was a tale of love and pride, hubris and stubbornness, and a refusal to give up.
Achilles was a great hero in Greek mythology, the son of the mortal king Peleus and the Nereid Thetis. The Myrmidons, the people of his father well kn
Why did Antigone bury her brother? Was it purely out of divine law? Was she right to defy King Creon? In this article, let's discover what led her to
Antigone's life, like her father Oedipus's, is filled with grief and tragedy. As the daughter of Oedipus and his mother Jocasta, Antigone is a product
The two ancient Greek poets Hesiod and Homer, created the first guide on ancient Greek religion and customs. In this guide, it was stated that there w
There are three kinds of key archetypes in the Odyssey used to illustrate various aspects of Ancient Greek civilization. These are the hero, the monst
Acamas was born to King Theseus and Queen Phaedra of Athens along with his brother Demophon. He was said to be skillful and intelligent in warfare and
Aceso goddess was one of the deities who supervised the practice as the ancient Greeks practiced a crude form of medicine. She was thought to help rel
Achilles Greek mythology narrates the adventures of Achilles, the main character of the Iliad, before, during, and after the Trojan War. It tells of h
Aegaeon in Greek mythology refers to different characters, but the most well-known is as one of the Hecatonchires, who are giants with enormous streng
Aegeus is associated with founding Athens and being the father of Theseus. There are a lot of important events to his name in the mythology. The death
Aeolus in The Odyssey helped our hero by providing him with a bag of winds. Odysseus's men's ignorance, however, resulted in the waste of this help. S
Aergia was the infamous goddess of idleness and laziness in Greek and Roman mythology. This goddess is also famous in many other mythologies which is
Agamemnon in The Odyssey is a recurring character in the form of several cameos across Homer's Classic. In its precursor, the Iliad, Agamemnon was kno
Alcinous in the Odyssey is the king of Phaeacians, of his island kingdom Scheria. A large part of the narrative retells Odysseus's wanderings with the
Alexander and Hephaestion are the best of friends and allegedly lovers. Their relationship has been a topic of debate among historians and philosopher
Alexander the Great spouse was Roxana. Aside from marrying Roxana, Alexander married two other women from Persia: Barsine and Parysatis. In this artic
Alliteration in Beowulf is the repeated use of initial sounds/letters right after the other, which occurs very often in Beowulf. Alliteration was very
The allusions in Antigone shape Sophocles' classic in a way that references various themes and works famous at the time. In ancient times, the Greek c
In understanding the allusions in The Odyssey, a connection must be made between the reader and the author, who both share an appreciation for knowled
Ampelus in Greek Mythology is a satyr that has been seen, written about, and spoken of in various ways, as he has even appeared in other mythologies a
Similes in The Odyssey gave perception and depth to both the greek classic and monologues done by our beloved characters. They helped shape the classi
Angelia was the personification of messages and tidings in Greek mythology. She was the embodiment of sending and receiving proclamations among the go
Anglo-Saxon culture in Beowulf is pricisely represented and portrayed in the famous poem through its main character and his respected actions. Beowulf
Antenor of Troy was an aged and wise counselor who offered great services to Priam, the king of Troy, and his wife, Hecuba, before and during the Troj
Oedipus Rex The tragic life of Oedipus and his family are summarized in the following: Queen Jocasta of Thebes gives birth to a son An oracle warns th
Antilochus was a Greek warrior who sought the hand of Helen in marriage and thus had to join the Greek expedition to Troy after Paris kidnapped Helen.
After the war that left the land of Troy riddled in chaos, Odysseus and his men gather to return to their beloved homes. They venture off the land of
Why did Homer mention Aphrodite in The Odyssey? She doesn't even appear in person, but only as a character in a bard's song. Is it just an entertainin
Apollo and Artemis shared a unique deep bond since birth. Although they greatly differ, they have the same passion for archery, hunting, and protectin
The story of Apollo in The Iliad is one of the acts of vengeance of a wrathful god and the effect it has on the course of the war. The gods' interfere
Apollo in The Odyssey is a recurring character that didn't appear often and was most usually invoked in the Homerian classic. The Greek god of archery
Arcas was a beloved ancestor of the Arcadians and the person after which the Arcadia region in Greece was named. To enable the region to develop he ta
Odin and Zeus are some of the most recognizable names in mythology and pop culture as a whole. Both figures are featured in various media, such as boo
Arimaspi was a group of men in Greek mythology that were physically different from all the other men in the way that they looked. These men had only o
Artemis and Actaeon are the characters of another tragic story in Greek mythology. The encounter between the goddess of hunting, Artemis, and Actaeon,
Artemis and Callisto shared a leader-follower relationship in Greek mythology that would end in tragedy. Callisto was one of the most devoted follower
Artemis and Orion in Greek mythology are lovers who faced a tragic ending in their love story. The relationship between Orion, a mere mortal, and Arte
Artemis' Personality and the Paradox of the Virgin Goddess of Mothers Artemis is a goddess who knows what she wants and is not afraid to go after it.
Ascanius in the Aeneid was the son of the epic hero Aeneas and his wife Creusa, the daughter of King Priam. He fled with his father from Troy as the G
Athena in The Odyssey acted as a guardian towards Odysseus' family, ensuring their safety and prosperity in the Homeric Classic. Her actions lead to v
Athena vs Aphrodite is an important comparison because both women were extremely well known in Greek mythology. These Greek goddesses were both sister
Athena vs Ares seeks to contrast the characteristics of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, with Ares, the god of war. The idea is to establish their origi
Automedon was a charioteer in the Achaean forces in the infamous Trojan war. He was responsible for two immortal horses of Achilles, Balius, and Xanth
For Beowulf, boasting was more than just bragging about his accomplishments. Boasting in Beowulf was akin to writing a powerful resume in modern times
Beowulf is an epic poem that follows the adventures of the titular character as he battles three monsters to protect people. The poem highlights the m
The Beowulf characters list is quite long, but there is a small number that has speaking parts or importance to the poem. Beowulf is the protagonist,
From the beginning of Beowulf, fate plays a large role. Nothing that happens to the hero is truly by chance or even by his own will. The mysterious fo
What Is the Theme of Beowulf? Beowulf has many themes relating to Anglo-Saxon culture; however, the overarching themes could be the heroic code of chi
Beowulf vs Achilles, what are their similarities and differences? To begin with, they are both heroes from epic poems, but they greatly differ in how
Beowulf vs. Grendel is likely one of the more famous battles in literature history. It is an epic Scandinavian hero pitted against a dark, bloodthirst
Beowulf's final battle is one against a fire-breathing dragon. This was the third monster Beowulf encountered, according to the epic poem Beowulf. Thi
Biblical allusions in Beowulf are refrenced, even though it was written when paganism and pagan culture ruled at the time. This is reasonable noting t
Byzas was a colonist who laid the foundation of the Byzantium empire along with his people. He is most famous for being a true king and the founder of
Caerus or Kairos is known as the god of opportunity, favorable moments, and luck in Greek mythology. He is believed to be in control of letting things
What Is a Caesura in Beowulf? Caesura is defined as a break or pause in a line of poetry, and it is the same in Beowulf. The break comes where one phr
Calypso in the Odyssey was described as a seductive nymph inhabiting the mythical island of Ogygia in Greek mythology. Located in an unknown place, Ca
Campe was a vicious fire-breathing female monster that had only one purpose in life. She is a famous character in Greek mythology. Interestingly, the
Catharsis in Antigone seems to be absent to the untrained eye, but as Aristotle says, "Catharsis is the aesthetic form of a tragedy," and nothing is m
Catharsis in Oedipus Rex is the events in the tragic story that release emotions of fear and pity – fear of what may befall the tragic hero and pity f
Abu Nidal was a terrorist mercenary who was once linked to the most dangerous terrorist organization in existence. In this article, we investigate mor
By disbelieving Tiresias, Oedipus guaranteed his own downfall in the tale of Oedipus Rex. Analysis of the story often focuses on the tragedy of Oedipu
The literal answer is that the event took place in the second play of the trilogy, Oedipus Rex. There are debates, however, over the exact timeline. T
The tale of Oedipus is well known within Greek Mythology. Born to King Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes, Oedipus was destined to be damned all his li