Myths and legends from ancient Greece
Frequently Asked Questions About Lesser Known Greek Myths what is the myth of Ixion and why does he matter? Ixion, a Thessalian king, murdered his father-in-law then sought Zeus’s forgiveness. Zeus tested him by creating Nephele, a cloud woman resembling Hera. Ixion seduced her, producing Centaurs, corrupting the mortal realm. Punished eternally, he’s bound to […]
Norse mythology and Greek mythology are the two most studied and compared mythological traditions in the Western world — and for good reason. Both feature powerful pantheons, epic heroes, terrifying monsters, and stories that have shaped art, literature, and culture for millennia. But beneath the surface similarities lie fundamental differences in how each civilization understood […]
Frequently Asked Questions About Lesser Known Greek Myths What is the myth of the Empusa? The Empusa was a monstrous, shape-shifting creature often depicted with one bronze leg and one donkey leg. Daughter of Hecate, she preyed on travelers, luring them with seduction before feeding on their flesh and blood. Her terrifying appearance and predatory […]
Frequently Asked Questions About Celtic Mythology Gods And Goddesses What is the most important Celtic god? The Tuatha Dé Danann, a race of supernatural beings, were central to Celtic mythology. Among them, The Dagda is often considered the most important, depicted as a powerful, wise, and fatherly figure. He possessed a magical cauldron that could […]
Frequently Asked Questions About Lesser Known Greek Myths What is the myth of Endymion and Selene? Endymion was a beautiful mortal shepherd loved by Selene, the moon goddess. She asked Zeus to grant him eternal youth and sleep, so she could gaze upon his beauty forever. He lies in a cave on Mount Latmos, forever […]
The Enigmatic Pantheon of Celtic Mythology Celtic mythology, steeped in mystery and oral tradition, offers a pantheon as intricate as those chronicled by Homer or Ovid, yet distinctly rooted in the landscapes of ancient Gaul, Ireland, and Britain. Unlike the well-documented Greek or Roman gods, the Celtic divine often emerges through fragmentary texts like the […]
Standing in a serene bamboo grove outside Kyoto, feeling the presence of something sacred in the wind and the moss-covered stones, and then months later, gazing up at the colossal, sun-bleached columns of the Parthenon, one is struck by a profound question. How can two cultures, looking at the same world, arrive at such stunningly […]
What happens when two of history’s most formidable pantheons collide? The question of Egyptian gods vs Greek gods powers is a favorite among mythology enthusiasts, but the true answer lies not in a fantasy battle royale, but in a far more profound philosophical clash. In the latest episode of The Old Fires podcast, we venture […]
The Ancient Celtic Pantheon: An Epic Saga of Gods and Goddesses The Celts, an ancient and enigmatic people, left behind a rich legacy of myth and legend that continues to captivate us to this day. At the heart of Celtic mythology lies a pantheon of gods and goddesses, each with their own distinct character and […]
Frequently Asked Questions About Lesser Known Greek Myths Introduction While many readers are familiar with the tale of Persephone’s abduction by Hades, a story that has captivated artists and writers for centuries, there exist numerous Greek myths that remain shrouded in obscurity. One such myth is that of Erysichthon, a king who suffered a terrible […]