From hero to zero is a tired phrase today.
Stephen Fry - Heroes, Mortals and Monsters, Quests and Adventures
Greek mythology is a wide range of great stories passed down from generation to generation by oral tradition, which were later captured in poems, hymns and literary texts. These include famous characters such as gods, heroes and semi-divine characters whose actions explain natural phenomena, social customs and ethical values. From the most epic deities, such as Zeus and Hera to Achilles, discover the most famous Greek heroes of all time and their place in history.
Discover everything behind Greek mythology heroes and the stories behind these epic deities. From Zeus to Achilles learn the Greek divine hierarchy.
Zeus: The King of the Gods
Role: The supreme god and the highest figure in the Greek divine hierarchy. Ruler of Mount Olympus and the father of the gods and men.
Symbols: The thunderbolt represents the dominion of his cosmic power, the eagle, his sacred bird and the oak tree associated with his oracles.
Notable myths:
In the Greek mythology, Zeus led the great war against the Titans, defeating them and setting up the rule of the new generation of gods. Also, Zeus shows up in way too many myths as the father of the gods and Greek heroes Athena, Apollo, Heracles and Perseus. These stories reflect the huge power of Zeus and how he gets involved in both human and divine affairs. He symbolizes justice and balance, but also the tensions that come with being the most powerful god. 1 2
Hera: The Queen of the Gods
Role: The wife of Zeus and the queen of Olympus. She was the goddess of marriage and the protective nature of motherhood. Since marriage and family were pretty valued in Greek society, Hera is one of the most influential and loved goddesses in the Greek mythical tradition.
Symbols: Her most common symbols are the peacock, linked to beauty and watchfulness and the cow, which symbolizes fertility.
She is also seen as a protector of marriages.
Notable myths:
A pretty interesting fact is that Hera also appears as a figure of jealousy and revenge against the lovers and Zeus's multiple unions with goddesses and mortals, as well as their children. This is exemplified, for instance, in her persecution of Heracles, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, imposing numerous trials throughout his life, including the famous Twelve Labors. Hera represented both the protection of the conjugal order and the fragility of divine relationships marked by family conflicts and sweet revenge. 3
Poseidon: God of the Sea
Role: Brother of Zeus and Hades. One of the most critical Olympian Greek heroes and rules over the sea, storms, earthquakes and horses.
Symbols: The dolphin, linked to marine life and the horse, whose creation is attributed to him in many ancient myths.
He reflects the unpredictable ocean. He usually carries his trident, which he uses to stir up the waters causing terrible storms.
Notable myths!
Poseidon and the goddess Athena were rivals seeking to rule and protect the city of Athens in ancient Greece. In a contest, Poseidon offered a saltwater spring by striking a rock with his trident, while the goddess provided the olive tree as a symbol of peace. The Athenians chose her as their patron goddess and became the most revered deity in the city. 4
Athena: Goddess of Wisdom
Role: Goddess of wisdom, military strategy and protection.
Symbols: The owl, which stands for knowledge, the olive tree, associated with prosperity and the helmet, her warrior side.
Notable myths:
Zeus once suffered from a terrible headache and asked for help from Hephaestus (also known as the god of fire and another son of Zeus), who split his skull open with an axe. From the wound of Zeus, Athena emerged fully armed and made her the goddess of wisdom, intelligence and creativity, becoming one of her most famous stories. She is also the protector of heroes, such as Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey, where she guides him with some pretty clever plans. A pretty cool role model to follow. 6 7
Apollo: God of the Sun and Arts
Role: A god who brings order and clarity to chaos. Connected to the sun, music, poetry, prophecy and medicine, Apollo is one of the most versatile gods.
Symbols: The lyre, the instrument that made him the god of art, the laurel wreath, derived from his relationship with Daphne and the solar chariot, the one he used to travel all across the sky.
Notable myths:
Apollo killed the monstrous serpent Python, guardian of the Delphi sanctuary. Later, Apollo established the Oracle of Delphi, one of the most significant religious centers in ancient Greece. 8
Heracles (Hercules): The Strongman
Role: Known as Hercules in Roman tradition, is one of the most famous Greek heroes of mythology, who has also become a pretty well known animated Disney character. The son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene. His life was marked by the hostility of Hera, wife of Zeus, who persecuted Hercules throughout his existence due to the jealousy and revenge.
Symbols: Extraordinary physical strength and endurance.
Notable myths:
His fame is due to the Twelve Labors, which were impossible tasks imposed by King Eurystheus, who tried to purify him after a family crime Hercules committed while going a bit crazy. As part of these formidable tasks, he killed the lion of Nemea and captured the hind of Ceryneia, showcasing the hero's power. 9 10
Achilles: The Invincible Warrior
Role: Character of the Iliad and the greatest of the Achaean warriors during the Trojan War. Son of the King Peleus and the Nereid Thetis. From very young, he was trained by the centaur Chiron, who taught him the art and all the tricks of war and medicine.
Symbols: From his famous stories comes the modern expression Achilles' heel, which people use to describe the weakness in a strong person, a system and organization.
Notable myths:
Achilles killed Hector, king of Troy, out of revenge after the death of his friend Patroclus. However, the vulnerability of his heel already marked his destiny when an arrow struck him right there, defeating him since it was the only part of his body not protected.11
Odysseus: The Cunning King
Role: The son of Laertes and Anticlea, and also known as the king of Ithaca.
Symbols: Characterized more by his intelligence than by his physical strength. In the Iliad, his creativity is exemplified in the famous Trojan Horse strategy, which enabled the Achaeans to conquer the city with pretty great skills.
Notable myths:
In the Odyssey of Homer, he embarks on a long journey back to Ithaca, encountering creatures and challenges. Shows the importance of strategic intelligence as a fundamental quality for overcoming adversities.
Perseus: The Gorgon Slayer
Role: Son of Zeus and the princess Danae.
Danae's father, the King Acrisius of Argos, locked her up to prevent the fulfillment of an oracle that warned the king that he was going to be killed by his grandson. However, Zeus transformed into a shower of golden rain and enter the prison of the princess, from which she gave birth to the god.
Symbols: Head of Medusa.
Notable myths:
Perseus was the one who decapitated the monster Medusa, one of the most horrifying Greek monsters.
He had the help of Hermes, who gave him a sword and Athena, who gave him a polished shield, which served as a mirror. These allowed him to look at Medusa without being petrified. After cutting her head, Pegasus and Chrysaor were born from her blood. 11
Nike: Goddess of Victory
Role: Goddess of victory, both in war and in athletic competition. She often appears accompanying Zeus or Athena, highlighting her role as a messenger of divine victory.
Symbols: She is shown as a winged figure holding a laurel wreath or palm, symbols of triumph and honor in classical and Hellenistic Greek art.
Myths: Nike does not star in famous narratives, but she is reflected in art and symbolism. The famous statue of the Victory of Samothrace, now housed in the Louvre Museum, captures her as a representation of power and triumph.
Her constant presence in temples and monuments demonstrates the high value the Greeks placed on victory as a collective and religious ideal. 12
Nike: Goddess of Victory, and the Most Famous Sports Brand
The sports company Nike took its name from the goddess of victory, along with its famous swoosh logo, inspired by her wings as a symbol of speed and triumph.
Influence of Greek Mythology on Modern Culture
Greek mythology and its most famous gods have been reinterpreted again and again over the years, demonstrating that their lessons and values transcend their original time and place. They still speak to universal ideas about human nature, traditions and culture. Discover more about the huge impact of these fascinating figures from ancient Greece below!
Literature
Greek myths have inspired writers for centuries. For example, in the Middle Age, Dante13 Alighieri incorporated great classical references in The Divine Comedy. In the Inferno, mythological gods appear, such as Minos. In the 20th century, James Joyce adapted the Odyssey in his novel Ulysses, transforming the epic journey into a single day in Dublin.14
Art
During the Renaissance, artists drew inspiration from mythological tales. Sandro Botticelli brought these stories to life through his famous The Birth of Venus, where the goddess rises from the sea on a shell, inspired by ancient literary traditions. In sculpture, the story of Laocoön and His Sons shaped the Renaissance style and pretty much influenced the aesthetics and dramatic expressions.15
Language
Modern vocabulary has borrowed numerous expressions from Greek myths that serve as universal metaphors. The phrase Achilles' heel refers to a fatal weakness in a person, inspired by the vulnerability of the Homeric hero. The expression Herculean task is used to describe a challenging job, inspired by our hero Heracles. These expressions demonstrate that ancient myths live on our everyday lives.
Brands
The French high fashion house Hermès took its name after the messenger god, associated with great speed and commerce. These curiosities demonstrate how modern businesses use mythological references to represent their values and establish their brands in a highly competitive market.
References
- ZEUS - Greek God of the sky, King of the Gods. (n.d.). Theoi Greek Mythology. https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Zeus.html
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025, October 3). Zeus | Myths, Wife, Children, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Zeus
- HERA - Greek Goddess of marriage, Queen of the Gods. (n.d.). Theoi Greek Mythology. https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Hera.html
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Poseidon | Myths, Symbols, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Poseidon
- ATHENA - Greek goddess of wisdom, war & crafts. (n.d.). Theoi Greek Mythology. https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Athena.html
- Madeleine. (2019, December 2). How was Athena Born? Greek Mythology -. https://www.theoi.com/articles/how-was-athena-born/
- Gill, N. (2020, January 23). Symbols of the Greek god Apollo. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/apollo-god-symbols-117070
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998b, July 20). Python | Python, Delphi & Oracle. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Python-Greek-mythology
- Yannis. (2025, February 25). Odysseus, the resourceful Greek hero of the Odyssey. Greek Myths & Greek Mythology. https://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/odysseus-greek-hero/
- DANAE - Argive Princess of Greek Mythology. (n.d.-b). https://www.theoi.com/Heroine/Danae.html
- Yannis. (2025b, May 28). The myth of Perseus and Medusa. Greek Myths & Greek Mythology. https://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/myth-perseus-and-medusa/
- NIKE - Greek Goddess of Victory (Roman Victoria). (n.d.-b). https://www.theoi.com/Daimon/Nike.html
- Florence Inferno. (2015, March 8). Minos, The Infernal Judge: Dante’s divine comedy. https://www.florenceinferno.com/minos-the-infernal-judge/
- Pendleton, R. (2020, February 9). The Ancient Influences on James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses.’ Medium. https://medium.com/%40ross.d.pendleton/the-ancient-influences-on-james-joyces-ulysses-204efce96e0a
- View page: Ancient Influences on Renaissance Art. (n.d.-b). https://depts.washington.edu/hrome/Authors/heberj/AncientInflucesonRenaissanceArt/18/pub_zbpage_view.html
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