Greek mythology

Heroes & mortals — Greek mythology

Achilles in armor during the siege of Troy, ancient Greek vase painting

Achilles, hero of the Trojan War in Greek mythology

Achilles, son of Peleus and Thetis: near-invulnerability, the quarrel with Agamemnon, the death of Patroclus and the fatal heel. Central figure of the Iliad.

Hector in bronze armour before the walls of Troy, epic illustration

Hector, prince of Troy and champion of the Trojans in Greek mythology

Hector, son of Priam, defender of Troy, his fatal duel with Achilles, and why Homer's most human hero embodies duty, love, and tragic fate.

Heracles wielding his club and wearing the skin of the Nemean Lion, ancient sculpture

Heracles, the hero of the Twelve Labors

Heracles, demigod son of Zeus and Alcmene: birth, Twelve Labors, major exploits, and the apotheosis of the greatest hero in Greek mythology.

Jason holding the Golden Fleece, neoclassical painting

Jason and the Golden Fleece: leader of the Argonauts in Greek mythology

Jason, leader of the Argonauts, the quest for the Golden Fleece in Colchis, Medea's magic, and the tragic fall of a hero who betrayed his saviour.

Odysseus bound to the mast of his ship to resist the Sirens' song, ancient Greek vase painting

Odysseus, the hero of the Odyssey in Greek mythology

Odysseus, king of Ithaca: cunning, endurance, and the ten-year journey home from Troy — Polyphemus, Circe, the Underworld, the Sirens, and the return.

Orpheus playing the lyre surrounded by charmed animals, ancient mosaic

Orpheus, the divine poet of the Underworld in Greek mythology

Orpheus, son of Apollo: the lyre that moved all nature, descent into the Underworld for Eurydice, the fatal glance, and the founding of the Orphic mysteries.

Bellerophon riding Pegasus to fight the Chimera, Greek hero

Bellerophon, tamer of Pegasus and slayer of the Chimera

Bellerophon, Greek hero of Corinth: false accusation, capture of Pegasus, victory over the Chimera, exploits in Lycia, and the fall that punishes his hubris against the gods.

Oedipus, king of Thebes and Greek tragic hero

Oedipus, the Greek hero who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother: the Delphic oracle, the riddle of the Sphinx, his tragic downfall, and ancient sources.

Perseus holding the severed head of Medusa, bronze sculpture by Benvenuto Cellini

Perseus, slayer of Medusa and founder of Mycenae

Perseus, heroic son of Zeus and Danaë: miraculous birth, quest for Medusa's head, rescue of Andromeda, and the founding of Mycenae.

Theseus fighting the Minotaur in the Labyrinth, ancient Greek red-figure vase

Theseus, hero of Athens and slayer of the Minotaur

Theseus, Athenian hero and son of Poseidon and Aegeus: the road of exploits, victory over the Minotaur in the Labyrinth, and the founding of Athenian identity.