Greek mythology is made up of a collection of myths told by the ancient Greeks as a way to understand and explain their world. These stories about gods, goddesses, mythological creatures and heroes permeated daily life and provided an explanation for everything – the natural world, passing of time, traditions, customs and rites.

The pantheon of Greek mythology was often flawed, complex and capricious, and prone to human emotions and shortcomings. Gods such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Hades, Poseidon, Athena and Artemis were jealous, lustful, vengeful, fickle and petty. They meddled with mortals and punished those who slighted or challenged them in even the smallest ways.

Greek mythology has been paramount in shaping the culture, tradition, art and literature of the Western world for thousands of years and continues to be alive and well in modern culture. Inspiration from Greek myth can be found in brand names, logos, names of sports teams and so on. Think Nike (Greek goddess of victory), Asus (from Pegasus, the flying horse) and the Versace logo (which features a Gorgon head).

The importance of Greek mythology has influenced society in numerous ways, and it’s often credited for being the roots of modern thinking. The stories hold important morals and lessons that are relevant even today. Our series of articles capture the essence of the Greek myths, covering their importance, symbolism and relevance today.