Fables

Many Greek myths have derived from fables written to present an agenda or hidden meaning. Both literature and art were often used to depict scenes and stories that would hopefully convince a person to behave or act in a certain way. The myths of hades and the underworld would strive to convince people to live virtuously and to please the gods. Other fables aimed to set an example, the myth of the Amazons, a tribe of strong fierce women spread the message of courage and pride. In fables, the Amazonians were described as warlike individuals known by all for their bravery, stories were written about their fights and how they were determined enough to take on well-established heroes such as Heracles. On the matter of Heracles, another Greek myth, his fables addressed topics suffering and perseverance. Heracles was used to encourage Greeks to strive for greatness, in the myth he encountered 12 labours but through doing so he was granted immortality amongst the Gods. I thoroughly enjoy the fables of Greek mythology as the messages behind them were either inspiring or would set out warnings for those who believed in them. Pandoras Box warns the consequences of disobedience, the myth of Prometheus warned people about the punishments of stealing, different myths had different meanings, which to me is amazing. Although the meaning behind the myths is pretty simple and basic, the presentation is so creative and intertwined. Greek mythology contains re-occurring characters and locations, which consequently make the myths feel alive. The detail and awe behind greek mythology really entice me to the point I wish it was still commonly believed. Personally I feel like this could be taken further, possibly in phase three, where the meaning of certain myths could be used to design a game.

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Magic

In Greek mythology, magic was a common occurrence that was used by the Gods but also occasionally channelled through certain individuals. Many believed that magic could be wielded and caused by prayer, tablets, drugs and potions. As far as mythology goes, many believed that the Oracle of Delphi could predict the future of individuals and groups. In "The Histories" by Herodotus, it is said that the Athenians bribed the priestess of Delphi to give false information to the Spartans to defend and reclaim Athens from the Pisistratidae. Oracles and priestesses were often seen as powerful vessels that the Gods gave their will through, and many would listen to them and follow their command as a result of the reputation they had gained. In Greek mythology, many believed that priestesses would inhale fumes from the ground in order to communicate with the Gods. 

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Magic was also used to protect individuals and areas, many believed that amulets or inscribed stones held magical power. Some believed that wearing amulets would guarantee something good would happen to them, others believed an inscription or blessed tablet would ward off evil and suffering in there homes. Historians have discovered that many city-states would even commission inscriptions as they believed they would protect the city and its inhabitants from natural and human disasters. I was really interested to find that magic was regarded positively and many believed it had a practical use. Over the course of history, it appears that magic and those associated with it has also changed from being a good protective force in ancient history to a malicious evil. This really interests me as it makes me wonder why this changed occurred, and how a positive belief spiralled into something so negative. I think most people nowadays associate it negatively, for instance with witches, so I, therefore, think there is an interest in seeing it positively.

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In regard to Gods, many believed they had the power to control the weather, shapeshift, punish individuals and influence believers. In Greek mythology, it is believed that Zeus magically transformed King Lycaon and his children into wolves to punish them for murdering his children. Aside from that many Greeks believed that Cupid, the god of love and desire, possessed magical arrows that could make a person fall in love at first sight. In other examples, the Gods would shapeshift into animals in order to seduce women they desired.

Gods

Gods were usually the focal point of Greek tales and myths,  and would often guide a hero or intervene in their success. Each God was in charge of a specific area r experience, for instance, Zeus was believed to be the God of the sky and thunder, which is why he was often depicted holding a lightning bolt. If the weather quickly turned, many believed Zeus was the cause of it and thought he could have been displeased. Greek mythology often told of the importance of worshipping and appeasing different Gods for different reasons, if a farmer was having trouble with drought or poor weather they may prey to Demeter the Goddess of the harvest to make the soil fertile and to make crops flourish. Greek mythology was obviously a very key part of society, as most Greek nationals believed that the Gods were ever-present. As a result, temples and religious items were often gloried and used to depict the specific Gods. The Gods of ancient Greece really grabbed my attention as I love the idea of having numerous figures and idols representing different specific fields and meanings. Through this belief, it almost allowed multi-faith to spread. Granted the Greeks believed in all of the Gods, but people would worship certain Gods more than others, almost as if Greek mythology could have been divided into hundreds of smaller religions.  

 

In regard to Athens, as far as mythology goes, the Greeks believed that before it grew into the large city-state it was in the classical period, Athenia (the goddess of strategy and wisdom)  played a role in its success. According to myth, she rode into town accompanying Peisistratos and named him the ruler of Athens. Under his control, he unified areas surrounding Athens and helped make it prosper.  Historically the Athenians believed that Athena was the goddess of the city and that she protected it. Although it is believed to be historically accurate that Peisistratos ruled Athens, it obviously cannot be proven that Athena was who she claimed to be, a Goddess. Personally I loved how the Greeks idolised the Gods, and how intertwined they became in history, although there was not any evidence that the Gods existed, the faith alone influenced the lives of many and helped Athens and Greece as a whole thrive through unity. 

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Below you will find a link to a page which will show off images relating to Ancient Greek Mythology.