Check out these ghastly Greek myths from the time of the Ancient Greeks! Read on, if you dare…

Greek myths

Greek ‘myths’ (short for mythology) are a series of stories about the Gods and magical beings of Greece. We’ll bet you’ve heard of some of the famous – and infamous! – characters already, such as Heracles, (the strongest man on Earth) Zeus, (the God of the sky and king of the gods) Pegasus (a flying horse) and Hades (the god of the underworld).

Find out more about the grand Greek myths, below!

Greek mythology

Greek myths

Created thousands of years ago, Greek myths were epic stories about Greek gods, passed down over generations. They often feature heroic battles and terrible creatures, and taught the importance of bravery, intelligence, and right and wrong. They showed that even the gods, like mortal men, could be punished or rewarded for their actions. Details of the ancient tales have been found on everything from pottery to temples to stone statues!

Greek myths were a huge part of the religion in Ancient Greece, and offer a glimpse into the lives of the ancient people who told them. Check out five of these fascinating Greek myths below, and meet the people-eating, fire-breathing beasts and the heroes who battled them!


Scylla and Charybdis

Greek myths
Scylla and Charybdis

The Monster: Scylla and Charybdis
The Hero: Odysseus
The Battle: On both sides of a narrow stretch of sea, monsters lie in wait. On one side, Scylla thrashes around her six snakelike heads, ready to crunch on passing sailors. On the other, Charybdis creates a deadly whirlpool. No person has ever faced these beasts and escaped unharmed. Now the king, Odysseus, and his crew must pass them to get home. They edge around Charybdis’ spiralling sea, saving the ship from being swallowed whole. But Scylla swoops down and gobbles up six men. “Row!” Odysseus shouts, leading the rest of the crew past Scylla and out of the deadly channel. Having survived the dreaded beasts, Odysseus and his men continue their journey.

Did you know we have a FREE downloadable Greek Mythology primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

Theseus and the Minotaur

Greek myths
Theseus and the Minotaur

The Monster: The Minotaur
The Hero: Theseus
The Battle: Half-man, half-bull, the Minotaur lurks in an underground maze waiting for his next meal – children sent to him as a sacrifice. Lost in the labyrinth, the kids surely will be devoured. But brave king Theseus has had enough of his land living in fear of the Minotaur. He accompanies the group and is prepared to fight. Hearing the Minotaur breathing nearby, he springs toward it. Dodging the monster’s deadly horns, he thrusts his sword into the beast. The Minotaur is dead, but will the group find its way out? Luckily, Theseus unspooled a piece of string as he walked through the maze, and leads the children out to safety.

The Labours of Heracles

Greek myths
The Hydra

The Monster: The Hydra
The Hero: Heracles
The Battle: In a swamp creeps a deadly nine-headed serpent called the Hydra. Killing it is one of 12 tasks Heracles – the son of Greek god, Zeus – must complete to become immortal. After throwing flaming spears at the beast, the Hydra attacks so Heracles hits its heads with a club, but more grow in their place! Heracles’ friend, Iolus, then leaps to his aid with a flaming torch. After an epic battle, the men finally destroy the Hydra!

Perseus and Medusa

Greek myths
Medusa

The Monster: Medusa
The Hero: Perseus
The Battle: The hideous Medusa has snakes for hair, terrifying tusks and a face that turns anyone that looks at it into stone! To please his king, warrior Perseus agrees to slay the beast. Wearing a helmet of invisibility, he sneaks up on Medusa. She’s asleep, but one gaze at her face and Perseus would be a statue! So he looks at her harmless reflection in his shiny shield and beheads her. Victorious, Perseus flies off on winged sandals.

Bellerophon and Pegasus

Greek myths
The Chimera

The Monster: The Chimera
The Hero: Bellerophon
The Battle: The fire-breathing Chimera is a terrifying beast with a serpent for a tail, a goat’s body and a lion’s head! A king has commanded warrior, Bellerophon, to destroy her. Soaring above the monster on a winged horse, Pegasus, he shoots arrows at her. Bellerophon then attaches lead to his spear and thrusts it into the vicious beast. The hero’s actions kills the fiery Chimera.

 

Greek myths
Greek Mythology

Read more about amazing ancient adventures in National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology.

Did you know we have a FREE downloadable primary resource about the Lost City of Atlantis? Perfect for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike, the resource investigates the legendary Ancient Greek island swallowed by the sea!

 

Illustrations: Ben Shannon

What do you make of our Greek myths? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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COMMENTS

  • It is not scary for kids 4 and above as my sister is 4 and she is NOT afraid. And more stories can be added. But overall it is great

  • Lion cat

    Interesting

  • COOL

  • Nat geo is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!

    The coolest myths EVER!!!!!!!

  • hi

    coooooooooooooool

  • Change

  • sharky

    I love Greek myths

  • Gurnoor

    Amazing!

  • That was awesome