Development Greek Mythology

The Start of Greek Mythology

Period: 3000 BCE to 1100 BCE

Greek mythology traces back to the ancient Minoan civilization of Crete. These myths began orally and were passed down through thousands of generations. The Minoans, skilled seafarers and traders, worshipped a pantheon of gods representing natural forces and aspects of human life. Their stories laid the foundation for Greek mythology, evolving over 2 entire millennia, through the act of cultural blending, they shaped the rich and enticing modern tales along with the myths we now know today.

The Trojan War

Period: 1300 BCE to 1200 BCE

The Trojan War, a legendary conflict in Greek mythology, involving the Greeks battling Troy after Paris of Troy abducted Helen, wife of Menelaus. Lasting ten years, it featured Achilles, Odysseus, and Hector, with gods and goddesses influencing events. The war ended with Odysseus' Trojan Horse, marking Troy's downfall and symbolizing the transition from the Heroic Age to historical times in Greek culture, it influenced literature and art, especially in Homer's epics.

The Life of Homer

750 BCE

Homer, the all-inspiring poet of the 8th century BCE, shaped Western literature and Greek mythology through his works, "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey." His works established higher standards for epic poetry, depicting heroic deeds, divine interventions, and themes of honour, loyalty, and fate. His portrayal of gods and mortals in epic struggles remains a cornerstone of Western literary tradition, enriching our understanding of human experience and spiritual beliefs across millennia.

Hesiod's Theogony

700 BCE

Hesiod's "Theogony" traces the birth of the gods from Chaos and the Titanomachy, where Zeus usurps his father Cronus to become the ruler of Olympus. In Gigantomachy, Zeus leads the gods against the Giants, using his thunderbolt to secure victory and assert his authority. Hesiod Importance to Greek Mythology was second to none, He Established and Promoted the Family Tree and In conclusion Single-Handley, Controlled and Moved the Believers of Greek Mythology, showing his Importance Popularity.

Battle of Thermopylae

480 BCE

The Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC saw a small Greek force, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, attempt to block the advance of the much bigger Persian army under King Xerxes I at a narrow mountain pass. Despite their heroic resistance, the Greeks were betrayed and ultimately defeated. This allowed Xerxes to proceed further into Greece, However Gave a Crucial amount of time for The Greeks to Prepare themselves. Thermopylae remains famous for the bravery of the Greek against overwhelming odds.

The End of Greek Worship

363

Greek religion faded with the uprise in Authority of Christianity in the 4th century. Emperor Constantine's adoption of Christianity and subsequent execution of pagans further accelerated this decline. Julian Caesar briefly revived pagan practices during his short reign (361-363 CE) but with his death, organized efforts to sustain Greek religion effectively ended. Despite this decline, Greek philosophical ideas persisted and influenced Christian thought during transition.