World Mythology

Jason led the Argonauts on the quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece from Colchis, helped by Medea who obtained it from her father King Aeëtes.

Persephone, daughter of Demeter, was abducted by Hades and became queen of the underworld. She spends part of the year there (causing winter) and returns above (spring).

Hermes is the Greek messenger god, equivalent to Mercury in Roman mythology. He is depicted wearing winged sandals (talaria) and a winged helmet (petasos), and carries the caduceus. Zeus is the king of gods, Prometheus is known for bringing fire to humanity, and Atlas holds up the sky - none are messengers.

Ganymede was abducted by Zeus in the form of an eagle to serve as cupbearer to the gods and became Zeus's lover. In exchange, he was granted immortality and placed among the stars as the constellation Aquarius. Ares is the god of war, Castor is one of the Gemini twins, and Eros is the god of love.

Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo, born to Zeus and Leto. She is the Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, wild animals, and chastity. Artemis is consistently depicted in mythology and art carrying a bow and arrows, which she used skillfully in hunting. She was one of the twelve Olympians and swore a vow of eternal maidenhood.

Athena sprang fully armed from Zeus's skull after Hephaestus split it open to relieve Zeus's headache. According to myth, Zeus swallowed Metis (goddess of wisdom) when he learned she would bear a child who would overthrow him. Athena thus emerged from Zeus's head already grown and armed. The Parthenon in Athens is dedicated to her as the goddess of wisdom and warfare.

Poseidon is the Greek god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. As the brother of Zeus and Hades, he ruled over the oceans and all bodies of water. In Roman mythology, he is known as Neptune. Poseidon's domain was primarily the sea, where he lived in an underwater palace and controlled storms, waves, and sea creatures.

Hera was Zeus's wife and the goddess of marriage, women, childbirth, and the home - making 'goddess of home' an accurate description. As the queen of the Olympian gods, she was both sister and wife to Zeus. Hera is known for her jealousy toward Zeus's many lovers and children, and she was worshipped as the protector of marriage and family life.

Hercules freed Prometheus from his punishment. Prometheus had been chained to a rock as punishment from Zeus for giving fire to humanity. An eagle would eat his liver daily, only for it to regenerate. During his travels, Hercules killed the eagle and freed Prometheus, who later advised Hercules on his quest for the Golden Apples of the Hesperides.

Artemis turned Actaeon into a stag as punishment. According to myth, Actaeon accidentally saw Artemis bathing while she was hunting. Furious at this violation of her chastity, Artemis transformed him into a stag. Actaeon was then hunted and killed by his own dogs, who did not recognize their master in his new form.

Hercules (Heracles) was indeed the son of Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene, making him a demigod. He is one of the most famous heroes in Greek mythology, known for his Twelve Labors and incredible strength. Achilles was also a great hero but was the son of Peleus and Thetis, not Zeus.

Achilles became invulnerable when his mother Thetis dipped him into the River Styx, holding him by his heel. The waters made his entire body immortal except for the spot where she held him - his famous Achilles' heel. This is why he was nearly unbeatable in battle except for that one vulnerable point.

Megara was Hercules' first wife, whom he married after completing his labors. In a tragic fit of madness induced by Hera, Hercules killed their children. As penance, he was forced to serve King Eurystheus and perform his famous Twelve Labors. Hebe became his wife much later after he achieved immortality.

Perseus is the Greek hero best known for slaying the Gorgon Medusa. He used a reflective shield to view her reflection (avoiding her petrifying gaze) and cut off her head with a sickle given to him by Hermes. The hero who fought a cyclops was Odysseus (in the Odyssey), not Perseus.

Hecate is the Greek goddess associated with crossroads, entrance-ways, magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. She is often depicted in triple form and represents the dark side of the moon. Selene is the moon goddess, Artemis is the huntress, and Hera is the queen of gods - none of whom are specifically associated with crossroads.