Using Greek Myths in Romance

 

Myths have existed through thousands of years. Every culture had their myths and stories of deities and their own explanations of how things came into existence. The Norse, Native Americans, Egyptians and Romans were among these, but perhaps the best known myths are those of the Greeks.

Greek mythology has always fascinated me, therefore being the basis of both my books, Kyros’ Secret and The Oracle of Delphi (Nov. 01 release.) Greek mythology pops up today time and again, such as in classic movies or even the past TV shows of The Legendary Journeys of Hercules, and  Xena: Warrior Princess. These TV shows were what inspired my creative urge to take an age-old myth and turn it into a romantic adventure. Most Greek myths have tragic endings for our heroes. I’ve chosen to use those myths as the base of my story, but also tell how it could have had a happy ending because I believe in “happily ever after.” Though most are tragic, there are a few Greek myths that truly have triumphant romantic relationships, such as that of Eros (Cupid) and Psyche, and the myth I used for The Oracle of Delphi, which is that of the demi-god Perseus, and the Princess Andromeda.

My research has shown that the first written record of Greece and its myths is said to belong to Homer when he wrote The Iliad. He is also well-known for The Odyssey.

Greek mythology dates back (as far as we know) to 1,000 b.c. and has continued through the years by poets and writers such as Hesiod, Pindar, Sophocles and Euripides.

The ancient Greeks used mythology to explain how things came into existence. If they didn’t have an answer for something, they made one up through their tales. They didn’t believe that their gods created the universe, but rather that the universe created their gods. Heaven and Earth were the first parents who gave birth to the Titans. Titans were enormous in size, had incredible strength, and ruled over everything. There were many Titans, but the most notable ones in mythology were Prometheus, Atlas, and Cronus who was the father of Zeus.

Zeus overthrew his father, Cronus, some versions saying he trapped the Titans within the earth. Then the gods, or Olympians, took over and claimed Mt. Olympus as their common ground where they ate ambrosia and drank nectar. Zeus and his two brothers drew lots to split up their domains. Zeus won the heavens, proclaiming himself the supreme ruler; Poseidon won the sea, and Hades won the nasty underworld.

Twelve original Olympians made up the first family. Besides Zeus, Poseidon and Hades, there were:

 

 Hestia; goddess of the hearth

 Hera; the jealous wife of Zeus

 Ares; their son and god of war

 Athena; goddess of wisdom

Apollo; god of music

Aphrodite; goddess of love

Hermes; messenger of the gods

Artemis; goddess of the hunt

Hephaestus; god of the forge

 

The Greeks had wonderful imagination, my favorite being the beasts and monsters that grace their myths.

Centaurs, half-men and half-horse creatures, are my favorites and also my inspiration for creating my hero, Kyros, from Kyros’ Secret. Ares has placed a curse on him that turns him into a centaur at night.

The Greek myths told of centaurs as being savage, beast-like creatures. That is, all but Chiron who was known for his peace-loving ways. Chiron can be seen today in astrology as the constellation of Saggitarius.

The Greeks had many other interesting mythical beings, such as:

 

Satyrs; half-man, half goat

Minotaur; half-man, half-bull

Cerberus; Ares’ three-headed dog and guard of the gates of the underworld

Gorgons; women with snakes for hair and a reptilian body. Their gaze could turn men to stone. The most famous of these is Medusa, who plays a major part in The Oracle of Delphi.

Sirens; women living on the sea who sang and lured men to their deaths with their enchanting voices.

Grey Women; three old blind hags who shared one tooth and one eye between them.

Hydra; A sea-monster Hercules defeated. For every head severed, the hydra grew two more.

 

The list of Greek gods and monstrous beings goes on and on, every myth more fascinating than the one before it. While these stories are said to be just that – made up stories, I can’t help but think maybe they are just a bit more. After all, as I mentioned in the beginning, every culture had its myths. We see the same gods popping up all over the world but with a different name and face. Whether the deity of thunder is called Zeus, Jupiter, Odin, Horus or Hinoh, we’re sure to find one in most cultures’ myths. The names are changed and each culture has added their own flavor, but the stories remain basically the same. It really makes one think. Is there more to myths than meets the eye?

 

Elizabeth Rose