Greek Mythology
"The Greeks shape bronze statues so real they seem to breathe, And carve cold marble until it almost comes to life. The Greeks compose great orations, and measure The heavens so well they can predict the rising of the stars. But you, Romans, remember your great arts; To govern the peoples with authority, To establish peace under the rule of law, To conquer the mighty, and show them mercy once they are conquered."
- – Virgil, Aeneid VI
"AND THEN ALONG CAME ZEUS"
- – What happens in 99% of all Greek Myths
In the days when printing was not a thing, when people partook in wars and fought in arenas, there were poets and scriptors who's pen is yet unmatched by modern orators. In the ancient times of the Bronze Age, and even before, were forged tales of might, gods and heroes. Tragedies written in the name of immortal beings who ruled over every element of this very world. This was an age undreamed of. Without these tales, perhaps men would have not heard of magical stories, of divinity, of fantastic beasts and impressive feats beyond all that is earthly and orderly... And the many tall tales of gods fucking like rabbits.
This is Greek Mythology.
No seriously, perhaps the closest we ever got to ancient ass fantasy lore (along with the lost texts of Norse Mythology) is this. Greek poets and artists from all across the land spent centuries, perhaps even beyond a millenia, forging the stories that would inspire modern authors, which would in time lead to the creation of the Fantasy genre as a whole.
Classical Mythology?
The "Canon" Timeline of Greek Mythos
Gods
Primordial Gods
- Chronos
- Uranus
- Gaea
Olympian Gods
- Zeus
- Hera
- Hades
- Ares
- Apollo
- Athena
- Artemis
- Dionysius
Sea and Water Gods
- Poseidon
Cthonic Gods
Personifications
Demi-Gods
- Heracles/Hercules