Welcome

Paleothea

A who’s-who on all females in Greek mythology, with a section on Greek Men, a collection of myths, and a lot of beautiful images.

Paleothea

Browse articles in Paleothea on Paleothea

Stories from the hearth

Duality Synchroblog!

Duality Synchroblog!

Apparently, this is becoming a monthly thing – I wonder who’ll take up the torch next month? So! A. Venefica over at Symbolic Meanings is the lead on this month’s synchroblog, and the topic is DUALITY. Here’s what she’s saying about it: What do I mean by duality? What are the...

Read more →
Caligo: Myths of Mist and Mystery

Caligo: Myths of Mist and Mystery

On a scale from cheeky to downright bewildering, Caligo bangs the charts. Picture this: early morning mist, faint yet assertive, slipping through the trees like a ghost dancing between realms. This isn't your average fog that simply ruins your hairdo – oh no. This is Caligo, the embodiment of all...

Read more →
Greek Mythological Hunters

Greek Mythological Hunters

Actaeon, a Greek hero and hunter, found himself in quite a pickle when he stumbled into the personal space of the goddess Artemis. The myth goes that without any malicious intent, Actaeon accidentally caught sight of Artemis bathing. This mishap sparked the fury of the goddess—the kind of wrath...

Read more →
Hecate Greek Goddess

Hecate Greek Goddess

Hecate, a figure of Thracian lore, transitioned into the larger Greek mythos. Her early depictions characterize her vastly differently from the classical Greek period. Believed to be a potent Titaness, her dominion extended over the heavens, the earth, and the sea. This expansiveness situated her...

Read more →
Komodia Greek Mythology

Komodia Greek Mythology

Picture this: ancient Greek festivals full of wine, revelry, and masked figures parading around, sparking the earliest glimmers of what would become classic Greek comedy. Dart back to 6th century BC Athens—here's our backdrop, right in the throes of celebrating the Dionysia festivals. Dionysus,...

Read more →
Theseus and the Minotaur

Theseus and the Minotaur

Theseus lived with his mother, Aethra, at the base of a mountain in Troezen, absorbing many peculiar family secrets. As myths often go, he'd wait at the court of Troezen, overshadowed by an air of mystery. You see, he didn't know who his father was. This persistent question about his identity...

Read more →
Chimera in Greek Mythology

Chimera in Greek Mythology

Let's dive into the twisted family tree of Greek mythology with the Chimera, a creature that's an odd mix of lion, goat, and serpent. This composite beast can thank its parents Typhon and Echidna for its formidable and bizarre nature. Typhon, a colossal giant, and Echidna, a half-woman,...

Read more →
Top 5 Greek Myth Nymphs

Top 5 Greek Myth Nymphs

Picture this: you're wandering through an ancient, whispering forest, and every tree around you isn't just alive in the usual sense—they're spirited, packed with personality thanks to the Dryads, the fierce forest protectors of Greek mythology. Emerging primarily from Percy Jackson's rivetingly...

Read more →
Goddess-Like Penelope (Part 1)

Goddess-Like Penelope (Part 1)

You may have picked up from previous entries that I really dig Penelope , but now you’ll start to understand why in this series! — There has been a great deal of work done in recent years to “reclaim” the Goddess. Women look to Her for spiritual guidance, for wisdom, for empowerment. They...

Read more →
Apollo vs Dionysus Rivalry

Apollo vs Dionysus Rivalry

Born on the island of Delos to Zeus and the Titaness Leto, Apollo's entry into the world was steeped in adversity as Hera, jealous as always, barred Leto from giving birth on terra firma, forcing her to seek refuge on the floating island of Delos. Moments after birth, Apollo was already clutching a...

Read more →
Greek Myths in Modern Culture

Greek Myths in Modern Culture

Greek mythology, a tapestry woven with tales of gods, heroes, and the trials of humanity, has remarkably shaped the Western world's view on heroism and morality. The myths were not seen simply as stories but as profound allegories that influenced real-life values and ethical frameworks. Let's dive...

Read more →
Menelaus Greek Myth

Menelaus Greek Myth

Let's spill the tea; Helen's beauty wasn't just a head-turner – it basically flipped the entire table. She had so many suitors that her father Tyndareus could have started his own gladiator show with one RSVP. Here's where the strategic crumpet gets buttered: to avoid a suitor uprising, a clever...

Read more →
The Gigantomachy

The Gigantomachy

In Greek mythology, the Gigantes , or Giants, were born from the blood of Uranus after he was castrated by his son, Cronus. Gaia, the Earth mother, created these massive beings in a fit of rage. The Giants were enormous and often depicted with unusual features like: Multiple heads Snake limbs...

Read more →
Peitho Greek Goddess

Peitho Greek Goddess

Peitho, the Greek goddess of persuasion, weaves through the tapestry of mythology with a grace that captivates the hearts and minds of mortals and gods alike. Her stories, rich with divine ancestry and powerful alliances, offer a window into the intricate dynamics of ancient divine interactions and...

Read more →
Myths on Natural Events

Myths on Natural Events

Greek mythology offers explanations for natural phenomena we observe around us. From earthquakes to thunderstorms, these myths show how ancient Greeks made sense of their world. By attributing these events to the actions of gods and goddesses, they created rich stories that still captivate us...

Read more →
Leto’s Divine Motherhood

Leto’s Divine Motherhood

Zeus and Leto's affair was a cosmic drama that set off divine fireworks. Hera, not one to let her husband's dalliances slide, made Leto public enemy number one . Talk about dodging lightning bolts! Caught in love's crosshairs, Leto found herself desperately seeking refuge to birth Apollo and...

Read more →
Top 10 Gods Needing Their Own Series

Top 10 Gods Needing Their Own Series

Dionysus, the life of ancient parties and the rebel of the Greek Pantheon, absolutely deserves his own show. Born to Zeus and a mortal woman, Dionysus showcases the wild side of divinity. While his peers might brood over war strategies or craft elaborate plans to rule the cosmos, Dionysus is busy...

Read more →
Forbidden Greek Love Stories

Forbidden Greek Love Stories

Greek mythology brims with tales of love, adventure, and divine intervention. These stories offer insights into human emotions and relationships, resonating with us even today. Orpheus, the talented musician of ancient Greece, fell deeply in love with the enchanting Eurydice. Their happiness was...

Read more →
Greek Mythological Architects

Greek Mythological Architects

Ancient Greek architects were masters of their craft. Ictinus, for example, worked with Callicrates on the Parthenon, creating one of the most iconic Doric temples in history. Talk about setting a high bar—or should I say a high marble column? Mnesikles designed the spectacular Propylaea, the...

Read more →