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He eventually reached the green shores of Ithaca, only to be presented with a final challenge. The resultant storm blew Odysseus onto another set of adventures… surviving the man-eating giant Laestrygonians, escaping the amorous clutches of the sorceress Circe, travelling to Hades’ Underworld and (amongst other trials) navigating the strait between the six-headed monster Scylla and the violent whirlpool Charybdis. On the island of Aeolus (keeper of winds), he was gifted a sack containing the winds and was on the verge of completing his quest when one of his men, overcome with curiosity, opened the sack.
Greek mythology free#
Battling against the Cicones, breaking free from the Lotus-Eaters, blinding the one-eyed Cyclops Polyphemus (son of the enraged sea god Poseidon) … Odysseus overcame every challenge. That he succeeded owed everything to his courage and cunning, as well as the sacrifices of his men, as famously described in Homer’s Odyssey. No tale can be more epic than that of Odysseus’ 10-year journey back to Ithaca after the decade-long Trojan War. It’s not so much about the destination as it is the journey And so the Greek capital is known as Athens and not Poseidonia.
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But being the sea god, his water source was salty and undrinkable.Īthena, on the other hand, produced a blooming olive tree, deemed far more valuable by the citizens of the city (although some sources say Cecrops, the first king of Athens, was the judge). Poseidon struck the rock of the Acropolis with his trident, opening up a well from which spouted an inexhaustible supply of water. Whoever’s gift was deemed more valuable would have the honour. The goddess of wisdom gave her name to Athens after competing with Poseidon to become patron of the city. Athens – The contest between Athena and Poseidonįew cities are as closely tied to a divine figure as Athens is to Athena. From the Acropolis to Mt Olympus, prepare to journey into the magical world of the ancients.ġ.
Greek mythology full#
Mythology is full of tales relating to places in Greece that continue to capture the imagination and inspire travel. Relive some of the greatest tales from Greek mythology… in the mind and then in the flesh.Īthena’s olive tree, Hera’s jealousy, Zeus’ rage, Theseus’ bravery, Achilles’ superhuman powers and the river that leads to the Underworld.
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