The cunning minds of Greek mythology: Heroes who deceived and conquered
“Mythology is a system of coordinates that allows a person to navigate in space and time.”
Vladimir Mikushevich
People have always needed heroes — real or fictional characters whose greatness was never questioned. The courage of such heroes was something to aspire to, and their feats served as an unshakable guide for future generations.
To create such authoritative figures, various cultures developed folklore, composed epic tales, and invented myths and legends that narrated the deeds and great actions of warriors, gods, and other extraordinary beings. Myths and legends, for example, reflected the ancient people’s understanding of the world around them. Storytellers often personified nature, attributing to it specific human traits.
Thus, an unprecedented pantheon of gods was created, in which deities interacted with each other just like ordinary people on Earth. Ancient Greek myths became popular worldwide, and their majestic gods are still seen as symbols of true masculinity. (“The one who depends on nothing is most like a god.”) But what truly lies behind these idealized figures, created according to rigid templates? And why have we always been shown only one side of divine life?
Do we really need to always imitate the behavior of our idols?
Zeus is the supreme god of Greek mythology, the ruler of Olympus. He embodies the sky, thunder, and lightning. He is usually depicted as a majestic man with a long beard, firmly gripping a blinding bolt of lightning in his powerful hand. He is attributed with leadership and strategic thinking, strength, and unwavering courage.
In myths, Zeus governs both gods and mortals, maintains order and justice, and ensures the observance of oaths and laws, punishing violators with thunder and lightning. Zeus was worshiped in many city-states of ancient Greece, especially in Olympia, where the Olympic Games were held in his honor. Temples dedicated to Zeus were built across Greece, including the famous Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens.
Zeus’s boldest and most courageous act was freeing his brothers and sisters from the bloodthirsty grasp of his father, Cronus. Isn’t he the perfect man?
“Great Zeus will grow angry, and his hair will rise fearfully on his head, his eyes will blaze with unbearable brilliance; he will wave his right hand—thunder will roll across the sky, a flaming lightning bolt will flash, and mighty Olympus will tremble.”
Yet, behind all this formal grandeur lie ordinary human vices and weaknesses.
Zeus played a key role in the beginning of the Trojan War when he had to choose between three goddesses in a peculiar beauty contest for the prize of a golden apple. By sending the three goddesses to Paris of Troy, Zeus brought disaster upon the city, ultimately leading to war.
It is well known that Zeus did not shy away from mortal women. He took on various forms to seduce them—he appeared to Leda as a swan, to Europa as a bull, and to Danaë as a golden shower. He visited Alcmene by transforming into her own husband, appeared to Callisto in the guise of the goddess Artemis, and approached Antiope in the form of a satyr.
Zeus was, in general, extremely lustful. Despite being married, he changed women and men like gloves, giving no thought to spirituality or ethics. There are even disturbing accounts suggesting that Zeus engaged in relations with animals and those who disguised themselves as them. He cared little for whether his advances were mutual. The opinions of others mattered little to him—he treated his own family like garbage, humiliating and terrorizing them. He constantly tormented his unfortunate wife, Hera, who had to endure all the excesses of this overbearing tyrant. A marriage made in heaven, as we know, is not subject to divorce.
What is interesting is that Zeus was created by humans—historians have no evidence that he ever truly existed. People themselves endowed him with divine greatness and masculinity, only to later dismantle their own legend. Was this because new idols emerged, or because scientific explanations replaced myths about natural phenomena and events?
Heracles, also known as Hercules, is the most famous hero of ancient Greek mythology, having accomplished twelve great labors. He is depicted as a muscular man with a powerful physique and a distinctive beard, always holding a weapon, ready to perform heroic deeds at any moment. Strength, courage, bravery, the pursuit of individuality, superiority over rivals in power and invulnerability—these are just a few of his supposed virtues.
To protect both humans and gods from danger, Heracles slew the Nemean Lion and the Lernaean Hydra, cleaned the Augean Stables, captured the Erymanthian Boar, subdued the Cretan Bull, seized the mares of Diomedes, stole the girdle of Hippolyta, captured the cattle of Geryon and the apples of the Hesperides, tamed the Stymphalian Birds, and even descended into the underworld to retrieve the pillars that supported the heavens.
Heracles was widely worshipped in various regions of Greece and Rome. He was honored with altars and temples and revered as the patron of athletes and warriors. But could anyone have imagined that behind the image of an invincible hero lurked a thief, a bandit, and a manic killer?
After murdering his wife, three sons, and nephews in Thebes, Heracles fled from justice to Mycenae, where his cousin, King Eurystheus, ruled. The king knew about the heinous crime Heracles had committed, and upon accepting him into his service, he openly and mercilessly mocked him. Heracles endured all humiliations and obediently followed orders, just to escape punishment.
Stealing cattle and expensive jewelry was an ordinary pastime for Heracles. On one occasion, he even killed several Amazons simply because he desired their belt.
Killing, in general, had fascinated him since childhood. To fall dead at Heracles’ hand, one merely had to fail to pay him for a job, look at him the wrong way, or make the slightest mistake.
“The strict Linus taught him all sciences and the art of playing the seven-stringed kithara. Heracles eagerly studied sciences, but playing the kithara frustrated him—he would break the strings every time he touched them. This greatly angered his strict teacher Linus, who once struck Heracles in punishment. Heracles took offense. With all his might, he threw the kithara aside, accidentally hitting Linus. As always, he forgot about his extraordinary strength. The instrument barely touched his teacher, but it killed him instantly.”
Heracles was also known for his countless love affairs and romances, but compared to everything else, this seems trivial. Interestingly, he died because one of his wives, Deianira, simply grew tired of his villainy and rid the world of such a “hero.”
Does one really have to drown in sin before performing great deeds and then beg for redemption? Shouldn’t a “hero” be someone who accomplishes great things simply for the sake of doing good, without pursuing selfish interests?
Odysseus is a well-known hero of ancient Greek mythology, the protagonist of Homer’s epic The Odyssey. He symbolizes intelligence, cunning, and resilience and is known for his ability to find a way out of difficult situations and overcome hardships. Odysseus is famous for his long and dangerous journeys following the Trojan War while trying to return home to Ithaca.
According to the myths, Odysseus took part in the Trojan War and, after its end, faced numerous trials, including battles with the Sirens and the Laestrygonians, as well as encounters with Circe, Aeolus, Calypso, Scylla and Charybdis, the Cyclops Polyphemus, and the Cicones.
While Odysseus wandered, his wife Penelope waited faithfully for his return, and his son Telemachus set out to find him. With the help of the goddess Athena, Odysseus finally returns home to Ithaca after twenty years, defeats the suitors who had besieged his household, and reunites with Penelope.
Odysseus was revered in various regions of Greece, and his stories inspired artists, poets, and playwrights for centuries.
“Have you forgotten Odysseus? Was he not always a kind and just king, a benefactor to his people? … Still suffering in his soul, he remains on a distant island; the nymph Calypso keeps him in her home against his will, and so he cannot set out on his journey home: he has no ship, no companions to travel with him across the vast sea. And now, they even wish to kill his beloved son upon his return home, as he set off to sacred Pylos and the divine city of Lacedaemon in search of news about his father.”
Had humanity, for once, created a hero with an untarnished reputation?
Odysseus was an unfaithful husband and a vain man willing to do anything to have legends told about him. He often made reckless decisions that caused pain and suffering to others. Odysseus had no sense of empathy or attachment—he was ready to trample over others for his own goals. His reckless desire to see the Cyclops alone cost the lives of his friends! And even after this, he felt no remorse, caring only that the Cyclops would tell mortals of his name and glorify him.
“If a mortal should ask who blinded you so disgracefully, tell him: it was Odysseus, destroyer of cities, son of Laertes, who has a home on rocky Ithaca.”
Here he is—a true “red flag” of modern times. Did people need such a hero, one who suffers for humanity? Or for himself?
Apollo is the most beautiful character in Greek mythology. Apollo is depicted as a young man who holds a bow and arrow with one hand, and with the other hand dashingly handles a lyre, symbolizing his musical and poetic abilities. He is associated with sunlight, harmony and art.
Apollo is that genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist and the very real “son of mom’s friend”. He is considered the personification of light and reason, and he is also the patron saint of musicians, poets and artists. Apollo was known for his oracles, especially at Delphi, where his shrine attracted people wanting to know the future. He was also associated with medicine and healing, his son being the physician Asclepius.
Apollo was born on the island of Delos, where his mother Leto sought refuge from the wrath of Hera. As an adult, Apollo killed the serpent Python, who guarded the oracle at Delphi, and became the patron saint of that sanctuary. Apollo was widely revered in ancient Greece, and his cults existed in various cities, including Delphi, Corinth, and Olympia. Festivals in his honor, such as the Pythian Games, included musical and athletic competitions.
“Radiant Apollo rushed across the azure sky with a lyre in his hands and a silver bow slung over his shoulder; golden arrows rang loudly in his quiver. The enraged Python rose, opened his terrible jaws, and was ready to swallow Apollo whole. Then the twang of the silver bowstring echoed through the air, and an infallible golden arrow sparkled like a spark, followed by another, then a third; arrows rained down upon Python, and he fell lifeless to the ground.”
Could such a character be capable of questionable deeds? As it turns out, yes. Apollo was known for his rare vanity, which often led to quarrels and conflicts with his family and close ones whenever he noticed that public attention and admiration were directed elsewhere. For example, the satyr Marsyas was flayed alive and then hung from a tree simply because he once dared to challenge Apollo in a musical contest. Among other things, he was not known for his fidelity, entertaining himself with a new maiden each time.
Apollo had many love affairs, with the most famous ones described in legends—his relationships with Daphne, Cassandra, and the nymph Hyacinth. However, not everyone found the handsome Apollo appealing. When he tried to approach Daphne, she turned into a laurel tree to escape the persistence of the young god.
Apollo was willing to do anything to get what he wanted, including acts of murder and cruelty. Perhaps this was the influence of his father Zeus’s genes, but Apollo seemed only amused by such an inheritance. Quite the charmer, isn’t he?
Doesn’t Apollo’s overly glorified biography hint at the fact that a beautiful exterior does not always reflect a beautiful soul?
Greek myths, aside from their fascinating and instructive nature, have a darker side that should also be considered when discussing male ideals. Undoubtedly, every Greek god had admirable qualities, but their negative traits were often so severe that the notion of a truly exemplary hero was out of the question.
In the pursuit of ideals, one always risks turning into a tyrant like Heracles, a narcissist like Apollo, or a manipulator like Zeus. If even these exalted figures—gods themselves—cannot boast a spotless reputation or purely noble, kind deeds, is it even possible to find a person or hero who is 100% virtuous?
Within every person, good and evil are constantly at war, and even when one side triumphs, the other still makes its presence known from time to time. The heroes of Greek myths waged this eternal battle within themselves, embodying the very nature of human existence. That is why, when choosing someone as a role model, one should think carefully about the true virtues of the hero. One does not need to be a god to be truly human.
The micro world makes particles dance to the melody of probability.
Thank you!
