Ancient Greek Heroes Myths and Legends Most celebrated

Ancient Greek Heroes { Myths and Legends

Most celebrated Son of Zeus and queen Alcmene Hera hated him—sent two snakes to kill him Immense strength 12 labors Became immortal after death Hercules {

Hero of Athens Son of Poseidon/Aegeus (King of Athens) Mother—Aethra Travelled to Crete to fight Minotaur (half bull, half man) Labyrinth King Minos’s daughter, Ariadne/ball of string Theseus {

Rightful king of Iolcus Sent to fetch Golden Fleece from Colchis Argonauts and help of Medea succeeded in their quest Jason

Twin sons of Zeus Castor, mortal, excellent horseman Polydeuces, immortal, champion boxer Accompanied Jason in Argo Argued with cousins about ownership of a cow and Castor was killed Zeus allowed to share immortality One day in Heaven, one in Hades The Dioscuri

Killed the gorgon Medusa Warrior Help from Athena/mirror Hermes/magic sword Nymphs/invisible helmet Perseus {

Most heroic warrior of Trojan War Dipped into Styx as a baby Vulnerable place—heel Helped Greeks win war Paris killed Achilles by shooting an arrow into his heel after he killed Paris’s brother, Hector Achilles {

Rival Achilles as a warrior Gods who supported Trojans punished Odysseus—journey home lasted 10 years Storms, shipwreck, turned to pigs, drawn off course by Sirens Defeating continued at home to regain throne Odysseus {

Daughter of ancient Greek king Abandoned as a baby in a forest Athletic, skilled with bow and arrow, huntress Jason wanted her to join the Argonauts, but having a woman on board was bad luck Atalanta {

Son of Poseidon Mighty hunter Invited to go to Crete to hunt with Artemis Eos, goddess of dawn, fell in love with Orion Artemis was jealous and “accidentally” killed Orion with an arrow/scorpion to sting him Orion {

Unknowingly killed his father Married his mother to become king of Thebes Plucked out his own eyes Wandered through Greece as a blind beggar Oedipus {

Gifted musician One of Jason’s Argonauts After death of his wife, lived in mountains Angered Maenads and killed him Lyre placed in heavens as constellation Orpheus {