Ancient Greek myths were composed far from primitive life, being the creation of poets. The first written record of Greece is the Iliad, written by Homer, generally believed to be not earlier than a thousand years before Christ. Today, Greek mythology is still widely read and heard of.
"The Miracle of Greece"
Often people use this phrase to express the revolutionary shift in Greek thinking , where mankind became the center of the universe. They began to see the value the world around them. From this notion stemmed the creation of gods in their own image. It is believed that inhuman gods (similar to those in Egypt) were worshiped in the pre-Greek world. Human gods made heaven a familiar place. It is true that the gods were menacing and unpredictable, but this transformation in thought produced a world of beauty. Some gods and creatures remained beast-like, for example centaurs, satyrs and gorgons (with the monsters giving heroes their glory).
Greek mythology should not be read as Greek religion or treated as religious documents. They explain how things came into existence, rather an early science, with a hint of religion.
Greek mythology should not be read as Greek religion or treated as religious documents. They explain how things came into existence, rather an early science, with a hint of religion.