Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold

Mythos is a 2017 book written by Stephen Fry. It is a retelling of a selection of ancient Greek myths by Fry. It is not a comprehensive encyclopedic catalogue of Greek mythology, but a collection of some of the myths, retold in an accessible modern style.

Greek mythology is a body of stories that concern the ancient Greeks view of the origin and nature of the world. These myths shed light on ancient Greek culture and the origins of ancient Greek religious and ritual practices.

The Greek myths were initially propagated in an oral-poetic tradition most likely starting in the 18th century BC. Our primary sources for Greek mythology largely come from ancient Greek literature such as Homer's epic poems and Hesiod's Theogeny.

Greek mythology has profoundly shaped the artistic expressions and literary traditions of Western civilization, embedding itself deeply within our culture and even our everyday language. Poets and artists have continually drawn inspiration from these ancient stories, uncovering enduring meaning and modern-day relevance in their timeless themes.

I loved reading this book. The stories are aesthetically beautiful. It is incredible to go through these myths and see the influence that still persists today. We get to meet Eros (Cupid), Zeus, Medusa, the Cyclops, Hades, Poseidon, Hermes, Narcissus, Pandora, Prometheus, the Titans, the Muses, Aphrodite, Adonis, Echo, Atlas, Midas, Dionysus, the Hydra, the river Styx, mount Olympus, and on and on. These are stories, places, and characters that have left their imprint on culture for thousands of years now. And they are still great stories that captivate the imagination.

One of the major things that struck me as I was reading this book was how much influence Greek mythology has had on the English language. Over and over in the book Fry would point out the ancient Greek roots of English words. Some are well known, like narcissism coming from the story of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. Others include music and museum from the Muses (nine goddesses who preside over various arts and sciences), atlas from Atlas (a Titan god who was condemned to carry the heavens and Earth), and echo from Echo (a nymph cursed by Hera to only repeat the last words spoken to her).

One of my favorites to learn about was the origin of the word “tantalize”. In Greek mythology, Tantalus was a king favored by the gods, but his hubris and disrespect ultimately led to his eternal punishment in the Underworld. He was cursed to stand in a pool of water with fruits hanging overhead. Anytime he dipped down to drink the water, it would shrink away from him and anytime he reached for the fruits the tree would shrink away. They were always just out of reach, so he was perpetually thirsty and hungry. So, to tantalize means to torment with something desired but unattainable.

Others included titanic from the Titans (the first generation of gods who ruled the cosmos), erotic from Eros (the god of love, desire, and passion, often depicted as a winged, mischievous child with a bow and arrow), aphrodisiac from Aphrodite (goddess of love and fertility), hermaphrodite from Hermaphroditus (a deity who embodies both male and female characteristics), lethargic from the river Lethe (known as the River of Forgetfulness, one of the five rivers of the Underworld). And on and on.

Another thing I found fascinating is how the Greeks Gods are prone to human emotions and mistakes. By modern ethical standards, the behavior of many Greek deities and heroes would be considered reprehensible. Their stories are filled with instances of jealousy, betrayal, violence, and outright cruelty.

Zeus, the king of the Gods, was notorious for his infidelity and often used deception and force to pursue his desires. Zeus's wife Hera was known for her intense jealousy and vengeful actions against Zeus's lovers and their offspring. Her wrath often extended to innocent mortals caught in the crossfire.

In the myth of Apollo and Marsyas, the satyr Marsyas challenges the god Apollo to a musical contest. Apollo wins, and as punishment for Marsyas's pride, he is tied to a tree and flayed alive.

Another notable instance is the story of Actaeon, a hunter who accidentally saw Artemis bathing naked. For this unintentional transgression, Artemis turned him into a stag and had him torn apart by his own hunting dogs.

The Greek Gods are not presented as paragons of ethical conduct but rather as powerful entities with very human imperfections. The contrast between their divine status and their often unethical behavior is very unusual compared to our modern ideals of "godliness". The Greek deities seem to reflect the human experience as a whole, the good and the bad.

The Greek myths have a timeless beauty. Their influence is pervasive in language and culture even now, and it is tons of fun to encounter the source of the myths and legends in this book. I’ve heard most of these stories before but have forgotten the details so it was a fun experience to re-learn about them. This retelling by Fry makes them feel more alive too, as the writing style is accessible like a modern novel, rather than like a cold encyclopedia entry.

This book made me appreciate Greek mythology and opened my eyes to the persistent influence of these myths on our language and culture. I haven’t really considered before how foundational these stories are to Western arts throughout history.

Plus, they were a joy to read. Some of my favorite stories were the sculptor Pygmalion who carved a statue of a woman and fell in love with it, the love story of Eros and Psyche, King Midas who transformed everything he touched into gold, Narcissus and Echo, Pandora’s Box, and Tantalus's horrifying eternal punishment. They have an aesthetic beauty that is different from anything you find in modern storytelling. It makes me see the ancient world in a different way. I feel a little bit like we have lost some sense of beauty, taste, and imagination. I am also fascinated by the difference in morals in the behavior of Greek gods and their myths versus what I typically think of as godly behavior in religious stories.

These myths are a ton of fun to read and are full of timeless wisdom and beauty. I highly recommend this retelling of a selection of the myths by Fry. They are not only a great way to stimulate the imagination but also a great historical insight into ancient cultures and the origins of some of our modern culture and language.