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Greek Mythology is the body of myths and teachings that belong to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes.
Many of the myths are allegorical and teach moral lessons for the human experience and personifications of different aspects of the human psyche. They also offer explanations for natural phenomena and the mysteries of universal creation.
However this Greek Mythology Fantasy Art series by The Mind Maestro will explore the shadow side of the Greek Gods as the darkness spread all throughout the Greek Pantheon.
The 12 Dark Olympians of the Greek Pantheon
1. Zeus | The Tyrant
"The Fall of Olympus is just the Beginning"
Long after the battle with the Titans, Zeus ruled Mount Olympus as King of the Greek Gods, revered as the embodiment of order, justice, and wisdom. But over time, his thirst for power grew stronger and stronger, becoming increasingly ruthless and tyrannical to scratch his itch for battle.
His desire to control and dominate all those around him led him down a dark path, ultimately transforming him into the "Tyrant of the Gods."
Driven by his insatiable hunger for power, Zeus began manipulating and controlling other gods and goddesses, and eventually turned them into dark versions of themselves. With the fall of the gods, Zeus was able to consolidate his power and reign supreme over the world.
This new era of darkness was one of fear and oppression, where mortals were treated as nothing more than pawns in the gods' eternal game of power and control. Those who dared to speak out or oppose the gods were quickly silenced, often with brutal violence.
2. Ares | Harbinger of Death
"Even the Immortals are Pawns in my Game"
Ares, once the god of war, became twisted and consumed by the darkness that had taken hold of the other gods. He became known as the Harbinger of Death, a name that struck fear into the hearts of all who heard it.
Where once Ares had been a master of strategy and combat, now he reveled only in destruction. His armies were vast and merciless, laying waste to entire cities and leaving nothing but death and despair in their wake.
Ares no longer cared for the honour or glory of battle, only for the slaughter and chaos that it brought. His followers were no longer soldiers, but fanatics who would do anything for the chance to see bloodshed. Ares had twisted their minds, filling them with visions of glory and immortality, but in truth, they were nothing more than pawns in his quest for power.
The Harbinger of Death revelled in his own strength and power, believing himself to be invincible. He would challenge other gods to battles, eager to prove his dominance and revelling in the slaughter that inevitably followed.
3. Poseidon | The Unleashed Kraken
"The Kraken festers in my Reborn Soul"
Poseidon, once a powerful and respected god of the sea, became consumed by the darkness that had engulfed the world.
As the other gods fell to their darker selves, Poseidon too changed. He became a monster, merging with the legendary kraken to become a force of destruction like no other.
The Unleashed Kraken, as Poseidon was now known, terrorized the seas.
He caused devastating storms and unleashed giant tidal waves upon unsuspecting coastal communities. His wrath was indiscriminate, striking both mortals and immortals alike. Even the other gods could not withstand his power, and they soon came to fear and loathe him.
The Unleashed Kraken revelled in the chaos he caused. He enjoyed the destruction he wrought and took pleasure in the terror he inspired. He no longer cared about maintaining the delicate balance of life and death in the ocean, only about feeding his own insatiable hunger for power and destruction.
4. Athena | The Empress of Chaos
"My strategy is simple... Chaos"
In the early days of Mount Olympus, Athena was known as the goddess of wisdom and war, a beacon of strategic thinking and honourable combat. But when Zeus, the tyrant of the gods, was corrupted by the darkness, Athena too fell into a shadow that usurped her soul.
She became obsessed with destruction and chaos. Her thirst for bloodshed knew no bounds, and soon her battles were no longer fought for honor or justice, but simply for the joy of carnage. As Zeus's power grew, so too did Athena's madness.
She took pleasure in sowing discord and division, turning friend against friend, ally against ally. Her wrath was indiscriminate, striking down both friend and foe with equal brutality.
Soon, the entire world began to fear her, and they whispered among themselves of an unholy alliance that had been forged between Athena and the darkest forces of the underworld. She wandered this new world with one simple and clear strategy.... Chaos.
5. Hades | The Soul Harvester
"There is no End to my Dominion"
In the early days of the Gods, Hades was a stern but fair ruler of the underworld, overseeing the domain of the dead with impartiality. But as the years went on, the darkness that consumed Zeus and the other Gods began to seep into his realm as well. Slowly, Hades became obsessed with the idea of capturing every soul that passed through his domain, and soon he was consumed by his own desire.
With each passing day, Hades grew more and more powerful, his reach extending beyond the underworld and into the world of the living.
He began to send out his minions to capture souls before they even had a chance to cross the River Styx. The people of the World trembled in fear at the mention of his name, for they knew that if Hades set his sights on them, there was little they could do to escape.
As his power grew, Hades became more and more unstable. He was consumed by the darkness, and his thirst for souls knew no bounds. His minions became more ruthless, their methods more brutal. The rivers of the underworld ran red with the blood of those who dared to resist him.
6. Aphrodite | The Goddess of Manipulation
“Come Closer... There is a Secret you must know”
As the darkness spread, Aphrodite was consumed into the Goddess of Manipulation, she thrived in the destruction she caused in the hearts of mortals and immortals alike. Her beauty and charm were but a facade, as she plotted and schemed to get what she wanted.
Aphrodite's powers had grown immensely under the reign of Zeus, and she soon found herself capable of controlling the hearts and minds of anyone she chose.
With this newfound power, she began to manipulate the other gods and goddesses, pitting them against one another and sowing seeds of discord wherever she went.
In her insatiable hunger for power and control, Aphrodite even went so far as to manipulate the Fates themselves, altering the course of destiny to suit her whims. She revelled in the lies that she thread, and her dark influence spread like a disease throughout the worlds
7. Apollo | Corrupter of Light
"My Shadow Casts in all that you can see"
Once the god of the sun and music, Apollo became twisted by the darkness that spread its course among the gods. He was known as the Corrupter of Light, a name that struck fear into the hearts of mortals and gods alike.
Apollo's once-beautiful music was now a weapon, capable of driving those who listened to it mad with despair. His arrows, once used to heal and protect, were now tipped with a poison that brought slow and painful death.
The sun itself, once a source of warmth and life, now brought only scorching heat and destruction.
Apollo loved his newfound power, using it to corrupt everything he touched. He would lure in unsuspecting mortals with his sweet songs, only to turn them into mindless slaves, doing his bidding without question. He would use his powers to blind those who opposed him, leaving them helpless and vulnerable to his attacks.
As the Corrupter of Light, Apollo was feared and hated by all. Even the other dark gods, who had once been his allies, began to fear his power and influence. They knew that as long as Apollo was around, there could be no hope for redemption or salvation.
8. Hermes | Master of Illusions
“Let me set you free from your illusions”
Hermes, the Master of Illusions, was once the most trusted messenger of the gods.
He could move swiftly between the mortal world and Mount Olympus, delivering messages and guiding souls to the afterlife.
But as the darkness crept over the land, Hermes began to change. He became more and more enamoured with the art of deception, using his mastery of illusion to spread lies and sow chaos.
As the other gods began to fall under the influence of the darkness, Hermes saw an opportunity to further his own power. He began to manipulate and mislead both mortals and immortals, using his illusions to obscure the truth and lead others astray. He thrived in the confusion and distrust he sowed, knowing that it would only further his own agenda.
Despite his deceitful nature, many still came to Hermes seeking guidance or assistance. But the Master of Illusions would offer them no help, instead using his illusions to further ensnare them in his web of lies.
9. Artemis | The Shadow Stalker
"The Food Chain is Bound to my Will"
Artemis, once the goddess of the hunt, protector of young women, and ruler of the moon, has now become the Shadow Stalker. She roams the darkness, hunting her prey with deadly precision, leaving no trace of her presence behind.
Artemis was corrupted by the darkness that engulfed the gods, and her once-compassionate nature has turned to cruelty. Her new form has granted her shadowy powers beyond comprehension, and she is now one of the most feared beings in all of existence.
She is the master of the hunt, stalking her prey from the shadows and striking with blinding speed. Her arrows are imbued with dark magic, causing unimaginable pain to those she wounds. She has no mercy for anyone, not even her former allies, and will stop at nothing to claim victory.
Her presence alone instils fear in the hearts of all beings. She moves in the shadows, striking without warning, and leaving a trail of destruction in her wake. The only hope of surviving an encounter with the Shadow Stalker is to stay in the light, but even that may not be enough.
10. Hera | Queen of Darkness
“My Rule is Eternal, my Reign Unchanging”
In the days of old, Hera was known as the queen of the gods, reigning over Mount Olympus with her husband, Zeus.
But as the darkness began to consume her, she became obsessed with power and control, ruling over her subjects with an iron fist.
With her eyes filled with malice, she orchestrated the downfall of any who dared to challenge her, striking fear into the hearts of all that crossed her way.
As she descended into the abyss of darkness, Hera became known as the Queen of Darkness, commanding a legion of demonic creatures to do her bidding. With her dark powers, she created a new realm of existence, a place of eternal night, where the souls of the wicked were trapped forevermore. She ruled over this realm with her iron will, unleashing her fury upon any who dared to cross her.
With her twisted ways, Hera had become the embodiment of darkness itself, a creature of pure malevolence, with no trace of the noble goddess she had once been. And so she remained, a tyrant of the underworld, forever feared and revered by those who knew of her power.
11. Dionysus | The King of Madness
"Drunk on Madness"
Long ago, Dionysus was a god of wine and revelry, bringing joy and merriment to mortals and immortals alike. But when Zeus fell to the darkness and brought forth the shadow versions of the gods, Dionysus was not spared from the corruption.
As the "King of Madness," Dionysus no longer brings joy and merriment, but instead revels in chaos and destruction. He is a god of excess, pushing mortals and immortals to the brink of insanity with his twisted powers.
Dionysus is now the embodiment of the madness and chaos that plague the world, and he revels in the destruction and despair that he brings. He is the master of illusions and can manipulate the minds of mortals and immortals alike with his seductive voice and promises of power and pleasure.
Those who dare to cross Dionysus or stand in his way will be consumed by the madness that he wields, their minds shattered and their souls lost to the darkness forever.
12. Demeter | The Mistress of Decay
“I am the Reaper of the Harvest”
In the world of darkness, Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, has become the Mistress of Decay.
Once the bringer of life and growth, she now commands a legion of withered and rotting beings.
As the darkness spread, Demeter's domain was the first to suffer. The crops that once flourished under her care began to wither and die. Desperate to save her people, she turned to the darkness and made a pact with the powers that be.
In exchange for her soul, she was granted the ability to control the very process of decay. With a wave of her hand, she can turn any living thing into a decaying husk. Her army of the undead, once loyal farmers and peasants, now follows her every command.
Her enemies fear the Mistress of Decay, as even the strongest of warriors can be reduced to nothing but a pile of dust in a matter of seconds. And so, she rules over her kingdom of death and decay with an iron fist, never forgetting the price she paid for her power.
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FAQs
What are the 12 main Greek gods called?
The main gods in Greek myth are Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Hestia and Demeter, Hades, and later on Apollo, Artemis, Hermes, Athena, Hephaestus, Aphrodite and Ares. Over the years, the Demi-god Dionysus became part of their group on Olympus. So i replaced Hephaestus with Dionysus because who doesn't love some wine and festivity?
What are the most famous Greek myths?
The most famous stories in the greek mythology includes Theogony: Clash of the Titans, perseus freeing andromeda, the Three Sisters of Fate, The Sea monster, Prometheus and the Theft of Fire, opening Pandora's Box, the birth of venus, pallas and the centaurm The Abduction of Persephone by Hades, Theseus and the Minotaur, Daedalus and Icarus, leda and the swan and many more. The stories of this classical mythology continue to impact contemporary art and art history massively.
What are the 3 most powerful Greek gods?
The 3 most powerful Greek gods are Zeus, Poseidon and Hades, who are known as 'The Big Three' as they are the three sons of the titans Kronos and Rhea.
Who killed the Medusa?
Perseus Killed the Medusa in one known story in the Greek myths. Perseus set out with the aid of the gods, who provided him with divine tools. While the Gorgons slept, the hero attacked, using Athena's polished shield to view the reflection of Medusa's awful face and avoid her petrifying gaze while he beheaded her with a harpe, an adamantine sword. You will see remnants of this epic story in any national gallery you visit.
How has Greek mythology influenced art?
Greek mythology has inspired art more than any other mythology in history. The trials of ancient Greek heroes and monsters have been depicted by the Renaissance masters for thousands of years. Shaping Contemporary Art, Famous Oil Painting, visual arts and much more. You will find it's influence in your national gallery, the conversations of any art historian and in art history itself, almost becoming a table of contents for any conversation about ancient tales.
Who is the Greek god of art?
Apollo is the Greek God of Art, poetry, Music, oracles, archery, plague, medicine, sun, light and knowledge. He was the son of Zeus and Leto and a deity of many functions and meanings. This is just one of many Greek myths that have shaped art history. The stories of Zeus and the battle of the titans, the birth of venus, leda and the swan, oedipus rex, the sea nymphs, perseus and andromeda, the sea monster and many more. Greek and roman history have impacted popular culture and art history greatly.
How does Greek mythology influence art history?
Greek mythology has had a profound impact on art history and is a popular source of inspiration for artists today. The ancient Greeks told stories about their gods and heroes through sculpture, pottery, and painting, These works of art often depicted mythological scenes and characters. You can find depictions of these stories in any national gallery of art as it's a powerful subject matter that has been a massive part of art history. Pandora's box has been opened as we walk each other through the world of Greek Mythology.
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https://www.britannica.com/topic/Greek-mythology
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