1. Heracles (Hercules)
When Heracles was born, he made enemies with Hera, one of the most powerful gods of Greek Mythology. When Heracles was a baby, Hera sent two serpents down upon him, but Heracles crushed both of them with his bare hands. As Heracles enters manhood, he accomplishes the impossible “Labours of Heracles”. Heracles eventually dies when the centaur, Nessus tricks his wife into poisoning him. During his moments of life, Heracles makes a funeral pyre for himself. As the flames engulfed this legendary hero, Zeus lifts his son up into the sky and Heracles takes his rightful place as a God of Olympus.
Heracles Crushing the Serpents
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Heracles Wrestling Cerebus, the Guard of the Underworld
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2.Thor
This warrior god of Norse Mythology was the son of the “mighty Odin”, king of gods. Thor is one of the most powerful gods of Asgard. Thor wields a short hammer called Mjolnir which has the ability to launch thunderbolts and it magically returns to the wielder whenever it is thrown. Thor travels around in a magical chariot that scorches the Earth as it soars through the sky. Thor is also known as a dangerous enemy toward the giants.
Thor Fights the Giants
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Marvel’s Adaption of Thor
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3. Achilles
This hero of the Trojan Wars is one of the most well known figures of Greek Mythology. Achilles was the son of the nymph Thetis and Peleus. When Achilles was a child, Thetis dangled Achilles on a mystical fire and started to burn away her son’s mortal half, her practice was interrupted by Peleus who was appalled at the sight. Thetis successfully burned away most of Achille’s mortal half except one small weakness, her son’s heel. Achilles set out to the Trojan War and won many victories for the Greeks. Achilles challenged Hector, prince of Troy to a duel and defeated him. After this event, he dragged Hector’s around Troy refusing to bury the warrior. This action offended the Gods and it eventually lead to his downfall. Paris, Hector’s brother shot an arrow guided by the god Apollo into Achilles’s heal. Then the great warrior fell, never to rise again.
Achilles Offends the Gods
- Note: Prince Hector’s dead body
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Death of Achilles
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4. Robin Hood
This legendary outlaw of English folklore known by people everywhere. Robin Hood is mainly known for his adventures with his outlaw group, the “Merry Men”. Robin Hood is known to have lived in the Sherwood Forest of Nottingham-shire. He is known mainly for his “stealing from the rich, and saving the poor.” Robin Hood is known as a skilled archer and in many tales, the enemy of the sheriff. Whether this figure is real or not, he has clearly earned a place in the top 5 mythical figures.
The Memorial of Robin Hood
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The Classic Disney Adaption of Robin Hood
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5. King Arthur
King Arthur, the legendary leader of the Britons is a classic symbol of chivalry and the Medieval Age. According to most Medieval histories and romances, he lead the defense of Britain from the Saxons during the 6th century. Many mystical figures surround the tales of King Arthur such as the wizard Merlin, the enchantress Moran Le Fay, and the mysterious Lady of the Lake. Arthur also wields the infamous Excalibur which makes the user win every duel and its scabbard enables the user to be invincible. At peak of his power, Arthur established the Round Table and the mystical kingdom of Camelot prospered. Arthur’s kingdom eventually fell after knights were corrupted and the king passed away.
King Arthur and the Holy Grail
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King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake
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I have mentioned before, I am entranced by the King Arthur and Merlin legends, so when I had a chance to request Arthur of Albion and received it from Sacramento Book Review for review, I was delighted. I got hooked on the Merlin legend when I read T. A. Barron's series The Lost Years of Merlin. This led to reading Mary Stewart's wonderful Merlin Trilogy that starts with The Crystal Cave. My husband and I both enjoyed that one and then had to track down The Hollow Hills and The Last Enchantment. Mary Stewart is a writer who completely immerses a reader in the worlds she creats. And she, of course, while telling the legendary world of Arthur through Merlin's eyes, hooked me once again on King Arthur. (I was earlier captivated by the movie in the 70’s, Excalibur.)
I, too, loved the Mary Stewart books. If I ever have time, I would like to read them again. My grandson loves Greek mythology, and I've often felt he would love the Arthurian myths as well. Now you have given me the perfect vehicle to introduce him to those wonderful stories. Thanks!
Arthur of Albion sounds good. I would love to read about mythology.
Regarding your previous post..thanks for passing me the award. You are a sweetie. I am honoured that you thought of passing the award to me.
Your question about themes and series will prompt me to write a mini-novel, Mitty. :) I'm hooked on several of both, although they're not necessarily all YAs.
Lilian Jackson Braun's Cat Who ... books, especially her earlier ones, are whodunits that feature two cats and their human, a former news reporter with a nose for turning up murder. I never tire of rereading Dorthy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax mysteries, while and Kay Hooper's psychic murder mysteries featuring Bishop's Special Crimes Unit never fail to intrigue me intellectually and cosmically.
I love the philosophical aspects of Dan Brown's books and the humor of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Fannie Flagg's Southern-themed books are another delight for me, while I love Barry Hughart's Bridge of Birds and the two sequels for their combination of sly wit, mysticism, history and mystery.
I reread C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and Madeleine L'Engle's Time trilogy almost every year like clockwork for their philosophy and Laura Ingalls Wildler's Little House books to experience another time and to gain strength and courage.
Thank you for asking!
Michelle
Rosi, I loved Greek Mythology when I was a teen. Arthur was a discovery later in life. I think your grandson would like this.
Rachna, I passed both awards to you, not just one. Looking forward to what your 7 random facts will be.
Michelle, wow, I got some good book lists from your reply. Ah, yes, Madelein L'Engle, she's wonderful. I underline things in her books, they're so meaningful. And The Little House series was a good read again and again when I was growing up. I'll have to go check it out yet again!
Michelle, if you like series, you might like The Molly Murphy mystery series by Rhys Bowen. They're light, but fun, based in New York around 1903-1904.
Ooh, I like the book cover too. The stories sound interesting.
I lurve the cover of that Hollow Hills novel. I've never been too much into fantasy, but these novels sound pretty good. My sister adores fantasy, so now I must ring her to find out if she has these novels!
Hello, Kimberly and "Alleged". Yes the book cover us beautiful. The artist must have loved the opportunity to do the art for this book. All of the illustrations are dreamy and magical.