Myths and legends from around the world share stories of amazing gods and goddesses with special powers and unique weapons. Who were these figures, and why did they matter to people in the past?
Stories also mention mythological creatures and mysterious ancient places. While historians, archaeologists, and scientists have confirmed some myths, many characters, creatures, and locations remain a mystery. Still, these myths continue to hold cultural and historical importance for many people.
In this section, we will explore some of the most interesting stories and step into the magical world of myths and legends.
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – The timeless struggle between good and evil in myths and legends around the world is truly remarkable, echoing through the stories of countless cultures and generations. Sometimes it emerges as epic battles between powerful gods
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – In Swedish folklore, the sjörå (or the ‘Mistress of the Lake’) is a “supernatural being” that inhabits mainly lakes, but it can also rule over other watery realms. She dominated her own territory like a
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Overconfidence can turn against you more quickly than you might expect, a lesson Phaethon learned far too late. The Greek myth of Phaethon tells how the son of the sun god Helios was granted permission
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – In the old days, people were genuinely terrified of being dragged into the mountains and held captive by trolls—and it’s easy to see why! Imagine standing before a towering rock wall, soaring up toward the sky;
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – Beowulf’s name has power because it belongs to one of the most revered heroes among English-speaking cultures, with his tale enduring through many generations. This epic is often regarded as a cornerstone of Old English
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Many Native American tribes have legends about secret underground worlds their ancestors once inhabited. In some accounts, these subterranean realms are so pleasant that one does not want to leave the place. There are also
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – The “Papyrus Westcar,” a Middle Kingdom manuscript (ca. 2030–1650 BC), is far more than an important relic—it is one of the most credible windows we have into the mindset of ancient Egypt. This remarkable text
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Do you perhaps have a birthmark? Many people do, and today we’re so used to them that they often go unnoticed. Yet in the past, they carried a very different weight. In 17th-century Europe and
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – Legends from the region tell of Vittra, revealing their true, seductive nature. These beautiful, female spirits seduce men in the forest because of personal lust. Interesting is also their motif of supernatural marriage and relationship.
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – Bees are among the most recognized insects, featured in ancient myths and folklore across many cultures worldwide. Both bees and honey have accompanied humanity since the dawn of time. Often called one of the most
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – After the land was created, Vainamoinen was born, but not as a child. Tradition has it that he spent so long in his mother’s womb that he was already an old man, full of wisdom and
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Let’s be honest—whether you call them idiots, fools, imbeciles, or cretins, we can all agree the world isn’t exactly running low on them. Sometimes it feels like they’re everywhere: at work, in traffic, in shops,
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – In Slavic mythology, a figure known as “Lady Midday,” also referred to as “Midday Spirit” or “Poludnica,” is a female, malicious and murderous high noon demon that hunts those who are carelessly in the field
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Throughout history, many ancient cultures have believed in the existence of the Little People—mysterious, tiny beings said to inhabit various regions of the world. These beliefs persist in some modern societies, where people think showing
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – The Tarna Monastery, located in Nangchen County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is an ancient Tibetan monastery dating to the 11th century. Left: Mural depicting King Gesar of Ling. Credit: Gruschke – CC BY-SA 3.0 DE
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – Laocoon’s story is dramatic. According to Greek mythology, Laocoon was a Trojan priest who offended the gods. As punishment, Laocoon and his two sons were strangled by sea serpents. He was the one who warned
