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.
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – Our knowledge of Mesopotamian afterlife beliefs comes from literary texts recorded on cuneiform clay tablets. Cuneiform clay tablets represent one of the most significant archaeological achievements, shedding light on the development of human civilization. Mesopotamia was the
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – Raven was a prominent figure in the myths and legends of many ancient cultures. It was considered a magical and elusive animal that symbolized both good and evil. The raven (like the coyote) had mythic
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Legendary British King Lud is shrouded in a veil of mystery. Did he ever exist? Was he the real founder of London or a Celtic God? What was his connection to the Tuatha De Danann, a
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – No doubt, Tezcatlipoca (‘Lord of the Smoking Mirror’) was one of the most powerful deities of pre-Columbian Mexico. In the mythology of the late Maya and Aztecs, he is one of the four creator gods. Known
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – The boundary between what we define as reality and the invisible world is thin. To ancient Celts, hidden realms were just as significant as the physical world our naked eye can perceive. Glimpses of these
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – A sword similar to Tyrfing is Dainsleif. It was made by Dain, one of the dwarves mentioned in the Voluspá, one of the poems of the Poetic Edda. According to Snorri Sturluson, the cursed sword
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Whatever you do, never approach the river, because something exciting, yet dangerous, might happen. Beyond the river lies an intimidating island, from which unsettling sounds occasionally emanate. The origin of these noises remains unknown. Local
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – Nabu was one of the most esteemed deities in the Babylonian-Assyrian pantheon, gaining significant prominence later in the first millennium BC. At one time, he was recognized as the son of Marduk, who himself was
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – If you travel to the Glens of Antrim, a few miles from the seaside town of Ballycastle, in Northern Ireland, you may or may not see Loughareema. Whether you can spot the lake depends on
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – Ornaments in the shape of beetles are known from the late Paleolithic epoch (10,000 to 20,000 years ago). However, since the Egyptian civilization was so much earlier, it isn’t easy to know the exact meaning
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Sigmund is a notable figure in Norse mythology. He is famous for being the only one to pull out the enchanted sword from the ever-mighty and formidable Branstock tree. This event is detailed in the
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – When asked about the most fascinating mythical creatures, a random passerby on the street would likely mention the griffin, among others. At least five thousand years old, a mythical hybrid animal known as ‘griffin’ had
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – The world is full of wonderful, beautiful, and mysterious places. One of them is a lake called Llyn Y Dywarchen. Located in Gwynedd, at the top of a valley in Snowdonia, Northern Wales, the lake
A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – An interesting – though only fragmentary – Babylonian myth tells the story of Anzu/Zu (‘the wise one’), the bird god, whose home is the underworld. Anzu is a mythical creature depicted as a gigantic sky
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Magic is a popular subject in Icelandic folklore. Many stories exist about people who performed extraordinary magical feats and achieved amazing things. Many ancient books and manuscripts record the magical beliefs and practices of Icelanders,
Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Puck, also called Robin Goodfellow or “Hobgoblin,” is undoubtedly one of the most popular characters in English folklore. Famous for mischievous pranks and practical jokes, Puck has captured the hearts of many people. One reason
