Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome (Collin Classics)

“Before exploring the numerous beliefs of the ancient Greeks and their extensive pantheon of gods, we need to understand the nature of these divine beings. The gods were depicted as resembling humans but surpassed mortals in beauty, stature, and strength. Height, especially, was considered a mark of beauty among Greeks. Like humans, gods experienced emotions, married, had children, required sustenance for strength, and rested to replenish their energies. Their blood, called Ichor, was seen as a luminous fluid that never fell ill and could even generate new life when spilled. Greeks believed that their gods possessed superior mental faculties but were not considered free from human-like passions. Gods often exhibited traits like revenge, deceit, and jealousy. They did, however, punish wrongdoing and inflicted severe consequences on mortals who disregarded their worship. Despite these resemblances, gods maintained one crucial distinction: immortality.”