From Temples to Smartphones: How Greek Mythology Finds Its Place in Contemporary Literature
How ancient myths are woven into 21st-century books.
When Greek mythology comes up, we tend to picture ancient temples, painted pottery, and a distant world where gods and mortals lived side by side. But today, these stories have moved beyond the past, and Greek gods now appear in contemporary plots, colliding with technology, city life, and the challenges of the modern age.
Why Greek Mythology Remains Popular
Lucy Samuel of Bexhill College explores why Greek myths remain popular — because their plots and characters are easy to relate to human experience.
At first glance, it might seem strange how stories about fantastical creatures could feel so close to us. But Lucy Samuel points to Achilles as an example — a character portrayed as an invincible warrior. Yet at the same time, the hero is shown as vulnerable, capable of complaining to his mother when things don't go according to plan.
The Greek gods, too, carry human traits — they feel anger and jealousy, and often act in morally contradictory ways.
Lucy Samuel has written that whether sad or funny, the best part of Greek myths is how bold and implausible they are, since we can laugh at the gods' endless mistakes, cry over tragic sacrifices, and, ultimately, take comfort in knowing that none of these wild stories could ever happen in our own reality, she writes.
She adds that in that sense, Greek myths serve as a powerful reminder of our own humanity, bridging the ancient and modern worlds.
Examples of Works Where Greek Gods Exist in the Modern Day
Percy Jackson and the Olympians, by Rick Riordan
The book series tells the story of twelve-year-old Percy Jackson, who ends up at Camp Half-Blood. In the first book, the hero sets out with a satyr named Grover and Athena's daughter to catch a thief. The children chase after a dangerous weapon — Zeus's lightning bolt.
But over the course of the books, Percy faces a much bigger problem, as time runs short. A second Titanomachy looms, and Kronos's army prepares for war between the gods and the Titans.
Worldwide, over 180 million copies of the complete Percy Jackson book series have sold. The books have appeared on shelves in more than 35 countries and been translated into 37 languages.
Lore Olympus, by Rachel Smythe
The comic Lore Olympus is a graphic novel that reimagines ancient myths. The author transplants Greek gods into a modern setting, while depicting the realm of mortals in an ancient Greek style.
Persephone grows up among mortals and finally makes it to Olympus, freeing herself from her mother's overprotectiveness. On the girl's first night in the city, her neighbor Artemis invites her to one of Zeus's parties, where Hades notices Persephone for the first time.
That meeting changes the protagonist's life. Hades, ruler of the Underworld, becomes captivated by her. In this modern world of gods, now depicted as a great city full of fashionable shops, parties, and social media, passion and intrigue remain just as dangerous and capable of ruining lives.
Game of the Gods, by Abigail Owen
At the center of the story is Lyra, a woman who's spent her whole life trying to stay unnoticed by the gods, since she's never had their favor. The protagonist works as an office clerk at the Order of Thieves and tries to survive in a city under Zeus's control.
Every 100 years, a tournament determines who will rule Olympus. But the gods don't fight themselves — instead, they choose mortals to compete on their behalf.
Hades, patron of the Underworld, takes part for the first time and unexpectedly chooses the protagonist as his representative. Lyra doesn't understand the choice, since she doesn't consider herself remarkable or special in any way. At the same time, a bond forms between her and Hades whose nature she can't explain.
A Touch of Darkness, by Scarlett St. Clair
A Touch of Darkness is the first book in the Hades and Persephone series. The story tells the love story between Hades and Persephone in the modern world. Persephone is a young goddess who uses her mother's magic to take on a mortal form. One evening, she heads out with a friend to an exclusive club owned by Hades.
At the club, Persephone asks a stranger to teach her how to play cards, but loses the game. The stranger turns out to be Hades, and her loss leads to a contract between them.
Under the terms of the deal, the goddess has six months to fulfill her obligation. If Persephone fails, she'll have to stay in the Underworld forever.
Despite thousands of years, Greek mythology remains alive and relevant. It continues to inspire new stories and reflect human emotions and conflicts. Characters and plots that once existed only in the world of temples and legends continue to shape art today.