The Greek word mythos simply refers to any narrative, factual or not. In modern use, the term has come to mean a popular story elaborated over several generations. Myths are sometimes based on a kernel of historical fact and are often significant for understanding the mass mentality of an ancient people. Since they often involve gods or other supernatural beings, mythology is sometimes considered a facet of ancient religion, but Greek myths frequently address nonreligious topics as well. The myths of ancient Greece, like those of other cultures, originated in a variety of ways and for a variety of purposes. Some have a moral, such as the need to be hospitable to strangers or the need for humility. Other myths are “etiological,” attempting to explain local geographic features, religious rites, or other phenomena not fully understood by other means.
Text from: Sacks, David. “Mythology, Ancient Greek.” Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, by David Sacks, 3rd ed., Facts On File, 2015. Credo Reference, https://search.credoreference.com/articles/Qm9va0FydGljbGU6NDg0MzYyOQ==?aid=95497.
Roman religious belief evolved over time. Many of the well-known gods, goddesses, and heroes of Rome were adopted from other cultures and civilizations. Greek mythology, with its focus on gods with humanlike characteristics, greatly influenced later Roman mythology. What we know about early Roman mythology comes from archaeological findings, artwork, and writers such as Marcus Terentius Varro, Virgil, and Ovid. Roman myth borrowed greatly from the Greeks, replacing Greek deities with Roman names, creating a hybrid Greco-Roman mythology.
Text from: Bond, Mark, Aaron. “Pantheon and Mythology in Ancient Rome.” World History: A Comprehensive Reference Set, edited by Facts on File, 1st ed., Facts On File, 2016. Credo Reference, https://search.credoreference.com/articles/Qm9va0FydGljbGU6NTgwMTQw?aid=95497.
Image from: “Zeus.” Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Jennifer R. March, 2nd ed., Oxbow Books, 2014. Credo Reference, https://search.credoreference.com/articles/Qm9va0FydGljbGU6Njc2NjM0?aid=95497.
Allusions and Reflections : Greek and Roman Mythology in Renaissance Europe by 
A Bestiary of Monsters in Greek Mythology by 
Classical Mythology : A Very Short Introduction by 
Myth, Ritual, and the Warrior in Roman and Indo-European Antiquity by 
The Unknown Odysseus : Alternate Worlds in Homer's Odyssey by 
Classical Mythology: a Very Short Introduction by 
Classical Mythology in Literature, Art, and Music by 
The Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion by 
