Classmyth

The ancient Greeks were the great myth-makers of Europe. The Athenian philospher Plato coined the word MYTHOLOGIA in order to distinguish between imaginative accounts of divine actions and factual descriptions of events, supernatural or otherwise. Plato recognised the power that resided in myth, and warned his followers to beware of it's seductive charm.
Unlike a story composed by a particular author, a myth always stood on its own, with a plot and a set of characters readily understood by those who listened to the story-teller or dramatist making use of it. Today we cannot expect to appreciate the full meaning of these performances, but we are fortunate in having the raw materials from which they were made, the myths themselves.

The ancients believed that many of their cities were founded by the pioneering heroes and heroines of legend, ie Cadmus of Thebes and Dido of Carthage.
In classical mythology, the heroic ethic combined with the greek ideal of POLIS, or city-state, to create a variety of founders who built such cities as Athens, Mycenal, Sparta and thebes.
The Greek polis was an independent community of citizens, slaves and foreigners, who gathered within and around a fortified city. Each city honoured its own hero who was often its legendary founder, such as Lacedaemon of Sparta and Perseus of Mycenae.
Mythic founders were godlike heroes, guided by destiny and deity to create a fresh, vibrant culture. Apart from leading a tribe to a bright new land, they often developed new ways and customs.

The myths of all cultures contain inspiring individuals who expressed ideal talents and traits, such as the courage of Achilles, might of Heracles, wit of Odysseus and endurance of Oedipus.
A classic hero is a champion in every sense, overcoming trials, ridding the world of trouble makers, blazing trails and winning through despite all odds. Yet he is neither invunerable nor immortal, though often helped, and sometimes hindered, by the gods.
Greek mythology is unusually rich in heroes and heroines of every kind. Some are wartime champions (Achilles and Hector), others are peacetime (Odysseus, Theseus), some are positive and outgoing (Heracles, Perseus); still others are heroes of attitude rather than action such as Hector who, at the end, remained steadfast in the face of hopeless defeat!

The lure of the unknown prompts all restless heroes to strike out on a new path in search of treasure, a dream, or for the sheer joy of discovery and adventure.
In classic mythology three explorers stand out: Jason, Aeneas and Odysseus. Jason set sail with his crew of Argonauts in search of the golden fleece; Aeneas' seven year voyage after the fall of Troy led him to the site of of future Rome. Most famously, Odyssey of the shipwrecked wanderer, Odysseus. Tossed from shore to shore by the angry sea god, Poseidon, he found his way home after ten years' wandering through fabulous lands.
The lure of the underworld, or a foray into a monsters lair, attracts many heroes: Theseus who went into the labyrinth to slay the Minotaur, and found his way out again. Aeneas and Odysseus both journeyed to the underworld in search of prophetic counsel..