Imagine yourself living on an ancient Greek island, before the days of
airplanes, cars, and television—when civilization was very young, and people
lived very close to nature. How would you have explained such mysteries of
the earth as weather changes, or where rainbows come from, or why spiders
spin webs?

   The ancient Greeks invented stories to help explain nature and to free them
from their fears of the unknown. When the sun rose in the sky, it meant the
sun god was driving his golden chariot through the heavens. When winter
turned to spring, it meant a young goddess had just returned to earth to live
with her mother. When lightning flashed, it meant the god of the skies was
hurling his thunderbolts in anger.

   The stories the ancient Greeks created about their gods and goddesses are called myths. Not only did the myths help explain the mysteries of nature, but they also provided wonderful entertainment on cold winter nights. As the
myths were passed from generation to generation, different Greek and
Roman poets retold them.

   Though today we may have more modern ideas about life than the ancient
Greeks or Romans did, our feelings are still much the same as theirs. As
we read about their gods, goddesses, and mortals romping through woods
and over mountains and seas, we understand their sorrows, joys, and
angers. Welcome to their world—one that is as lively and passionate today
as it was long ago.