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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Travel
Susan Smillie

Walk in the footsteps of gods, heroes and monsters: five trips to mythical Greece

Ancient circular ruins of temple in Delphi with standing columns and scattered stones
In ancient Greece, Delphi was considered the centre of the Earth. Photograph: El Greko/Getty Images

Some stories never get old. The poems and songs from Greek mythology – tales of tragedy, love and loss, war and revenge, jealous gods, magic and monsters – have been retold through the ages for good reason. Like all stories that really resonate, they deal in the flawed nature of humankind.

To the ancients, though, they were far more than legends; they explained the universe. From the Earth’s origins and the stories of constellations to ideas of justice and morality, they shaped the arts and sciences, and carved a shared cultural identity. Visiting Greece today, it’s clear how deeply rooted the myths still are in modern culture. From the capital (named after wise Athena) and beyond, this is a country steeped in legends.

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