Resources for Hellenic Polytheism
This is a list of various types of sources that may or may not be helpful to everyone. I have included resources lists made by others on the tumblr posts section, especially when it comes to books, as Iâve seen many people say the books are good but I have not read them myself, and therefore do not want to personally recommend them.
IF ANYONE HAS ANYTHING THEY WANT TO ADD, please let me know! Feel free to send an ask, DM me, or reply/reblog with it! It can be a post you made or that you found helpful, a different website, a video, or even a type of media that isnât listed here already (I want a good range!)
I hope to add to this often as I find things.
The Theoi Project - brilliant for researching specific deities and has primary sources listed. Any deity info can probably be found here, though Iâve found it more helpful for some than others and not entirely useful for hero worship
Mythopedia - I use this in tandem with the Theoi Project as it actually has profiles on the heroes as well as ones on gods and creatures, so itâs useful for hero worshippers like myself and can be used in a similar way to TTP. I particularly like the page on Tiresias. This link goes to the Greek mythology page, but the site also contains information about mythology of other regions.
Hellenic Festival Calender - exactly what it says on the tin. Best resource Iâve found for celebration stuff
Perseus Library - I use this almost constantly for my research project in classics. It has tons of primary sources which you can read in English or in Greek.
The Iliad by Homer - I read the E.V Rieu translation revised by Peter Jones. Great for getting to know the âpersonalitiesâ of the gods and seeing a lot of Ancient Greek customs in practice. Also, if you wanted to get into hero worship, there are a LOT of heroes to choose from in here. Thereâs also a lot of other myths referenced in here that are very interesting. Also the story is heart-wrenching in itself.
The Odyssey by Homer - Currently reading the Robert Fagles translation. Similar to above. Additionally, this contains some stuff about the underworld/afterlife.
Homeric Hymns - You can find these on Theoi.com and probably Perseus Library. Great for knowing more about specific deities.
The Theogony by Hesiod - You can find parts of this on Theoi.com, but Iâd recommend the Oxford World Classics edition that contains both this and Works and Days. It mainly discusses the genealogy and relationships of the gods.
Works and Days by Hesiod - Can probably be found on Perseus Library, but again, Iâd recommend the Oxford World Classics edition that contains this and The Theogony. Just a lot about the ancient society, plus some myth.
The Oresteia by Aeschylus - I read the Robert Fagles translation and it is gut-wrenching. Aside from characterisation, and being part of the epic cycle, this contains prayers and ancestor/hero worship type things, and some theology (specifically about the furies)
My posts, such as my beginnerâs guide to Helpol, and my guide to hero worship, are not linked here. They can be found in the pinned post on my blog.
List of professional patrons @thegrapeandthefig
Subtle Worship Masterpost @khaire-traveler
Helpol Books @olympianbutch and @khaire-traveler
Masterlist of hero worship guides @hero-shrine
Athena Masterpost @citrineandrosmarin
On Medusa @/me â why the âAthena cursed Medusa after being raped by Poseidonâ myth is inaccurate and harmful (spoiler alert: itâs because itâs not Greek)
Apollo and Hyacinthus @/me - my interpretation of the myth based on my knowledge of homosexual relationships in Ancient Greece, because thereâs a massive cultural context to this myth that I never see anyone talk about â probably due to the nature of the age gaps which are very uncomfortable by modern standards
This is a list of recommended videos and just because a video is here does not mean I have watched or recommend the rest of the content on the channel. I donât have time to go through everything. Even with these videos, I may have some gripes, and if I do I will list them. It tends to be a lot of the same thing.
Stop Saying Myths Arenât Literal by Hellenism Today - dislike the use of the terms Hellenism and Hellenistic, but aside from that, this is a good source that goes over mythic literalism in quite a simple and easy to grasp way.
In Defence of Hera by Fel the Blithe - I have my problems with her channel as a whole (namely that she uses the word âHellenismâ for Helpol) but this video is very informative and interesting, about lesser known aspects of Hera. Itâs technically a second part, but the first part is very brief and imo quite disorganised. Sheâs quite dismissive of mythology, which irks me, but the discussion of Heraâs cults is quite informative