8 Lesser Known Heroes of Greek Mythology [Updated]
Greek myths provide valuable lessons using characters like gods, creatures, and heroes. Mortal heroes and demigods interact with the gods through personal relationships, battles, quests, and more.
Hercules and similar characters are well known to us today. Other heroes are more obscure but no less important to understanding Greek mythology.
This list includes lesser known and obscure heroes of Greek mythology. Both mortals and demigods are included and play important roles in the overall story of Greek religion.
The characters mentioned here are closely related to gods, goddesses, and creatures included in previous articles.
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1) Orpheus
Orpheus is the son of the one of the Muses, and as such, is skilled in music and poetry. Apollo gifted Orpheus a lyre, which he plays with excellence.
This lyre is an important part of Orpheus’ story, as he uses it to save the day on many occasions.
In the search for the Golden Fleece, Orpheus saves his fellow Argonauts from the Sirens by playing his lyre louder than their singing.
When Orpheus ventures into the Underworld to take back his wife Eurydice, he is able to charm Charon, the ferryman, with his music. He also calms Cerberus with his music and convinces Hades to allow him to save his wife.
Unfortunately, Orpheus fails to follow the directions of Hades. Orpheus and Eurydice are permitted to leave the Underworld but are unable to look back as they leave. If one of them does, Eurydice is doomed to stay in the Underworld.
Orpheus looks back before they make it out of Hades’ realm and has to leave without his wife as a result.
2) Actaeon
Actaeon is a prince of Thebes and a hunter who was trained by a centaur. Actaeon made the mistake of insulting Artemis and she curses him to silence.
If Actaeon speaks, the curse would turn him into a stag. After calling for his fellow hunters, Actaeon indeed turns into a stag and is killed by his own hunting dogs.
Actaeon’s story warns against hubris, which is showing arrogance before the gods.
3) Bellerophon
Bellerophon is a demigod who is the son of Poseidon. Bellerophon is known for killing the Chimaera and riding the flying horse Pegasus.
Bellerophon’s success and his large ego compel him to fly Pegasus to Mount Olympus. This action is strictly prohibited for demigods like Bellerophon.
He is intercepted on his way to the sacred place and falls to the ground. Although he survives the fall, Bellerophon is permanently wounded as a result.
Bellerophon lives in misery until his death.
4) Aegeus
Aegeus is a founding hero of Greek mythology. He is the father of the hero Theseus and had the ability to turn into a goat.
The Aegean Sea is named after this heroic figure.
5) Hector
Hector is a hero from Troy. He is a mortal warrior and leader of the Trojan army during the Trojan War. After leaders of both armies decide to duel, Hector fights Achilles.
Although he acts with bravery, Hector is ultimately killed by Achilles.
6) Atreus
According to Greek legend, Atreus is the king of Mycenae and the great Mycenaean Empire.
He is the father of Agamemnon and Menelaus.
7) Ixion
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Ixion is the king of Thessaly, a mortal, and an unfortunate enemy of Zeus. Ixion makes the mistake of pursuing Hera, the wife of Zeus while visiting Mount Olympus.
As a result of his lust, Ixion is expelled from Mount Olympus and tied to a fiery wheel for all eternity.
8) Meleager
Meleager is a hero of the Greek city of Calydon. He is also one of the Argonauts who search for the Golden Fleece.
Meleager is most well known for his participation in the Calydonian Boar Hunt. This menacing boar was terrorizing Calydon. The hero Meleager was entrusted to lead the hunt along with Atalanta.
Meleager killed the boar after Atalanta wounded the animal.