Recommendations Around Greek Mythology

"Le feuilleton de..." (The Serial of...)

Author: Murielle Szac
Publisher: Bayard Jeunesse

Who doesn't already know Murielle Szac's "serials"?

True bestsellers in schools - but not only -, the "serials" choose as their narrative angle the subjective journey of an iconic figure of Greek mythology. Over the course of 100 chronological episodes, the reader discovers a universe rich in divine protagonists and extraordinary events.

Hermes, Theseus, Ulysses, Artemis, the Olympic Games... already 5 works of the same format as many gems to discover. But also Tsippora, a little-known biblical figure!

Far from addressing only children, the author's revisitation of classic myths and legends constitutes an ideal entry point to discover the abundant universe of the Greek pantheon.

The work is particularly interesting for:

• a first approach to Greek mythology;
• pedagogical or family use;
• rediscovering the pleasure of narrative before analysis.

Les feuilletons en cent épisodes (French)

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes

Author: Edith Hamilton
Illustrations (illustrated edition): Jim Tierney

Recommended by Margot from the podcast Mythologie grecque décomplexée, this book was offered to me for my birthday. I now understand why it became such a reference.

First published in 1942, Mythology remains one of the most solid popular works on the topic. Edith Hamilton gathers an impressive number of figures and narratives, drawing directly from ancient sources while keeping the prose fluid, structured, and readable.

The book does not oversimplify; it clarifies. Major lineages, heroic cycles, and divine conflicts are presented with coherence, without sacrificing the richness of the original material.

It is particularly valuable to:

• gain a broad view of the Greek pantheon;
• understand the major mythological cycles;
• build a clear foundation before diving into ancient texts themselves.

A classic, in the noblest sense of the word.

Mythologie grecque décomplexée (Uninhibited Greek Mythology)

Author and narration: Margot
Format: audio podcast

This podcast offers a lively and embodied exploration of Greek myths, far from frozen or purely academic presentations. The tone is accessible, precise, and often tinged with humor, without ever sacrificing the rigor of the subject. The target audience is oriented from teenagers to adults.

Each episode focuses on a character and/or an epic narrative, taking the time to expose (when necessary) the variants, contradictions and symbolic issues.

It is a particularly valuable resource for:

• understanding the plurality of mythological traditions;
• contextualizing narratives and their sources;
• discovering Greek mythology orally, in a modern format.

The podcast is available on most listening platforms (in French).

Support on Tipeee

Hades (I & II)

Studio: Supergiant Games
Genre: action roguelite

I took part in the early access phase of both entries. I had an immediate intuition about this series, and the critical reception confirmed it.

Hades is fast, demanding, and visceral. But its real strength is not only gameplay: writing plays a central role.

Every escape attempt from the Underworld unlocks new dialogue. Relationships evolve, tensions emerge, and family lineages deepen. The structural repetition of the genre is absorbed by a continuous narrative progression that is both intelligent and respectful of ancient sources.

The studio does not copy mythology; it reinterprets it coherently. Characters remain faithful to core archetypes: Hades as cold and distant, Nyx as enigmatic, Ares as brutal yet lucid, Dionysus as ambiguous and charming.

The series is particularly valuable to:

• discover Greek mythology through an interactive medium;
• observe a coherent and well-documented modern adaptation;
• experience a living, embodied, and dynamic mythological universe.

One of the best contemporary reinterpretations of the Greek pantheon.

Official website (Hades I)

Cyclades

Designers: Bruno Cathala, Ludovic Maublanc
Editions: original edition & Legendary Edition

I own both the original edition and the Legendary Edition, which rebalances the game and integrates elements previously found in expansions.

Cyclades is a strategic conquest game where players must build or control several metropolises to win. Its originality lies in its auction system: each round, players bid gold to gain a god’s favor.

Zeus allows the recruitment of priests, Poseidon grants maritime supremacy, Ares strengthens land armies, Athena fosters intellectual development to accelerate the acquisition of metropolises, Apollo ensures steady resources and the accumulation of wealth, and Hera combines several strategic levers while streamlining the movement of land troops. Gold thus becomes the true engine of war.

The geography enforces a constant alternation between sea and land, and a gallery of mythological creatures disrupts the balance of each round, for hard cash of course.

The game is particularly interesting for:

• experimenting with dynamics of rivalry and divine balance according to each god’s respective domain;
• being exposed to a range of mythological creatures whose effects remain consistent with their place in the myths;
• experiencing a demanding and tense strategic immersion.

An excellent example of intelligent ludic appropriation of Greek mythology.