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1. Priam begs Achilles for Hector's body
In Book XXIV of Homer's Iliad, King Priam of Troy sneaks into the Greek camp with Hermes' help to beg Achilles for the body of his son, Hector, whom Achilles has been desecrating. Priam kisses the hands of the man who killed his son and urges him to show mercy by remembering his own father, Peleus. Moved to tears by this plea, Achilles accepts a ransom, returns the body, and promises a, for, eleven-day truce for the funeral.
2. The Tower of Babel
According to the biblical story, humanity, united by a single language, comes together to construct a tower that reaches the heavens.
Yahweh confuses their language, so that they can no longer understand each other, and scatters them around the world.
3. Pandora’s Box
After Prometheus gave fire to humans, Zeus sought to punish him. He decided to create Pandora, giving her a jar with strict instructions not to open it.
She was then sent to Prometheus' brother. Pandora opened the jar, releasing all evils into the world.
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4. Perseus and the Gorgon Medusa
Using Athena's reflective shield, Perseus bypassed the looking taboo by viewing Medusa's reflection on the shield.
He then entered the cave backward, safely observing and approaching the sleeping Gorgon before severing her head.
5. The Moirai are the Greek counterparts to the Roman Parcae.
They ensure that all beings follow their destined path as dictated by the laws of the universe.
Clotho spins life’s thread, Lachesis measures it, and Atropos severs it, signifying the unavoidable course of existence.
6. The Myth of Sisyphus
Sisyphus was a deceptive ruler who outwitted the gods and managed to escape death on two occasions.
He was cursed to an endless punishment of rolling a massive boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down every time it neared the summit.
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