The influence of a myth is not limited to its immediate cultural context. In fact, the Greek myths have survived for so long because they appeal to people across time periods and cultures.
Greek mythology also has had a profound impact on the world’s religions. The story of Christ’s birth is based on versions of myths from ancient Greece and Rome. In addition, many religious symbols used today are based on symbols from ancient Greece and Rome. For example, the cross used to represent Christianity is similar to an Egyptian symbol for life that dates back to 3100 BC. The star used to represent Judaism is similar to an Egyptian symbol for life that dates back to 3000 BC!
Many elements of Greek mythology are still very much alive in our culture today. Think about all those epic fantasy tales that have been written over the years (Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings) or consider how many people idolize celebrities who are famous for their beauty or athletic ability (like Brad Pitt). These qualities were admired by people living in ancient Greece because they were considered to be divine qualities associated with gods and goddesses like Apollo or Aphrodite.
So, greek mythology has influenced many aspects of modern society including language (the word “monster” comes from Latin), literature (the phrase “to gild refined gold” is taken directly from Greek mythology), philosophy and so on.
