29 Writing Prompts about Greek Mythology
Remember Zeus, the lightning-slinging king of the gods?
Yeah, him.
And Odysseus, the ultimate trickster who journeyed for, like, ever?
We’ve got stories about them and a whole bunch more.
These myths aren’t just about sword fights and monsters (although there are plenty of those). They’re about love, betrayal, crazy adventures, and the never-ending search for answers.
So, grab your notebooks and get ready to explore.
We’re about to see how these ancient tales reflected the deepest fears, desires, and struggles of, well, us – regular folks!
Greek Mythology Writing Prompts
The Forgotten God/Goddess: You stumble across an ancient shrine that seems out of place and time, dedicated to a deity completely absent from all known records. Who is this forgotten divinity? What was their domain, and why did their worship vanish so completely?
Echo’s New Voice: The nymph Echo, traditionally a tragic figure punished by Hera, has found a unique way to break her curse. Now, instead of mindlessly repeating others’ words, she can mimic the sounds of the world around her. How does she use this newfound power, and does it lead her towards a happier ending?
Olympian Intern: Zeus, in a fit of whimsy, decides to bring a mortal to Mount Olympus to act as a summer intern. Will this human thrive amidst the egos of the gods, or is the experience going to be far more chaotic than anyone bargained for?
A Monster’s Redemption: The heroes have slain Medusa, or perhaps the Minotaur. But in their demise, they’ve left something behind – an orphan, a family member, or an unexpected heir. Can this figure connected to a traditionally villainous monster find a path to acceptance?
The Sibling Rivalry: Everyone knows about Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon, but the Olympians have many siblings who often get overlooked. Imagine a story focused on the often-messy relationships and power struggles between some of these lesser-known siblings of the ruling gods.
Orpheus’s Second Chance: What if after the disastrous underworld journey, Orpheus was granted a second attempt to save his beloved Eurydice? Would he repeat his mistakes, or does his trauma lead him down a new path – and perhaps a different outcome?
Lost Artifact of Atlantis: The myth of Atlantis persists, hinting at knowledge and treasures that vanished beneath the waves. What if a seemingly ordinary object washed ashore is actually an Atlantean artifact possessing an uncanny but subtle power?
Pandora’s Second Box: The tale of Pandora’s box focuses on the evils loosed upon the world. But what if there’s a second box, one that remained unopened? Would it contain even worse terrors, or perhaps unexpected hope?
The God/Goddess Swap: Imagine a mischievous deity (perhaps Hermes) decides to play a prank, temporarily switching up the domains of two very different gods or goddesses. How would the world be thrown into chaos if, say, Aphrodite suddenly wielded the power of war or Ares found himself in charge of love?
The Modern Oracle: A descendant of an ancient Delphic priestess finds her visions aren’t focused on the past but on the potential futures of today’s world. Do politicians and business moguls seek her enigmatic guidance, or is she feared as someone who knows too much?
Aphrodite’s Misfire: Aphrodite’s arrows don’t always hit the intended target. Imagine if her powers went awry, causing unlikely and chaotic love matches that upend social structures or even the course of history.
The Titan’s Curse: The Titans were defeated eons ago, but perhaps not all of them were fully destroyed. What if the imprisoned spirit of a Titan begins subtly influencing a mortal, offering whispers of power and revenge against the Olympian order?
The Hidden Demi-God: There are countless tales of demi-gods – children of gods and mortals. But what about a child of a god who has managed to completely hide their ancestry, living an entirely ordinary human life…until their powers awaken under unexpected circumstances?
Revisiting the Underworld: Travels to the Underworld tend to focus on retrieving someone. But imagine a character who goes to Hades’s realm not for a rescue, but to seek knowledge, a bargain, or perhaps a confrontation with the past.
The Competition for Patronage: Cities in ancient Greece often competed for the favor of specific gods and goddesses. Imagine a humorous, perhaps even cutthroat contest, between two modern-day towns who revive old beliefs to prove they’re worthy of a particular deity’s attention.
Nymphs on Strike: Nymphs, spirits of nature, decide they’re tired of being overlooked or disrespected. What would happen if they collectively withdrew their blessings – causing springs to dry up, trees to wither, or wild places to turn harsh?
The God of the Forgotten: There are gods of grand concepts and powerful domains, but what about the deities of things so mundane they’re overlooked? Imagine a god of misplaced keys, unanswered prayers, or forgotten promises. How does such a deity find meaning and perhaps unexpected power?
The Argonaut’s Regret: Jason and his crew achieved legendary status, but did every Argonaut truly find fulfillment? Imagine a story focusing on a once-celebrated hero now struggling with disillusionment, the weight of past choices, or a sense of being left behind as the world changed.
The God/Goddess Auction: Zeus, ever seeking entertainment, announces an auction—mortals can bid for favors from ANY Olympian. Would they bargain for wealth or power, or would some make surprisingly different requests? How do the gods react to being put up for auction?
The God/Goddess Whisperer: A mortal with the unique ability to hear the quiet thoughts and unspoken desires of gods and goddesses emerges. Are they sought after as a counselor, exploited, or feared? How do the Olympians feel about their inner voices potentially being laid bare?
Switching Fates: The three Fates have a rigid system, but what if another deity playfully swapped the threads they weave? Suddenly, the destined hero is destined to fail, the quiet maiden is poised to take on a kingdom, and ordinary lives are thrown into extraordinary circumstances.
The Oracle’s Apprentice: An ordinary person is unexpectedly chosen by an oracle as a successor. But this training may involve more than learning prophecies: perhaps unraveling ancient curses tied to the oracle’s lineage or confronting a hidden danger connected to the gift of sight.
The Satyr’s Tale: Satyrs tend to be portrayed as fun-loving and mischievous. But imagine a story told from a satyr’s perspective, revealing the loneliness and longing beneath the revels and their complex connection to the cycles of nature.
The Muses’ Modern Inspiration: The Muses traditionally inspire artists, but what if they adapt to the modern world? Who would be the muse of viral video trends, the muse of coding breakthroughs, or the muse of urban exploration?
Aphrodite’s Challenge: Aphrodite, bored by the predictability of human love, decides to challenge herself. She’ll actively attempt to create a love match between two people who seem utterly incompatible – perhaps with vastly different personalities, backgrounds, or life goals. Will her experiment backfire, or will it reveal something unexpected about love itself?
Hermes’ Misplaced Package: Hermes, ever the trickster, decides to “misplace” a package in the mortal world – one that contains an object belonging to a powerful god or goddess. What happens when an unsuspecting human stumbles upon this item, and how will they be drawn into the resulting Olympian chaos?
The Cyclops’s Wish: Cyclopes are traditionally depicted as brutish monsters, but what if one possesses a hidden sensitivity or a secret longing? Perhaps they wish to create something beautiful, or connect with a kind soul, challenging the assumptions of both mortals and gods.
The Siren’s Lament: Sirens are feared for their enchanting songs that lure sailors to their doom. But what if a siren grows tired of destruction? Her journey might involve breaking an ancient curse, seeking forgiveness from a vengeful sea god, or finding a way to use her voice for healing instead of harm.
Battle of the Forgotten Heroes: Many minor heroes of Greek myth fade into obscurity. Imagine a unique tournament or contest held in the afterlife where these forgotten figures get the chance to prove their worth, compete for recognition, and perhaps rewrite the way their stories are known.
