The Best Modern Retellings of Greek Myths: Ancient Stories for Contemporary Audiences
Greek mythology, with its pantheon of gods, tragic heroes, and fantastical creatures, has been an endless source of inspiration for writers, artists, and filmmakers for centuries. The universal themes of love, revenge, betrayal, and fate continue to resonate with modern audiences, and countless retellings of these myths have emerged in the past few decades. These modern takes often bring new depth and nuance to the ancient stories, giving them fresh relevance while still honoring the rich traditions of Greek mythology.
From novels to television series, films, and even graphic novels, here are some of the best contemporary retellings of Greek myths that breathe new life into ancient tales.
1. Circe by Madeline Miller (2018)
Madeline Miller’s Circe is one of the most celebrated modern retellings of Greek mythology. The novel reimagines the story of Circe, the enchantress from Homer’s Odyssey, who turns Odysseus’s men into pigs. Rather than being a one-dimensional villain, Circe is given a voice, a backstory, and a rich character arc, allowing readers to explore her isolation, her struggles with her divine family, and her search for personal agency. Circe humanizes a figure traditionally seen as a temptress, transforming her into a fully realized character who grapples with love, power, and loneliness. This novel has become a modern classic, appreciated for its lyrical prose and feminist perspective on the myth.
2. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (2011)
Before Circe, Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles also reimagined a famous Greek myth, focusing on the tragic love story of Achilles and Patroclus. In Miller’s version, the bond between the two is portrayed as deeply emotional and romantic, offering a new lens through which to understand their relationship. The novel explores themes of destiny, love, sacrifice, and the human cost of war. By giving Patroclus a voice and providing a more intimate perspective on the Trojan War, Miller’s retelling became an instant hit, winning numerous awards and gaining a devoted following.
3. The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker (2018)
Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls tells the story of Briseis, the captive woman awarded to Achilles after he kills her husband. While the Iliad largely focuses on the heroism and wrath of Achilles, this novel shifts the focus to the women who were victims of the war. Briseis’s narrative brings attention to the silence of women who were often relegated to the background in the original myths. The book challenges traditional power dynamics, giving voice to the women who suffered during the Trojan War, and is a powerful critique of war and its dehumanizing effects.
4. The Mythic Dream by Various Authors (2022)
This anthology, edited by Holly Black and Rick Riordan, features a collection of short stories that reimagine Greek myths through the eyes of contemporary authors. The stories are a diverse reimagining of ancient tales, from the perspective of both well-known and lesser-known figures in Greek mythology. What makes The Mythic Dream so exciting is the variety of voices, as it includes stories by authors such as Holly Black, Roshani Chokshi, Sarah McCarry, and others. The anthology takes readers on a journey through myths from the Trojan War to the adventures of the gods, all while weaving in modern sensibilities and cultural critiques.
5. Lore by Alexandra Bracken (2021)
In Lore, Alexandra Bracken brings Greek mythology into the modern world by setting the novel in contemporary New York City, where gods walk among mortals. The story follows Lore, a young woman who is caught in a deadly competition between the gods. Every seven years, the gods are cursed to live as mortals and are hunted by descendants of ancient heroes. Bracken weaves familiar Greek myths into an action-packed narrative, blending the old with the new. The book is a thrilling, action-packed adventure that reimagines Greek gods in a world of betrayal, revenge, and power struggles, making the ancient pantheon feel urgent and immediate.
6. The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood (2005)
Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad is a clever retelling of the story of Penelope from the Odyssey, told from the perspective of Odysseus’s wife. Atwood reimagines Penelope’s twelve-year wait for her husband’s return as a complex and multifaceted experience of loneliness, power, and cunning. The novel also brings the twelve maids who were hanged by Odysseus upon his return into the narrative, giving them voices as they recount their version of events from beyond the grave. The Penelopiad is a sharp feminist take on the myth, offering a fresh perspective on Penelope’s role in the Odyssey.
7. Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan (2005-2009)
Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & The Olympians series is one of the most popular and accessible modern retellings of Greek mythology. Targeted at younger readers but beloved by adults as well, the series follows Percy Jackson, a 12-year-old boy who discovers he is the son of Poseidon. With his friends Annabeth Chase (daughter of Athena) and Grover the Satyr, Percy navigates a world where Greek gods, monsters, and legends are alive and well in the 21st century. Riordan’s humorous and action-packed series updates the ancient myths with relatable characters, witty dialogue, and a contemporary setting, introducing a whole new generation to Greek mythology.
8. The Troy Series by Adele Geras (2001-2002)
Adele Geras’s Troy trilogy (comprising Troy, The Fall of Troy, and The Children of Troy) focuses on the women and children whose lives were torn apart by the Trojan War. Geras brings fresh perspectives to the characters we know from the Iliad, focusing on the personal experiences of women like Briseis and Helen, as well as the children caught in the war’s wake. The trilogy delves into the emotional and psychological impacts of the war, offering a rich, humanized take on familiar myths.
9. The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson (2015)
While not a traditional retelling of a specific Greek myth, The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson is an experimental and poetic reflection on the themes of transformation, identity, and love—core aspects of many Greek myths. The title itself refers to the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, and Nelson draws on these themes of journeying, change, and self-discovery to examine her own experiences with love, gender, and family. Though not a straightforward mythological retelling, The Argonauts weaves mythic and contemporary themes together, exploring how ancient narratives can help us understand our own lives.
10. The Silence of the Gods by Michael Moorcock (2000)
Michael Moorcock’s The Silence of the Gods is an innovative fantasy novel that combines elements of Greek mythology with Moorcock’s own unique take on the genre. Set in a world where the gods have fallen silent, the story weaves together mythological themes of fate, power, and divine influence with a world on the brink of collapse. Though it is more of a high fantasy novel, The Silence of the Gods is heavily inspired by Greek myth, especially in its treatment of gods and heroes, their relationships, and the consequences of their actions.
Conclusion
Greek mythology continues to captivate modern storytellers, and the retellings mentioned above are just a few examples of how ancient tales have been reshaped for contemporary audiences. Whether reimagining classic characters like Odysseus and Achilles or exploring the untold stories of the women and lesser-known figures of the myths, these modern retellings offer fresh perspectives and insights. They remind us that, despite the passing of centuries, the themes of Greek mythology—love, power, revenge, and fate—remain timeless and relevant. So, whether you’re a fan of epic fantasy, contemporary fiction, or historical reimaginings, there’s a modern retelling of Greek mythology waiting to transport you into an ancient world reimagined.