Portraying Myths in the Ancient Sanctuary, House, and Tomb

In ancient Mediterranean times, mythological narratives spoke visually and impacted how people understood the world around them. Myths evolved from architecture and the social context of the given time to share moral values, cultural identity, and meaning. This paper explores three case studies from the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, the House of the Tragic Poet in Pompeii, and the Endymion Sarcophagus to understand how mythology transformed based on context. At Olympia, such narratives reinforced divine intervention, athleticism, and the relationship between mortals and the gods. In the Roman house, Homeric myths encouraged culture and discussion with its visitors. The Endymion Sarcophagus reimagined death as eternal love and peaceful sleep, also offering consolation to the living about the deceased. Together, these examples demonstrate how mythology is closely connected to architecture, people, and culture. By using stories, ancient artists used myth to encourage norms, values, and help others understand human life