The massive success of movies like Troy and 30 has led to a resurgence of interest in Greek mythology and history.
While Portugal might not seem like the most obvious place to explore this culture, there are a few surprising options worth knowing about.
Did Odysseus Found Lisbon?
Some legends suggest that Odysseus founded a city that was named after him during his travels. The hero of Homer's Odyssey spent many years travelling around Europe, particularly in the ten years in which he tried to make his way home following the end of the Trojan War.
Lisbon has been suggested by some scholars as the location of this city, partly based on the fact that Odysseus travelled to the place known at the time as the end of the world, which would have been the Pillars of Hercules in the Strait of Gibraltar. More intriguingly, the old name for the city of Olisipo (Ulyssipo) seems to fit the idea that it was named after Homer’s hero.
However, recent studies suggest that the Portuguese capital was founded by the Phoenicians. Excavations carried out near the Castle of São Jorge have revealed pottery that confirms the presence of Phoenicians from 1200 BC. The Núcleo Arqueológico da Rua dos Correeiros (NARC) gives visitors the chance to see the different layers of structures that have been built here over the centuries.
Greek Mythological Art in Museums and Modern Entertainment
While there’s no evidence of Lisbon being founded by Odysseus, there are several fascinating pieces of art from Ancient Greece that can be seen in Portugal. The National Museum of Archaeology was founded by José Leite de Vasconcelos, who had collected a variety of antique objects from Greece that are now on display here.
Among the objects that can be seen here, a sarcophagus lid that shows the legendary labours of Hercules. A mosaic featuring the dramatic moment when Odysseus is tied to his ship’s mast to help him resist the siren’s song can also be admired in this museum.
It’s also interesting to see how many of the classic images from Greek mythology are also found in different types of entertainment. This list of progressive jackpot slots includes the Age of the Gods series of games. With subtitles including Mighty Midas and Rules of Olympus, these slots include many of the famous characters and objects from this culture. Alternative themes such as Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire can be seen in other jackpot slots.
Upcoming movies based on this theme include The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Matt Damon as Odysseus with Tom Holland as his son Telemachus and Zendaya in the role of Athena. It’s being shot solely with IMAX’s 70mm film cameras and is set for release in July 2026.
By looking at some of the ways to enjoy Greek mythology in Portugal, we can see how it’s possible to learn about this culture even if the link to Odysseus being possibly responsible for founding Lisbon seems unlikely to ever be verified.
