Over the centuries certain myths went in and out of popularity. Chronology of such changes can be constructed by knowing what pictures of myths were painted on vases during different time periods. Paintings of mythological scenes begin to appear around 700 BC . Vase-painters lost interest in mythological scenes after 480 BC . Our earliest information of Greek mythology comes from Greek art, temples , statues , and vase paintings .
Myths can reflect certain beliefs or facts in Greek life.
Stories such as Oedipus Rex and Lykophron-Periander show how the Greeks believed that if the father abandons the son, disaster will result. However, the slave spares Oedipus and gives him to a king and queen to be raised. Years later Oedipus does, unknowingly, kill his father fulfilling the prophecy that Laius was trying to avoid. In Lykophron-Periander, Periander disowns his son Lykophron, causing him to leave Athens . When Lykophron tries to reconcile with Periander, Periander is killed by the Corcyraeans to prevent the reconciliation.