Greek mythology is a body of myths originally told by the ancient Greeks, and a genre of ancient Greek folklore, today absorbed alongside Roman mythology into the broader designation of classical mythology. It is a group of epic stories about gods, goddesses, heroes, creatures, and the rituals of Ancient Greece. These stories concern the ancient Greek religions view of the origin and nature of the world, the lives and activities of deities, heroes, and mythological creatures, and the origins and significance of the ancient Greeks cult and ritual practices. Greek mythology was used as a means to explain the environment in which humankind lived, the natural phenomena they witnessed, and the passing of time through the days, months, and seasons. The myths were also intricately connected to religion and explained the origin and lives of the gods, where humanity had come from, and where it was going after death. Greek myths gave faces and characters to the gods of the Greek religion, but they also gave people helpful practical advice on the best way to lead a happy life. The Greeks regarded mythology as a part of their history and used myth to explain natural phenomena, cultural variations, traditional enmities, and friendships. Greek mythology has subsequently had extensive influence on the arts and literature of Western civilization, which fell heir to much of Greek culture. Poets and artists from ancient times to the present have derived inspiration from Greek mythology and have discovered contemporary significance and relevance in Classical mythological themes.