How Greek mythology influenced the Borderlands series

Published by Hellenic Moon on August 11, 2024August 11, 2024

The Borderlands series, which just released a movie featured in the trailer above, is a unique and enduring franchise in the realm of video games. With its distinct blend of first-person shooting mechanics, role-playing elements, and dark humor, the series has captivated a broad audience since the release of the first game in 2009. The world of Borderlands is one of chaos, violence, and bizarre characters, set against the backdrop of a desolate, dystopian future. What makes Borderlands particularly interesting, however, is its deep and often subtle connection to various mythological and literary traditions, including Greek mythology. This influence can be observed in its characters, narratives, themes, and even in its underlying moral questions.

Overview of the Borderlands Series

Before diving into the mythological connections, it’s important to understand the premise and evolution of the Borderlands franchise. The series is primarily set on the planet Pandora (named from Greek mythology), a lawless world filled with dangerous wildlife, bandits, and treasure hunters known as Vault Hunters. The storylines revolve around these Vault Hunters who seek out mysterious alien vaults rumored to contain untold riches, advanced technology, and powerful artifacts.

The main entries in the series include:

• Borderlands (2009): The original game introduces the concept of the Vault and follows four Vault Hunters as they search for it.
• Borderlands 2 (2012): Set five years after the first game, it introduces a new set of Vault Hunters and a more elaborate plot involving the villainous Handsome Jack.
• Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel! (2014): Set between the first and second games, this entry explores the rise of Handsome Jack and provides background on several key characters.
• Borderlands 3 (2019): The latest main entry, continuing the story with new Vault Hunters and a more expansive world.

The franchise also includes several spin-offs, such as Tales from the Borderlands, Borderlands Legends, and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, which offer different perspectives and gameplay styles within the same universe. If you are interested to learn more about the Borderlands games, watch this video below. In very short, Borderlands 2 is considered by most fans as the best game of the series, so if you want to try it, remember to get the remastered version with new graphics released in Borderlands: The Handsome Collection.

Greek Mythology in Borderlands: An Overview

Greek mythology has a long history of influencing various forms of art, literature, and popular culture, and Borderlands is no exception. The franchise borrows elements from Greek myths to enhance its narrative depth and thematic complexity. This influence manifests in several ways, from the characterization of key figures to the overarching themes that drive the story.

1. The Hero’s Journey and the Concept of the Vault

At the heart of the Borderlands series is the quest for the Vault, an enigmatic and powerful object that promises immense rewards to those who can find it. This concept closely parallels the mythological idea of the hero’s journey, a narrative structure that was extensively explored by the ancient Greeks and later formalized by scholars such as Joseph Campbell.

In Greek mythology, heroes often embark on dangerous quests to find or achieve something of great value—whether it’s the Golden Fleece, the head of Medusa, or the secrets of the gods themselves. These quests are fraught with peril, and the heroes must overcome various challenges, face their own flaws, and ultimately prove their worth. Similarly, the Vault Hunters in Borderlands are modern-day analogs of these ancient heroes. They traverse a hostile world, battle fearsome enemies, and confront their own motivations in their relentless pursuit of the Vault.

The Vault itself can be seen as a symbolic equivalent to the treasures or divine knowledge sought by Greek heroes. Like these mythological treasures, the Vault is often more than it seems—its contents can be dangerous, even deadly, and the journey to reach it is as significant as the reward itself. This aligns with the Greek notion that the true value of a quest lies not just in its outcome, but in the transformation that occurs within the hero during the journey.

2. Direct references to Greek mythology in Borderlands

Here is a sample of some of the names of characters, planets and weapons in Borderlands that are named from Greek mythology. For the full list go to this post on Reddit.

Athena : character in the series named after the goddess of wisdom
Pandora : planet in the series named after the first woman created by the gods
Elpis : Pandora’s moon, the personification of hope
Atlas : gun manufacturer, the Titan god who holds up the heavens
Hyperion : gun manufacturer, Titan god of light
Helios : name of Hyperion’s space station, Titan god of the sun
Eos : boss from the Claptrap dlc, Titan goddess of the dawn

3. The Tragic Hero Archetype

The Borderlands series is filled with characters who embody the tragic hero archetype, a concept that has its roots in Greek mythology. In Greek tragedies, the hero is often a person of great potential who is brought low by a fatal flaw—such as pride, ambition, or jealousy. This flaw leads to their downfall, often resulting in a dramatic and inevitable conclusion.

Another example is Athena, a character introduced in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel! and further explored in Tales from the Borderlands. Athena, named after the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, is a skilled warrior and former assassin who is haunted by her past actions. Her journey is one of redemption, as she seeks to atone for the wrongs she has committed. Athena’s struggle with guilt and her quest for redemption are reminiscent of the Greek hero Heracles, who undertook his famous Twelve Labors as penance for his sins.

4. The Sirens and the Myth of the Muse

One of the most intriguing elements of the Borderlands universe is the existence of Sirens—women with extraordinary, almost supernatural powers. There are only six Sirens in the universe at any given time, and their abilities are both a blessing and a curse. The concept of Sirens in Borderlands draws heavily from Greek mythology, where Sirens were dangerous creatures whose beautiful voices lured sailors to their doom.

The tragic nature of the Sirens’ powers—immense, yet isolating and often misunderstood—parallels the experience of many figures in Greek mythology who were gifted with great power but were also cursed by it. This duality is a recurring theme in both Borderlands and Greek myths, where characters often grapple with the consequences of their extraordinary abilities.

The Borderlands series is much more than a collection of action-packed video games. It is a narrative rich with references to Greek mythology, offering players a modern retelling of ancient stories through its characters, themes, and world-building. From the hero’s journey of the Vault Hunters to the tragic flaws of its characters, and the mysterious powers of the Sirens, the influence of Greek mythology is deeply embedded in the fabric of Borderlands. As the franchise continues to expand, both in games and in other media like the recent movie, it will be interesting to see how these mythological themes are further explored and reinterpreted for new audiences. In this way, Borderlands serves as a powerful example of how ancient myths can be reimagined in contemporary storytelling, offering timeless insights through the lens of modern entertainment.