Riordan draws heavily on figures and stories from Greek mythology in The Lightning Thief. He also pulls stories from classic tales, such as the Odyssey, putting a modern twist on the gods, monsters, and stories. In Chapter 5, Chiron describes Mount Olympus as existing in two parts. The mountain itself exists up in the clouds on the same plane of existence as Earth but invisible to humans. The essence of Olympus, however, moves in accordance with modern civilization, which Chiron refers to as “Western,” meaning America here. While America is the current focal point of the gods, their influence spans the globe, and their home base will theoretically move again when the dominant civilization on Earth moves.

The gods and monsters of Greek myth are recognizable from the classic mythology yet still modernized. Zeus is the most ancient in action and speech. As king of the gods, he rules the modern pantheon while still representing its roots. Poseidon and Hades, Zeus’s brothers, are more modernized but still classic. Ares and Mr. D, sons of Zeus, appear more modernized, representing the younger generation of gods. Both are also rebellious in different ways, almost as if they are the teenagers of the gods.