An Introduction To Mythology and the Greek Gods & Goddesses

Mr. DewaltEnglish I

WHS

MYTHOLOGY

What Is a Myth?Myths are traditional

stories, rooted in a particular culture, that deal with gods, goddesses, and other supernatural beings, as well as human heroes.

Myths often embody religious beliefs and values and explain natural phenomena.

Every early culture has created their own myths.

Mythology ContinuedMyths surround our

daily lives. What are some

examples of myths that you are aware of?

Myths Found TodayDid you eat Cereal for

breakfast?

Research is being conducted on Mars.

What did Cupid send you for Valentine’s Day?

It’s Thursday. Is it May or June though?

Cereal from Cerealia; a festival for Ceres the Roman goddess of the harvest.

Mars is the Roman god of war.

Cupid young Roman god.Thursday- Thor; Norse god

of thunder.May- Maia; Greek goddess

of the fields.June- Juno; Roman goddess

of marriage and women.

Mythology Cont.Originally, myths

were used to explain the cause and occurrence of phenomena in the natural world.

With the advancement of science though, these tales have become more for entertainment purposes rather than to instruct people.

So What Exactly is a Myth?!A myth is a traditional story,

rooted in a particular culture. Deals with gods and other

supernatural beings.Can also deal with human

heroes.Often embody religious

beliefs and values and explain natural phenomena.

Myths can also detail why things occur in life such as the changing of the seasons or reason for human suffering.

Types of Myths1. Creation Myths

2. Origin Myths

3. Social Myths

4. Ritual Myths

1. Describe how the world or universe came into being.

2. Explain the beginning of customs or names of objects .

3. Reinforce or explain social values or practices.

4. Explain performance of rituals and religious practices .

Words We’ve Acquired from MythsNarcissism

To love oneself: Narcissus.Nemesis

Someone who wants to bring about vengeance; goddess of vengeance.

Meander Ancient Greek river

Maiandros or Maeander; a bend in a river; verb form means to wander aimlessly.

Stoical School of Greek philosophy

that believed people hoping to be wise should be free of joy, grief, and passions.

Purposes of Myth

Herakles

Myths Explain Natural OccurrencesExamples?Gaea and OuranosThunder and lightning

(Zeus)Earthquakes (Poseidon)Seasons (Persephone &

Demeter)The sun rises (Greece:

Helios’ chariot, Egypt: Ra and Semektet)

Myths Explain Fundamental Philosophical Questions

Early Greeks as proto philosophersAttempting to

answer fundamental questionsWhere did we come

from?Who created the

universe?Is there life after

death?To explain is to

controlComfort in knowing

Myths Explain Culture and Institutions

Why womencouldn’t vote

To explain is to control

Athena and Poseidon both want to rule and protect Athens Gift contest

Poseidon=saltwater well (useless) Athena=olive tree (olive, wood, oil)

Men vote for Poseidon, women for Athena Athena wins Poseidon flood the Attic plain Athenians blame the women, take away vote

Myths as Means to Instruct

Myths often relay a message or moralTeach cultural

traditions, valuesIcarus—life has limitsNarcissus and the

dangers of pride and self love

Myths to Explain History A biased version of

history Reinforce Greek

culture and power Trojan War Crete and King Minos Founding of Rome

Founded by sons of Mars

Gave tellers sense of identity, sense of place

Myths to EntertainPeople were illiterate in

early Greece Couldn’t read or write

Entertainment in an oral culture Blood, shock, exciting tales

The Heroes Herakles, Odysseus,

Theseus, Jason Stronger, smarter, more

handsome than mere mortals

Nobility in humanity Humans are better than

gods

Important Greek Gods & Goddesses

ZeusHeraAthenaAresAphroditeDemeterHephaestus HadesPoseidonApollo

ArtemisDionysusHestiaHermes

Why Study Mythology?