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?