Defining MythologyMyth is difficult to define.

To the Greeks the word muthoi meant “stories.”

But we now think of myth as more than this- it is a story with a deeper meaning- it usually seeks to explain some aspect of nature or some cultural practice.

How Do We Know?Greek myths have been handed down to us by a number of authors.

One of the earliest sources is Hesiod- in his Theogony he relates the story of the creation of the world and the gods.

Another early source is Homer, who wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey.

How do We Know?

There are also other poems that claim to be written by Homer (but are not): these are called “Homeric Hymns.”

The Greek writer Apollonius of Rhodes also provides an account of the myth of Jason and Medea.

How do We Know?

The Roman writer Ovid also provides many stories borrowed or adapted from Greek works in a book called the Metamorphoses.

Purposes of Mythology

Explain Natural Phenomena

- myths can be used to explain occurrences

of nature

Explain the origins of customs (Etiological)

- myths can provide a legendary account of

why certain cultural practices exist

Purpose of MythsMyths Reflect historical events

- myths are more interesting ways of telling

the stories of past events

Myths Have a Moral

- they provide a negative example of what

human beings ought not to do

Example of a Nature Myth

Myth of Persephone

Demeter was the goddess of grain who had a daughter named Persephone

Hades, the god of the underworld, falls in love with Persephone

Sculpture of Demeter

The Myth of Persephone

Living in the bowels of the earth with Hades is not an appealing idea, so Hades carries off Persephone to the underworld

Sculpture of Hades Caryying Off Persephone

The Myth of Persephone

Enraged, Demeter refuses to make the crops grow- eventually humankind is on the point of starvation

Finally Zeus, the king of the gods, has to give in- he sends Hermes, the messenger of the gods to bring up Persephone

Sculpture of Hades Ruling the Underworld With Proserpina

The Myth of Persephone

However, before leaving Persephone ate a pomegranate seed- it was said that anyone who ate a pomegranate seed had to spend at least a third of the year in the underworld

Sculpture of Persephone Eating the Pomegranate Seed

What Does this Myth Mean?

What natural phenomenon does this help to explain?

- it explains why seeds are planted in the

winter, remain underground, and do not

grow until spring

A Myth that Reflects History

Before the Greeks became the most powerful civilization in Greece, a civilization on the island of Crete, called Minoan, was most powerful (until about 1450 B.C.)

Remains of the Minoan Civilization

The Myth of Crete

Eventually Crete’s power declined, and the Greeks of the mainland became dominant

The Myth of CreteAt the center of life on Crete was a great palace, a huge building used for government, storage, etc.

Plan of the Palace at Knossos

The Myth of CreteThis society loved sports and games and even had a sport called “bull dancing”, in which the person tried to grab the horns of a charging bull and flip over it.

Fresco From the Palace Picturing “Bull Dancing”

The Myth of CreteReligion was also important to this society- animal worship was important- especially of the bull.

Sculpture of a Minoan Snake Goddess

The Myth of CreteOver time, a myth arose among the Greeks about Crete:

A King named Minos once ruled Crete

Under Minos’ control was a labyrinth, a great big maze

A Bull Leaper Figurine Found at Knossos

The Myth of Crete

Inside the labyrinth was the minotaur- a creature which was half man and half bull

Each year the powerful King Minos forced the Greeks of the mainland to send 7 young girls and 7 young boys to be fed to the Minotaur

The Myth of Crete

One year, however, the Greek hero Theseus put an end to this

Theseus killed the minotaur, and with the help of a string found his way out of the labyrinth and returned to Greece

The Myth of CreteThis myth is believed to reflect history:

Where might the idea of the labyrinth come from?

From the winding, elaborate rooms of the palace.

Where might the idea of the minotaur have come from?

The importance of the bull in Cretan religion.

The Myth of CreteWhere might have the story of the mainland Greeks having to send the children to the minotaur have come from?

From the one time dominance of Crete over mainland Greece

Where might have the story of Theseus killing the minotaur have come from?

From the eventual dominance of Crete over Greece.

A Myth With a Moral

Tantalus was the king of Sipylus in Lydia. He was the son of Zeus and the gods showed him great favor.

According to one version of the legend, the gods even invited him to dinner on Mt. Olympus, the home of the gods.

A Myth With a MoralTantalus, however, decided he wanted to test the wisdom of the gods.Tantalus made up a stew- but he cut up his son Pelops and served him in the stew, wishing to see if the gods would know.All saw through the trick except for Diana or Themis, who ate part of the boy’s shoulder.

A Myth With a Moral

The gods immediately put Pelops back together and restored life to him. Demeter even gave him a shoulder of ivory.

Tantalus was condemned to eternal punishment in Tartarus (the Greek version of Hell).

A Myth With a MoralThe eternal punishment of Tantalus was well-known:

- He stood in a pool of water up to his chin,

but every time he became thirsty and

wished to drink it, the pool dried up

A Myth With a Moral

- Fruit was directly above him, but any time he reached to get it the wind blew it away.

Also, a rock hung over Tantalus’ head threatening to fall on him at any time.

What Does This Tell Us?

It tells us not to question the gods, not to be overconfident. In Greek mythology this is known as hubris.