mythology an introduction. what comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? for mrs....
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MythologyMythology
An IntroductionAn Introduction
What comes to mind when you What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”?hear the word “mythology”?
For Mrs. Westra…For Mrs. Westra…Gods and goddessesGods and goddessesGreeceGreeceDisneyDisneyCreatures and monstersCreatures and monstersSpecial powersSpecial powersHow something came to beHow something came to be
Why do we enjoy Why do we enjoy mythology?mythology?
““Human beings have always been myth Human beings have always been myth makers.” Karen Armstrong, makers.” Karen Armstrong, A Short A Short History of MythHistory of Myth, 2005., 2005.
““Strong myths never die…. Myth precedes Strong myths never die…. Myth precedes literature. The oldest stories were passed literature. The oldest stories were passed from mouth to ear to mouth long before from mouth to ear to mouth long before they traveled from hand to page.” they traveled from hand to page.”
Margaret Atwood, “The Myth Series & Me,” Margaret Atwood, “The Myth Series & Me,” 20052005
Connection to you…Connection to you…
When do you tell stories?When do you tell stories?
How do you tell stories?How do you tell stories?– Do you ever exaggerate?Do you ever exaggerate?
Why do you enjoy telling stories?Why do you enjoy telling stories?
Myths have been described in Myths have been described in many ways:many ways:
stories of forgotten originstories of forgotten origin stories that involve supernatural stories that involve supernatural
beings and activitiesbeings and activities stories that explain some aspect of stories that explain some aspect of
human nature or of the worldhuman nature or of the world
stories that may describe some stories that may describe some historical event (with embellishment)historical event (with embellishment)
Stories that belong to a “mythological Stories that belong to a “mythological system” or group of stories used by a system” or group of stories used by a particular society at some particular particular society at some particular point in historypoint in history
stories that have no one single stories that have no one single author, but came into existence author, but came into existence through oral tradition (therefore, through oral tradition (therefore, there are many versions)there are many versions)
Characteristics and a Characteristics and a DefinitionDefinition
Myth is a Greek word meaning Myth is a Greek word meaning “story”“story”
Myths usually involve Myths usually involve godsgods or or heroesheroes Myths are often so old that their Myths are often so old that their
origins are origins are unknownunknown
Myths had many uses for Myths had many uses for ancient peoples:ancient peoples:
to explain the world around themto explain the world around them to teach historyto teach history to understand human nature and to understand human nature and
behaviourbehaviour to teach morality and ethicsto teach morality and ethics
Natural ScienceNatural Science
Because ancient peoples couldn’t Because ancient peoples couldn’t explain many aspects of natural explain many aspects of natural science, they used myth to help science, they used myth to help comprehend their world:comprehend their world:– ZeusZeus, the father-god, does not just live , the father-god, does not just live
in the sky, but is the skyin the sky, but is the sky– Mount Etna in Sicily is an active Volcano Mount Etna in Sicily is an active Volcano
because because TyphonTyphon is buried beneath it is buried beneath it
HistoryHistory
In many ancient cultures, few could In many ancient cultures, few could read or write; consequently, myths read or write; consequently, myths were used to teach and remember were used to teach and remember history.history.– Archaeologists have proven that the city Archaeologists have proven that the city
of of TroyTroy existed and that there was a existed and that there was a great battle theregreat battle there
PsychologyPsychology
Myths were also used to help Myths were also used to help understand human behaviour. In a understand human behaviour. In a way, they are humanity’s first way, they are humanity’s first attempt at practising psychology.attempt at practising psychology.– CronosCronos being killed by his son being killed by his son ZeusZeus
depicts the situation faced by ancient depicts the situation faced by ancient KingsKings
MoralsMorals
Myths were also a way to teach Myths were also a way to teach morality and ethics.morality and ethics.– Many gods and heroes have admirable Many gods and heroes have admirable
qualitiesqualities– Cupid Cupid and and PsychePsyche = Love and Soul = Love and Soul
Why study mythology?Why study mythology?
To understand the people who were To understand the people who were here before ushere before us
To understand what it means to be To understand what it means to be humanhuman
To gain insight into the mysteries of To gain insight into the mysteries of the worldthe world
What do we know about What do we know about ancient civilizations?ancient civilizations?
Ancient civilizations were built in Ancient civilizations were built in many places such as Mesopotamia, many places such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Italy, China and MexicoEgypt, Greece, Italy, China and Mexico
From each of these civilizations arose From each of these civilizations arose many stories and mythologiesmany stories and mythologies
Ancient Greece existed about 3 000 Ancient Greece existed about 3 000 years agoyears ago
Timeline of Ancient Timeline of Ancient CivilizationsCivilizations
Mythology in our world Mythology in our world todaytoday
There are many references to Greek There are many references to Greek mythology when we look around usmythology when we look around us
Consider the following examples:Consider the following examples:
Sports TeamsSports Teams
In Advertising…In Advertising…
A Valentine’s Day Card!A Valentine’s Day Card!
Store Names…
Honda OdysseyHonda Odyssey
The Odyssey refers to the 10-year sea The Odyssey refers to the 10-year sea voyage endured by the Trojan War hero, voyage endured by the Trojan War hero, Odysseus, as he sought to return home to Odysseus, as he sought to return home to Ithaca Ithaca
Statue outside the Rockefeller Statue outside the Rockefeller Centre, New York City:Centre, New York City:
Atlas, a Greek mythological character, Atlas, a Greek mythological character, seen here, bent under the weight of seen here, bent under the weight of the sky (or the world) stands the sky (or the world) stands
outside the famous outside the famous
Rockefeller CentreRockefeller Centre
The Olympics!The Olympics! According to legend, the Olympics were According to legend, the Olympics were
founded by Heracles (the Roman founded by Heracles (the Roman Hercules), a son of Zeus. Hercules), a son of Zeus.
Yet, the first Olympic Games for which we Yet, the first Olympic Games for which we still have written records were held in 776 still have written records were held in 776 BCE (though it is generally believed that BCE (though it is generally believed that the Games had been going on for many the Games had been going on for many years already) years already)
At this Olympic Games, a naked runner, At this Olympic Games, a naked runner, Coroebus (a cook from Elis), won the sole Coroebus (a cook from Elis), won the sole event at the Olympics, the stade - a run of event at the Olympics, the stade - a run of approximately 192 metres (210 yards)approximately 192 metres (210 yards)
The ancient Olympic games grew and The ancient Olympic games grew and continued to be played every four continued to be played every four years for nearly 1200 years years for nearly 1200 years
but were abolished in 393 by a but were abolished in 393 by a Christian Roman Emporer because he Christian Roman Emporer because he thought they were paganthought they were pagan
They were revived in the late 1800s They were revived in the late 1800s when a Frenchman gathered together when a Frenchman gathered together an Olympic committee (the IOC) an Olympic committee (the IOC)
Keep an eye out!Keep an eye out!
There are lots of allusions to There are lots of allusions to mythology in modern societymythology in modern society
Can you think of anymore?Can you think of anymore?