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Page 1: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

MythologyMythology

An IntroductionAn Introduction

Page 2: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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

Page 3: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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

Page 4: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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?

Page 5: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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

Page 6: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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)

Page 7: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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

Page 8: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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

Page 9: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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

Page 10: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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

Page 11: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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

Page 12: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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

Page 13: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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

Page 14: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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

Page 15: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

Timeline of Ancient Timeline of Ancient CivilizationsCivilizations

Page 16: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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:

Page 17: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

Sports TeamsSports Teams

Page 18: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

In Advertising…In Advertising…

Page 19: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

A Valentine’s Day Card!A Valentine’s Day Card!

Page 20: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

      

                                                                                                                                                                                      

Store Names…

Page 21: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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

Page 22: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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

Page 23: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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)

Page 24: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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)

Page 25: Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Mrs. Westra… Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece

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?