Introduction to Greek Mythology What is a Myth? Introduction to Greek Mythology

In the beginning… When you look up at the sky, you can see the sun, moon, clouds, meteors, comets, planets and stars. You may recognize certain star patterns (called constellations) such as the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper. You might also know the names of the eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune (Do you know the name of the planet that is no longer considered a planet?)

In the beginning… Did you know that many of the names of these heavenly bodies come from myths? Myths are stories of a special kind: they are told by groups of people to give significance to and explain the natural things around them Native Americans Egyptians Greeks Romans (just to name a few!) Myths are especially connected with religious beliefs and rituals

The reason for myths These groups practiced rituals based on the myths because they believed the stories had a type of magic that would aid in the growth of crops and promote stability in the land Out of these rituals came songs, poems, and stories explaining how people acquired basic things and skills: simple speech fire Grain/farming/agriculture wine metal work Myths also attempt to explain natural processes, like the apparent daily motion of the sun across the skies.

The Reason for Myths Myths are mixtures of morals, poetry, and history that were used to teach humans proper behavior Mythical Gods, the Higher Powers, with all their shortcomings, had certain standards, rules and expectations with regard to mortal men and women Myths, then, are stories about certain characters: gods, goddesses, men, and women-especially heroes- and how their adventures, triumphs, tragedies, devotion, and vengeance provide a history of the beliefs of ancient people

Ancient Myths What makes a myth? In ancient myths, the gods are immortals – they can NEVER die They reach out and touch the lives of mortal humans who MUST die, even threatening and invading them at times. The relationships between gods and men are always dangerous, always a risk – BUT – they are the relationships which make the study of history and literature more interesting

Modern Myths People of modern times create myths and heroes too! George Washington was mythologized in the story of the cherry tree – an event that never actually happened but was used to illustrate a moral truth about young George’s character Ben Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Paul Bunyan, and John Henry

Some dates…. 2600 BC- Warrior tribes brought male dominated religion to Greece, with the spear as the main weapon. 1900 BC Warriors moved southwest where religion was female dominated 1600 BC Warriors officially conquered Greece. Came with new styles of housing, the horse, and new religion Called Mycenaeans Main towns: Pylose, Tiryns, Mycenae, Athens, Thebes Valued leadership and heroism

More dates… 1450 BC Mycenaeans took over the Minoans Minoans were agricultural people Matriarchal= female centered society Created indoor plumbing (THANK YOU!) Linear B- written language of the Mycenaeans Archaic form of Greek Homer wrote the first myths in the “Illiad” and “Odyssey”

Two Big Questions The Greek myths seek to teach and explain. So do we! Here are two big questions the Greeks grappled with, and we still do the same. Where do we come from? Why is there evil in the world? Take a few minutes to collect your thoughts on the matters on paper- and remember the keep your answers!

Mythology Terms to know before you read! Arete Linear B Hybris/hubris matriarchal Ate patriarchal nemesis Homer Nemesis Hesiod Oral tradition Allusion Anthropomorphism Polytheism Linear A