Introduction to Classical Mythology

What it’s “supposed” to show How the human race thought and felt ages ago How they were connected and dependant upon the earth It was “delightful”

But . . . That is not the reality of primitive civilizations It is these civilizations where Greek myths (and all myths) have their origins Horrors lived in the forests– not nymphs Primitive societies used human sacrifice to combat these horrors, but Greeks, who knew these stories, changed them into something more “lovely”

The Mythology of the Greeks Has its root in these primeval societies But, their myths and art prove just how far they had risen above this Only of few traces of it are to be found in the myths

Where do we get the myths? Our textbook combines myths from many sources The first written record comes from the Iliad– written by Homer not early than 1000 years before the birth of Christ The Latin poet Ovid, who wrote during the reign of Augustus is where most stories come from

Additional Info…. Hesiod– writing during the 8th or 9th century Pindar- Greek poet Aeschylus Sophocles Euripides Aristophanes Apollodorus Virgil Horace

Greeks . . . Made their gods in their own image– they had very human characteristics Adultery Fighting Used myths to explain the “car-wrecks” of life Why was there evil? Why did the seasons change? Why did the peacock look the way it did?

Greek Mythology Made heaven a familiar place with human- like gods Gods made in human image made man more at ease! They could laugh at the jealousy and antics All of these things freed the Greeks from the fear of the unknown! This is NOT seen in other mythologies

The things that terrified other civilizations . . . Had no place in Ancient Greece Magic– only two sorceresses – Medea and Circe and they young and beautiful Greeks stressed beauty, poetry and intellect above all else . . . Keep an eye out for this as we read and learn this semester . . .

Rome . . . Conquered Greece Adopted its culture and stories and religion But changed the names of the gods We will learn both names for the major gods/goddesses