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In order to correctly use the terms myth, mythology etc., please read the article
below citing the most applicable definitions of the terms as they will be used this
semester. Please answer the questions that follow.
Mythology
By Bernard Doyle
Definitions of Myth
Before defining the term "mythology" one needs to define the meaning of the
word "myth". The word itself comes from the Greek "mythos" which originally meant
"speech" or "discourse" but which later came to mean "fable" or "legend". In this
document the word "myth" will be defined as a story of forgotten or vague origin,
basically religious or supernatural in nature, which seeks to explain or rationalize one or
more aspects of the world or a society.
Furthermore, in the context of this document, all myths are, at some stage,
actually believed to be true by the peoples of the societies that used or originated the
myth. Our definition is thus clearly distinguished from the use of the word myth in
everyday speech which basically refers to any unreal or imaginary story.
A myth is also distinctly different from an allegory or parable which is a story
deliberately made up to illustrate some moral point but which has never been assumed to
be true by anyone.
Some myths describe some actual historical event, but have been embellished and
refashioned by various story tellers over time so that it is impossible to tell what really
happened. In this last aspect myths have a legendary and historical nature.
Definitions of Mythology
For our purposes the word mythology has two related meanings. Firstly it refers to
a collection of myths that together form a mythological system. Thus one can speak of
"Egyptian Mythology", "Indian Mythology", "Maori Mythology" or "Greek Mythology".
In this sense one is describing a system of myths which were used by a particular society
at some particular time in human history. It is also possible to group mythologies in other
ways. For example one can group them geographically and then speak of "Oceanic
Mythology", "Oriental Mythology" and "African Mythology".
This article may be found at http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/mythology.html
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A second meaning of the term mythology is the academic study of myths and systems of
myths in general.
The types of individual myths and the purpose of mythology
Broadly speaking myths and mythologies seek to rationalize and explain the
universe and all that is in it. Thus, they have a similar function to science, theology,
religion and history in modern societies. Systems of myths have provided a cosmological
and historical framework for societies that have lacked the more sophisticated knowledge
provided by modern science and historical investigation.
Creation myths provide an explanation of the origin of the universe in all its
complexity. They are an important part of most mythological systems. Creation myths
often invoke primal gods and animals, titanic struggles between opposing forces or the
death and/or dismemberment of these gods or animals as the means whereby the universe
and its components were created.
Apart from an explanation of the creation of the universe, mythologies also seek
to explain everyday natural phenomena. The Egyptian scarab god Khepri, who rolled the
ball of the sun across the sky each day thus provided an explanation of the rising of the
sun each day, its progress across the sky and its setting in the evening. Similarly, the
Maori of New Zealand attributed the morning dew to the tears of the god Rangi (Heaven)
for the goddess Papa (Earth) from whom he was separated. This class of myth is
sometimes called a nature myth.
Myths are also often used to explain human institutions and practices as well. For
example, the Greek hero Pelops was reputed to have started the Olympic Games after
Poseidon helped him win the hand of Hippodameia in a chariot race. This type of myth is
thus etiological. It seeks to account for some human institution through a myth.
Another class of myth is the Theogenic myth. This sets out to delineate the
relationships between various gods and other mythical personages and beings who are
mentioned in previously existing myths. Theogenic Myths are thus secondary in their
purpose. They set out to provide a reinforcement or framework for an existing system of
myths. The best known example of this is the Theogeny of Hesiod.
It should not be thought that the functions of myths as delineated above are
mutually exclusive. For example creation myths by their very nature are usually
Theogenic as well. Myths can, and have, served many purposes. Myths and systems of
myths have been created by human beings for many reasons over thousands of years.
They are a superb product of humanity collectively and a rich resource for the enjoyment
This article may be found at http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/mythology.html
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of all mankind. Their fantastic and unreal nature to our modern eyes should not prevent
us from enjoying them.
Article details
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Article created on 17 April 1997; last modified on 02 August 2004.
© MCMXCV - MMV Encyclopedia Mythica. All rights reserved.
Questions to answer upon completion of reading (you must write in complete
sentences):
1. The term myth stems from what language? From what word?
2. What were the original and later definitions of the word?
3. How does Doyle define the term in his article?
4. What is beneficial (to our class) in using such a definition?
5. Why is it necessary to realize that others once believed the myths to be true?
(Your answer can not be found in the article alone, think!)
6. How is a myth, different from an allegory or a parable?
This article may be found at http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/mythology.html
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7. What are the two definitions given to mythology by Doyle?
8. What do myths offer early societies?
9. How are such societies different from our own (or any of the modernized world)?
10. What are creation myths?
11. Beyond creation, what else do myths attempt to explain? (Provide more than one
example.)
12. What does it mean for a myth to be etiological?
13. What does it mean for a myth to be Theogenic?
This article may be found at http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/mythology.html
Mythology
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