Download Introduction to Greek Mythology

Introduction to
Mythology
Honors English 9
Forsyth/Bernstein
Myth/ology
Mythos- which in
Classical Greek
means roughly “the
oral speech”
the science or
study of
Mythology is the study of stories
originally passed by oral recitation.
What is a myth?
A
traditional story created by ancient man
(with unknown authorship) that explains
natural phenomenon, cultural customs and
institutions, history, and religious rites.
 All nations have their own myths.
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Egyptians: Baal
Greeks & Romans: Jupiter
Scandinavians: Odin
Danish: Beowulf
English – King Arthur
America -
What is a myth?
 Made

up of
Gods & goddesses (deities), monsters,
heroes, creation stories, the natural world
 Passed
from generation to generation by
word of mouth until they were written down
which preserved them in form.
 Purposes:
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To explain science (they were way off)
And to entertain by telling stories
Why study mythology?

Music
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Art
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the word “music” comes form the Greek word “muse”. A lot of
myths tell the story of the invention of musical instruments.
the first opera ever was written about the theme of Greek’s
Orpheus and Eurydice
famous composers wrote about themes found in myths
famous painters & sculptors like Michelangelo and Botticelli
depicted gods and goddess and mythological stories
History
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myths contain important links to the past
many of our terms come from the past
• janitor – Janus (Roman God)
• June – Juno
• Labyrinth
Why study mythology?
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Greek & Roman Writers
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Myths as we have them are a creation of great poets
It offers the first written record of Greece
The Creation
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Creation stories explain the existence of the gods,
goddess, and mankind
Anthropomorphic – characterized by shapes or
characteristics of a god, animal, or inanimate thing
Polytheism – belief in worship of many gods
Monotheism – belief in worship of one god