•
What is a myth?
A myth is a story that ancient cultures used to explain the mysteries of the world.
Examples:
- How the world was created.
- How certain customs began.
•
What is a myth?
The word “myth” comes from the Greek word “mythos” meaning legend or story.
•
Three Types of Traditional Stories
1. Saga – story based on a historical event. An example would be the story of the Trojan War in
The Iliad and The Odyssey.
2. Legend – a story based on a historical person or place.
3. Folktale – an adventure. For example, the Greek tale of Perseus tells of a princess being saved
by a sea monster.
•
Purpose of Mythology
Mythology had four purposes:
1. They explained the world.
2. They were a way to explore.
3. They provided legitimacy.
4. They were entertaining.
•
They explained the world.
•
Myths helped to explain how the world originated and developed.
•
Myths also helped worshippers make sense of the religious rituals they practiced and how those
rituals began.
•
In addition, myths helped ancient people to explain the relationship between men and women,
how cities were founded, and who the gods were.
•
They were a way to explore.
•
Myths allowed people to explore the consequences of their actions. Stories of quests and
tragedies helped people understand moral issues and religious obligations.
•
They provided legitimacy.
•
Legitimate - well reasoned and sincere
•
Myths helped ancient families trace their ancestry, making them legitimate by linking them to
mythical ancestors.
•
They were entertaining.
•
Myths were a way to entertain people.
•
Epic tales and poems kept audiences captivated.
•
Some public performances drew crowds of 15,000 people.
•
How did the myths get passed down?
•
In ancient times, most myths were passed on by storytelling, or word of mouth.
•
Ancient people heard the stories over and over again from the time they were small children
until they knew them by heart.
•
How did the myths get passed down?
•
They were acted out at festivals and in public performances, and women told myths to each
other as they wove.
•
Myths have also been passed down through writing, rituals, dances, acting, and art
•
Types of Myths
•
Myths can be grouped into three different categories:
–
Cosmic Myths
–
Myths about gods
–
Myths of Heroes
•
Cosmic Myths
•
Cosmic Myths tell about the Earth, including the origin of the world, fires, floods and other
natural disasters, as well as the afterlife.
•
The oldest cosmic myths are from Ancient Egypt and the Near East.
•
The Babylonians had a creation myth called Enuma elish (When on high) that dates back to the
12th century B.C
•
Myths about The gods
•
Ancient people associated the Earth, objects in the sky, and features of the physical world with
the gods and goddesses of their cultures.
•
In many mythologies, there was a divine family made up of gods.
•
Many cultures tended to have the same type of gods, but with different names and
characteristics
•
Myths of Heroes
•
Most mythologies also have myths about heroes.
•
Some heroes are mortals with one divine parent and others are totally human, but have godlike
characteristics.
•
Myths of Heroes
•
Many myths about heroes are about the hero’s birth or a quest or journey and his or her return
home.
•
One of the most famous hero myths is the Greek story of Odysseus – a hero who has been away
from home for 20 years fighting the Trojan War.