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EQ: What do (the Greeks) myths have to teach
us? How are they relevant to contemporary
life? How does our knowledge of Greek
mythology aid us as readers constructing
meaning from everyday texts such as sign,
articles, literature, and advertising?
* The term "mythology" can refer either to the study of myths, or
to a body or collection of myths.
* A myth is a sacred narrative usually explaining how the world or
humankind came to be in its present form, although, in a very
broad sense, the word can refer to any traditional story.
* Myths typically involve supernatural characters and are
endorsed by rulers or priests. They may arise as overelaborated
accounts of historical events, as allegory for or personification
of natural phenomena, or as an explanation of ritual.
* They are transmitted to convey religious or idealized
experience, to establish behavioral models, and to teach.
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* See the video
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* Allusion: a figure of speech that makes a
reference to, or a representation of, people,
places, events, literary work, myths, or works
of art, either directly or indirectly.
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* Everyday Life:
* Men if they were not training in military, or discussing politics, went to the
Theatre for entertainment. To watch dramas that they could relate to,
including tragedies and comedies. These often involved current politics and
gods in some form. It is thought that women were not allowed to watch
theatre or perform at the theatre, although male actors did play women roles.
* Lives of women in Ancient Greece were closely tied to domestic work,
spinning, weaving and other domestic duties. They were not involved in public
life or in politics. Their lives were normally quite confined to the house
although one public duty was acting as a priestess at a temple.
* Children in ancient Greece usually occupied their time playing with toys and
games.
* Farming and Food
* The majority of Ancient Greek people made their living from farming. Citizens
often had land outside the city which provided their income. The Greek
landscape and climate was difficult to farm. Grapes were usually picked
around September and either kept for eating or made into wine. Making wine
was done by treading and kept in jars to ferment. Olives were either picked by
hand or knocked out of the tress with wooden sticks. Some were crushed in a
press to produce olive oil and some eaten. This was an important product to
the Greeks that had many uses including; cooking, lighting, beauty products
and for athletic purposes. It is also believed that uprooting an olive tree was a
criminal offence.
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