Transcript Mythology Introductory Power Point 1

Mythology:
The Myths
of Greece
and Rome
Mythology
“Whenever you see a large
building with many
columns holding up a
roof, you are looking at
an imitation of a Greek
temple.”
Imitations
•Copies of “classical”
temples:
–The Capitol building in
Washington, D.C.
Capitol – Washington, D.C.
New York Public Library
The White House
The White House
Other imitations:
•Post offices, town halls,
banks, & churches
•Tall columns resemble the
structures that were once
built in Greece and Rome
to honor the gods.
Why Know the Myths?
•The myths are tied to
Greece and Rome.
•Greece and Rome were
important to our
development as a society.
Contributions:
• Astronomy
• Mathematics
• Philosophy
• Architecture
• Medicine
Contributions:
•Monetary
(money) system
•Systems of
government &
Law
Contributions:
• Democracy comes from the
Greek word demokratia
meaning “rule of the
people.”
• This government, our
government, first
flourished in the ancient
city-state of Athens.
Why Know the Myths?
•People no longer believe
in the Greek & Roman gods
& goddesses.
•Still fascinating as
literature.
Why Know the Myths?
•Myths may
reveal truths
about who we
are and why we
behave the way
we do.
What is a Myth?
•Mythology – the study of
myths.
•Myth – from the Latin
word mythos and the Greek
word muthos, meaning
“story.”
What is a Myth?
• Stories that are always in
some sense religious.
– Represent the deepest wishes
and fears of “primitive”
human beings.
– Originated to help these people
understand the universe.
Understand What?
• Seasonal
changes
• Fire
• Lightening
• Drought
• Floods
• Death
Understand What?
•“Myth-makers” might
have been wise old men
and women who had a
talent for telling
stories to explain the
natural world.
Myths
• Stories about
gods &
goddesses.
• Gods were
powerful,
capable of
cruelty,
jealousy,
lying, murder.
Myths
•Gods & goddesses lived on
Mount Olympus.
•Traveled down to spend
time with ordinary
people.
Myths
• Originated in area around
Mediterranean Sea.
• Early myth-makers could not
write.
• Myths were passed down
orally from generation to
generation.
Myths
• Written down
many years
later.
• Poets: Homer &
Hediod (both
lived 800 years
before Christ)
Where the Romans Come In…
• 2nd Century B.C.
• Romans conquered Greeks
• Adopted Greek myths as
their own.
• Added new tone
• Roman Poets: Ovid & Virgil
Romans
•Roman gods are same as
Greeks, but with
different names.
•See blue book, page 459
or handout
What’s It Good For?
•Give us insights into the
nature of our world.
•Classical mythology is
used:
– To explain creation of the
world
– To explain natural phenomena
– To give story form to ancient
religious practices
– To teach moral lessons
– To explain history
– To express, as dreams do, the
deepest fears and hopes of the
human race