Introduction to Classical Mythology

Dr. Michael Broder

University of South Carolina

March 27, 2012

Daily Write #16: Review

In the traditional myth of Herakles, the hero is driven mad by Hera, kills his wife and children, and must complete a series of labors to atone for his crime. Euripides changes this order of events. E.A. Haigh, in The Tragic Drama of the Greeks (1896), explains that by Euripides’ change, “The legend acquires a new significance, as an example of pathetic and unmerited suffering, and of stubborn endurance in the face of calamity.” What do you think of this interpretation? Can you think of any other reason(s) for making the madness and murders come after the labors instead of before?

Daily Write #16: Review

• Some of you pointed out that the traditional version of events already illustrates endurance in the face of unmerited suffering– What does Euripides gain by switching the

order of events?– Pokes a bit of a hole in Haigh’s interpretation

• Many of you suggested that Herakles “snaps” under the psychological pressure of his 12 labors: a kind of mythological PTSD– Very interesting interpretation, very relevant

to our current engagement in two foreign wars

Daily Write #16: Review

• Some of you pointed out that Euripides’ version illustrates not only endurance in the face of unmerited suffering, but also the arbitrary nature of the gods– Herakles commits his divinely inspired

crime, carries out his divinely imposed sentence, and the gods still destroy his family and ruin his life

Daily Write #16: Review

• Some students said they like the traditional story better, either because– It illustrates the heroism of Herakles– It teaches the lesson of atonement for one’s

sins

• That’s fine, but: You still need to account for why Euripides chose to depart from the traditional account– Just because he felt like it?– Because he believed the traditional account

was not true to the human condition?

Daily Write: Grading Criteria

• Engage with the question– If the question relates to a passage from the

text, make sure to comment on the passage– If the question relates to a quote from a

scholarly article, make sure to comment on the quote

– Make sure to address all part of the question

• Show knowledge of the text– Use examples from the text to illustrate your

pointsNow that we are well into the second half of the course, I am holding you to

a higher standard for your Daily Writes.

Philosophy is the pursuit of knowledge about nature

and humanity• philo– = love of < Gr. philia, lo• sophy– = wisdom < Gr. sophia,

wisdom

Like history, philosophy was a new alternative to

mythological thinking• Where history is a type of knowledge

about past events, philosophy is a type of knowledge about– The natural world (nature)– The human world (humanity or culture)– The rational world (mathematics, logic)

• Just as Herodotus is considered the father of history, the father of philosophy is Socrates

Life of Socrates

• Born in Athens c. 469 BCE• Little is known about how Socrates earned a

living, although some ancient sources say that he worked as a stonemason

• Like other Athenian men, Socrates served in the military and the government, but he was not interested in a military or political career– His main interest in life was philosophical inquiry

• Died in Athens in 399 BCE– Did not die of old age or natural causes– He was put on trial for his philosophical views and

sentenced to death by the Athenian people because his commitment to truth and justice posed a danger to the people in power

Socratic Values

• Socrates placed the highest value on wisdom and virtue– Wisdom = the pursuit of knowledge

and truth– Virtue = the pursuit of excellence in

qualities that define humanity• The four major Socratic virtues:

– Wisdom– Courage– Moderation– Justice

Introduction to Classical Mythology

Dr. Michael Broder

University of South Carolina

March 27, 2012