Introduction to Introduction to Greek MythologyGreek Mythology

Mythology in Most Mythology in Most Primitive culturesPrimitive cultures

horror; magic; human sacrificehorror; magic; human sacrifice Gods had no resemblance of realityGods had no resemblance of reality

The Bestial Gods in The Bestial Gods in Egyptian MythologyEgyptian Mythology

The Bestial Gods in Egyptian MThe Bestial Gods in Egyptian Mythologyythology

The Bestial Gods in Egyptian MThe Bestial Gods in Egyptian Mythologyythology

The Bestial Gods in Egyptian MThe Bestial Gods in Egyptian Mythologyythology

The Particularity of Greek The Particularity of Greek Mythology:Mythology:

The Greeks made their gods in their own The Greeks made their gods in their own image.image.

Mankind became the center of the universe.Mankind became the center of the universe. The universe became rational.The universe became rational. The ancient Greeks were preoccupied with The ancient Greeks were preoccupied with

the visible; they were finding the satisfaction the visible; they were finding the satisfaction of their desires in what was actually in the of their desires in what was actually in the world around them. Ex. world around them. Ex. ApolloApollo as the as the fulfillment of their search for beauty.fulfillment of their search for beauty.

OlympusOlympus

Human gods naturally made heaven a Human gods naturally made heaven a pleasantly familiar place.pleasantly familiar place.

Zeus as a capital figure of funZeus as a capital figure of fun Hera as stock character of comedyHera as stock character of comedy Such stories made for a friendly feelinSuch stories made for a friendly feelin

g.g. Laughter—perfectly natural in OlympuLaughter—perfectly natural in Olympu

s—made the gods companionable.s—made the gods companionable.

The Deities’ Residence The Deities’ Residence on Earth on Earth

On earth, the deities were exceedingly On earth, the deities were exceedingly & humanly attractive.& humanly attractive.

A humanized world, men freed from thA humanized world, men freed from the paralyzing fear of an omnipotent Unke paralyzing fear of an omnipotent Unknown.nown.

The ancient Greek mythmakers disliked The ancient Greek mythmakers disliked the irrational and had a love for facts.the irrational and had a love for facts.

Even the most non-sensical take place iEven the most non-sensical take place in a world which is essentially rational & n a world which is essentially rational & matter-of-fact. matter-of-fact.

The Features of Greek The Features of Greek MythologyMythology

A familiar local habitation gave reality tA familiar local habitation gave reality to all the mythical beings. o all the mythical beings.

The terrifying irrational has no place in The terrifying irrational has no place in it: it:

No magic: Circe & Medea two exceptionNo magic: Circe & Medea two exceptional figures al figures

There are stories about stars; but we see There are stories about stars; but we see no trace of their influence on human livno trace of their influence on human lives.es.

The Features of Greek The Features of Greek MythologyMythology

Ghosts never appear on earth.Ghosts never appear on earth. The Greeks were not afraid of the dead: The Greeks were not afraid of the dead:

“the pious dead” in the Odyssey“the pious dead” in the Odyssey The world of Greek mythology was not a The world of Greek mythology was not a

place of terror for the human spirit.place of terror for the human spirit. The whole divine company were The whole divine company were

entrancingly beautiful with a human entrancingly beautiful with a human beauty.beauty.

The early Greek mythologists transformed The early Greek mythologists transformed a world full of fear into a world full of a world full of fear into a world full of beauty.beauty.

Some Dark Spots in this Some Dark Spots in this Bright Picture Bright Picture

Gods often acted in a way no decent Gods often acted in a way no decent man or woman would.man or woman would.

A very limited sense of right & A very limited sense of right & wrong prevailed in Homer’s heaven.wrong prevailed in Homer’s heaven.

Some Dark Spots in this Some Dark Spots in this Bright PictureBright Picture

These are features shared with other priThese are features shared with other primitive cultures; however, they are so femitive cultures; however, they are so few in comparison.w in comparison.

Traces of a time when there were beast-Traces of a time when there were beast-gods: Satyrs & Centaurs.gods: Satyrs & Centaurs.

Shadows of human sacrifice.Shadows of human sacrifice. Mythical monsters to glorify heroes: GoMythical monsters to glorify heroes: Go

rgons; hydras (rgons; hydras (九頭海蛇怪九頭海蛇怪 ); chimeras ); chimeras ((吐火獸吐火獸 ))

The Significance of Greek The Significance of Greek MythologyMythology

Early science: An explanation of Early science: An explanation of something in nature; ex. the cause of something in nature; ex. the cause of thunder & lightning.thunder & lightning.

Pure entertainmentPure entertainment Early literatureEarly literature A tint of religion: A tint of religion: (but not so thick as the Hebrew Bible)(but not so thick as the Hebrew Bible) The evolution of human civilizationThe evolution of human civilization