The Origins ofGreek Mythology

Do you recognize this famous structure?

That’s right . . . It’s the Parthenon in Athens, Greece

• Constructed between 447-438 B.C.E.

• Dedicated to the goddess Athena, patron goddess of the city

• Pediments tell stories from Greek Mythology

Why were the myths created?

What purposes did they serve?

Greeks made gods in their own image

Discobolosca. 450 B.C.E.

Greeks celebrated Youth and

Beauty

Examples of Painted

Peplos Kore Statues

ca. 600-480 B.C.E.

Greek Myths Made theIrrational . . . Rational

For Example:

Which Greek God sent down the thunderbolt, and why?

Magic Existed In, But Did NotDominate, the Greek Myths

Medea

The Quest of the Golden Fleece

(film still from the 1963 movie, “Jason and the Argonauts”)

The Myths Attempted to Explain Nature

Poseidon

God of the Sea

a.k.a.

The Earth-Shaker

The Myths Were Not a Formal Religion, Though Sacrifices Were Made to the Gods

Animal Sacrifices

Human Sacrifices

(Ex: Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon)

Theories for the Purposes of the Greek Myths

Theory #1: Historical Theory

States that the myths are based on real people and events that have been embellished

The Trojan War

ca. 1200 B.C.E.

Theories for the Purposes of the Greek Myths

Theory #2: Allegorical Theory

States that the myths are symbolic and contain moral, religious, or philosophical truth, or historical fact

Pandora’s Box

Theories for the Purposes of the Greek Myths

Theory #3: Physical Theory

States that supernatural beings are believed to rule over different objects of nature

Winter and . . .

. . . Summer

Brought to you by . . .

Persephone

• Daughter of Zeus and Demeter

• Wife of Hades