Why Greek Mythology is Important

WHAT IS A MYTH?

Myths are humanity’s earliest imaginative attempts to explain the universe, its creation, its working, and phenomena of nature.

They were the first traditional tales of a group of people shared orally within communities, but later passed on in written form, to explain the beginning of earth, events in history, and anything beyond.

WHY STUDY MYTHS?

The study of the mythology of a particular culture reveals the way of life and thoughts of that culture.

By studying myths we can learn how different societies or cultures answered basic questions about the world and our place within it.

They are wonderful stories They are wonderful stories. The characters, events and messages in ancient myths are the foundation of the people, events and themes in the movies we see and the books we read today.

The myths are the foundation of our language and literature.

References to myths can be found throughout the plays and novels we read today, and are part of our everyday language.

When we hear someone say that they are opening a “Pandora’s Box” or making a “Promethean” effort to find the “Golden Fleece,” they are referring to the myths.

Myths stretch our imagination.

They inspire us to strive for things we can only dream about.

There is a clear connection between Icarus’s wings and Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon.

The myths contain the hopes and dreams of humanity.

Since Western civilization traces its roots back to Greek culture, it would seem that the acknowledgement of classical mythology is essential.

Literature is filled with allusions to Greek gods and goddesses.  

Artists and sculptors throughout the ages have used mythological stories as subjects.

The modern world, while seemingly far removed from Greek culture, has only to turn on the television or look at a page of comics or watch the latest science fiction movies to see mythology come alive.

From an advertisement for Atlas tires to Superman’s heroic adventure – mythology lives.

THE REASONS FOR MYTHS

Some myths were created to answer awkward questions or what at the time was considered unexplainable: Where does the sun go at the end of the day? Why does it rain? Where did a volcano come from?

Some myths were created to meet the religious needs of a people.  

Others were created to justify an existing social system  

Some myths account for a particular customs or rituals of a people  

Myths were often explanations or precursors of scientific investigation

Impact of Greek Mythology on Western Culture

Greek mythology's impact on modern societies cannot be understated.

Modern language, industry, arts and culture all demonstrate the impact of Greek mythology in today's world.

For example, most people who have no formal knowledge of Greek mythology still know that Hercules was a strongman and that Venus (the Roman version of the Greek Aphrodite) is the goddess of love.

The Impact of Greek Mythology on Language

Very few people speak ancient Greek on a regular basis, but Greek mythology has shaped English and other languages on many levels.

A "Herculean task," for example, is one that requires great effort A "Herculean task," for example, is one that requires great effort. This phrase comes from a myth about the Twelve Labors of Hercules.

The drug morphine takes its name from the Greek God of Sleep, Morpheus.

"Venereal disease" is a rather unflattering reference to Venus.

The goddess of love fares better in the term "aphrodisiac," referring to any substance or circumstance that arouses sexual desire.

To this day, an unpleasant woman may be called a "harpy" (a winged monster with a woman's torso and a bird's feet).

Alternately, a handsome man is an "Adonis,“ the mortal man so beautiful that Aphrodite herself fell in love with him.

We call computer viruses "Trojans," a rather unfair comparison with the Trojans, as we're actually referring to the Greek-built Trojan horse, used by the Greeks to infiltrate Troy and end the Trojan War.

The impact of Greek mythology on western culture and language isn't confined to individual words.

Many expressions, proverbs, and clichés are direct references to ancient Greek myths.

For example, the expressions "caught between a rock and a hard place" and "between the Devil and the deep blue sea" both come from tales about sailors being caught between the monsters Scylla and Charybdis of Greek mythology.

Other common expressions that demonstrate Greek mythology's impact on modern societies include

“an Achilles heel” (a single fatal vulnerability)

“have the Midas touch” (everything turns to gold)

“lying in the arms of Morpheus” (sleeping)

“opening Pandora's Box” (unlocking a world of trouble)

“rich as Croesus” (Croesus was known for his wealth)

“the face that launched a thousand ships” (a woman worth going to war for)

Cultural Impact of Greek Mythology in the West

Greek mythology's impact on modern societies is often seen in the arts and popular culture.

In the 1980s; the all-female rock band The Bangles had a top ten hit with the single Venus.

Television shows and movies, such as Disney's Hercules and Little Mermaid, have also reintroduced mythological figures to new generations, including characters such as Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, and King Triton, the son of Poseidon.

In fact, movies have been retelling versions of Hercules’s story since the 1950s.

Some of the most famous works of art and literature demonstrate the impact of Greek mythology on western culture.

Botticelli's The Birth of Venus is one of the world's most recognizable paintings.

Great writers such as Dante, Shakespeare, and Milton make frequent references to Greek mythology, so much so that an understanding of Greek myths is necessary to truly appreciate their works.

Operas often delve into Greek mythology, as well Operas often delve into Greek mythology, as well. Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld is one of the most famous examples.

American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne's Tanglewood Tales is a collection of rewritten Greek myths.

Science and Greek Mythology

Greek mythology's impact on modern societies can be seen on any clear night.

Many constellations are named after characters or monsters from Greek myths, including Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Hercules and Gemini.

All of the planets and most of the moons in the solar system are also named after Greek mythological characters, although the planets have been given Roman versions of the Greek names.

Even our Earth was named after a Greek myth: Another name for our planet is "Gaia," the name of the Greek earth mother.

Signs of Greek Mythology in Modern Societies

The names of Greek mythology surround us today, sometimes in unusual places.

Would Ajax, one of the great Greek heroes of The Iliad, be happy knowing he's the namesake for a popular cleaning product?

Sometimes, references to Greek mythology are appropriate.

The Aegis is the shield used by both Zeus and his daughter Athena.

Today, the Aegis Group is an insurance company, and the U. S Today, the Aegis Group is an insurance company, and the U.S. navy uses Aegis cruisers.

In both of these instances, the reference to Greek mythology is clearly valid in that the insurance company and Navy boats provide protection, just as the Greek shield.

At other times, the connection between Greek mythology and modern products is more tongue-in-cheek.

A popular brand of condoms is named "Trojan," slyly alluding to the Trojan horse that allowed the Greeks to safely penetrate Troy's defenses.

References to Greek myths abound.

In fact, Greek myths even influence our maps In fact, Greek myths even influence our maps. A collection of maps is an Atlas, named for the Titan who held up the earth.

And Europe, seat of so many societies influenced by Greek myths, is named for Europa, the maiden carried off by Zeus, who had disguised himself as a bull to trick her.

Despite our sometimes questionable uses of Greek mythology in contemporary culture, its impact on modern societies cannot be understated.