Mythology Unit

Background The word mythology is derived from the Greek word mythos, which concerns a system of beliefs related mostly to supernatural forces. Many ancient cultures based their religion on mythology, which was centrally focused on divine or heroic beings.

Over time, these beliefs were eventually broken down, replaced, and have since evolved into mythology. Mythology beliefs were often initially passed down verbally, only to be written down by later generations. Even today, mythological figures are part of many of mainstream religions. 

The purpose of mythology was to explain the universe and all that is in it. Thus, mythology has roots in science, religion, and history. It connects the creation of the world to its future destruction.

Greek Myths and History Tracked back over 40,000 years. Many come from a time before writing. Passed on by word of mouth. Spoken tradition helped them survive upheavals when writing was destroyed or forgotten.

The Changing Myths Conquerors and peaceful settlers brought their own beliefs into Greece. Beliefs adopted or combined with the myths and gods that already existed. These changed and developed over the centuries. Change was less once they were written down. Different versions of many myths survive.

Before 6000 B.C.: Hunter-gatherers The area now known as Greece was inhabited at this time by wandering tribes. Tribes hunted and lived off what grew on the land.

700-500 B.C.: The Archaic Period (Greek Archaic Period) Greece became rich in art, literature, science, and commerce. Trade was established with many Mediterranean countries. A new form of writing was invented. Coins were introduced for money. They experimented with government and social organizations.

500-336 B.C.: The Classical Period The best-known period of Ancient Greek history. The Ancient Greek image was most influenced by Classical art and literature of this period. Many plays based on the myths were written during the Classical Period.

336-31 B.C.: The Hellenistic Period This period named after Helen. Helen was a legendary ancestor of the Greeks. Alexander the Great empire came during this period. Greek culture spread across the Middle East after his death in 323 B.C. Roman Empire expanded during this period, and became more powerful than Greece.

Romans were greatly influenced by the Greeks. They had their own gods. Their mythology was not as complex as the Greeks. Gradually they linked the Greek stories to their own gods. Both mythologies were almost the same after the merging of the Roman and the Greek gods.

Creation

Chaos Before anything existed there was a dark nothingness called Chaos. The shape of Mother Earth emerged from the emptiness. The world was then formed.

Mother Earth’s Children Mother Earth (aka Gaea) produced a son named Uranus. Uranus was the sky. Rain fell from the sky onto the Earth, making plants grow and animals appear from the rivers and seas. Strange shaped monsters and giants were born. Three of these emerged, and had only one huge eye in the middle of the forehead. This monster was known as Cyclopes.

Some human-shaped giants, called Titans, were born who became the first gods and goddesses. Mother Earth (Gaea) encouraged the Titans to rebel against Uranus. Cronos led the Titans. He attacked and overcame Uranus with a sickle and took power.

Sickle

The Birth of Zeus Cronos married his sister, Rhea, and became King of the Titans. They had six children. Cronos had been warned that one of them would kill him. He swallowed each one as it was born. To save her sixth child, Rhea tricked Cronos into swallowing a stone wrapped in baby’s clothes and hid the child among lesser goddesses.

These lesser goddesses were called nymphs, and brought him up safely. This child was known as Zeus. When he grew up, he returned home in disguise. He slipped a potion into Cronos’s drink, making him choke. The children he had swallowed were coughed out, whole and safe. These were Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Poseidon.

What the World was Like The victorious gods divided the world amongst themselves. What follows are the beliefs the Ancient Greeks held about their world and what it was like.

Earth Earth was where humans lived. Many weird and dangerous creatures were supposed to live there too. Greek heroes often had to fight these monsters. For example, Hercules was a strong and mighty monster slayer. Every hero has a villain. Heroes that are against gods are considered evil and severely punished.

Earth Gods used their powers through fire, water, wind, and other earthly features. Gods responded to worship, rituals, supplications, and sacrifice from humans. For example, for steady sailing, worshippers prayed to Poseidon. Mythology uses roots and genealogy of gods, kings, and heroes tracing back to the Trojan War.

The Underworld Zeus’s brother, Hades, ruled the Underworld. Everyone went there when they died. There were three parts.

Three Parts of the Underworld Part One: Ordinary people wandered around the Asphodel Fields as “shades.” They were shadowy versions of their earthly selves. Part Two: Tartarus was the place of punishment for really evil people.

Part Three: Exceptionally good or heroic people resided in Elysian Fields. This was a golden, blissful place of rest. You could be sent back to earth after you died to live another life. If you earned a place in the Elysian Fields three times, you were allowed to go to the Isles of the Blessed. Once there, you would never have to leave.

The Styx Styx was the name of the river you had to cross to enter the Underworld. You would have to pay the boatman. Charon, the boatman, would collect one obol, which was the Ancient Greek coin. This payment would get you a ferry across the Styx, and on to your afterlife destination.

Olympus A real mountain in the north of Greece. This place was known as Mount Olympus. This is where the gods lived. The gods lived here like a family. Zeus married his sister, Hera, and they ruled as king and queen. No one but the gods could visit Olympus.

Ocean The Earth was thought to be surrounded by water, called Ocean. This was ruled by Poseidon. He controlled the winds and waves. He was very important to sailors. They made sacrifices to appease him. He had to obey Zeus. Poseidon’s wife was Amphitrite, and she was a sea nymph.

Religion Stories told in the Greek myths formed part of the religion of Ancient Greece. They illustrated the nature of the gods. They taught what pleased or angered the gods. Religion was a part of everyday life to the Greeks.

They said a quick prayer before doing something because they thought this would bring them success. Each god was responsible for some aspect of life. People worshiped the ones they found relevant.

Festivals and Dramas The Greeks had special feast days for the gods. These consisted of processions and sacrifices. Plays were performed telling the gods’ lives. Much of today’s knowledge of Greek myths comes from these plays. Euripides, Aeschylus, and Sophocles were three of these famous playwrights.

Mystery Cults These were groups who worshipped a particular deity in secret ceremonies. Members had to pass tests before they were accepted. The cults kept their secrets so well that nobody today knows exactly what they believed.