Greek Myths and Italy

The Gabii Vase Found in Latium, dated to at least 800; new dating technique to perhaps Found in Latium, dated to at least 800; new dating technique to perhaps Earliest artifact with Greek writing: euoin/eulin Earliest artifact with Greek writing: euoin/eulin Evidence of GreekTraders active at very early age in Mediterranean; Evidence of GreekTraders active at very early age in Mediterranean; Greeks adopted the Phoenician alphabet for the development of the Greek script Greeks adopted the Phoenician alphabet for the development of the Greek script Greek traders/explorers in Western Mediterranean and colonization 9 th -7 th century BC Greek traders/explorers in Western Mediterranean and colonization 9 th -7 th century BC

Euboia

Ischia

Greeks in Italy Greek colonies in Italy to secure important resources (metals) and to protect trade routes Greek colonies in Italy to secure important resources (metals) and to protect trade routes Euboians settled on Ischia (just across from mouth of Tiber Euboians settled on Ischia (just across from mouth of Tiber Route to Etruria (metal) Route to Etruria (metal) Elba another source for metals Elba another source for metals

Tiber Crossing – early Rome

Euboian settlement on Ischia: Pithekoussai (Greek for - Monkey Island) Euboian settlement on Ischia: Pithekoussai (Greek for - Monkey Island) River Tiber, aka Rumon, Albula, Tiberis River Tiber, aka Rumon, Albula, Tiberis Tyrrhenian = Greek for Etruscans Tyrrhenian = Greek for Etruscans Circe (Kirke – in Homer) – Kirkaion = Circe’s island (Latin: Circeii) modern Monte Circeo – was island in antiquity Circe (Kirke – in Homer) – Kirkaion = Circe’s island (Latin: Circeii) modern Monte Circeo – was island in antiquity

Trojan cycle of myths arrives in Italy Trojan Cycle of stories: all myths associated with the Trojan war: stories associated with cause for war; return of Greek heroes; Trojan exiles (Aeneas, etc.); Trojan Cycle of stories: all myths associated with the Trojan war: stories associated with cause for war; return of Greek heroes; Trojan exiles (Aeneas, etc.); Odysseus – Etruscans called him ut(h)use, Odysseus – Etruscans called him ut(h)use, Latins: Ulixes (Ulysses) Latins: Ulixes (Ulysses) Greeks in Attica, Oiboia, Corinth: Olyteus or Olys(s)eos Greeks in Attica, Oiboia, Corinth: Olyteus or Olys(s)eos Island of Phaiakia – last stop of Odysseus before he arrives back home in Ithaka and where he tells his stories Island of Phaiakia – last stop of Odysseus before he arrives back home in Ithaka and where he tells his stories Pahiakia = Kerkyra = Corcyra = modern Corfu Pahiakia = Kerkyra = Corcyra = modern Corfu Several versions of Odysseus’ death in Italy: Etruria at Cortona Several versions of Odysseus’ death in Italy: Etruria at Cortona

Trojan stories linking Greeks to Italy Stories of Diomedes one of the Greek heroes fighting at Troy– from Argos, angered Aphrodite by fighting Aeneas, driven from Argos = ends up in Daunia (Eastern Italy) Stories of Diomedes one of the Greek heroes fighting at Troy– from Argos, angered Aphrodite by fighting Aeneas, driven from Argos = ends up in Daunia (Eastern Italy) On his way kills dragon on Corcyra On his way kills dragon on Corcyra one version has him killed by king in Daunia one version has him killed by king in Daunia In one version marries king Daunus’ daughter In one version marries king Daunus’ daughter A son of Daunus was Turnus (Aeneid), king of the Rutuli of Ardea A son of Daunus was Turnus (Aeneid), king of the Rutuli of Ardea Ardea = heron (the bird) Ardea = heron (the bird) Versions of these stories present all over Adriatic coast Versions of these stories present all over Adriatic coast

The theft of the Palladium Story involving Diomedes and Odysseus Story involving Diomedes and Odysseus Theft of Palladium - image of Pallas Athena from temple in Troy Theft of Palladium - image of Pallas Athena from temple in Troy Complex group of stories developed with first contact between Italians and Greeks between 9 th and 7 th centuries. Complex group of stories developed with first contact between Italians and Greeks between 9 th and 7 th centuries. One version includes Diomedes giving Palladion/Palladium to a Trojan hero Nautes One version includes Diomedes giving Palladion/Palladium to a Trojan hero Nautes Patrician Roman family of the Nautii associated its family with the cult of Minerva (Athena) – Nautes was priest of Athene at Troy and rescued the Palladium Patrician Roman family of the Nautii associated its family with the cult of Minerva (Athena) – Nautes was priest of Athene at Troy and rescued the Palladium The Nautii prominent in Roman politics in 5- 3 rd century BC several consuls The Nautii prominent in Roman politics in 5- 3 rd century BC several consuls Customary of Roman patrician families to connect ancestry to one or other Trojan hero. Customary of Roman patrician families to connect ancestry to one or other Trojan hero.

Founding Myths Eponymous heroes Founding heroes Founding heroes Telegonos (son of Circe and Odysseus) founded Tusculum Telegonos (son of Circe and Odysseus) founded Tusculum Rhomos – Rome Rhomos – Rome Anteia – Antium Anteia – Antium Ardeias – Ardea Ardeias – Ardea Circe founded Roman chariot races: Circus Maximus – racetrack Circe founded Roman chariot races: Circus Maximus – racetrack 6 th century BC – Roman games introduces = origin of story 6 th century BC – Roman games introduces = origin of story

Dionysos arrives Gabii vase graffiti = eyoin or eyain = Gabii vase graffiti = eyoin or eyain = A Greek name of Dionuso = Euios -f rom cry euoi in rituals A Greek name of Dionuso = Euios -f rom cry euoi in rituals Etruscans: Fufluns Etruscans: Fufluns In Latin: Liber Pater, Dionysius In Latin: Liber Pater, Dionysius Over time the cult of Dionysios quite popular in Italy; Scandal and expulsion in 160s BC; complex history in Roman Italy Over time the cult of Dionysios quite popular in Italy; Scandal and expulsion in 160s BC; complex history in Roman Italy