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Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Ms. Seaton Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece Disney.

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Presentation on theme: "Mythology An Introduction. What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Ms. Seaton Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece Disney."— Presentation transcript:

1 Mythology An Introduction

2 What comes to mind when you hear the word “mythology”? For Ms. Seaton Gods and goddesses Gods and goddesses Greece Greece Disney Disney Creatures and monsters Creatures and monsters Special powers Special powers How something came to be How something came to be

3 Why do we enjoy mythology? “Human beings have always been myth makers.” Karen Armstrong, A Short History of Myth, 2005. “Strong myths never die…. Myth precedes literature. The oldest stories were passed from mouth to ear to mouth long before they traveled from hand to page.” Margaret Atwood, “The Myth Series & Me,” 2005

4 Connection to you… When do you tell stories? When do you tell stories? How do you tell stories? How do you tell stories? –Do you ever exaggerate? Why do you enjoy telling stories? Why do you enjoy telling stories?

5 Myths have been described in many ways: stories of forgotten origin stories of forgotten origin stories that involve supernatural beings and activities stories that involve supernatural beings and activities stories that explain some aspect of human nature or of the world stories that explain some aspect of human nature or of the world

6 stories that may describe some historical event (with embellishment) stories that may describe some historical event (with embellishment) Stories that belong to a “mythological system” or group of stories used by a particular society at some particular point in history Stories that belong to a “mythological system” or group of stories used by a particular society at some particular point in history stories that have no one single author, but came into existence through oral tradition (therefore, there are many versions) stories that have no one single author, but came into existence through oral tradition (therefore, there are many versions)

7 Characteristics and a Definition Myth is a Greek word meaning “story” Myth is a Greek word meaning “story” Myths usually involve gods or heroes Myths usually involve gods or heroes Myths are often so old that their origins are unknown Myths are often so old that their origins are unknown

8 Myths had many uses for ancient peoples: to explain the world around them to explain the world around them to teach history to teach history to understand human nature and behaviour to understand human nature and behaviour to teach morality and ethics to teach morality and ethics

9 Natural Science Because ancient peoples couldn’t explain many aspects of natural science, they used myth to help comprehend their world: Because ancient peoples couldn’t explain many aspects of natural science, they used myth to help comprehend their world: –Zeus, the father-god, does not just live in the sky, but is the sky –Mount Etna in Sicily is an active Volcano because Typhon is buried beneath it

10 History In many ancient cultures, few could read or write; consequently, myths were used to teach and remember history. In many ancient cultures, few could read or write; consequently, myths were used to teach and remember history. –Archaeologists have proven that the city of Troy existed and that there was a great battle there

11 Psychology Myths were also used to help understand human behaviour. In a way, they are humanity’s first attempt at practising psychology. Myths were also used to help understand human behaviour. In a way, they are humanity’s first attempt at practising psychology. –Cronos being killed by his son Zeus depicts the situation faced by ancient Kings

12 Morals Myths were also a way to teach morality and ethics. Myths were also a way to teach morality and ethics. –Many gods and heroes have admirable qualities –Cupid and Psyche = Love and Soul

13 Why study mythology? To understand the people who were here before us To understand the people who were here before us To understand what it means to be human To understand what it means to be human To gain insight into the mysteries of the world To gain insight into the mysteries of the world

14 What do we know about ancient civilizations? Ancient civilizations were built in many places such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Italy, China and Mexico Ancient civilizations were built in many places such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Italy, China and Mexico From each of these civilizations arose many stories and mythologies From each of these civilizations arose many stories and mythologies Ancient Greece existed about 3 000 years ago Ancient Greece existed about 3 000 years ago

15 Timeline of Ancient Civilizations

16 Mythology in our world today There are many references to Greek mythology when we look around us There are many references to Greek mythology when we look around us Consider the following examples: Consider the following examples:

17 Sports Teams

18 In Advertising…

19 A Valentine’s Day Card!

20 Store Names…

21 Honda Odyssey The Odyssey refers to the 10-year sea voyage endured by the Trojan War hero, Odysseus, as he sought to return home to Ithaca The Odyssey refers to the 10-year sea voyage endured by the Trojan War hero, Odysseus, as he sought to return home to Ithaca

22 Statue outside the Rockefeller Centre, New York City: Atlas, a Greek mythological character, seen here, bent under the weight of the sky (or the world) stands outside the famous outside the famous Rockefeller Centre Rockefeller Centre

23 The Olympics! According to legend, the Olympics were founded by Heracles (the Roman Hercules), a son of Zeus. According to legend, the Olympics were founded by Heracles (the Roman Hercules), a son of Zeus. Yet, the first Olympic Games for which we still have written records were held in 776 BCE (though it is generally believed that the Games had been going on for many years already) Yet, the first Olympic Games for which we still have written records were held in 776 BCE (though it is generally believed that the Games had been going on for many years already) At this Olympic Games, a naked runner, Coroebus (a cook from Elis), won the sole event at the Olympics, the stade - a run of approximately 192 metres (210 yards) At this Olympic Games, a naked runner, Coroebus (a cook from Elis), won the sole event at the Olympics, the stade - a run of approximately 192 metres (210 yards)

24 The ancient Olympic games grew and continued to be played every four years for nearly 1200 years The ancient Olympic games grew and continued to be played every four years for nearly 1200 years but were abolished in 393 by a Christian Roman Emporer because he thought they were pagan but were abolished in 393 by a Christian Roman Emporer because he thought they were pagan They were revived in the late 1800s when a Frenchman gathered together an Olympic committee (the IOC) They were revived in the late 1800s when a Frenchman gathered together an Olympic committee (the IOC)

25 Keep an eye out! There are lots of allusions to mythology in modern society There are lots of allusions to mythology in modern society Can you think of anymore? Can you think of anymore?

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