The Nature Of Myth And Greek Context Flashcards
What is a myth
A traditional story with collective importance.
What is the nature of Greek myth.
Generally anonymous author. Oral tradition. Has general plot characters and settings.specifics change for period and audience, purpose and local variations
What are some functions for myth (what are they used for)?
They are often etiological(or aetiological) for something. Explaining the world, relationship between mortal and God. Explain oragin of people and culture etc.
What does etiological (or aetiological) mean
Explaining the reason or cause for something.
What is a legend? Why were they important.
A legend is more based in historical fact. Tends to mention real people and events. Hero’s part of Legends were in some cases ancient aristocrats and founders of real cities. Occuring around late bronze age
What are some common Greek myth theme’s
Origins. Why we need to show God’s respect, Penalties for hubris. Hospitality. Models for living (socially acceptable standards both POS and NEG examples.
What were some important Greek geographical features?
Mountains and seas were important. The mountains made land travel difficult. So travel by boat was common. The sea was respected and was important. The Mediterranean triad, olives, grapes, wheat/barley. Domesticated animals: sheep goats pigs horses cattle. Resources: stone and clay, but limited metal and arable land.
Where was Minoan culture located. And what type of society was it. What were key stories in their writing.
It was located in Crete ( esp Knossos). Palace societies. They created linear A writing system. Some myths are minotaur, labyrinth, birthplace of zeus
Key features of Mycenaean culture.what are some key myths here
Greek mainland. (Includes Athens). Defensive citadels. Linear B writing (Greek). Trojan war.
What occured during the Greek dark ages.
No centralized political units. No writing. Small self sufficient communitys. Population decline and disruptive migration. Iron.
Some important features and events of archaic period.
Rise of polis. Colonization. Hoplite warfare. Pan-helenistic sanctuaries. Greek alphabet first written text. Conflicts with Persia.
What are key events and features of classical period.
History,drama, sculpture, architecture. Massive building projects across Greek world. Peloponnesian war ( Athens vs Sparta)
What is myth
Traditional stories with collective importance.
What forms were later used to tell myth stories.
Poetry, drama, historical narrative, philosophical writing.
What is the function of myth today
We share similar struggles even today. Such as freedom,death,heroism,destiny,social justice, ethics. Basically human condition. Myths help recount how everything came to be. Natural and social order in the world, and why they can’t change. It helps define who we are and our place in society.
