Unit 1 Flashcards
What does ‘Classical’ Mythology mean?
Why did Greeks and Romans understand that studying the past was important?
What is the meaning of muthos - story?
What are the different kinds of myth?
List the Greek Hisotrical Periods and their dates
When did Greeks believe that most of their heroes lived? When did the Trojan War take place?
Where did more of the literary sources come from?
What are the Roman Historical Periods?
When did the roman legends take place?
For roman myth/legend, where did most literary sources come from?
Define and provide examples for each of the following:
- Divine myths
- Legends
- Folktales
- Stories that involve the twelve main Greek and Roman gods are divine myths. These myths include both gods interacting with other gods, and gods interacting with humans (usually with negative consequences). A very important example is the creation of the world, the early gods, and the rise of the Olympians (we cover this in unit 3).
- Myths that focus on the adventures of humans are legends (or sometimes hero myths). The human characters usually have some extraordinary ability(ies)—superhuman strength, intelligence, or both. This makes him (they are always male) a ‘hero’. They are the superheroes of the ancient world. Gods do indeed appear in these myths, but usually as supporting characters, seeking to help or harm the hero.
3.
As the textbook points out, folktales are much harder to define. These stories involve no divine element, and usually, the main character(s) is/are ordinary people. These stories are not to be believed as having actually occurred; their purpose is to entertain only. Folktales are of interest because they all contain similar motifs. Scholars have noted that these motifs reappear in folktales in almost every part of the world. The stories from the Brothers Grimm are excellent examples of folktale. Perspective 1 discusses their tales.
To be sure, folktales and legends have many similarities. Some of the motifs common in folktales can be found in legends; or it may be that the motifs were first used in legends, and then found their way into folktales. In that sense, one might consider the folktale to be an evolution of the legend.
Describe and date The Mycenaean Age
*The Mycenaean Age (c. 1600–1150 BCE) is the period in which the ancient Greeks believed their heroes lived. The Trojan War, which the ancient Greek firmly held to be a real historical event, took place near the end of this period (at some point in the 1190s), and therefore this is the period in which Agamemnon, Achilles, and Odysseus lived. Here myth was still in oral form, as stories passed from generation to generation. An early form of writing existed, called Linear B (an earlier form of ancient Greek), in which the names of several gods appear, though they are sometimes different.
Describe and date The Dark Age
The Dark Age (c. 1150-800 BCE) was the period after the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization. We know very little about this period, but scholars believe that it was less advanced: weaker financially, fewer literate people, and smaller communities.
Describe and date the Archai Period
*Archaic Period (c. 800–490 BCE) witnessed many of the myths completing their development, reaching their final forms. The Greeks invented their alphabet early in this period, and therefore the first works of literature appeared: the Homeric Iliad and Odyssey, and Hesiod’s Theogony, were composed in this period. To some ancient Greeks, the more civilised world of this time was brought about by the efforts of the heroes such as Heracles and Theseus. (Note that this would seem to contradict what they thought about the Mycenaean period). What potential problems does this create and how might one rationalise them?
There is a difference of opinion as to the end date of this period. The textbook gives 490 BCE; most scholars date it a decade later at 479 BCE. This is a minor difference in the broader scheme of Greek history. Powell chooses to end the archaic period with the first Persian invasion of Greece; most scholars prefer the end of the second Persian invasion.
Describe and date the Classical Period
The *Classical Period (490–323 BCE) is important in that it witnessed the great Athenian dramatic poets Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, all of whom drew heavy on myths from all parts of Greece for their plays. It was also the golden age (of sorts) of Greek art. It was also sadly punctuated by a devastating war between Athens and Sparta.
