Abstract This paper discusses the origins of Greekmythology. It first discusses how what is known of Mesopotamian history came from Greek and Roman historians' writings. The paper then discusses the influence on Greekmythology of history, migrations of peoples and the influences of the religions. It also discusses the influence of wars and more friendly mutual associations on Greekmythology.
From the Paper "The classical Greeks, as scholars came to know them through their writings, professed faith in their pantheon of gods and goddesses, whose characteristics are strikingly similar to the chief gods and goddesses of ancient Sumer, Akkad and Babylonia. Zeus is the son of Cronus, whose origin may have been in Bel, who created order out of chaos and peopled it with humans. Ishtar or Lama may have become Athena or Demeter or both, being the symbol of earth, yet a fighter with owls at her side. Enki the god of the seas in both cultures, became Poseidon to the Greeks. Given more time and space, one could expound more fully on other similarities among the Greek gods, Apollo, Zeus, Hephaestus, Ares, Poseidon, Hermes, Hestia, Hera, Aphrodite, Artemis, Demeter, and Athena, and the ancient gods of the Mesopotamian lands."
Abstract In this article, the writer first explains that Greekmythology is a collection of stories by ancient Greeks about their gods and heroes. The writer notes that these stories include myths of the origin of the world, an attempt to understand and interpret the universe and the origin of the world in human terms. Many of these stories have been passed down from ancient times and in more than one version. The writer discusses that ancient beliefs eventually mixed with legends from Greek kingdoms and city-states and myths from other tribes. Together, they evolved into this body of stories that were accepted by most Greeks. These myths were transmitted from generation to generation for hundreds of years in the form of spoken tales. It was not until the Classic Period that these stories were put down in written form. The writer looks at the Greek system of gods and goddesses and concludes that traditional literary mythology reflected an increasing dissociation from actual religious practice.
From the Paper "The leader was Zeus, the god of the sky, the weather, thunder, lightning, and the father of all mortals and immortals. His wife and sister was Hera. Poseidon, his brother, was god of the seas and shaker of the earth or earthquakes. Athena was the goddess of war, of crafts and of wisdom, the wisest of the gods and goddesses. Apollo was the god of light and order, of both plague and healing who foretold the will of Zeus, his father. His twin sister, Artemis, was goddess of childbirth and all wild animals. Aphrodite, a daughter of Uranus, was the goddess of erotic love. Hermes was the guide of souls in the underworld and the god of sleep and dreams. Demeter, the symbol of Gaia, was goddess of the earth and vegetation. His mother Persephone was a sister of Zeus. Dionysus was th god of madness, frenzy, of wine and the theater. Hephaestus was the god of fire and of the crafts. And Ares was the god of war and the only son of Zeus and Hera. Hades was not among the 12, but he was the ruler of the underworld."
This paper discusses the meaning of life and death, using the Bible and Greekmythology to explain and support the argument that there is life after death.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 3 sources, 2002, $ 69.95
Abstract This paper discusses the meaning of life and death, using the Bible and Greekmythology to explain and support the argument that there is life after death. The author examines the meaning of God, and spirituality, and how God has put us on earth for a purpose, and that purpose does not just end when we die.
From the paper:
"Another reason that I believe that we are supposed to end up in union with God is all the instances in literature that say the same thing. For instance, in Genesis, man is originally depicted as living in union with God while living in the Garden of Eden, and eventually man would be transformed into an even more unified being with God. However, this original union is broken by Eve's eating of the apple and Adam doing the same. This resulted in mankind being banished from the Garden, and having to live a life of struggle and pain. However, the possibility remains that man can once again be reunited with God in Heaven."
Abstract The paper explores how mythology of the ancient Greeks expressed their views of themselves and of the world around them on a number of levels. The paper explains that mythology served as a quasi-historical background to each separate city-state and reinforced their sense of pride and of identity. The paper adds that it also expressed the national character and imparted heroic qualities to their perseverance, courage and enterprise. The paper describes how mythology offered opportunities for them to further their love of beauty and their desire for philosophical inquiry.
From the Paper "In exploring the myths of the Greek civilization, one can apprehend the interconnectedness of the Greek character and culture with their stories of the fabulous past. On one level, myths attempt to preserve the history of a people, and tend to reflect historical events, albeit in a rather stylized and fictionalized format. On another level, myths express the views and self-image of a people, by personifying elements of the national character at a heroic level. On yet another level, myths offer a divine explanation for natural, but puzzling, occurrences, as a particular nation chooses to understand them. The early Greeks were composed of small, family-centered tribes living in hamlets. Pirates from land and especially from sea were a constant danger."
Abstract This paper defines Homeric hymns as works of literature and poetry which tend to be based on human heroic myths, similar to the writings of Homer in such works as "The Iliad" and "Odyssey." This paper delves into various Homeric hymns which revolve around Greek history, mythology and Gods including Apollo and Hermes. The writer contends that the works of writing discussed in this paper not only focus on the characteristics of the figures mentioned but also on their shared themes of heroism, trickery and strength. This paper also presents the views and opinions of several experts in the field of Greekmythology and literature which are relevant to this particular topic.
From the Paper "Robin Mitchell Boyask, however, stresses that Homeric hymns tend to be patterned on human hero myths such as the Homeric "Iliad" and "Odyssey." The Hesiod use of divine myths helped prepare the original auditors for what to look for in a hero, both when apprehending the greatest Greek author of all, that of Homer, who authored the primary texts of every ancient Greek boy's education, as well as how to be heroic in one's own life. To be heroic, one could not be pure like Apollo alone--one had to be strong like the god of the sun, but also be aware of trickery, and use trickery like Hermes. If Apollo was unaware of trickery and unable to do battle with it, he would have lost his cattle and his superior power to his younger brother."
Tags: literature, greek, gods, hermes, apollo, mythology, poetry, history
Abstract The writer of this paper contends and explains why few heroines of Greekmythology have been as mistreated as Cassandra. This writer discusses the many websites devoted to characters from Greekmythology that view Cassandra in generally negative terms. One site quotes a number of contemporary mythologists, calling Cassandra "very beautiful, but quite unbalanced," not only in terms of the way she was perceived in the eyes of others, but also in terms of her priorities as a priestess and a woman. This paper briefly examines the life of Cassandra, daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, recipient of the gift of prophecy. This paper focuses on the turbulent relationship between Cassandra and Apollo. This paper also discusses Cassandra's involvement in the Trojan War, which brought about her demise.
From the Paper "Such a misogynist view reflects the modern association of chastity or sexual continence with repression, forgetting that chastity in the Greek world was often a contingent quality and status for remaining a priestesses. The oracle at Delphi was chaste, as were the follower of Artemis, goddess of the moon-thus by asking her to give up her chastity, Apollo was essentially asking Cassandra to give up her holy status as a religious priestess and oracular voice, by sacrificing her continence to him. Granted, Apollo was the source of Cassandra' gift. But remember that Apollo's sister, Artemis was chaste, as was the goddess of wisdom Athena. Chastity enabled a woman to be free of the burdens of childbearing and keeping a home for a husband, thus Cassandra's desire to remain chaste was only understandable, for an intelligent and articulate woman possessing an extraordinary religious gift of insight and interpretation."
Tags: history, greek, mythology, trojan, war, perception
Abstract This paper discusses three of the monsters of Greekmythology:the Gorgon Medusa, the Minotaur and Scylla and Charybdis. The paper also looks at the role that they play in this culture. The paper explains that among the most grotesque of the Greek monsters was the Gorgon. The paper suggests that the Gorgon is a representation of a human head undergoing decay, more common to the Greeks than to modern peoples, but still distasteful. The paper then points out that just as the Gorgon reflected something the Greeks had seen in real life, the Minotaur may have reflected their revulsion with human sacrifice as carried on by the Minoans of Crete. In conclusion, the paper shows that the Greeks tried to explain their world and to do this they created a series of myths and legends that have vastly enriched the world's lore and literature ever since. While some of their stories seem more than fantastic, on examination, most have a reasonable explanation.
From the Paper "Medusa was eventually killed by Perseus. He was the product of one of Zeus' many dalliances. Perseus and his mother, Danae, came eventually to the land of Seriphos, where the king fell in love with Danae. Wanting to get Perseus out of the way, the king tricked him into going on a quest for the head of Medusa. (Hard, 239)
"Perseus received help from the gods Hermes and Athena, who sent him to the Graiai, the three "old woman," sisters of the Gorgons, who knew their secrets. The Graiai gave Perseus winged sandals with which he could fly, a cap of invisibility which would let him approach Medusa unseen, and a metal satchel in which he could safely store her head."
Abstract The Greeks were innovators in philosophy, mathematics and medicine, not to mention writing and the theater. The paper questions why, with such seemingly advanced knowledge - even at a time when there already was at least one monotheistic religion (Judaism) prevalent - did the Greeks continue to worship and believe in various gods, prophecies, witches and sorcerers and the inevitable interrelationship among them all with humans? The paper provides an overview of the main gods in Greekmythology.
From the Paper "Mount Olympus, which would be home to the gods, was then constructed with twelve golden thrones for Zeus, his brothers and sisters, his children and Aphrodite, goddess of love. A quick overview of these various gods and goddesses reveals that Hera, often referred to as the queen of the gods, had a very dark side to her, immensely jealous of Zeus' power, and especially his dalliance with mortal women. He punished her from time to time, but they managed to co-exist."
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at the subject of death among human beings. The writer points out that as far as one is aware, human beings are the only creatures who are aware of their own mortality. The writer claims that it is due to this knowledge that every known culture has created some mythology or religion regarding death and the underworld. In this paper, the writer discusses the relevant Sumero-Akkadian, Ugaritic, Biblical, Hittite and Greekmythology.
From the Paper "As far as we know, human beings are the only creatures who are aware of their own mortality. In many ways, this is more of a curse than a blessing, as it dooms us to living our lives in the certain knowledge that one day we will die. It is no doubt because of this awful knowledge that every known culture has developed some or other kind of mythology or religion concerning the issues of death and the hoped-for (or feared) after-life."
Abstract The author states Oedipus is one of the most famous names in Greekmythology. He believes that Oedipus was not an unwitting victim but rather had a clear hand in his own demise. Although the author thinks that one might curse the stars, he finds that the sense of doom ultimately has its origination in the nature of the human character. In this paper the author also explains why he feels that the term 'Oedipus complex' is an inappropriate reading of the play.
From the Paper "The "back story" the play provides to the opening image is also indicative of Oedipus? arrogance as well. Oedipus? first dialogue with his brother-in-law reveals that the plague has its roots in the murder of the original King of Thebes, Laius. Oedipus reacts with horror to this news. But as the prophet Tiresias later says, "So, / you mock my blindness" Let me tell you this. / You with your previous eyes, you"re blind to the corruption of your life, / to the house you live in, those you live with"who are your parents? (Lines 468-470)."
Abstract This paper discusses the use of Greekmythology to explore and analyze many principles and activities conducted by individuals. The author of the paper draws upon his own life and chooses Oedipus as a relevant figure in the heroic myth to explore a few of his experiences. The paper is written in a reflective style and presents some general insights into the author's personal life.
From the Paper "Using Greek myth to explore analyze is not abstract nor is it necessarily erudite. In fact, many principles and activities conducted by individuals can be attached to Greek mythology; it's the ignorance of this connection that makes it unique when experiences are explicitly connected with Greek myth.
"My own experiences have been somewhat purposefully with only a few surprises in life, however to be reflective; I have recently found that having explored my personal activities and likened them to Greek mythology, I seem a little enlightened and demystified about some of the processes and activities of life. Nevertheless, this has come at a cost, since our society dictates that there is a certain decorum we should follow, and funnily enough, our thinking process is subject to this travesty. This has stifled creativity and a hunger for individualism; take for example the movies at the cinema, they all seem to tell the very same story, sometimes they don't even change the actors to tell the story."
Abstract This paper explores the origins, rise and decline of the Greek civilization, beginning with the first Olympic Games and ending with the dawn of the Roman Empire. It expands on all facets of the ancient Greek culture.
From the Paper "It is no doubt impossible to overstate how profoundly ancient Greek civilization has impacted modern Western society. Providing the first known models of participatory democracy, construing philosophical concepts that have roused debate for two and a half million ..."
Tags: ancient Greece, Classical Greek Period, Socrates, Plato, Alexander the Great, ancient civilizations, Greekmythology
Abstract This paper examines how although written in the 8th century BC, Hesiod's "Theogony" provides a detailed and authoritative account of the Greek creation myth and how as such, is regarded as a significant primary source of Greekmythology. It looks at how the manner in which the poem organizes and records the origins and chronology of Greek myth and displays connections with the myths of other cultures - ensures that it remains a work of vital importance to the study of Greekmythology. It discusses how although Hesiod's poem charts Greekmythology from the universe's origins with Chaos; through the Titans; to the conflicts between various gods, to the eventual stability achieved by Zeus, its primary relevance as a reference source is in its detailed account of the Olympians.
From the Paper "Greek myths, as with the traditional tales of most cultures, were initially passed orally from generation to generation resulting in a great deal of variation, from place to place and from time to time. Hesiod's Theogony is one of the earliest known attempts to chronicle a culture's myths in the permanent and stable form of a written work, and is therefore of immense importance to the study of mythology. Through the medium of poetry, Hesiod constructs a "standard" record of the origin of the Greek world, and a detailed genealogy of the Greek gods. However, it is this genealogical focus that may prove the greatest obstacle to the modern reader, as the construction of Hesiod's poem often resembles that of a list or table of information and possesses no significant dramatic plot."
Abstract The paper traces the background of both Roman and Greekmythology. The paper points out the key difference between the two types of deities. The paper examines how the deities superficially share similar functions although many of the underlying qualities and characteristics of the deities are different. It also explains that the literary tradition of Roman mythology is based largely on the ancient Greek traditions,although the origins of the mythology are quite different.
From the Paper "The first ancient Greek writings date to around 600 BC. However, the oratory tradition of the myths dates from a much earlier time. Greek mythology centered on the idea that a group of immortals were responsible for the creation of the world as it is today. Many of the traditions center on the creation of the earth, which resulted from the interactions and conflicts between these immortal creatures. Greek mythology centered on the idea that Mt. Olympus was the center of the universe and that this is where the immortals lived. The immortals seldom interacted with mortal."
