Greek mythology continues to have a strong place in academic programs. As you must have noticed, Greek myths and legends are one of the most powerful sources for some of the most successful films, books and art. What has attracted us over the centuries to study and enjoy these ancient stories? Undoubtedly, this is something more than a fantasy of a world full of mythical creatures and superhuman deeds.
Greek myths tell of timeless elements inherent in human nature, as various schools of psychology have repeatedly demonstrated. Parents and teachers have always discovered the value of ancient Greek stories in shaping the ethics and character of a child. This article provides a short introduction to some of the most popular myths in Ancient Greece.
Myth number 1. Prometheus
Far in the history of mankind, more precisely in the Paleolithic, fire was the gift of life. All over the world we can trace myths and legends about some god or hero who offered fire to people, and this is almost always associated with a dangerous adventure. You see, the Paleolithic people needed fire to:
- Warm yourself up during the cold season;
- Fry meat, make it tender and tasty;
- Scare and avoid wild animals;
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- Make wooden spears and other tools.
The "sin" of Prometheus was that he helped people, despite the orders of the powerful Zeus. For the Lord of Olympus decreed that Fire should remain with the gods, and not surrender to people. The fact is that Prometheus was devoted to people. The Titan broke into Gepheus's workshop, where they created exquisite artifacts for the heavenly inhabitants to take coal with them. Some say that he stole sparks from Helios' chariot. In any case, he made this life-saving gift for people.
Prometheus knew that he would be punished for theft; nevertheless, he was engaged in his task - the protection of humanity.
Greek mythology tells us that, in addition to stealing fire, Prometheus has repeatedly shown his generous mercy to people. For example, when Zeus planned a flood with the intention of destroying humanity, Prometheus warned his son Deucalion of an imminent catastrophe and instructed him to build an ark to save himself and his wife Pyrrha.
Myth # 2: Odysseus
The Wanderer of the Seas cannot be absent from Greek mythology.
Greece has a very long coastline, especially compared to the total land area, and hundreds of islands are scattered throughout the sea that surrounds the country. Odysseus plays an important role in ancient Greek literature and has inspired many artists from antiquity to the present day. His story was told by the great ancient poet and singer: Homer.
Odysseus was credited with traveling along with other "long-haired Achaeans" when they were expelled from Troy. Leaving Troy, it took him ten years to finally reach his home island, Ithaca. He faced many deadly dangers; he fought with temptations, with gods, monsters, waves, powerful witches and people, but stood firmly on his feet. As a result, he lived long enough to see "smoke" rising from the hearths of his homeland.
Looking more closely, The Odyssey is, of course, more complex than just a travel story. Homer was a master poet. Composition, both in general and in its smallest details, is a genius part of literary skill. Everything is closely intertwined: characters, mini-stories, themes, patterns, living images from ancient life, popping up at every turn of the way …
Myth # 3: Pandora's Box
Pandora and Eve: Prejudice Against Women? Pandora bestowed the curse, a deceptive clay vessel designed to inflict ulcers and misery on humanity. Pandora was gifted by the gods to tempt the poor Man into accepting the box. The similarities with Eve's story are more than obvious … Pandora wasn't really evil, no. But she was curious and challenging, at least that's how the story told by Hesiod.
All the gods and goddesses showered her with gifts. She was the most amazing woman. Then Zeus sent her to wife Epimytheus, who was the brother of Prometheus, giving her a closed box as a gift for marriage. Pandora was instructed not to open it under any circumstances. Pandora could not refrain from lifting the lid - and then all the troubles broke out of the can to torture humanity. Thus, Zeus took revenge on people for the gift of fire.
Various experts argue that the story arose from an earlier mythological substrate in which Pandora was the Great Goddess, the provider of gifts that made life and culture possible. According to them, the swarm flying out of her box is not the evil that she released on humanity, but the gifts pouring out of her sacred vessel.
Myth # 4: Hercules
Hercules is a demigod who ascended to Olympus. His name literally means "glory to Hera". The myth says that Hera, the pious wife of Zeus, was very jealous of the mother of Hercules, and avenged herself by making the life of a demigod miserable.
Hercules married Princess Megara of Thebes and had two sons with her. But Hera's revenge was very terrible. The goddess inflicted attacks of madness on him, during which he killed his children.
12 labors of Hercules
When he got over his grief, he turned to the Oracle of Delphi to find out how he would atone for his guilt.
The verdict was that he was to serve Eurysteus, king of Tire and Mycenae, for twelve years. As part of the hero's slavery, King Euristeus forced him to do twelve labors that seemed impossible:
- Killing ferocious beasts and monsters (Nemean lion, Lernean hydra, Stymphalian birds);
- Abduction of magnificent animals, such as the Kerinean doe (sacred to the goddess Artemis), the Erymanthian boar, the Cretan bull, the Horses of Diomedes or the Cow of Geryon - a large monster with three heads and twice as many hands;
“He was given several more tasks, such as clearing the dung in the stockyard of King Augeus, returning the Belt of Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons and the golden Apples of the Hesperides, located in the far garden to the east. He was even ordered to bring a Cerberus from Hades (i.e., the cruel three-headed dog that guarded the Underworld).
Having completed all the feats, Hercules stopped serving Eurystheus and returned to Thebes, where new exploits and troubles awaited him.
Myth # 5: The Trojan War
What were Agamemnon and Achilles really looking for on the coast of Troy? Mythology carries the seeds of truth, and sometimes even more. The people of the Middle Ages believed that Troy, aka Ilion, was located on the shores of Asia Minor, and the Trojan War really took place at the beginning of the twelfth century BC.
Archaeologists speculate that peaceful commercial exchanges, alternating with intervals of war, were fairly common in the North Aegean during the Bronze Age. We must also bear in mind that a thriving civilization based on metallurgy developed in this area “the island of Lemnos was home to the god Hephaestus” and that it was a route to the Black Sea, rich in metals and other goods. This took place in the early Bronze Age (around 3000 BC). Later, the emergence and growth of the Mycenaean kingdoms on mainland Greece gave rise to rivalries and attempts to conquer power over the financial networks in the area.
Myth or Reality?
Troy was built near the coast of the Hellespont, the entrance to the Black Sea. Evidence suggests that at the time of the Trojan War, it was inhabited by a Hittite man. Homer Troy was a thriving city that was gaining strength and wealth in the North Aegean region, and thus was an enviable prize for a strong army.
Much has also been said about the abduction of Helena, Queen of Sparta. In addition to providing a good pretext for declaring war, the story contains an element of truth. Commercial ethics of the time saw piracy as a legitimate means of making a fortune, and the theft of women and treasure was very common along the Mediterranean coast. All this leads to the fact that we view the Trojan War in the broader context of life and historical movements of the era, and not as a separate episode in time.
Myth number 6: Orpheus and Eurydice
Orpheus was a legendary musician, poet and prophet of Ancient Greece. According to the ancient Greek poet Simonides, Orpheus's music and singing could captivate birds, fish and wild animals, make trees and rocks dance, and change the course of rivers.
When his wife Eurydice was bitten by a snake and died, Orpheus decided to bring his beautiful lady back from the Underworld. He reached the throne of Hades, and the power of his music convinced the king of the dead to free Eurydice. The only condition was that Orpheus did not turn and look at her until both of them left the dark kingdom. Orpheus hurried, turned his head, and Eurydice plunged into darkness again - this time forever. Orpheus was inconsolable. He wandered and sang sad, pitiful songs of love forever lost. One of his walks ended tragically. The head and the lyre of Orpheus were thrown into the Gebrus river.
Ancient Greek mythology is still relevant
The mythology of Ancient Greece is not just taught as part of the literature curriculum in school, but is also part of most history lessons. Some people wonder why the world is still so fond of ancient Greek myths, which are nothing more than legends written thousands of years ago. However, take a look at the amount of themed films and literature today. It can quickly be concluded that the world is still fascinated by Greek mythology, although people won't always tell why.
