The Birth of Myths

1. The Birth of Myths • Before true religion, man tried to explain the world around him. He did so by creating myths. • For a long time, these myths were not written down; they were transmitted by word of mouth, otherwise known as the oral tradition. • Finally, after a long time, a great poet would come along and write them down. • All cultures have their own set of myths.

2. Why myths are studied • Myths are studied for four reasons: • They have had a deep influence on literature; Greek and Roman mythology have had a huge impact on English and American literature. • They have had an influence in the music world as well. • They are also seen in the arts—paintings and sculptures. • They also give us entertainment and connect us to the past.

3. Where myths are found: • In literature • In arts—painting, sculptures • In advertising (Nike—Greek goddess of victory) • In our language—(Thursday, named after Norse god of thunder “Thor”), in Science

4. Definitions • Myth: an account of the deeds of gods or of a supernatural being; it relates supposed historical events, or serves to explain some practice, belief, or natural phenomenon.

5. Mythology: the study of myths; the system of myths told by a given culture

6. Polytheism: belief in many gods; mythology has many gods

7. How the world began according to the Greeks • The coming of the Gods • At first there was nothing but CHAOS—a vast seething confusion; lots of stuff within but no order • Eventually, all that stuff, became two beings—supernatural beings—Uranus—called the Overhanging Heavens, and Gaea—mother earth

8. Uranus and Gaea get married, and have children • They have 12 children—called the TITANS • They have monsters—two different kinds—3 that had 100 arms—Hecatoncheires; 3 that had one eye—called the Cyclopes

9. Uranus hated all his kids • Hated monsters most—locked in Tartarus (Hades)

10. Gaea was mad—loved all kids • Goes to the Titans, and tries to get to fight Uranus to release her monster children and take over Olympus • Only one Titan helped Gaea, and that was Cronos (whom the Romans named Saturn) • With the help of Cronos, they kill Uranus—slashing him open and out of the blood of Uranus comes the giants, and the Furies (hair of serpents—Medusa/Medea) • Cronos is able to take over Mt. Olympus • Cronos he marries his sister--Rhea

11. Cronus marries Rhea • They have kids 6 children—three boys, three girls • As they are born, Cronus, who is afraid that his kids might kill him and take over, he eats them • Rhea is angry • When the last child is born, a boy, named Zeus, she hides him on earth in a cave, and puts a rock in his place, wrapped with a blanket. • Cronus comes to see his child, take the rock, and eats it • Zeus grows up the strongest of the olympians

12. Zeus is full grown, he and his mom Rhea, decide to take over Mt. Olympus. • Zeus goes and frees the monsters that are locked in Tartarus to fight for him • Zeus goes to Cronus with mom and gives Cronus a drink that makes him throw up his brothers and sisters (Vesta, Ceres, and Juno and Pluto, Neptune) • A war rages for a long time between Cronus and his people (some of the titans on his side) and Zeus and his people (his brothers/sister/monters/mom) • Finally Zeus wins • Zeus (Jupiter) marries his sister Juno (Hera)

13. The Four ages (periods) of Man • Golden Age: This is when Cronus ruled the earth • Eternal springtime • Dying was peaceful • No laboring; you had everything you needed

14. The Silver Age • Jupiter (Zeus) ruled the earth • Seasons came to be/ man had to work to keep warm, gather food, more difficult time period, courage in man prevailed. • Man forgot was to pay respect to the gods

15. The Bronze age: • Man made war • Man made weapons and war upon one another

16. The Iron Age • Era of crime and dishonor; mankind sank utter degradation

17. Prometheus and Epimetheus: • Titan named Prometheus (means “forethought”—he tell what was going to happen before it did) • His brother name Epimetheus (means “hindsight”—could only tell what he should have done in the past once it was done) • Prometheus was an advisor to Zeus • Zeus was angry with man on earth, he asked Prometheus what to do?

18. Zeus decides to sweep the earth clean and start over • Prometheus takes clay river bank molds a man into it and then breathes live into it • New race—female and a male—Deucalion and Pyrrha

19. This new race is weak • Prometheus wants to help them • Zeus says no • Prometheus says whatever, I am bringing them fire and he does • He helps man learn how to build tools and cook food • Zeus gets really really angry

20. Zeus decides to get back at Prometheus • His son (Vulcan/ Hephaestus) build a woman named Pandora (‘all gifts) and he gives a jar full of bad stuff –like plagues, disease, worry, fear, misfortune • Zeus sends Pandora down to Prometheus—but he knows the future and turns her away • Prometheus warns his brother to turn away any gift of Zeus, but… • Epimetheus takes Pandora and together they open the box • They let out all the evils within, but close the box with only hope left inside