Historical Background of Greek Myth

1. Historical Background of Greek Myth And Modern Approaches to Mythology

2. What were the material conditions that led to the formation of these myths?

5. Prehistoric Greece Greece was settled in the Paleolithic period (c. 70,000 BCE) – near the beginning of human history. Hunter-gatherers lived a nomadic life, sometimes inhabiting caves (such as Franchthi) for millennia. Franchthifigurine

6. Prehistoric Greece In the Neolithic Period (c. 6000-3000 BCE), agriculture begins. Figurines begin appearing, 85% female, mostly fat (indicating fertility). Possibly this indicates a society whose worship centered around feminine deities. Scholars argue over what conclusions can be drawn from the figurines about the nature of this society.

7. Prehistoric Greece The culture of the Cyclades (Cycladic Islands) The Bronze Age is characterized (duh) by the use of bronze. Three civilizations develop in three different parts of the Greek world: Mycenaean culture develops in the mainland of Greece The Minoans lived on the Island of Crete

8. What are the distinguishing characteristics of the three major civilizations of Bronze Age Greece?

9. Prehistoric Greece The Cycladic culture is known for its figurines (also called “idols”) which were found in tombs and could be objects of personal devotion (like icons in modern Greece). Cycladic culture was closely allied with the Minoan civilization. “Idol”: Vroma Flying fish: R. Basic

10. Prehistoric Greece • Minoan culture: • palaces, built on an open plan, with a great many rooms, but without fortifications • an apparent focus on the ocean, including seafaring and trade Thera Freso, R. Basic

11. Prehistoric Greece There are many images of women, often portrayed in positions of authority Fresco, R. Basic Sacred images often focused on the mysterious labrys (double ax), and on bulls, including the enigmatic representations of bull-leaping Minoan civilization may have been more egalitarian with worship oriented toward female deities Priestess, Thera fresco, R. Basic

12. Prehistoric Greece Mycenae’s Lion Gate, R. Basic Mycenaean art tends to emphasize hunting and warfare, while other indicators (i.e. grave goods) argue for a warrior-dominated society. In contrast, Mycenaean palaces are fortified with huge walls and built to withstand siege. “Mask of Agamemnon,” Artchive

14. Prehistoric Greece In about 1400 BCE, the volcanic island of Thera exploded in a disaster whose atmospheric effects were felt around the world. Probably, ashfall ruined agriculture for years. Possibly, a tidal wave destroyed the Cretan navy and led to the fall of Minoan culture. Thera fresco, R Basic

15. Prehistoric Greece Minoan civilization suffers a major setback. Soon, the local writing system, Linear A, disappears. Linear B, a form of Greek, used by the Mycenaeans, appears in Crete. Warrior Vase, R. Basic Minoan civilization is fading, but Mycenae flourishes. Linear B tablets reveal a complex economic and religious world. Many of the names of classical Greek gods appear on these early bronze age tablets.

16. Prehistoric Greece “Troy” On the coast of Asia Minor, another Bronze Age City flourishes. Like the Mycenaean cities, it is heavily fortified. The archeological record shows that it was destroyed by fire, not once, but several times – in about 1300-1250 BCE, and again in about 1200 BCE. Greece’s earliest and most respected poet, Homer, composing in about 700 BCE, sang about the Trojan war. Perhaps he referred to this city.

17. Prehistoric Greece Troy’s destruction was part of a series of destructions in the wider Mycenaean world. All the highlighted sites on this map were destroyed by fire within about 100 years of each other. Greece entered a “dark age” of less prominent material culture, and an absence of writing. Cities destroyed by fire, c.1200 BCE

18. Prehistoric Greece Greece was changing. Some poleis (city = polis) lost prominence, others grew larger. Greeks colonized the coast of Asia Minor and Southern Italy. By 750 BCE, national sanctuaries at Delphi and Olympia were formed. Agriculture intensified and population grew. The first poets whose works are preserved in writing, Homer and Hesiod, were composing their epic works.

19. How do you tell a primary source from a secondary source?

20. Sources • Primary Sources: works produced within a culture: • art and architecture • literature and written records of other sorts (business lists etc.) • Secondary Sources: Commentary by modern authors on the ancient cultures: • textbooks and other modern writings • Internet Resources: • can be primary sources (if they reproduce texts or images from the original culture) • or secondary sources (if they are modern commentary)

21. What are some things to consider when reading a primary source, to understand the author's point of view?

22. Men’s Social Roles Social Roles varied from society to society; some widespread phenomena: Farming work or overseeing farming work on one’s own land Service in the military Participation in government to the extent allowed by the state’s constitution Participation in rituals of one’s state Education of one’s children

23. Women’s Social Roles To marry and bear citizen children To care for the household resources To spin and weave To participate in the state’s religious rituals

24. Sexuality Sexuality was not a matter of the partner’s gender (male vs. female) but concerned active vs. passive roles. Active roles were appropriate for grown men, whether the partner was male or female Passive roles were appropriate for women and teenaged men, but not for adult males How far did the reality match the ideal? Public vs. private? Hard to say …

25. Etiology Myths usually try to explain matters physical, emotional, and spiritual not only literally and realistically but figuratively and metaphorically as well. Morford and Lenardon 6 Harpy: Hellenistic Earring

26. “Facts” change in all the sciences . . . Myth in a sense is the highest reality. Morford and Lenardon, pp. 4-5

27. Mircea Eliade . . . lays great emphasis upon religious aura in his conception of myth as a tale satisfying the yearning of human beings for a fundamental orientation rooted in a sacred timelessness. Morford and Lenardon 5 “Master of Animals,” Bronze Age Crete

28. Finis Quotes on myth selected by Staci Holt