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Sources of Greek Mythology. Oral tradition of passing stories from one generation to another Most known to us come from ancient poets and playwrights. Aesop. Master of Greek fable Slave of a Thracian in Samos around the sixth century B.C.E.
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Sources of Greek Mythology • Oral tradition of passing stories from one generation to another • Most known to us come from ancient poets and playwrights
Aesop Master of Greek fable Slave of a Thracian in Samos around the sixth century B.C.E. Some of his work was put into verse by Plato and Socrates
Aeschylus • One of three great Greek tragic poets • Wrote about 90 plays – only seven survived • Innovator - added a second actor in a scene-drama used to have only one actor • Pericles sponsored much of his later work • Born in 525 B.C.E., son of a nobleman, fought in Persian Wars, led a glorified life
Apollonius Rhodius • Argonautica – epic divided into four books • Details the Quest for the Golden Fleece • Previously known, but Apollonius’ account is the most widely-accepted • An Alexandrian whose life spanned 295-215 B.C.E. • Spent majority of his latter years on the island of Rhodes.
Aristophanes • Born around 450 B.C.E. in Athens; spent most of his life on the island of Aegina • At age 24, made famous from first work, Daitaleis (now lost) • Lived through Peloponnesian Wars – based many of his comedies on the sad irony of battles and power-hungry leaders Saw his beloved Athens fall to the folly and dishonesty of war His comedies reflect the ironies of life; his characters span the spectrum of peoples in Athens
Euripides • Youngest of the three playwrights, born around 486 B.C.E. • Parents were simple shopkeepers in Salamis • Brief stint as priest of Zeus at Phyla • His characters are driven, almost obsessive creatures – yet completely human • Lived during Peloponnesian War – loathed battle – reflected in his writing • Wrote over 90 plays – 17 remain
Hesiod • One of earliest Greek poets • Resided around 800 B.C.E. • Impoverished in youth, moved to Boeotia and became a farmer • Gave astonishing view of the agricultural life in ancient times • Wrote the 1st true religious poem, Theogony • All Greek myth somehow relies on Hesiod’s work as a reference source
Homer • From island of Chios, an Ionian Greek, ninth century B.C.E. • Greatest works are The Iliad (battles of the Trojan War) and The Odyssey (adventures of Odysseus on his journey home) • created a valiant, heroic, and totally human warrior. • His works are the first to be published in the Greek vernacular • Used for tracing the lost civilization of Troy A lively and entertaining writer, infused his characters with a certain “realness”, his gods possessed mortal traits such as, envy, anger, etc.
Pinder • Lyrical poet born around 518 B.C.E. near the city of Thebes • Son of a distinguished family • Befriended Aeschylus and wrote spectacular work • Covered a variety of different topics using elements of myth • So respected, that when Alexander the Great destroyed Thebes, he spared Pindar’s house a century later
Sophocles • Born near Athens at Colonus around 486 B.C.E. • Member of wealthy family and a charmer - priest of Asclepius, and devotion to his religion is reflected deeply in his works • Presented a situation so others could observe human nature • Wrote over 120 plays, but only seven survive. • Although Aeschylus added a second actor to drama, Sophocles added a third, along with a chorus
