CLA204 Intro to Myth
Sep 3-7, 2024
Myth: Traditional ancient story is used to present an explanation such as social practice,
origin of people, natural phenomenon, religious practice
• Provides explanation
Folktale: Oral transmission of an anonymous & traditional story that is usually
circulated among communities, often for entertainment, and may relate to specific
localities
• Provide entertainment
Legend: Traditional stories are accepted as having a historical basis (whether true or not).
They are stories about past events or people which are thought to be based on truth
regardless of fantasy or imaginative it may be
• Describe legend historical past
Saga: Interchangeably with legend and are a long narrative perceived as historical
• Not used in this class
• Classical myths are ever changing to fit social standards, medias, and purpose.
o Helpful questions to ask:
§ How were these myths used back in the day for social, political? Why
do these myths exist or have an importance in antiquity
Problem of Names
• Gods have diNerent names and epithets (honorary titles)
o Apollo has other names: Phoebus (meaning bright), Delian god (his
birthplace of Delos), etc
• Names of collective people are also named diNerent:
o especially the Greeks who called themselves Daanans, Achaeans, & Agrives.
o “Greeks” are named by Romans
• Roman spelling vs Greek spelling and names
o Hercules (Latin), Herakles (Greek)
o Venus (Roman), Aphrodite (Greek)
, Greeks V.S. Latin
• Although they have similar gods, they do not necessarily mean the same.
When Roman adopted Greek, some gods have diN meaning to match their society & value
• (Roman) Venus – Motherly love
• (Greek) Aphrodite -> Erotic love
Religion: derives from Latin religio, which meant to the Romans having a sense of right,
moral obligation, or duty towards anything. Includes proper conduct towards the gods.
• God surrounded daily life (no religious text they followed such as Bible)
o Learned through plays, writings, stories
o They used for diNerent purpose and extent (to manipulate people such as
politics, to rely on god during wars, or to rationalize it)
Polytheism: Religion with many gods to worship
• Greek & Romans believed in this
Monotheism: Religion with 1 God
• Ex. Christianity
Syncretism: combining of gods, practices, and beliefs of diNerent religion
Pantheon: Hierarchy of all the gods in a polytheistic religion. Means “a temple for all”
Dates – BC/AD and BCE/CE
BC (Before Christ) or BCE (Before Common Era)
AD (Anno Domini) or CE (Common Era)
BC -> 0 -> AD
2000 BC (21th century BC) -> 1000 BC (11th century BC) -> 100 BC (2st century BC) -> 1 BC
(1st Century BC) -> 1 AD -> 1000 AD ->
Historical Periods and major events labelled to study and discuss antiquity
• Mycenaean Period (Bronze Age):
Sep 3-7, 2024
Myth: Traditional ancient story is used to present an explanation such as social practice,
origin of people, natural phenomenon, religious practice
• Provides explanation
Folktale: Oral transmission of an anonymous & traditional story that is usually
circulated among communities, often for entertainment, and may relate to specific
localities
• Provide entertainment
Legend: Traditional stories are accepted as having a historical basis (whether true or not).
They are stories about past events or people which are thought to be based on truth
regardless of fantasy or imaginative it may be
• Describe legend historical past
Saga: Interchangeably with legend and are a long narrative perceived as historical
• Not used in this class
• Classical myths are ever changing to fit social standards, medias, and purpose.
o Helpful questions to ask:
§ How were these myths used back in the day for social, political? Why
do these myths exist or have an importance in antiquity
Problem of Names
• Gods have diNerent names and epithets (honorary titles)
o Apollo has other names: Phoebus (meaning bright), Delian god (his
birthplace of Delos), etc
• Names of collective people are also named diNerent:
o especially the Greeks who called themselves Daanans, Achaeans, & Agrives.
o “Greeks” are named by Romans
• Roman spelling vs Greek spelling and names
o Hercules (Latin), Herakles (Greek)
o Venus (Roman), Aphrodite (Greek)
, Greeks V.S. Latin
• Although they have similar gods, they do not necessarily mean the same.
When Roman adopted Greek, some gods have diN meaning to match their society & value
• (Roman) Venus – Motherly love
• (Greek) Aphrodite -> Erotic love
Religion: derives from Latin religio, which meant to the Romans having a sense of right,
moral obligation, or duty towards anything. Includes proper conduct towards the gods.
• God surrounded daily life (no religious text they followed such as Bible)
o Learned through plays, writings, stories
o They used for diNerent purpose and extent (to manipulate people such as
politics, to rely on god during wars, or to rationalize it)
Polytheism: Religion with many gods to worship
• Greek & Romans believed in this
Monotheism: Religion with 1 God
• Ex. Christianity
Syncretism: combining of gods, practices, and beliefs of diNerent religion
Pantheon: Hierarchy of all the gods in a polytheistic religion. Means “a temple for all”
Dates – BC/AD and BCE/CE
BC (Before Christ) or BCE (Before Common Era)
AD (Anno Domini) or CE (Common Era)
BC -> 0 -> AD
2000 BC (21th century BC) -> 1000 BC (11th century BC) -> 100 BC (2st century BC) -> 1 BC
(1st Century BC) -> 1 AD -> 1000 AD ->
Historical Periods and major events labelled to study and discuss antiquity
• Mycenaean Period (Bronze Age):
