An Introduction to Myths!

Myth and mythology comes from the Greek word ‘mythologia’ to story tell. Ancient myths (palaious muqous) as said in ancient Greek, are not found to follow a simple and consistent story.[1] Stories such as Orpheus, Oedipus and Helen of Troy are generally recognised as myths. The term myth is generally recognised to have a Greek origin. However over the years this has been forgotten as Egyptian, Indian and Teutons stories have also emerged.[2]

Mythology is the body of traditional tales that concern the gods, rituals, religion and the heroes in Ancient Greece. The Greeks at the time viewed these myths as true accounts, but philosophers such as Plato recognised them to be mere stories.[3]

Greek and Roman myths are inescapable and unavoidable part of our cultural background and heritage.[4] For example many look at myths for inspiration, they present to us heroes and traits we wish to have e.g the hero Hercules.

[1] Woodard D Roger, 2007 The Cambridge Companion to Greek Mythology, Cambridge University Press.

[2] Fritz Graf 1987 Greek Mythology The Johns Hopkins University Press

[3] http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythology/europe/greek/

[4] Grant M and Hazel J 1973, Who’s Who in Classical Mythology,  Weidenfeld & Nicolson

---