ENH251 - Mythology

Greek and Roman mythology, collectively known as classical mythology, is a rich tapestry of tales and narratives that were created by the ancient Greeks and Romans to explain the world around them and express cultural values¹. The pantheon of deities, often referred to as the ‘Twelve Olympians’, played a central role in these myths². Key figures include Zeus (or Jupiter in Roman mythology), the king of the gods, who ruled over Mount Olympus and was the god of thunder and lightning²³. Other notable deities include Aphrodite (Venus), the goddess of love; Ares (Mars), the god of war; and Artemis (Diana), the goddess of hunting⁴. These myths, while not considered historically accurate, hold significant cultural and literary value, often involving gods, heroes, and other supernatural beings¹. They serve various purposes, from entertainment to the exploration of social issues, and continue to influence Western culture¹.

Learn more: 1. en.wikipedia.org   2. britishmuseum.org   3. nationalgeographic.org

In ancient Greek religion and mythology, the twelve Olympians are the major deities of the Greek pantheon, commonly considered to be Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, Aphrodite, Athena, Artemis, Apollo, Ares, Hephaestus, Hermes, and either Hestia or Dionysus -  Storyverse

According to this myth, the infant Dionysus is killed, torn apart, and consumed by the Titans. In retribution, Zeus strikes the Titans with a thunderbolt, turning them to ash. From these ashes, humanity is born.

Family Tree of the Major Greek Gods - Greek Mythology - Gale

                                                  Major Characters in Greek Mythology - Gale

What's the difference between a mythic hero and a folk hero?   1. A mythic hero is connected to a cultures religion and beliefs 2. A folk hero is connected to a nation’s history and identity .

The monomyth, also known as the hero’s journey, is a narrative pattern identified by scholar Joseph Campbell that appears in storytelling traditions around the world¹. This structure involves a hero who embarks on an adventure, faces and overcomes a decisive crisis, and then returns home transformed¹. The journey is typically divided into three stages: separation, initiation, and return². The hero starts in a mundane situation, receives a call to adventure, often refuses at first, but eventually accepts and crosses into an unfamiliar and challenging world¹². After facing trials and achieving a decisive victory, the hero returns home with new knowledge or power that can benefit others¹. This universal narrative structure has been applied to various myths and stories, from ancient legends to modern cinema¹².

Learn more: 1. en.wikipedia.org   2. odyssey.antiochsb.edu   3. languagehumanities.org

Monomyth