The Greeks Used Hesiod s Theogony And Various Heroes Myths

The Greeks used Hesiod’s Theogony and various hero myths to explain and conceptualise the world around them, both internally, and externally. If we explore the ways in which the Greeks understood themselves, and how they play a part in the world socially, the internal importance of these texts become quite obvious. It instructs the Greeks how to live their lives, in doing so, the texts construct a guideline for them to follow; establishing rules and highlighting characteristics which are to be assumed by the Greeks to fit in with their presupposed role. However, a dichotomy occurs in the way these texts are used, in that, while it explained the world internally, it coincides with the external explanations of the fundamental nature, and metaphysical reality of the world in which they live. By analysing fragments from the pre-Socratics, we can see how important the Theogony was in fuelling this new mode of thinking, which would later result in an aspect completely distinctive of the Greek mind. I will be now arguing the importance of the Theogony, in prompting rational thought in the later sixth century B.C.E. Historians will argue that the Greeks change in thought was a sudden shift from a mythical explanation, to a rational one, or the ‘Greek miracle’, as it often labelled. I however, will contest that there was no sudden, complete shift away from their mythical explanation. No, it was far too entrenched in their mind to have suddenly disappeared when a small number ofShow MoreRelatedThe Myths And Rituals At Mycenaean And Minoan Sites1792 Words   |  8 Pageshelped to explain many existing questions about Homer s epics and provided archaeological evidence for many of the mythological details about gods and heroes. Unfortunately, the evidence about myths and rituals at Mycenaean and Minoan sites is entirely monumental, as the Linear B script was used mainly to record inventories, although certain names of gods and heroes have been tentatively identified. S econdly, visual sources sometimes represent myths or mythical scenes that are not attested in any extantRead MoreGreek Mythology : Ancient Mythology1630 Words   |  7 PagesGreek mythology denotes to the myths of the early Greeks, Greece gods, and mythical creatures. While pertaining to these legends and myths includes; to their Gods, the nature and heroes, tales of clashes, and of their adventures. It is also a brief on the origin and connotation of their cult, and the innumerable practices that remained shadowed by them. Myth is defined as; a traditional, typically historic story pertaining to mystic beings, descendants, or heroes that serve an essential kind in theRead MoreGreek Mythology8088 Words   |  33 PagesGreek  Mythology   I   INTRODUCTION   Temple  of  Apollo  at  Didyma   The  Greeks  built  the  Temple  of  Apollo  at  Didyma,  Turkey  (about  300  bc).  The  temple  supposedly  housed  an  oracle   who  foretold  the  future  to  those  seeking  knowledge.  The  predictions  of  the  oracles,  delivered  in  the  form  of  riddles,   often  brought  unexpected  results  to  the  seeker.  With  Ionic  columns  reaching  19.5  m  (64  ft)  high,  these  ruins   suggest  the  former  grandeur  of  the  ancient  temple.   Bernard  Cox/Bridgeman  Art  Library,  London/New  York   Read MoreGreek Mythology: Influences and Effect to Greek Civilization5325 Words   |  22 PagesCHAPTER I INTRODUCTION â€Å"Mythos†- a Greek word meaning â€Å"tale† and the origin of the word mythology; according to the dictionary mythology means, a traditional story aiming to explain the meaning of things concerning deities and demigods. Greek Mythology has been known to be one of the footprints left by the civilization of ancient Greece to our history and these mythology somehow shed a light to the culture, life style, religion and history of ancient Greece since the mythology were the primaryRead MoreAncient Greek Religion And Ancient Greece1955 Words   |  8 Pagesdifferent regions and colonies, these 3 things were almost always in view. The ancient Greeks worshiped many different gods and goddesses that each controlled something in the mortal world. What was different about their gods and goddesses was that they were very human like. They looked like mortals, had thoughts like mortals, and they even quarreled with each other like we do. Ancient Greek religion is also known as Greek Mythology, Classical Religion, and Classical Mythology. Though whatever people call