Think about a folktale or ancient story from your culture that is still told today. It isn’t just taught as part of a literature curriculum at school but is also part of most history lessons. Greek mythology was displayed on art, such as vase-paintings and votive gifts. Some people might wonder why the world is still so hung up on ancient Greek myths when they are nothing but stories and they came from thousands of years ago. a Simple Solution >>. It isn’t just taught as part of a literature curriculum at school but is also part of most history lessons. Here’s why we make sure to include it in what we teach here at Gloria Deo Academy. We're protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. I already know that mythology was a very important part of Greek life and culture, and is a very important part of Greek history. The English language has derived many of its words in this mythology. Some examples of this are in: movies and film, sayings, and marketing ideas. If you see an issue with it, contact an editor. My question is: Why was Greek mythology so important to them, and how has it affected us today? Play for free. Furthermore, Greek mythology helps us get to know ourselves, and it can aid us in the process of seeing how capable was as humans are. In “The Greek Gods” from The Romans, items that we use in our life sometimes, are inspired by Greek mythology. It takes 7 seconds to join. Greek myths attempt to explain the origins of the world and details Why Ancient Greek Mythology is Still Relevant Today. In Greek mythology, Poseidon was the god of the sea and protector of all water. Why not join the Elephant community, become an Elephriend. wants and needs can be quite difficult unless you enter with an open mind. Anyone who has ever picked up a book on Greek myths or seen a movie inspired by one can attest to its action-packed nature. Myths typically involved supernatural occurrences and beings that were hard for the simple human mind to concur. In the past, Greek gods and goddesses used to live at the top of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece. In fact, it is impossible to go around to completely understand the basics of things like fine arts, literature, and performing arts without touching on some Greek myth. Then you can Heart an article, boosting its "Ecosystem" score & helping your favorite author to get paid. In truth, these myths give people a chance to glimpse at the way the Greeks lived and how they thought back then. By creating an account you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Therefore, Greek mythology is still very relevant today. The word “myth” has two very different meanings here, one of which we will be using more often in the context of this textbook. Every culture has their own legends, folktales, and myths – whether it may be Celtic by way of Scotland, Ireland, or Wales for example, or Germanic by … comparing Greek mythology to Christianity, Judaism, Islam, … This is exceptionally true of Greek mythology because the allusions are far reaching and having a base knowledge will provide important context. Answer the following questions about the story. It is amazing to think that the Greek civilians of this time were so accepting of these stories, and it is even more amazing that we still reference these myths today. He is complicated. Greek mythology has been very influential in Western culture, particularly its art and literature. They are stories of people dealing with the gods and either they come out triumphant or they end up bloody and charred or turned into animals and plants. With these classic stories, the lines between righteous and immoral behavior are clear cut, so that even young children can recognize examples of the 4 cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude and … Van De Water A lot of churches and houses today copy the Greek architectural designs, mostly because they are beautiful and appealing. but overlook a Crucial Part of the Conversation: These tales rarely have the happily-ever-after endings people are so used to these days but remember, they weren’t written for entertainment—they were written with a higher purpose. Indeed, a person who doesn’t look beyond the surface will think these tales are nothing more than flights of fancy by old story-tellers from the past but a deeper look at the stories will tell you more than that. I partially agree with the statement “Literature such as poems, drama, mythology, and other forms that are clearly not non-fictional in nature have no practical use for historians who are interested only in hard, cold fact.” for a number of reasons. Greek Mythology and Gods Myths are stories created to teach people about something important and meaningful. Investigations must be done to ensure texts and statements that claim to be true – are in fact the truth. However, one look at the vast amount of ancient Greek-themed movies and literature today, people will quickly come to the conclusion that the world is still fascinated with Greek mythology though they might not always be able to say why. To have an 'Achilles heel' means to have a weakness or vulnerable point. Greek Mythology is important today because the consolations are named after Roman and Greek figures like Virgo (the virgin) and Leo (the lion). If you want more, grab a subscription for unlimited reads for $3/month. Your investment will help Elephant Journal invest in our editors and writers who promote your values to create the change you want to see in your world! The Greeks relied upon water for survival because it was crucial for food, shipping and trade, among other things. These myths were an integral part of ancient Greek culture because this was how they passed down lessons from one generation to the next without things getting boring and dull. One wouldn’t expect such great minds to waste their time telling a story for the sake of telling a story; they had to have purpose and they had to impart knowledge. A deeper look at Greek myths should reveal morals, philosophies, and even warnings. She is known to be the daughter of Zeus alone, without a … It is a constant reminder of who we are and where we come from. Most people will say that the word “myth” Virtually all cultures have them. They became the perfect way to impart lessons without being dull or boring. Why Greek Mythology is Still Relevant. The ancients Greeks were polytheistic which means they used to worship many gods. Critical Thinking: From My Experience. This post is Grassroots, meaning a reader posted it directly. The narratives influenced the arts of later centuries so that such stories as the abduction of Persephone and those from Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey remained popular in the 21st century. “The Greeks ' most important legacy is not, as we would like to think, democracy; it is mythology” (Lefkowitz, 2001, p. 207). Myths are universal. Science and medicine have also borrowed significantly from it. Reading and hearing about Greek mythology, I have provided a couple of thousand excellent examples to you. And central character in Homer 's epic poem, the most popular and perhaps well loved goddesses... Plenty of movies and T.V shows, the Trojan horse is still a metaphor for gifts that not! Trademarks of Waylon H. Lewis, Enterprises the truth me, I ’ d like to post a post. 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