User:Atcovi/Greek Gods and Goddesses

Based on Greek mythology that we are required to learn about....

Mythology
The purpose of mythology was to entertain, teach, and explain natural phenomenon. Our main concern in studying mythology is so we can understand and recognize allusions later on in literature. An "allusion" is a reference to a well-known story, historical-event, character, etc. Allusions commonly come from mythology, stories of the Bible, and pop culture.

Allusion example: If I said that I had the strength of Hercules, how many people would know what I was referring to?

Mythology
Mythology--usually traditional stories of events that serve to unfold part of the worldview of a people or explain culture. Myths often involve divine, supernatural, and/or heroic characters [OR] a collection of fictional stories involving the actions of god, goddesses and other imaginary characters, intended to explain the unexplainable.

Oral Tradition
The practice of passing along stories, tales, and folklore by word of mouth. Oral tradition is responsible for many of the "inconsistencies" of ancient mythology.

Fantasy
Highly imaginative; contains elements not found in real life.

Many science fiction and fantasy books, movies and comic books are based on the style and manner of them myths.

Legends
Fictional stories loosely based upon real/historical people and events. Also known as "tall-tales"--rooted in facts, but stories have been changed over the years to make them more interesting/appealing.

Fables
A brief story, often containing animal characters that teach a lesson or moral. Fables deal with "useful truth".

Classicists
-Scholars/poets who recorded Greek mythology.. people like Virgil, Homer, and Ovid.

Category of Myths

 * Myths of creation: These explain the beginning of time, space, and man.
 * Myths of explanation: These explain the great questions of the universe.
 * Myths of morality: These teach lessons and reinforce cultural morality.