Contributed by Mary Economou Green

“Mythos” means speech and story, and Greek myths, originally orally transmitted, began to be written down over three thousand years ago. Myths are found at archaeological sites, on artefacts (including sculptures, wall paintings, vases), as well as in written texts. The function and importance of Greek myths is as varied as the myths themselves.  Some myths may offer historical facts (such as the Trojan War in The Iliad, or sea travel in The Odyssey). Other myths may pose aetiological explanations of nature (for example, the creation of the world, or the origins of humankind). Yet other myths may suggest religious rites. And they may contain all or some of these aspects. Yet perhaps most importantly, myths evoke human emotions and convey philosophical ideas of what it means to be human, and of the meaning of life itself. It is perhaps this aspect of Greek myths that have made them so transcultural and timeless. From antiquity to medieval, Renaissance, Romantic, as well as modern and contemporary periods in our human story, myths have been rewritten, reimagined, reconstructed – often metamorphosing ancient figures, stories, and themes. From Homer to Chaucer to Tennyson to Atwood to Riordan, myths have offered a rich foundation for a new story.

Greek myths exhibit a profound respect of nature, and contain elaborate constructs. For example, the union of Chaos and Eros bringing forth darkness then light, sky, earth, is one which led to the development of scientific thought. Greek myths reflect anthropomorphic gods who are less fearful than in other mythologies. Rather like superhuman beings (taller, more beautiful, eternally young), they yet display capricious natures and are neither omniscient nor omnipotent (even Zeus)! Myths also very importantly express the concept of the ‘soul’ and of an afterlife which suggests reincarnation. Perhaps most significantly, in Greek myths human beings are placed in the center; in fact, we experience the individual in a humanized world grappling with other humans, with erratic gods, and with the question of moira (fate), themes examined  in the great dramatists Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes. Of significance also is that Greek myths often convey a sense of justice, with an emphasis on arête (excellence, ‘good’), which inspired philosophers Socrates, Plato, Aristotle.

When we consider our world today, the legacy of Greek myth lives on. Take the Trojan War – we are still dealing with issues such as war, oppression, greed, ignorance, hate. Yet also in The Iliad and in Greek myths in general, we experience love, honor, friendship, and questions revolving around the meaning of life, destiny, justice. And in The Iliad, it is to Helen that Homer assigns the greatest role as creator of art; Helen who expresses the idea of art as immortal. While the war is raging, Helen weaves and sings, noting, “for the sake of dishonored me and the blind act of Alexander/us two, on whom Zeus set a vile destiny, so that hereafter/we shall be made into things of song for humankind in the future” (Iliad, VI, 356-8, my translation).