What is the point of anyone learning greek mythology.?

Question

Everybody knows it did not happen.

Answer 1

I know! What a valid point..

Answer 2

Many people learn the Bible, without knowing whether most of it happened or not. A good reason for learning Greek mythology is that so much of our folklore, literature and even movies derive from it.

For instance, there was an excellent program on (I think it was the SciFi channel?) about how the Star Wars saga got its plots, characters and themes. MANY of them were from Greek (and other types of) mythology! Anakin Skywalker, for instance, was compared to Achilles. If George Lucas can make all those films AND study Greek myths, why can't we?

Greek mythology also explains much about why humans do the insane, tragic things they do, and how they handled it. Freud based much of his analysis of families and neuroses on Greek myths, for instance, the famous story of Oedipus and his mom!

Also, most medical terminology is based on ancient Greek--granted, you don't need to learn the myths, but if you do, you can pick up Greek words in a way that's more fun than learning ancient Greek (I tried both!).

And, as someone said here, it's just cool to know about it...as are many things. Abraham Lincoln once said (something like): "A man is only a fool if he knows no more today than he did yesterday". Or, as the statue at Faber College read, in "Animal House": "Knowledge is good."!

Answer 3

What is the point in anyone learning English Literature? Everybody know that the writings of George Eliot didn't happen - or Shakespeare - or the Bronte Sisters - I could go on. I find Greek, Roman and Egyptian mythology, as well as Norse mythology far more interesting than any of their writing!

The point could be to just enjoy it!

Answer 4

If you actual read the myths they can teach a lot about man and society and how we think. It teaches right and wrong and that the gods or god or fate or life in general loves to see you suffer and then prevail. The dieties represent a different aspect of humanity and everyone can relate to atleast one of them. We learn from Zeus that if you screw around with a bunch of different women then your wife will make your life miserable and you end up with a lot of children that resent you.

And the western world uses mythology in many different aspects of modern day, with the sciences and arts. Its part of our vocabulary.

Its history and honestly we dont know if everything that happened in history is real or if its been falsified, some accounts you must take the word for it and if its false its still a good lesson and entertaining.

Basically you're asking why study our history as a species I mean its not like history repeats itself or anything.

Answer 5

At one time learning Greek mythology was what educated people did, along with a lot of other information, to make a person well rounded. No, all colleges are trade schools these days, and that is a shame.

Answer 6

It is meant to endow one with an understanding of the archetypal Planetary forces that shape our lives. If you do not understadn these forces and how they operate, you are simply led around blindly; with an understanding of the subtle metaphors conveyed by the myths (for they work on you when you read them, even if your conscious mind does not understand them). The Grecian system is about the only complete system left to the West , since all the others (Celtic, for instance, did not survive) were largely destroyed by the Church. it is only because the Arabs preserved the texts that we even know about Greek mythology at all.

Answer 7

What's the point of learning ANY mythology?

Whether it actually happened or not (a lot of mythology is loosely based on actual events), it does give us an insight into the mindset, culture and daily lives of the people who wrote it.

Answer 8

We learn much about religion, history, and literature by reading ancient greek myths. Within these myths are the basis for many themes and symbols in literature.

For example, the ancient God Zeus/Jupiter threw lightning bolts to signal his displeasure. Now, people who believe in the Christian God believe that if they sin, He may strike them down with lightning. Though this is just a saying, it's not a coincidence. Many people and societies have borrowed ideas and notions from the Ancient Greeks, and learned individuals know this, and find Ancient Greek society/culture important to learn about.

Answer 9

helps to understand culture... Nothing, past history or today, happens in a vacuum... many divergent things come together to make a culture what it is (or was). Things that influence how one acts or reacts to events. Besides Greek Mythology is cool.

Answer 10

Some of the greatest philosophers, thinkers and writers lived in ancient Greece. Learning a bit about the mythos they lived with (whether they accepted or rejected it) teaches you something about their worldview, and where some of their ideas came from. Some of the greatest ideas in the world are the fruit of rebelling against the current system.

Answer 11

We have American myths too. George Washington chopping down a cherry tree and fessing up. It never happened but it was told to foreign dignitaries early in our country's history. Meaning that since Washington was a honest man, the new U.S.A. would be a honest country to the world. Myths have influence.