V. Mythology

Abstract

Myth played an important role in Greek religion: it illustrated and defined the roles of gods and heroes (Ch. II.1); it explained aspects of rituals (Ch. IV.3), showed correct or deviant patterns of behaviour, and reflected on human behaviour and the cosmos. Since, of all aspects of Greek religion, myth has probably drawn the greatest attention and the largest number of different approaches, we start with a short historical survey of these approaches and a discussion of recent definitions (§ 1). Then we analyse origins and uses of myth (§ 2) and study the relations between myth and ritual (§ 3). We conclude by looking at some changes in the popularity of myths, as reflected by the visual arts, and the nature of myth itself (§ 4).