“If you look at any ancient civilisation, they’ve all used fantasy stories to train the young”
- David Gemmell
The fantasy tale of Icarus and Daedalus who tried to escape Crete by means of wings anchored man to the hope that man too would be able to fly someday until the Wright brothers invented the first plane. Folklore sang the saga of a man banished to the moon. Different cultures have their own interpretations of how this man happened to land on the moon until Apollo11 landed on the moon and Neil Armstrong busted the myth with a reality check. Centuries long scientific and technological revolution brought about the revelation that these stories that we all grew up hearing were mere myths and hearsay passed down the generations. We have no account to prove that these constitute actual history, but then, they certainly have given way to the reality as it exists now.
American heritage dictionary defines “Myth” as “a fiction and half-truth, especially one that forms part of an ideology.” Greek mythology comprises of stories, as mundane as an average earthly showcasing supernatural powers and as Elysian and cosmological as battles between gods and demons. It is plain storytelling that tries to convey life lessons in a spellbinding manner that makes it easier for people to connect with the characters and gain wisdom.
Philip Robert Cousineau, an American author stated, “True myths, ancient and modern, stop time because they emerge from somewhere beyond time.” Ancient Greek mythology has transcended time and helped shape the modern world. It is no less than an illusion that has come to become solidified into reality with passage of time. These Celtic, heroic and gothic tales were used to create awareness about right and wrong amongst those ancient people. Their strength lies in the fact that they’re still very much relevant in the contemporary world. One can use the lessons learnt from these tales in any suitable present day context and it’ll serve as a guide in decision making. Fairy tales are one important way how we maintain a connection with these myths and the way they’re passed down to us through generations indicate how ancient civilisations have evolved into the modern world.
“Myth” is important as it connects people to one’s own heritage. It’s a reminder of our glorious past, our legendary history and it helps us connect to our roots. Winston Churchill wrote, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” These mythical stories serve as warning signs for people not only to repeat the same mistakes that these legends had made in their own lives but also enrich us with insights in the times of war and conflict. They are the foundation ground for the diversity of cultures and religions that we follow today.
Greek mythology has had a great influence on the western world and is called the cradle of western civilisation. Its influence can be seen on the culture, arts and literature of western civilisation. Greek poets like Homer and Ovid were rediscovered during Renaissance and fuelled the imagination of modern dramatists, poets, painters and musicians. Literature, visual arts, modern novels, movies, TV shows and video games have explored these myths, for instance books like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Disney’s Hercules or the character of Calypso in Pirates of Caribbean. These myths started out as explanations for things beyond science but now have taken the form of entertainment, gifting to us the world of theatre.
Greek effect on the language of western world is self-evident since the English language solely has numerous words derived from Greek, the most significant one surely being “Democracy”, the fairest government ruling system of that ever transpired. The most magnificent contribution of Greek mythology is the long standing tradition of the Olympics games. Olympics incepted in ancient Greece to honour Zeus, the father and king of all Greek gods and goddesses. The tradition of lighting the gigantic flame during inauguration is done to commemorate the ancient Greek custom wherein a sacred fire was kept burning on the altar of Hestia, goddess of earth.
The ancient Greek created several architectural marvels to honour their gods. A prominent portion of modern architecture is inspired from it, like pillars and columns. Imprints of Greek mythology can be seen in every single thing within the modern western world, be it ideology, thought process, media, law, science everything. Several astronomical objects like planets and moons have been named after characters perpetuated by the Greeks in their mythology. Constellations like Scorpion, Orion and Leo etc. have been named after figures present in these myths. Doctors have to take a Hippocratic Oath before practicing, an exercise passed on by the Greeks.
Talk of the E-commerce and you’ll find companies’ names like Amazon inspired by the name of highly trained women warriors mentioned in Greek mythology. The movie “Wonder Woman” provides us with a tableau of the same. Myth is as present in business as it is in other fields. Nike is a billion dollar company specializing in athletic apparel but in Greek mythology Nike is a winged goddess of victory in battle or peaceful competition. Jump to the field of computers and you’ll be bugged by Trojan malware which takes its name from Trojan horse, a technique used by the Greek in the battle of Troy. Trojan malware is called so as it imitates the technique used by the ancient warriors.
It is an undeniable understanding that the modern western world is highly influenced by Greek mythology and references to it can be found in every aspect of modern life, science, arts, literature, architecture as well as language. Humankind would never have to this level of advancement and innovation had it not been for the creativity and unlimited imagination that springs from these mythical spiels.
--Written by Priya Kumari (1st Year)
Amazing😄