Greek mythology 希腊神话

2016

—

2017

学 年第一学期《希腊神话》期末论文

姓名：

陈茜

班级：

英创

141

班

学号：

2

分数：

The impact of Greek mythology on western civilization

Abstract

：

For thousand of years, Greek mythology has been various interpreted and

analyzed almost since it

’

s beginning. Characterized with rich cultural connotation and

eternal

values,

Greek

mythology

has

had

a

significant

influence

on

western

civilization ,which concerns literature, language, arts, sports and so on .

Key words:

Greek mythology, Western civilization, significant influence

Myth is the product of primitive society.

A myth is any traditional story consists

of

events

that

are

ostensibly

historical

,though

often

supernatural,

explaining

the

origins of a cultural practice or natural phenomenon. [1]

All peoples across the world

have

their

own

myths.

Especially

Greek

mythology,

of

long

history

and

abundant

content, occupies a unique place in the history of human civilization.

Greek

mythology

has

a

profound

influence

on

Greek

epic,

paintings,

arts,

sculptures

as

well

as

English

literature.

Moreover,

a

great

number

of

vocabularies

consist in western culture and social life are derived from Greek mythology. Therefore,

Learning

Greek

mythology

can

be

vital

to

have

a

better

understanding

of

western

civilization.

The origins of Greek mythology

The origins of Greek mythology steams from the fact that, until the time of the

Greek poets Hesiod and Homer(both of whom flourished around eight century B.C.),

the transmission of myths was primarily an oral affair. Hesiod

’

s

Theogony

and

Works

and Days,

in addition to Homer

’

s

Iliad

and

Odyssey,

are regarded as the oldest extant

written source of Greek mythology. Till today, Theogony is considered the basis of the

Greek mythology, in which explaining the Genesis of the world, the birth of gods, the

succession of rulers and the origins of human woes.

Greek mythology respectively narrates the story of gods and legendary heroes.

In

Greek

mythology

Gods

are

endowed

with

supernatural

power

to

control