Introduction
to Classical Mythology:
We associate “myths” with “made-up stories” that we oppose
to the “real truth.” However, to the people who originated the myths
that we read about in Classical Mythology, these stories were believed
to have a certain veracity that they considered important for their lives
and helped them understand the world in which they lived. The myths
include accounts of how they thought the world was created and charters
for religious or social institutions. In most of these stories, gods
or divine powers play a pivotal role. Sometimes the emphasis is on
these divinities: their objectives, conflicts with one another, and failures
or successes in accommodating each other’s desires or needs. Sometimes
the focus is on the men or women who were helped or punished by these
divine forces. But even when the emphasis is on divine agents, the
concerns addressed are relevant to mortal audiences who must find ways
to deal with the uncertainties and insecurities of life and to find some
means of enjoyment. These accounts were considered so important that
they were handed down from generation to generation throughout the millenia
with each new generation finding new ways to question and to appreciate
the stories told and the issues raised. These issues continue to
perplex us: What good are we in this vast universe? How can we make
sense of ourselves and all those others--persons and things? How
can we make the most of our limited time? What happens when we and
the ones we love--or hate--are no longer here? These are the kinds
of topics that we shall investigate as we question how these myths provide
information about the early audiences and how they address concerns pertinent
still to us and our contemporaries.
To find out more about the course Classical Mythology,
CLST 271, check the following pages:
Course Syllabus
Study Guides
Student Papers: Suggestions
and Requirements
Examples of Student Projects
The figures of TRUPHE and BIOS, 'Luxury' and 'Life,' are found
on this fourth century CE Roman mosaic said to have come from Homs (ancient
Emesa), Syria, where it had formed part of the pavement of a Roman villa.
This information has graciously been provided by E.A. Knox, Collections
Manager, Department of Western Art and Culture, Greek and Roman discipline,
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada.