waybread
Well-known member
Thanks, Therese. I do agree with most of what you just posted.
I don't recall Graves doing much interpretation in his book Greek Myths. Mostly he gives a run-down of what was written in Antiquity about various deities and legendary figures, with the classical sources attributed. This is what I find useful about him, because most of these sources are available in English translation. Many are now available on-line.
Ironically, the Enlightenment was a time when classical studies really took off as an academic discipline. (Back in the days when a university education required everyone to study Latin and Greek!) As ancient Greek literature, the myths were part of a liberal arts or humanities education.
There was also quite a movement in Europe to record fairy tales in the late 18th century that continued well into the 20th century. The Grimm brothers were actually scholars; and educated people were concerned that the folklore of rural areas was rapidly disappearing. This was also the time when novels were written commemorating a legendary past, such as the Arthur and Merlin stories, Ivanhoe, &c.
Clearly many ancient Greeks literally believed in Zeus! Ancient Greeks certainly had competing deities and outright religious sceptics, but it is hard otherwise to explain their temples dedicated to gods, religious festivals held in their honour, and statues or idols made of them. With the early emergence of Christianity, it is clear that some Christians were executed for refusing to pray to Graeco-Roman gods.
I suppose there is no harm in astrologers re-inventing the past or rewriting the myths for our times. So long as we are clear about the process.
I don't recall Graves doing much interpretation in his book Greek Myths. Mostly he gives a run-down of what was written in Antiquity about various deities and legendary figures, with the classical sources attributed. This is what I find useful about him, because most of these sources are available in English translation. Many are now available on-line.
Ironically, the Enlightenment was a time when classical studies really took off as an academic discipline. (Back in the days when a university education required everyone to study Latin and Greek!) As ancient Greek literature, the myths were part of a liberal arts or humanities education.
There was also quite a movement in Europe to record fairy tales in the late 18th century that continued well into the 20th century. The Grimm brothers were actually scholars; and educated people were concerned that the folklore of rural areas was rapidly disappearing. This was also the time when novels were written commemorating a legendary past, such as the Arthur and Merlin stories, Ivanhoe, &c.
Clearly many ancient Greeks literally believed in Zeus! Ancient Greeks certainly had competing deities and outright religious sceptics, but it is hard otherwise to explain their temples dedicated to gods, religious festivals held in their honour, and statues or idols made of them. With the early emergence of Christianity, it is clear that some Christians were executed for refusing to pray to Graeco-Roman gods.
I suppose there is no harm in astrologers re-inventing the past or rewriting the myths for our times. So long as we are clear about the process.