1. Making Connections
Explain the connections in the sequence:
population growth to agriculture to culture/
civilization to Sumer.
Cultural
Need for fertile People settle in Selection as
Agriculture members of
soil Mesopotamia
culture adapt
to environment

2. Making Connections
Explain the connections in the sequence:
population growth to agriculture to culture/
civilization to Sumer.
Cultural
Need for fertile People settle in Selection as
Agriculture members of
soil Mesopotamia
culture adapt
to environment
Mythology?

3. Mythology and Culture
World History I
St. Anne’s-Belfield

4. The Purpose of Mythology
! Mythology has four main purposes. What are they?

5. The Purpose of Mythology
! Mythology has four main purposes. What are they?
1. To explain the nature of the universe
2. To instruct members of the community in the behavior
necessary to function successfully in that particular
culture (socialize)
3. To preserve culture
4. To entertain

6. The Purpose of
Mythology
Mythology begins with basic human questions...

7. The Purpose of
Mythology
Mythology begins with basic human questions...
! Where did we/I come from?
! Why did that (natural phenomena) happen?
! Why is the world the way it is?
! How do I find happiness?
! Why are people born and what happens when I
die?

8. The Purpose of
Mythology

9. The Purpose of
Mythology
In attempting to answer man’s most fundamental questions,
what kinds of events do myths tend to focus upon?

10. The Purpose of
Mythology
In attempting to answer man’s most fundamental questions,
what kinds of events do myths tend to focus upon?
! Origins

11. The Purpose of
Mythology
In attempting to answer man’s most fundamental questions,
what kinds of events do myths tend to focus upon?
! Origins
! Natural phenomena

12. The Purpose of
Mythology
In attempting to answer man’s most fundamental questions,
what kinds of events do myths tend to focus upon?
! Origins
! Natural phenomena
! Death

13. The Purpose of
Mythology
In attempting to answer man’s most fundamental questions,
what kinds of events do myths tend to focus upon?
! Origins
! Natural phenomena
! Death
In explaining these phenomena, what type of literary characters are often
utilized? Connect this to geography...

14. The Purpose of
Mythology

15. The Purpose of
Mythology
! In attempting to answer these basic human questions,
myths tell us a great deal about the people and
cultures that create them. Why is this- in other words,
how are myths related to their cultures?

16. The Purpose of
Mythology
! In attempting to answer these basic human questions,
myths tell us a great deal about the people and
cultures that create them. Why is this- in other words,
how are myths related to their cultures?
! Myths embody the human experience that each
culture values and wishes to preserve

17. Mythological Heroes

18. Mythological Heroes
! What type of myth seeks to socialize members of the culture group?
How so?

19. Mythological Heroes
! What type of myth seeks to socialize members of the culture group?
How so?
! Heroes are the models of human behavior for their society.

20. Mythological Heroes
! What type of myth seeks to socialize members of the culture group?
How so?
! Heroes are the models of human behavior for their society.
– Heroes possess the ideal character traits of a given culture.

21. Mythological Heroes
! What type of myth seeks to socialize members of the culture group?
How so?
! Heroes are the models of human behavior for their society.
– Heroes possess the ideal character traits of a given culture.
– Heroes earn lasting fame by performing great deeds that help
their community.

22. Mythological Heroes
! What type of myth seeks to socialize members of the culture group?
How so?
! Heroes are the models of human behavior for their society.
– Heroes possess the ideal character traits of a given culture.
– Heroes earn lasting fame by performing great deeds that help
their community.
! In spite of their extraordinary abilities, no hero is perfect.

23. Mythological Heroes
! What type of myth seeks to socialize members of the culture group?
How so?
! Heroes are the models of human behavior for their society.
– Heroes possess the ideal character traits of a given culture.
– Heroes earn lasting fame by performing great deeds that help
their community.
! In spite of their extraordinary abilities, no hero is perfect.
– What is the purpose of creating imperfect heroes?

24. Mythological Heroes
! What type of myth seeks to socialize members of the culture group?
How so?
! Heroes are the models of human behavior for their society.
– Heroes possess the ideal character traits of a given culture.
– Heroes earn lasting fame by performing great deeds that help
their community.
! In spite of their extraordinary abilities, no hero is perfect.
– What is the purpose of creating imperfect heroes?
• Their imperfections allow ordinary people to identify with them
and like them, for everyone has similar psychological needs and
conflicts.