The Greek Myths by Robert Graves
September 22nd 2007 09:28
In a simple foreword, Robert Graves explains the system behind the Greek Mythology and then begins to examine the whole gamut of it in his The Greek Myths. His main contentions are not really subject to proof but his collection is perhaps the most popular and certainly, the most accesible collection of the Greek mythology available today. As an amateur interested in ancient mythologies in general, I am stuck by how much there is in Greek mythology. The size of the cast, the depth of the stories, the density of inter-relationships are all so mind-bogglingly complex that it takes a patient, determined, scholar-like effort to get acquainted with it all. I am no scholar, just an amateur. Graves's collection, written in a non-fussy prose and cast in relatively simple schema is easy to read. In shot, made for people like me.
In ancient Europe, there were no gods. Only a Goddess. She was worshipped in various forms and shapes and the society she presided was a matriarchal one where fake kingships were established and disposed of yearly in picturesquely grotesque ways for the sake of good harvests. One day, a variety of God-worshipping warrior tribes conquered the matriarchal societies. They took over the original religion and the rites, they razed the temple. Goddesses were only spared if their followers agreed to make them subservient to their Father God.
Greek Mythology is nothing but a transcription of this ancient revolution, which was "not more mysterious in content than are modern election cartoons."
Of course, it is a little more complex than that with four stages of evolution, lunations and cyclic revolutions thrown in but you've got the idea.
Even an amateur can discern certain inconsistencies as Graves's plunking together of disparate mythic figures just to get his Triple Goddess triad right, like combining Semele with Athena. Experts have complained about the value of Graves's etymological and historical claims.
What do I think of it? There is probably some truth to it and I believe there could be some original exclusively Mother-Goddess cults which went a violent transformation under a patriarchal assault. I don't think it can be made to explain the entire spectrum of Greek mythology as Graves has attempted to do.
Still, it's quite an enjoyable read and it gives you information no other paperback does.
In ancient Europe, there were no gods. Only a Goddess. She was worshipped in various forms and shapes and the society she presided was a matriarchal one where fake kingships were established and disposed of yearly in picturesquely grotesque ways for the sake of good harvests. One day, a variety of God-worshipping warrior tribes conquered the matriarchal societies. They took over the original religion and the rites, they razed the temple. Goddesses were only spared if their followers agreed to make them subservient to their Father God.
Greek Mythology is nothing but a transcription of this ancient revolution, which was "not more mysterious in content than are modern election cartoons."
Of course, it is a little more complex than that with four stages of evolution, lunations and cyclic revolutions thrown in but you've got the idea.
Even an amateur can discern certain inconsistencies as Graves's plunking together of disparate mythic figures just to get his Triple Goddess triad right, like combining Semele with Athena. Experts have complained about the value of Graves's etymological and historical claims.
What do I think of it? There is probably some truth to it and I believe there could be some original exclusively Mother-Goddess cults which went a violent transformation under a patriarchal assault. I don't think it can be made to explain the entire spectrum of Greek mythology as Graves has attempted to do.
Still, it's quite an enjoyable read and it gives you information no other paperback does.
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