Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
History
Date of Award
8-2007
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
William Douglas Burgess Jr.
Committee Members
Henry J. Antikiewicz, Stephen G. Fritz
Abstract
The ancient Greeks are prime subjects of study for those wishing to understand the roles that religion and mythology play in a society and how the two interact with each other. This paper covers what I feel after my study of Greek mythology and religion are the eight functions of mythology: history, education, explanation - both of the natural world and the culture of each society, legality, genesis, what happens after death, and entertainment; as well as the two function of religion: civic and spiritual. In the first chapter, in order to show each of the mythological functions, I summarize and explain a myth that falls primarily into each category. The second chapter discusses and illustrates Civic Religion and the third examines the three major Mystery Religions. The goal is to offer a basic understand of some of the myths, religious beliefs, and cult practices of the ancient Greeks.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Sailors, Cara Leigh, "The Function of Mythology and Religion in Ancient Greek Society." (2007). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2110. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2110
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity Commons, History of Religion Commons