The Function of Mythology and Religion in Ancient Greek Society.

<p>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.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MA (Master of Arts)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

History

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Sailors, Cara Leigh

• Greek Mythology
• Religion
• Demeter
• Dionysus
• Orpheus
• Pantheon
• Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity
• Arts and Humanities
• Classics
• History of Religion

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2110

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-3471