Mythology+Overview

=**MYTHS are traditional stories of possible, but not proven, historical events, or those that are widely believed to have taken place in the distant past, which serve to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon. Many myths once believed to be true are now recognized as pure fiction. They usually involve gods, heroes, and great cultural or national leaders. Myths also include explanations for how we came to be and explanations for earthly phenomena such as why the seasons change or why natural disasters occur.**=

= = = = =**A MYTHOLOGY is a set of such beliefs belonging to a**= =**culture. A mythology may belong to an entire region,**= =**such as the Ancient Greeks or Romans; or a small sub-culture, like urban teens in the U. S.; or it may belong to a religion, such as Christianity or Buddhism.**=

==**//THE ODYSSEY// is a myth about a great Greek hero, Odysseus, later called Ulysses by the Romans who adapted the entire Greek pantheon and mythology into their own set of beliefs. The famous storyteller, Homer, told the well-known tales of //The Iliad// and //The Odyssey// so uniquely and effectively that eventually they were written down and translated into the stories we read today. Homer lived around 750 B. C., so these tales are nearly 3000 years old -- but are still enjoyed by many.**==

**by Prince Paris are fabulous myths, but [[image:hutchinson-page:trojan-horse.jpg height="262" align="right"]]nobody believes they**
==**really happened. In fact, Troy was involved in numerous wars from the years 1500-1100 B. C., and they were primarily started because the Mediterranean countries who traded with those east of Troy had to pass through the great walled city to do so, often facing large taxes and tariffs. But how exciting is that? Just as Hollywood re-creates history today, taking liberties with the facts**==