Mythologists

MythologistsMythologists

Records of the PastRecords of the Past

We know about myth from several sources.We know about myth from several sources. Some myths we know from context only—Some myths we know from context only—

the corpus of the mythos written down by the corpus of the mythos written down by some unnamed scribe, but not explained. some unnamed scribe, but not explained.

Other myth were recorded by named Other myth were recorded by named “scribes.”“scribes.”

Later, mythologists began to dissect and Later, mythologists began to dissect and examine the deeper meaning of the tales.examine the deeper meaning of the tales.

Prehistorical IconographyPrehistorical Iconography

We can only surmise We can only surmise the mythoi of the mythoi of preliterate societies by preliterate societies by their artwork.their artwork.

Early Literate SocietiesEarly Literate Societies

Cultures such as Egypt Cultures such as Egypt and Sumeria recorded and Sumeria recorded their myth, but they did their myth, but they did not give any type of not give any type of explanation or explanation or backgrounds.backgrounds.

The life of the The life of the mythologist is often mythologist is often a lonely one. She is a lonely one. She is sometimes reduced sometimes reduced to traveling in almost to traveling in almost inaccessible places inaccessible places with her companion, with her companion, the cat, in search of the cat, in search of the elusive myth.the elusive myth.

GreekGreek

There are at least two There are at least two Greek mythologists Greek mythologists who kept alive the who kept alive the culture’s myth (orally culture’s myth (orally or written).or written).

Homer’s rendition of Homer’s rendition of the Iliad and the the Iliad and the Odyssey were ancient Odyssey were ancient by the time he by the time he recounted them (700 recounted them (700 BCE).BCE).

Hesiod wrote the Hesiod wrote the Theogony Theogony circa 700 circa 700 BCE. Some claim he BCE. Some claim he is the author of is the author of Homer’s long poems.Homer’s long poems.

Other mythologists of Other mythologists of the time were the time were playwrights.playwrights.

Hesiod and the MuseHesiod and the Muse

Many scholars devoted time to one specific Many scholars devoted time to one specific mythos—such as Franz Cumont and the mythos—such as Franz Cumont and the cult of Mithra. They didn’t gain much fame cult of Mithra. They didn’t gain much fame in popular circles.in popular circles.

Sir James FrazerSir James Frazer

One early mythologist who One early mythologist who received a lot of attention received a lot of attention and fame is James Frazer. and fame is James Frazer. His opus is a tome named His opus is a tome named The Golden Bough The Golden Bough (published over two (published over two decades beginning in decades beginning in 1890.) .1890.) .

b. April 22, 1926, b. April 22, 1926, Glasgow/d. June 25, 1992, Glasgow/d. June 25, 1992, London.London.

Thomas Bulfinch: (1796-1867) (Myth Thomas Bulfinch: (1796-1867) (Myth published in 1855.) published in 1855.)

Edith Hamilton: 1867–1963 (Pub. in Edith Hamilton: 1867–1963 (Pub. in 1942.)1942.)

Joseph Campbell: 1904-1987 Joseph Campbell: 1904-1987

Robert Graves: 1895-1985 Robert Graves: 1895-1985

Barry PowellBarry Powell

Other mythologists, like many mythoi and Other mythologists, like many mythoi and iconography, are lost in history.iconography, are lost in history.

Celtic myth was largely recorded by Celtic myth was largely recorded by Christian scribes, or, perhaps, Celtic pagans Christian scribes, or, perhaps, Celtic pagans who masqueraded as Christians to avoid who masqueraded as Christians to avoid persecution. Christian application and persecution. Christian application and ideology affects the timbre of these tales, ideology affects the timbre of these tales, but at least they have been preserved in but at least they have been preserved in some form.some form.

Other mythoi became extinct along with the Other mythoi became extinct along with the cultures who recited them orally. As such, cultures who recited them orally. As such, humanity as a whole lacks information about humanity as a whole lacks information about those cultures and that lack is somewhat those cultures and that lack is somewhat sad.sad.

In 1,000 years, our own beliefs might be In 1,000 years, our own beliefs might be labeled as myth and our culture as a legend. labeled as myth and our culture as a legend. Who knows? Who knows?