Using stories as historical sources. Using Fiction Fictional accounts can be used to understand the past. Can tell us about a culture’s beliefs, norms,

Fact from FictionUsing stories as historical sources

Using FictionFictional accounts can be used to understand

the past.

Can tell us about a culture’s beliefs, norms, fearsScience fiction written during the Cold WarMyths and allusions contained within The

Odyssey

Can be used to discover previously unknown events or places

The Discovery of TroyFor centuries, people believed that Troy was a

mythical place, and the Trojan War was a mythical event

Heinrich Schliemann dug in Turkey and actually found the ruins of Troy, and evidence for war.

Subsequent digging at the site has shown wartime destruction took place around 1190 BCE that may be the inspiration for The Iliad

This does not mean that The Iliad is a history text – it should be seen as a folk tale that contains references to, and fictionalization of, real events

Schliemann got carried away with believing the stories were true. He claimed that Helen of Troy was a real person, and that this jewelry belonged to her. Unfortunately, it is at least 1000 years too old.

Dating the OdysseyWe can also study elements that seem

fictionalIn The Odyssey, a prophet has a vision of the

sky going dark in the middle of the day.Combining this with references to the stars

that appear, and the shape of the moon, this points to a rare eclipse.

Using this method, they dated Odysseus’s return to Ithaca at 1178 BCE, 10 years after the archeological evidence shows Troy was razed.

AtlantisMyths and stories can

be inspired by real events

Plato described an advanced culture living on an island that later sank beneath the ocean.

This story was fictional, but may have been inspired by the eruption of Thera, modern Santorini

Conclusion?We can look for evidence of real historical

information in fictional stories

We should not jump to conclusions or assume that folk tales, myths, and events referred to in ancient stories are automatically true.

The most reliable information from stories is sociological: values, attitudes, lifestyles, beliefs.

Myths, Legends, and Folk Tales Myth - a traditional story, especially one

concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.

Legend - a human-centred story from the past that is believed by many people but cannot be proved to be true

Folk Tale – a story traditional to a people; usually part of an oral tradition.

Individual StoriesLooking at individual stories can help us

begin to make conclusions about the societies they are from.

Which attributes and behaviors are rewarded?

Which attributes and behaviors are punished?

What is the source of fear or tension in the story?

What lesson is the audience meant to learn?

Collections of StoriesLooking at the body of work from a culture is

a much more reliable way to learn about that society. It can help you determine

Common attributes that are praisedCommon attributes that are seen as negativeCommon threatsCommon morals/lessons

Activity1. Which traits or attributes are portrayed as

positive? Explain how.2. Which traits or attributes are portrayed as

negative? Explain how.3. What is the source of trouble or danger? How

could that connect to a real-life threat?4. What lesson is the audience meant to learn from

this? Why might this lesson be important?5. What does this story tell us about the social

organization of this culture?6. What does this story tell us about this culture’s

religious beliefs?