ANTH 4220 Chapter Notes -Minos, Franchthi Cave, Knossos
Document Summary
Myths a way for the ancient greeks to make sense of history, especially in the absence of historical writings/proof of history. Proximity to southern italy (known as larger greece in classical times) Romantic idea of land in uencing the formation of the people. Greeks not really a homogenous group; grew up in physical isolation of their neighbors. Many variations of all the stories and myths, because of how greeks grew up in isolation. Stories vary because of social pressure, myths then are important b/c they re ect those pressures. Relation to the sea important for greeks- source of bounty, wealth, sustenance, danger, devastation. Franchthi cave-> where it all began, somewhere around the end of the last ice age. **crete, between the advanced cultures of the east and egypt- bronze age culture. Myths associated with crete heavily shaped 18th century views of the classical world. Zeus and leda, good example, came to earth as a wounded swan who had been.
