Analysis: Why The Greeks Told Myths

Why The Greeks Told Myths
Imagine living in the world without science. When natural disasters strike, such as floods or droughts which can destroy villages, no one could understand why this happened, much less how to prepare for it. Life seemed unpredictable and scary. This problem was answered by the creation of Greek myths. These myths acted as an early science to explain things that otherwise wouldn't make sense. Even though these myths acted as entertainment to help cope with the unpredictable world, they had another important purpose. The Greek myths explained why things are the way they are or where they came from. From the creation of man, to why there are seasons, to even the creation of Earth, Greek myths have the answer to everything.
Hamilton said, “What took place next was the creation of Earth, but this, too, no one ever tried to explain. It just happened. With the coming of love and light it seemed natural that the earth also should appear.” (Hamilton 77). Even though the story had no specific explanation of how Earth itself was created, the events that happened before hand ended in Earth appearing. In the beginning of the story, way before earth was created, according to Hamilton, “there was only the formless confusion of chaos brooded over by unbroken darkness.” (Hamilton 76). Finally, two children were inexplicably born into the shapeless nothingness. Their names were Night and Erebus. There was nothing else in the whole universe. Then with darkness and death, love was born and order and beauty began to kick out the blind confusion. Love created light with its companion radiant day. Finally Earth appeared because it just made sense for it to appear with the coming of love and light. Before Earth was created, there was just darkness and confusion which was then turned into Earth by a series of events. Even though this is a simple story, it explained how Earth was created and the ancient Greeks could know where their home planet came