Myths are a fundamental aspect of every culture, deeply woven into societies worldwide. These narratives offer more than just entertainment; they provide a profound sense of comfort and meaning to the people who tell them, helping to establish a sense of order in the chaos of the human experience. Myths serve as a bridge between the known and the unknown, explaining the origins of gods, the creation of the world, and the mysteries of life and death. They delve into the essential aspects of the human condition, addressing universal themes such as love, loss, morality, and destiny. Moreover, these stories reflect the core beliefs, values, and ethical principles that define a community, passed down through generations to ensure the continuity of cultural identity. By embodying the collective wisdom and shared experiences of a people, myths preserve historical memory and provide guidance and insight into the complexities of life. In today’s modern Western societies, dismissing myths as mere fanciful stories can be tempting. However, as Joseph Campbell wisely noted, it’s crucial to recognize that myths are far from lies. As he put it,
“mythology is poetry, it is metaphorical. It has been well said that mythology is the penultimate truth — penultimate because the ultimate cannot be put into words.”
Campbell, Joseph, and Bill D Moyers. 2012. The Power of Myth. Turtleback Books. (Orig. pub. 1988.)
The Aeneid and the Odyssey rank among the most significant and impactful myths in Western literature, each contributing profoundly to the development of ancient Rome and Greece’s cultural and literary heritage, respectively. Although they seem similar at first glance, they are fundamentally distinct in their scope and underlying purpose.
The Aeneid and The Odyssey share many similarities, as both are epic poems centered on the journeys of heroic figures—Odysseus as he strives to return to Ithaca and Aeneas as he aims to establish a new homeland in Italy following the fall of Troy. Each narrative features divine intervention, with gods aiding and obstructing the heroes, and highlights themes of duty, destiny, and the interplay between personal desires and broader responsibilities. Furthermore, both epics serve as foundational myths for their respective cultures, with The Odyssey reflecting Greek values and The Aeneid representing Roman ideals. Despite their differing cultural contexts, both stories are linked through their connections to the aftermath of the Trojan War and their exploration of the heroic quest. Since Homer composed The Odyssey around the 8th century BCE, it is evident that Virgil was influenced by his work. As scholar J.D. Reed notes,
“Virgil’s Aeneid deliberately mirrors Homeric models, especially The Odyssey, using a journey motif where divine intervention and heroic struggle are central. These similarities not only highlight shared narrative techniques but also demonstrate how Virgil reinterprets Greek traditions to convey Roman values and ideals.”
Reed, J D. 2016. Virgil’s Gaze. Princeton University Press.
However, the two works are also very different in that they have different cultural focuses and intent. The Odyssey, by Homer, centers on Odysseus’s journey and return home, showcasing Greek values like cleverness and perseverance. In contrast, Virgil’s The Aeneid highlights Aeneas’s quest to establish Rome, reflecting Roman ideals of duty and sacrifice. The Odyssey explores individual heroism and the desire for home, and The Aeneid emphasizes fate and leadership responsibilities. The gods in The Odyssey are more personal and influential in Odysseus’s journey, whereas in The Aeneid, they represent broader, symbolic forces aligned with Roman values.
Homer is often considered one of ancient Greece’s greatest poets. Though he is thought to have lived around the 8th century BCE, there is uncertainty about whether Homer was a natural person or a symbolic figure representing a group of poets. The classical scholar Martin L. West sums up this uncertainty about who exactly Homer was:
“The question of Homer’s actual existence and the authorship of the epics traditionally attributed to him remains one of the most debated topics in classical scholarship, with some scholars arguing that Homer may be a symbolic figure rather than a historical individual.”
West, M L. 1997. The East Face of Helicon : West Asiatic Elements in Greek Poetry and Myth. Clarendon Press.
His stories, probably passed down orally before being written, have significantly impacted Western literature and culture by setting a high standard for epic tales and exploring themes like heroism, divine influence, and human experience.
Virgil, whose full name is Publius Vergilius Maro, was a prominent Roman poet who lived from 70 BCE to 19 BCE. In addition to The Aeneid, Virgil composed the Eclogues, a series of pastoral poems that explore themes of rural life and the shifting political landscape of his time. He also wrote the Georgics, a poem dedicated to agriculture and the relationship between human labor and the natural world. Virgil’s work was produced during a significant transition in Rome, as Augustus Caesar consolidated power and shaped the Roman Empire. Through his poetry, Virgil not only reflected the values and ideals of Rome but also contributed to the cultural and literary heritage of the Western world. His influential writings are celebrated for their depth, artistic quality, and enduring impact on literature and culture. In contrast to Homer, there is relatively little doubt about Virgil’s existence or identity, as there is ample evidence to confirm these details.
The Odyssey significantly impacted ancient Greek society in several essential ways. It highlighted values such as cleverness, bravery, and loyalty, which were very important to Greek culture. The epic was a crucial part of Greek education, teaching children about these values and how to tell stories. A key value in ancient Greek culture was hospitality towards guests and strangers, which was seen as a moral duty. This is clearly shown in The Odyssey, especially during the visit of Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, and Athena to Nestor, the king of Pylos. Nestor’s words underline the significance of welcoming guests warmly, even before knowing their identities:
“Now…that our guests have finished their dinner, it is best to ask them who they are,”
“The Odyssey, by Homer.” 1999. http://Www.gutenberg.org. April 1999. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1727/1727-h/1727-h.htm.
This emphasizes that hospitality was considered of the highest importance in Greek society. The Odyssey also set a high standard for writing and storytelling, influencing later Greek and Roman literature. The way The Odyssey describes the gods and myths helped shape Greek religious beliefs and practices, especially emphasizing the gods’ involvement in human affairs. Odysseus’s entire journey home is portrayed as being influenced by the gods from start to finish. This is highlighted in the following quote:
“But as years went by, there came a time when the gods decided he should return to Ithaca. Even then, however, when he was among his own people, his troubles were not yet over. Nevertheless, all the gods began to pity him, except for Neptune, who continued to persecute him relentlessly and prevented him from reaching home”.
“The Odyssey, by Homer.” 1999. http://Www.gutenberg.org. April 1999. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1727/1727-h/1727-h.htm.
Additionally, the epic reflected on social and political issues of the time, providing insights into Greek life and society. Beyond that, The Odyssey inspired many art and cultural works, with its characters and stories appearing in sculptures, paintings, and plays and becoming a significant part of Greek artistic traditions.
Like The Odyssey, The Aeneid significantly impacted Roman society in several important ways. It highlighted vital Roman values like duty, loyalty, and self-sacrifice, which were very important to the Romans. The strong sense of duty important to Roman life is shown in Sibyl’s advice to Aeneas during his journey through the underworld:
“Do not yield to misfortunes, but advance more boldly to meet them, as your fortune allows.”
Virgil, 70 BCE-19 BCE. n.d. “The Aeneid.” https://Www.gutenberg.org/Files/228/228-h/228-H.htm. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/228/pg228-images.html.
By telling the story of Aeneas and linking his journey to the beginnings of Rome, Virgil helped to glorify Augustus Caesar’s reign and showed that his rule was part of a grand, destined plan for Rome’s greatness. This connection helped to legitimize Augustus’s leadership and unify the Roman people by linking them to a heroic past. The epic also significantly shaped how Romans saw themselves and their history, creating a sense of pride and continuity. Moreover, The Aeneid set a high standard for Latin literature, influencing later Roman writers and becoming a crucial part of Roman education. It was studied not only for its literary quality but also for the lessons it taught about Roman values and history. Overall, The Aeneid was crucial in defining what it meant to be Roman and promoting the time’s cultural and political ideals.
In conclusion, it is clear that myths like The Odyssey and The Aeneid were crucial in shaping the identity and development of their respective societies, and their influence endures even today. While some might dismiss myths as mere fanciful stories, this view fails to recognize their profound significance and ongoing relevance, especially in Western cultures. The themes explored in these epics were deeply relevant to their original audiences and continue to resonate because they address universal human experiences. As the late Joseph Campbell noted,
“Myths inspire the realization of the possibility of your perfection, the fullness of your strength, and the bringing of solar light into the world. Slaying monsters is slaying the dark things. Myths grab you somewhere down inside.”
Campbell, Joseph, and Bill D Moyers. 2012. The Power of Myth. Turtleback Books. (Orig. pub. 1988.).
This quote highlights how myths tap into fundamental aspects of human experience and remain robust and meaningful across different times and cultures.
Bibliography:
Campbell, Joseph, and Bill D Moyers. 2012. The Power of Myth. Turtleback Books. (Orig. pub. 1988.).
Reed, J D. 2016. Virgil’s Gaze. Princeton University Press.
West, M L. 1997. The East Face of Helicon: West Asiatic Elements in Greek Poetry and Myth. Clarendon Press.
“The Odyssey, by Homer.” 1999. http://Www.gutenberg.org. April 1999. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1727/1727-h/1727-h.htm.
Virgil, 70 BCE-19 BCE. n.d. “The Aeneid.” https://Www.gutenberg.org/Files/228/228-h/228-H.htm. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/228/pg228-images.html.
