The purpose of this pathfinder is to assist you in exploring how ancient mythology has affected and continues to affect modern culture. One of these areas where we notice its influence is in our vocabulary. Many common phrases and words have originated from Greek and Roman myths and legends. This guide provides you with a variety of library resources, both print and online databases and websites, you can use to investigate the origins of these words or phrases and the stories behind them.
Purpose/Objective of the Assignment
This assignment is meant to familiarize you and increase your knowledge of both mythology and its related vocubulary. You are to research the words or phrases you have been assigned and find...
original culture or language
original story, myth and/or reference for each
current definition
an example of the word or phrase in modern context.
Mythological Expressions and Vocabulary
Examples of some of the current words or phrases that originate from Greek and Roman mythology.
an achilles' heel
apple of discord
ambrosia
arachnid
beware of Greeks bearing gifts
cassandra utterance
draconian
electra complex
face that launched a
thousand ships
flora and fauna
Herculean
janus-faced facts
midas touch
oedipal complex
open pandora's box
trojan horse
Library Resources
Print Resources
Below is a list of literary dictionaries and mythological encyclopedias that will help you locate the origins and references attributed to mythology:
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Ultimate encyclopedia of mythology: an A to Z guide to the myths and legends of the ancient world. (1999). London: Hermes House. A comprehensive reference to the extraordinary tales and legends of the ancient world's most fascinating mythologies.
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Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses. (2004). New York: Facts on File. Contains alphabetically arranged entries that provide descriptions of over 2,500 religious figures from throughout history, each with information on the diety's culture, function and characteristics, and identifying symbols.
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Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend. (2004). New York: Facts on File, Inc. Presents more than three thousand alphabetized, cross-referenced entries on myths, legends, folktales, and fables from around the world and related figures, settings, and topics, and includes black-and-white illustrations, an annotated bibliography, and a cultural and ethnic index.
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Myths and Legends of the World. (2000). New York: Macmillan Reference. 4 volume set. Myths and legends have become so much a part of our lives, we take them for granted. This A to Z set provides a comprehensive collection of myths from ancient, medieval and modern cultures.
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Vol. 1-2
Shorter Oxford English Dictionary. (2002). Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. A historical dictionary that traces the origin of words and their semantic development.
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Reader's Handbook of Famous names in fiction, allusions, references, proverbs, plots, stories and poems. (1966). Detroit: Gale Research Co. Provides a brief account of the names used in allusions and references from classical poems and prose and the source from which stories have been derived.
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Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable. (1989). New York: Harper and Row. Provides the meaning and origin of phrases and outlines the significance of historical terms in religion, magic, philosophy, literature and the sciences.
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Ancient Greece and Rome: an encyclopedia for students. (1998). New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 4 v. set. Covers all aspects of Ancient Greece and Rome from its history to its mythological legends, gods and goddesses.
Research Databases
You will find a lot of information on different gods and goddesses in the books listed above. Using the following Research Databases will help you find additional information on your god or goddess as well as more information about your culture's mythology. These databases are accessible 24/7 via the Library's Home Page.
Topics include gods and goddesses; heroes and other key characters; motifs and global themes; major myths; national and cultural mythologies. Coverage spans a diversity of cultures, including Greek/Roman, Native North and South American traditions, Norse mythology, Asian Pacific mythology, Judeo-Christian tradition, and Islamic and Hindu mythologies.
Encyclopedia Britannica Many of the vocabulary words in your list will have entries in the Encyclopedia Britannica. Type in your vocabulary word or phrase in the search bar. The encyclopedia article will provide you with a definition of the term and a summary of the story or myth behind the word. For example:
type in Cassandra, you obtain articles on her specifically, as well as related Greek Mythology articles in which she is connected or mentioned.
This brings up a list of all the greek gods and goddesses.
Also provides an image of the god or goddess.
Literature Resource Center This database also has a separate link and includes an Encyclopedia of Literature.
Click on Dictionaries in the white banner.
Select the
Type in your vocabulary term.
J-Stor Early Journal Content (1870-1923). This database emphasizes the arts, humanities and literature. It includes nearly 500,000 articles in more than 200 journals which are now freely available on JSTOR!
Pre-Approved Internet Resources
General Mythology Big Myth - 25 world creation myths. Encyclopedia Mythica - includes Norse, Celtic, and Classical mythology (Greek and Roman). Etymological Dictionary of Classical Mythology Mythological Characters - written like personal pages on Facebook. Provides information about the myths and links to sources that provide commentary or comparative writing suggestions. Mythical and Fantasy Creatures - covers Egyptian, Greek, Norse, Celtic and Greek mythology. Myths in Words and Pictures - features artwork depicting stories from classical mythology from Smithsonian. Timeless Myths - you will find tales and information on ancient and medieval mythology and legend.
Greek and Roman Mythology Classical Gods of Greek Mythology - a complete A to Z list of Greek Gods. Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology - A to Z entries of Greek Gods. Encyclopedia Mythica - Greek - gods, heroes, and rituals of the ancient Greeks. Encyclopedia Mythica - Roman- A to Z entries of Roman Gods. Greek Mythology - contains some of the oldest stories in Greek mythology from the Iliad to the fall of the 'last tyrant.' Greek Mythology - has information on all subjects of Greek Mythology, including details on Greek Gods and Greek Goddesses, Greek Myths and Greek Heroes. It also has full text of Greek Mythology and Literature books. Greek & Roman Mythology - alphabetical listing of the Greek name for the god with the Roman equivalent in parentheses. MythWeb - this site is devoted to the heroes, gods and monsters of Greek mythology.
J-Stor
