The purpose of this research is to examine the topic "Myth as History" as exemplified in the Greek Pantheon of the characters of Oedipus, Theseus, and Hercules. The structure of this study is bi-focal. It first analyzes the concepts of myth and mythology, perhaps from an anthropological point of view. Second, it compares and contrasts the mythical and possibly historical elements in the myths surrounding the three above nominated characters of that Pantheon:
The prime function of myth is to codify, support,
and validate the traditional belief and behavior
. . . knowledge of the mythical past gives incen-
tive and justification for rituals and moral action,
and also guides to the correct performance of sacred
Mythology includes the whole body of myths of a nation; myths are folklore stories, historic tales setting forth the processes of nature: "Folklore, as a term, puts the spotlight on older tale traditions of popular character. . . ." Myths are folklore stories, dealing with beliefs about religion, custom, tradition, heroes, and divinities. These differ from mere fable. Mythology is basically a religious development via the imagination, and because of this origin, such history as primitive man possessed soon became myth, and the myths assumed the form, approach, and intent of history:
Liberated by local independence, the religious
imagination of Greece produced a luxuriant mythology
and a populous Pantheon. Every object or force on
earth, or sky, every blessing, every terror, every
quality, even the vices - of mankind was personified
as a deity, usually in human form . . . the old
question, is religion created by priests?, is here
settled because it is incredible that any conspiracy
of primitive theologians should have begot such a
From his beginning, man has tried to reason, to explain the natural phenomena he lived with. Each of the Greek gods ...