Ancient Greek Essay

The Importance of Plants, Birds, and Love in Ancient Greece Many cultures feature origin myths in their mythologies as a way of answering the eternal question of how the universe was created. These cultures frequently include objects, creatures, and ideas that are important to them and their way of life in their origin myths. In Greek mythology’s origin myth, plants, birds, and love are prominently featured due to their significance in ancient Greek life. The Greek origin myth starts with all things jumbled together in a great mess. Over this mass rules Chaos and his wife Nyx, the goddess of night. After some time their son Erebus (Darkness) dethroned Chaos and married Nyx. Those two ruled over the world together until their own children,

In the Greek origin myth, when the barren Earth is described, particular mention is made of the fact that there were no plants on the Earth; however, after Eros gave life to the Earth, luscious plants appeared and covered the Earth. One important plant in Ancient Greek culture was the laurel. The laurel “was traditionally used to weave wreaths and crowns that were symbols of victory in the sporting events of Ancient Greece.” (“A Reading Break on ‘Laurel’’, Merriam-Webster.com). This shows that the Ancient Greeks held laurels in very high regard, as they gave laurel crowns to champion athletes. This proves that plants were important to Greek culture because it was specifically a plant that was used to make champion crowns and wreaths and to symbolize victory, instead of another material, such as a fabric. Another plant important to Ancient Greek culture was the apple. In Ancient Greek culture, “they were a symbol of reproduction and youthful beauty. Gaia the goddess of the earth is said to have presented Hera the protectress of marriage with a tree covered in golden apples upon her marriage to Zeus. Its fruit was said to give eternal youth.” (“Apple”, nrscotland.co.uk). This shows that the Ancient Greeks also held apples in high regard, as an apple tree was given from the embodiment of the Earth to a goddess as a wedding gift. This proves that plants were important to the Ancient Greeks because, similarly to the laurel, it

In the Greek origin myth, the god of love, Eros, existed before the ocean and the Earth were even created, and it was Eros who gave life to the cold and barren Earth. Evidence of the significance of love in Ancient Greece can be found in the writings of Ancient Greek philosophers and poets, as shown in this quote: “Throughout ancient Greece, romantic love was written about extensively in philosophy and poetry. So much so, that even the belief in soulmates that many people hold today was first being kindled in Plato’s Symposium.” (Wells, worldhistory.org). This shows that prominent philosophers and poets of the time were interested in love. This proves that love was important to the Ancient Greeks because if the Greeks thought love was unimportant, their philosophers and poets would not have written so extensively on it. More evidence of the significance of love can be found within the Greek language. The Greeks had five different words for love, all meaning slightly different things. Eros was romantic love, philia was friendship, agape was familial love, nomos was love as a form of submission, and storge was love that grew through familiarity. (Wallace 401-405). This shows that the Ancient Greeks had a complex understanding of love, with several different types of love. This proves that love was important to the Ancient Greeks because if they had thought that love was unimportant, they would not have had so many words referring to