Mythologists of late have explicitly attempted to change, rather than bolster, the ordinary sense of myth. Some have traced the term to the Greeks in order to retrieve its original, and less prejudicial, meaning. Mythos, in its earliest usage, was

1

• Mythologists of late have explicitly attempted to
  change, rather than bolster, the ordinary sense
  of myth. Some have traced the term to the Greeks
  in order to retrieve its original, and less
  prejudicial, meaning. Mythos, in its earliest
  usage, was distinguished from logos not because
  it was thought to be false but, on the contrary,
  unquestionably true. As Kees Bolle notes in his
  article "Myth and Mythology" in the Encyclopedia
  Britannica, "The original Greek term for myth
  (mythos) denotes 'word' in the sense of a
  decisive, final pronouncement. It differs from
  logos, the word whose validity or truth can be
  argued and demonstrated."      
• Other scholars, most notably Mircea Eliade, have
  observed that the stories of "primitive" of
  "archaic" cultures we designate as myths were, in
  the cultures in which they arise, regarded as
  absolutely true. Eliade writes in his classic
  treatment of the topic, Myth and Reality, that
  "the myth is regarded as a sacred story, and
  hence a 'true history,' because it always deals
  with realities. The cosmogonic myth is 'true'
  because the existence of the World is there to
  prove it the myth of the origin of death is
  equally true because man's mortality proves it,
  and so on." Understood from this perspective,
  myths function in other cultures in exactly the
  same way as canonical scripture does in our
  own--in both cases, the stories told explain the
  otherwise inexplicable and in both cases, the
  stories are regarded as unarguably and
  unchangingly true.
• Brian K. Smith

2
What is Myth then?

• A story that explains what is often inexplicable
  in our lives.
• It involves deities (gods/goddesses), who have
  control over mortals.
• It is one cultures true beliefs religious
  ideals

3
The Acropolis in Athens, Greece
4

• The ancient Greeks believed in freedom and
  individuality
• Opportunity to excel in any direction they chose.
• Strive for excellence, no matter what the
  challenge
• They also believed in the balance of mind and
  body.
• The two most important concepts
• "Nothing in excess" and "Know thyself"

5

• The ancient Greeks were a deeply religious
  people. They worshipped many gods whom they
  believed appeared in human form and yet were
  endowed with superhuman strength and ageless
  beauty.

6

• Sacrifices were made to the gods for
• Safe travels
• Bountiful harvest
• Health/beauty
• Assistance in a great feat