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Total Categories: 4
An origin myth primarily elucidates the future trajectory of a society rather than its foundational beginnings.
Answer: False
Origin myths fundamentally serve to explain the genesis of a natural or social aspect of the world, rather than predicting future societal developments.
All origin myths are classified as creation myths, as they universally narrate the formation of the entire cosmos.
Answer: False
Creation myths constitute a specific subset of origin myths, focusing on the formation of the universe; however, not all origin myths encompass the creation of the entire cosmos, as some explain origins within an already existing world.
Within Greco-Roman scholarship, the designation 'etiological myth' is occasionally employed to characterize a narrative that elucidates an origin, stemming from the Greek term 'aition' signifying 'cause'.
Answer: True
The term 'etiological myth' in Greco-Roman scholarship specifically refers to narratives that clarify an origin, particularly how an object or custom came into existence, with 'aition' meaning 'cause'.
The demarcation between cosmogonic myths and other origin myths is invariably distinct, exhibiting no explanatory overlap.
Answer: False
The distinction between cosmogonic myths (world origin) and other origin myths (specific elements within the world) is often fluid, with significant overlap and elaboration, rather than being always clear and separate.
In traditional cultural contexts, the recitation of an origin myth typically precedes that of a cosmogonic myth.
Answer: False
Traditional cultures commonly recite cosmogonic myths first to establish the foundational context of the universe, followed by origin myths that detail specific elements within that established world.
Folklorists generally restrict the application of the term 'myth' to narratives that specifically delineate creation or origins.
Answer: True
Within academic folklore studies, the term 'myth' is typically reserved for narratives that explain creation or origins, distinguishing them from legends or folk tales.
Mircea Eliade posited that in traditional cultures, merely a select number of sacred narratives could be categorized as origin myths.
Answer: False
Mircea Eliade argued that in many traditional cultures, nearly every sacred story functions as an origin myth, establishing a framework for human behavior and representing a form of creation.
An etiological myth is capable of elucidating the ethnogenesis of a collective, framing it as a genealogical narrative featuring a founding patriarch.
Answer: True
An etiological myth can indeed explain the ethnogenesis of a group, often by presenting it as a genealogy that traces its origins to a founding father or ancestral figure.
As per the provided text, what constitutes the fundamental teleology of an origin myth?
Answer: To explain the beginnings of a natural or social aspect of the world.
The fundamental purpose of an origin myth is to explain the genesis of a particular natural or social aspect of the world, providing foundational narratives for various phenomena or institutions.
Elucidate the relationship between creation myths and origin myths.
Answer: Creation myths are a specific category of origin myths, focusing on the universe's formation.
Creation myths are a specific category of origin myths that narrate the formation of the entire universe. While all creation myths are origin myths, not all origin myths are creation myths, as some explain origins within an already existing world.
Within Greco-Roman scholarship, which specific term is sometimes employed to characterize a myth that elucidates an origin, especially concerning the genesis of an object or custom?
Answer: Etiological myth
The term 'etiological myth' is used in Greco-Roman scholarship to describe a myth that clarifies an origin, particularly how an object or custom came into existence, deriving from the Greek word 'aition' meaning 'cause'.
What is the nature of the relationship between cosmogonic myths and other categories of origin myths?
Answer: The line between them is not always clear, and origin myths can elaborate on cosmogonic myths.
The distinction between cosmogonic myths (world origin) and other origin myths (specific elements within the world) is not always clear, and origin myths can elaborate upon a culture's cosmogonic myths.
Describe the customary practice in traditional cultures concerning the sequential recitation of origin myths.
Answer: Cosmogonic myths are recited first, followed by origin myths.
In traditional cultures, it is common practice for the recitation of a cosmogonic myth to precede that of an origin myth, establishing the universal context before specific origins.
How is the term 'myth' generally defined by folklorists within academic discourse?
Answer: Stories that describe creation or origins.
Within academic folklore studies, the term 'myth' is typically reserved for stories that specifically describe creation or origins, distinguishing them from other narrative forms like legends or folk tales.
Summarize Mircea Eliade's viewpoint concerning sacred narratives in traditional cultures.
Answer: He argued that almost every sacred story could be considered an origin myth.
Mircea Eliade posited that in many traditional cultures, nearly every sacred story could be considered an origin myth, as they often establish new frameworks for human behavior and represent a form of creation.
According to the provided text, which of the subsequent options does NOT represent an aspect that a foundational myth or etiological myth is capable of elucidating?
Answer: The future technological advancements of a society.
Founding myths or etiological myths can explain the origins of rituals, cities, ethnogenesis, or spiritual beliefs. They do not, however, predict future technological advancements of a society.
Define 'Creation myth'.
Answer: A symbolic narrative that explains how the world began, often detailing the formation of the universe.
A 'Creation myth' is a symbolic narrative that explains how the world began, often detailing the formation of the entire universe and everything within it, serving as a specific type of origin myth.
In the context of mythological studies, what concept does 'Etiology' denote?
Answer: The study of causation or origination, explaining how things came to be.
In the context of myths, 'Etiology' refers to the study of causation or origination, specifically how myths explain the causes or beginnings of phenomena, customs, or institutions, focusing on the 'why' and 'how' things came to be.
A principal function of origin myths involves legitimizing the established social order through the attribution of its genesis to sacred forces.
Answer: True
Origin myths serve a key function in justifying the established social order by portraying its creation as divinely or supernaturally ordained, thereby imbuing it with legitimacy.
Origin myths contribute to delineating a community's position within the world by articulating intricate relationships among diverse peoples, fauna, flora, and spiritual entities.
Answer: True
Origin myths define a community's place by illustrating complex relationships between humans, other peoples, animals, plants, and spirits, thereby shaping their worldview and interactions.
Origin myths legitimize the prevailing state of affairs by depicting the world as possessing a purely human, as opposed to a supernatural, genesis.
Answer: False
Origin myths justify the current state of affairs by attributing the universe's order and the world's origins to sacred entities and supernatural forces, not purely human ones.
Numerous cultures advocate for individuals to emulate the actions of mythical deities and heroic figures as a means to reinforce established cultural norms and values.
Answer: True
Cultures often encourage the imitation of mythical gods and heroes as role models to uphold customs and reinforce traditional practices and values.
The Australian Arunta conduct ceremonies in deference to ancestral commands, thereby exemplifying adherence to directives rooted in origin myths.
Answer: True
The Australian Arunta's ceremonial practices are directly linked to ancestral commands, serving as an illustration of how origin myths dictate and reinforce cultural behaviors and rituals.
Founding myths frequently incorporate mystical occurrences to elevate founders to heroic status, yet they are seldom employed by ruling aristocracies to legitimize their authority.
Answer: False
Founding myths often include mystical events to enhance the heroic image of founders, and ruling aristocracies frequently utilize these myths to legitimize their control by claiming descent from mythical figures.
The Kai people of New Guinea resisted altering their customs, citing that 'the Nemu (the Mythical Ancestors) did' as justification, thereby illustrating the pervasive influence of origin myths.
Answer: True
The Kai of New Guinea's adherence to ancestral practices, explicitly stating 'the Nemu (the Mythical Ancestors) did,' serves as a direct example of how origin myths dictate and reinforce cultural norms and resistance to change.
What constitutes a pivotal function of origin myths in the legitimation of the established social order?
Answer: They attribute the social order's creation to sacred forces.
A key function of origin myths is to justify the established social order by portraying its creation as divinely or supernaturally ordained, thereby imbuing it with divine or supernatural legitimacy.
What sociopolitical function do origin myths fulfill in the articulation of relationships?
Answer: They allow for the expression of complex relationships between different peoples, humans, animals, plants, and spirits.
Origin myths facilitate the expression of complex relationships among different peoples, as well as between humans, animals, plants, and spirits, thereby helping to define a community's place in the world.
By what means do origin myths customarily legitimize the prevailing societal conditions within traditional cultures?
Answer: By attributing the universe's order to the actions of sacred entities and forces.
Origin myths typically justify the current state of affairs by attributing the universe's order and existing conditions to the actions of sacred entities and forces, imbuing them with a supernatural origin and exemplary history.
What function do mythical deities and heroic figures frequently assume in influencing human conduct across diverse cultures?
Answer: They serve as role models whose deeds and customs should be imitated.
Mythical gods and heroes often serve as role models whose deeds and established customs are expected to be imitated, thereby reinforcing cultural norms and values.
Which cultural group is referenced as conducting ceremonial rites due to the directive that 'the ancestors so commanded it'?
Answer: The Australian Arunta
The Australian Arunta are cited as performing ceremonies because 'the ancestors so commanded it,' illustrating a direct adherence to ancestral directives rooted in their origin myths.
In what manner do foundational myths contribute to the legitimation of authority exercised by ruling monarchs or aristocracies?
Answer: By alleging descent from mythical founders, gods, or heroes.
Founding myths legitimize the control of ruling monarchs or aristocracies by alleging their descent from mythical founders, gods, or heroes, thereby imbuing their rule with divine or heroic sanction.
The artistic rendition 'The Dispute of Minerva and Neptune' portrays a foundational myth associated with the ancient Greek polis of Sparta.
Answer: False
The artwork 'The Dispute of Minerva and Neptune' illustrates the founding myth of the ancient Greek city of Athens, not Sparta, explaining its name and patron deity.
Only classical civilizations such as the Romans and Greeks embraced heroic national origin myths, to the exclusion of those from the Bronze Age or medieval periods.
Answer: False
Heroic national origin myths were adopted by numerous civilizations across various periods, including Bronze Age cultures like the Hittites and Zhou dynasty, and medieval groups such as the Turks and Mongols, not exclusively by ancient Romans and Greeks.
Within the foundational myth of the Zhou dynasty, Hou Ji, despite being abandoned in perilous locales, received miraculous protection from animals and woodcutters.
Answer: True
The Zhou dynasty founding myth indeed recounts that Hou Ji was miraculously protected by animals and woodcutters after being left in dangerous places, leading to his survival and eventual rise.
The Scythian foundational myth asserts that only the eldest son possessed the capability to draw the greatbow, thereby securing his claim to kingship.
Answer: False
The Scythian founding myth specifies that only Scythes, the youngest son, was capable of drawing the greatbow, which was the condition for becoming king.
The Torah functions as the charter myth of Israel, delineating the relationship between the Divine and the chosen people through the Covenant of Mount Sinai.
Answer: True
The Torah is indeed identified as the charter myth of Israel, establishing the fundamental relationship between God and his chosen people through the Covenant revealed at Mount Sinai.
The myth of Ixion was utilized in Greek culture as an archetype of a hero who attained divine apotheosis through his exemplary virtuous conduct.
Answer: False
The myth of Ixion served as a moral exemplum in Greek culture, illustrating the necessity of ritual cleansing for murderers, rather than depicting a hero achieving divine status through virtuous actions.
Walter Burkert noted that ancient Greek rituals were predominantly disassociated from particular local groups and their corresponding geographical sites.
Answer: False
Walter Burkert's observations indicate that ancient Greek rituals were deeply connected to specific local groups and geographical locations, such as sanctuaries and altars, rather than being detached.
Greek and Hebrew foundational myths forged a distinctive relationship between a divine entity and indigenous populations by tracing the lineage of the people from a heroic progenitor.
Answer: True
Both Greek and Hebrew founding myths established a unique relationship between a deity and local people by narrating the people's origins from a hero, thereby authenticating ancestral rights and their special bond.
Greek foundational myths predominantly centered on prognosticating future occurrences rather than providing rationales for antecedent historical transformations.
Answer: False
Greek founding myths primarily served to justify past historical changes, such as the overturning of archaic orders, and to valorize current community practices by anchoring them in symbolic narratives.
From the Greek perspective, the mythic past was wholly distinct from historical temporality, with legends being regarded as purely fictitious constructs.
Answer: False
The Greek perspective viewed the mythic past as deeply intertwined with historic time, often treating legends as factual accounts and heroic protagonists as crucial links between the age of origins and the mortal world.
Peter Green observed that the *aitia* integrated into Apollonius of Rhodes' *Argonautica* were pivotal for societal stability, furnishing explanations and legitimization for contemporary conditions.
Answer: True
Peter Green indeed highlighted the importance of the *aitia* (explanations of origins) within Apollonius of Rhodes' *Argonautica* for providing social stability by offering explanations and authorization for present circumstances.
Simon Goldhill's metaphorical concept of 'sedimentation' characterizes Apollonius' poetic technique of stripping away layers of meaning to streamline narratives.
Answer: False
Simon Goldhill's 'sedimentation' metaphor describes Apollonius' method of *laying down* layers of meaning, where each element can be 'opened' into a story of origination, rather than simplifying narratives by removing layers.
Virgil's *Aeneid* augmented the Roman foundational myth by integrating Aeneas's epic journey and his son Iulus's instrumental role in the establishment of Alba Longa.
Answer: True
Virgil's *Aeneid* indeed expanded the traditional Roman founding myth of Romulus and Remus by incorporating the odyssey of Aeneas and his son Iulus's role in establishing Alba Longa, thereby connecting the twins to a broader heroic lineage.
The Old Testament's narrative of the Exodus serves as a foundational myth for Israel, establishing their collective identity through their liberation from bondage and the Covenant enacted at Mount Sinai.
Answer: True
The Exodus narrative in the Old Testament is a pivotal founding myth for Israel, defining their identity through their divine deliverance from slavery and the establishment of the Covenant at Mount Sinai.
The Dzungar Khanate, during the early modern historical epoch, embraced heroic national origin myths.
Answer: True
The Dzungar Khanate is explicitly mentioned as one of the civilizations that adopted heroic national origin myths during the early modern period, alongside many other ancient and medieval kingdoms.
The artistic work 'The Dispute of Minerva and Neptune' portrays the foundational myth of which ancient Greek city-state?
Answer: Athens
The artwork 'The Dispute of Minerva and Neptune' depicts the founding myth of the ancient Greek city of Athens, illustrating the contest between the two deities for patronage of the city.
Which of the following civilizations embraced heroic national origin myths during the Bronze Age?
Answer: Hittites
The Hittites are explicitly mentioned as a Bronze Age civilization that adopted heroic national origin myths, alongside the Zhou dynasty.
Within the foundational myth of the Zhou dynasty, what constituted Hou Ji's principal aptitude that ultimately culminated in his establishment of the dynasty?
Answer: His ability to grow grains, gourds, and beans.
In the Zhou dynasty founding myth, Hou Ji's primary skill was his exceptional ability to grow grains, gourds, and beans, which ultimately led to his founding of the dynasty.
According to the Scythian foundational myth, which son alone possessed the capacity to draw the greatbow, thereby ascending to kingship?
Answer: Scythes, the youngest son.
In the Scythian founding myth, Scythes, the youngest son, was the only one capable of drawing the greatbow, a feat that designated him as king.
What fundamental tenet in Judaism is instituted by the Torah, serving as the charter myth of Israel?
Answer: The relationship between God and his chosen people was set out on Mount Sinai through the Torah.
The Torah, as the charter myth of Israel, establishes the fundamental principle in Judaism that the relationship between God and his chosen people was set out on Mount Sinai through the Torah.
The myth of Ixion functioned as a principal exemplum within Greek culture, conveying what particular moral instruction?
Answer: The need for cleansing from impurity after committing murder.
The myth of Ixion served as a primary exemplum in Greek culture to illustrate the necessity of cleansing from impurity after committing murder.
What observation did Walter Burkert make concerning the nexus between ancient Greek rituals and their geographical settings?
Answer: Rituals were closely tied to prominent local groups and specific localities like sanctuaries and altars.
Walter Burkert observed that ancient Greek rituals were closely tied to prominent local groups and specific localities, particularly the sanctuaries and altars established for all time.
By what mechanism did Greek and Hebrew foundational myths forge a distinctive relationship between a divine entity and indigenous populations?
Answer: By tracing the people's origins from a hero and authenticating ancestral rights.
Greek and Hebrew founding myths established a special relationship between a deity and local people by tracing the people's origins from a hero, thereby authenticating ancestral rights through the founding narrative.
As per the text, what did Greek foundational myths frequently encapsulate as a rationale?
Answer: The ancient overturning of an older, archaic order.
Greek founding myths often embodied a justification for the ancient overturning of an older, archaic order, reformulating historical events to valorize current community practices.
How did the Hellenic perspective conceptualize the mythic past in juxtaposition with historical temporality?
Answer: As having deep roots in historic time, with legends often treated as facts.
The Greek view perceived the mythic past as having deep roots in historic time, with legends often treated as facts and heroic protagonists serving as crucial links between the age of origins and the mortal world.
Peter Green observed that the *aitia* integrated into Apollonius of Rhodes' *Argonautica* served a critical purpose in what regard?
Answer: For social stability, offering explanations and authorization for the present.
Peter Green noted that the *aitia* (explanations of origins) embedded in Apollonius of Rhodes' *Argonautica* were crucial for social stability, providing explanations and authorization for the present state of affairs.
Simon Goldhill's metaphor of 'sedimentation' elucidates which particular characteristic of Apollonius' poetic oeuvre?
Answer: The method of laying down layers of meaning, where each element can be 'opened' into a story of origination.
Simon Goldhill's metaphor of 'sedimentation' describes Apollonius' method of laying down layers of meaning in his poetry, where each element can be 'opened' into a story of origination, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected origins.
In what manner did Virgil's *Aeneid* augment the Roman foundational myth concerning Romulus and Remus?
Answer: By incorporating the odyssey of Aeneas and his son Iulus's role in establishing Alba Longa.
Virgil's *Aeneid* expanded the Roman founding myth by incorporating the odyssey of Aeneas and his son Iulus's subsequent role in establishing Alba Longa, thereby integrating the twins' descent into a broader heroic lineage.
The Old Testament's narrative of the Exodus functions as the foundational myth for Israel by instituting what core principle?
Answer: Their belonging to God through the Covenant of Mount Sinai after deliverance from slavery.
The Old Testament's story of the Exodus serves as the founding myth for Israel by establishing their belonging to God through the Covenant of Mount Sinai, following their deliverance from slavery.
Contemporary political discourse exclusively employs the term 'founding myth' to denote universally accepted, uncritical narratives pertaining to a nation's genesis.
Answer: False
In modern political discourse, 'founding myth' is often used critically to refer to official or widely accepted narratives about a nation's origins, implying a critical examination rather than uncritical acceptance.
Medieval communes in northern Italy endeavored to assert a Roman provenance for their urban centers, occasionally fabricating legendary progenitors such as the Trojan Antenor for Padua.
Answer: True
Medieval communes in northern Italy actively sought to establish or invent Roman origins for their cities, reflecting their increasing self-confidence and desire to legitimize their status, as exemplified by the legend of Trojan Antenor for Padua.
A 'Just-so story' constitutes a verifiable historical narrative that elucidates the genesis of a natural phenomenon.
Answer: False
A 'Just-so story' is characterized as an unverifiable, often whimsical or simplistic, narrative explanation for why something is the way it is, and is not considered a factual historical account.
A 'Mythomoteur' denotes a constitutive narrative that profoundly influences an ethnic group's identity and collective historical consciousness.
Answer: True
A 'Mythomoteur' is accurately defined as the constitutive myth of an ethnic group, serving as a core narrative that shapes its identity, values, and collective memory.
A 'Pourquoi story' is a narrative genre that elucidates the acquisition of distinctive powers by a character.
Answer: False
A 'Pourquoi story' explains *why* something is the way it is, often concerning natural phenomena or animal characteristics. A narrative explaining how a character acquired distinctive powers is typically referred to as an 'Origin story' in narrative contexts.
In contemporary political discourse, how are designations such as 'founding myth' or 'foundational myth' frequently employed?
Answer: As critical references to official narratives concerning a nation's origins.
In modern political discourse, 'founding myth' or 'foundational myth' are often used as critical references to official or widely accepted narratives concerning a nation's origins, implying a critical examination.
What constituted a primary impetus for medieval communes in northern Italy to embrace or fabricate Roman foundational myths?
Answer: To establish a Roman origin, reflecting increasing self-confidence and legitimizing their status.
A key motivation for medieval communes in northern Italy to adopt or invent Roman founding myths was to establish a Roman origin for their cities, reflecting increasing self-confidence and legitimizing their status.
Which of the subsequent descriptions most accurately characterizes a 'Just-so story'?
Answer: A narrative explaining why something is the way it is, often whimsical and unverifiable.
A 'Just-so story' is best described as an unverifiable narrative explanation, often whimsical or simplistic, that accounts for why something is the way it is, and is typically fictional rather than factual.
Provide a definition for the term 'Mythomoteur'.
Answer: The constitutive myth of an ethnic group, shaping its identity and collective memory.
A 'Mythomoteur' is defined as the constitutive myth of an ethnic group, serving as a core narrative that profoundly shapes its identity, values, and collective memory.
What constitutes the principal characteristic of a 'Pourquoi story'?
Answer: It explains why something is the way it is, often mythical or fabulous.
The primary characteristic of a 'Pourquoi story' is that it explains why something is the way it is, often in a fabulous or mythical manner, typically addressing natural phenomena or animal traits.