Greek Myths and ItalyGreek Myths and Italy

The Gabii VaseThe Gabii Vase

Found in Latium, dated to at least 800; Found in Latium, dated to at least 800; new dating technique to perhaps 950-980new dating technique to perhaps 950-980

Earliest artifact with Greek writing: Earliest artifact with Greek writing: euoin/eulineuoin/eulin

Evidence of GreekTraders active at very Evidence of GreekTraders active at very early age in Mediterranean;early age in Mediterranean;

Greeks adopted the Phoenician alphabet Greeks adopted the Phoenician alphabet for the development of the Greek scriptfor the development of the Greek script

Greek traders/explorers in Western Greek traders/explorers in Western Mediterranean and colonization 9Mediterranean and colonization 9thth-7-7thth century BCcentury BC

EuboiaEuboia

IschiaIschia

Greeks in ItalyGreeks in Italy

Greek colonies in Italy to secure Greek colonies in Italy to secure important resources (metals) and to important resources (metals) and to protect trade routesprotect trade routes

Euboians settled on Ischia (just Euboians settled on Ischia (just across from mouth of Tiberacross from mouth of Tiber

Route to Etruria (metal) Route to Etruria (metal) Elba another source for metalsElba another source for metals

Tiber Crossing – early RomeTiber Crossing – early Rome

Euboian settlement on Ischia: Euboian settlement on Ischia: Pithekoussai (Greek for - Monkey Pithekoussai (Greek for - Monkey Island)Island)

River Tiber, aka Rumon, Albula, TiberisRiver Tiber, aka Rumon, Albula, TiberisTyrrhenian = Greek for EtruscansTyrrhenian = Greek for EtruscansCirce (Kirke – in Homer) – Kirkaion = Circe (Kirke – in Homer) – Kirkaion =

Circe’s island (Latin: Circeii) modern Circe’s island (Latin: Circeii) modern Monte Circeo – was island in antiquity Monte Circeo – was island in antiquity

Trojan cycle of myths arrives in Trojan cycle of myths arrives in ItalyItaly

Trojan Cycle of stories: all myths associated with the Trojan Cycle of stories: all myths associated with the Trojan war: stories associated with cause for war; Trojan war: stories associated with cause for war; return of Greek heroes; Trojan exiles (Aeneas, etc.); return of Greek heroes; Trojan exiles (Aeneas, etc.);

Odysseus – Etruscans called him ut(h)use, Odysseus – Etruscans called him ut(h)use, Latins: Ulixes (Ulysses)Latins: Ulixes (Ulysses) Greeks in Attica, Oiboia, Corinth: Olyteus or Greeks in Attica, Oiboia, Corinth: Olyteus or

Olys(s)eos Olys(s)eos Island of Phaiakia – last stop of Odysseus before he Island of Phaiakia – last stop of Odysseus before he

arrives back home in Ithaka and where he tells his arrives back home in Ithaka and where he tells his storiesstories

Pahiakia = Kerkyra = Corcyra = modern CorfuPahiakia = Kerkyra = Corcyra = modern Corfu Several versions of Odysseus’ death in Italy: Etruria Several versions of Odysseus’ death in Italy: Etruria

at Cortonaat Cortona

Trojan stories linking Greeks to Trojan stories linking Greeks to ItalyItaly

Stories of Diomedes one of the Greek heroes Stories of Diomedes one of the Greek heroes fighting at Troy– from Argos, angered Aphrodite fighting at Troy– from Argos, angered Aphrodite by fighting Aeneas, driven from Argos = ends up by fighting Aeneas, driven from Argos = ends up in Daunia (Eastern Italy) in Daunia (Eastern Italy)

On his way kills dragon on CorcyraOn his way kills dragon on Corcyra one version has him killed by king in Dauniaone version has him killed by king in Daunia In one version marries king Daunus’ daughterIn one version marries king Daunus’ daughter A son of Daunus was Turnus (Aeneid), king of the A son of Daunus was Turnus (Aeneid), king of the

Rutuli of ArdeaRutuli of Ardea Ardea = heron (the bird)Ardea = heron (the bird) Versions of these stories present all over Adriatic Versions of these stories present all over Adriatic

coastcoast

The theft of the PalladiumThe theft of the Palladium Story involving Diomedes and Odysseus Story involving Diomedes and Odysseus Theft of Palladium - image of Pallas Athena from temple in Theft of Palladium - image of Pallas Athena from temple in

TroyTroy Complex group of stories developed with first contact Complex group of stories developed with first contact

between Italians and Greeks between 9between Italians and Greeks between 9thth and 7 and 7thth centuries. centuries. One version includes Diomedes giving Palladion/Palladium One version includes Diomedes giving Palladion/Palladium

to a Trojan hero Nautesto a Trojan hero Nautes Patrician Roman family of the Nautii associated its family Patrician Roman family of the Nautii associated its family

with the cult of Minerva (Athena) – Nautes was priest of with the cult of Minerva (Athena) – Nautes was priest of Athene at Troy and rescued the PalladiumAthene at Troy and rescued the Palladium

The Nautii prominent in Roman politics in 5- 3The Nautii prominent in Roman politics in 5- 3rdrd century BC century BC several consulsseveral consuls

Customary of Roman patrician families to connect ancestry Customary of Roman patrician families to connect ancestry to one or other Trojan hero.to one or other Trojan hero.

Founding MythsFounding MythsEponymous heroes Eponymous heroes

Founding heroesFounding heroes Telegonos (son of Circe and Odysseus) Telegonos (son of Circe and Odysseus)

founded Tusculumfounded Tusculum Rhomos – RomeRhomos – Rome Anteia – AntiumAnteia – Antium Ardeias – Ardea Ardeias – Ardea

Circe founded Roman chariot races: Circus Circe founded Roman chariot races: Circus Maximus – racetrackMaximus – racetrack

66thth century BC – Roman games introduces century BC – Roman games introduces = origin of story= origin of story

Dionysos arrivesDionysos arrives

Gabii vase graffiti = eyoin or eyain = Gabii vase graffiti = eyoin or eyain = A Greek name of Dionuso = Euios -f A Greek name of Dionuso = Euios -f

rom cry euoi in ritualsrom cry euoi in ritualsEtruscans: FuflunsEtruscans: Fufluns In Latin: Liber Pater , DionysiusIn Latin: Liber Pater , DionysiusOver time the cult of Dionysios quite Over time the cult of Dionysios quite

popular in Italy; Scandal and expulsion popular in Italy; Scandal and expulsion in 160s BC; complex history in Roman in 160s BC; complex history in Roman ItalyItaly