Mythos
conceptMythos originally simply meant "speech" or "story" in Homer — it only later acquired the sense of a traditional sacred narrative, and eventually the modern meaning of a false belief.
The Myth
In Homer, mythos means a public speech or authoritative statement — Achilles speaks mythoi. It carried weight and authority. Over time, it narrowed to mean a traditional story about gods and heroes — what we call myth. Plato distinguished mythos from logos (reasoned argument), using myths deliberately when logic could not reach the truth (the Allegory of the Cave, the Myth of Er). In modern English, "myth" has been further degraded to mean "falsehood" — a word that once meant the most authoritative speech now means the most unreliable.
Symbols
Fun Fact
The word "myth" underwent one of language's great reversals: from Homer's "authoritative speech" to modern "false belief" — exactly the opposite journey.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
Achilles
heroThe greatest warrior in the Greek army at Troy, nearly invulnerable thanks to being dipped in the...
Aegis
conceptThe aegis was a divine shield or breastplate belonging to Zeus and wielded by Athena, fringed with...
Aidos
conceptAidos was the Greek concept of shame, reverence, and the inner sense of propriety that restrained...
Ajax (Shield)
conceptAjax's shield was a massive tower shield of seven ox-hides layered with bronze — the largest...
Amazonomachy
conceptThe Amazonomachy was the legendary battle between the Athenians and the Amazons who invaded Athens...
Ambrosia
conceptAmbrosia was the food of the Olympian gods — anyone who consumed it became immortal, but mortals...