What would one think if he goes back in time to a period where myths were common? Would one believe it to be true or hold his own opinion? I would say it depends on the situation and on what type of myth it is. Classical period was full of myths. There were many aspects to mythology that were held important in the classical era. One of the most significant aspects of the Greek mythology was that it was the primary concept to put humans at the midpoint of the universe. Not like the animal deities of the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, the gods of the Greeks were human in form.
Not only did they have human physical character, but they symbolized the touching flaws of humans as well. Unlike the gods of other ancient civilizations, Greek gods were not much omniscient and all-powerful, manifesting typical humans. To the Greeks, the life of the gods so closely resembled human life that the gods felt real and touchable, rather than impenetrable and distant. Even the most magical of Greek myths contain real-world elements: the supernatural Hercules lives in the very real city of Thebes, and the goddess Aphrodite is born in a spot any ancient tourist could visit, off the island of Cythera. In general, Greek myths involve less strange and frightening magic than the myths of other ancient civilizations. In this more normal world, individuals become heroes by virtue of bravery and strength rather than supernatural powers.
Even though Greek myth lacks wizards and demonic magic charm casters, there are still abundance of horrifying magic creaturesthe snake-haired Gorgons, for instancethat appear to be remnants of that older, primitive world. At the same time, it reminds us that these myths do not really constitute the religion of the Greeks. These myths are more similar to proto-scientific stories that are meant to explain usual phenomena, such as thunderstorms or the setting of the sun. Some myths are pure amusement and are not meant to explain anything. On the whole, the later myths appear more religious, as Zeus, the primary god, begins to resemble the sort of omnipotent God–figure familiar to modern readersin the Iliad, he is very human and moody, but by the Odyssey he is more wise and sympathetic. Zeus changes so much from the old philanderer he once was that he begins to look very much like the Judeo-Christian concept of God. These all concepts relate to the myths and if in today’s world one were to think of it as reality one would laugh on this.
In the end, I would say that the main purpose of classical mythology was not to entertain or make one laugh but the main purpose for it was to take a stand in people’s mind and to me that was one important aspect that served as a surface to the classical mythology. Classical mythology not only took stand in people’s mind of that era but it still continues to be in people’s mind now a days. The superstitions that many people have mostly do relate to the myths that one would hear from far back in time. Therefore, finally I would say that classical mythology not served the people of that time and but also it continues to be in the minds of people today and the main purpose of it was indeed to take a stand in people’s mind but not for mere entertainment.
