What values of the ancient Greeks are revealed through their myths and stories?

Answer 1

A number of cultural values can be gleaned from their myths and stories (like The Odyssey). Some prominent themes are "xenia", fame, "hubris", and family lineage - particularly father-son connections.

"Xenia" is essentially "hospitality," or the relationship between host and guest. Examples of xenia can be seen in the Odyssey, particularly as Odysseus and Telemachus visit various people in the Mediterranean. Hosts are expected to furnish their guests with the best care they have. They are to give them the best food, bedding, and gifts that they can afford to give. They are also expected to help their guests on their journey if they can. In return the guest is expected to be polite and not overstay his welcome, give news of the outside world, and promise to return the favors shown to him should he ever find his host as his guest. In other words, the expectation is that the guest will be a good host in the future to whoever is currently hosting him. Examples of Xenia in the Odyssey are when Menelaus hosts Telemachus and gives him advice; also, when Aeolus gives Odysseus the bag of winds to help him on his journey home. An example of "bad" xenia can be found in the Cyclops, Polyphemus, who eats Odysseus' men when they arrive in his cave. This is a breach of hospitality, and Polyphemus ends up getting his eye stabbed out, in what can be seen in a moment of Greek karma. Clearly those who fail at xenia come to a sticky end.

Hubris is also a big theme in Greek Mythology. "Hubris" can be defined as "overweening pride and/or presumption". It is best illustrated when mortals presume to be equal to, or better than, the gods at particular skills. They are invariably punished by the gods, and often suffer terribly. Examples include: Arachne: boasted that she was a better weaver than Athena. Athena challenged her to a contest and wove a tapestry depicting the history of humanity. Arachne hung herself out of shame and was turned into a spider (arachnid). Phaeton: begged his father, Helios, to let him drive the sun chariot. He drove it too close to the earth, and then too far away from the earth, alternately burning and freezing it. Zeus struck him down with a lightning bolt to stop his destruction of the earth. There are many other examples, but the idea is that those who are too proud will come to a bad end.

Fame is another major theme in Greek stories. Men in particular are obsessed with gaining fame and usually do so through battles and feats of strength and bravery. However, fame is a double-edged sword in several stories, particularly the Odyssey. Achilles goes to fight in the Trojan war in hopes of attaining fame, and later regrets his decision when he tells Odysseus that he would rather be a poor man in the world of the living than rule in the underworld. Odysseus' desire for fame also gets him into trouble when he blinds Polyphemus and is unable to resist boasting to the cyclops. This, of course, results in Poseidon's vengeful attacks which prevent him from reaching home in a timely manner.

Answer 2

Hospitality, Justice, Teamwork, Loyalty, Virtue, Ingenuity and Intuition.