The Influence of Greek and Roman Myth on English Vocabulary
The origin of language is rich and colorful.The word is the ba of the language .Many english words now have various meanings,which can’t be parated from the western rich culture heritage.
In the development of english vocabulary , it blended into plenty of ancient Greek and Roman culture elements,and also form a large number Special vocabulary and idioms.
From the twelfth century B.C. to the 6th century,ancient Greek transit form clan commune to slavery society.In this long time ,the Greek people Create beautiful myth.Then the myth was rewrote by the Roman people,leaving profound influence in the history.Since the birth day of myth ,with its rich content and special style ,it has encouraged and cherished people to struggle for the happiness of life from generation to generation .From the perspective of linguistics,up to now,Greek and Roman myth still show significant influence on the language of European people.Greek and Roman myth are the same myth system.But becau the Roman ‘s national language is latin ,some godness may have two or more na
mes .The next is the corresponding names of the main godness’names in Greek and Roman myth.
求职经验Greek Roman
Zeus Jupiter
Hera Juno
Athena Minerva
Apollo Apollo大专生
Artemis Diana
Ares Mars
Aphrodite Venus神鹰广场
Demeter Ceres
考试的目的
Hephaestus Vulcan
Hermes Mercury
Poidon Neptune
Hestia Vesta
Hades Pluton
Then,I will analys some idioms ,place names,month names ,constellation names ,which are derived from ancient Greek and Roman myth .
太阳能怎么拆卸1.归念Allusions idioms originated from ancient Greek and Roman myth.
A. “The strength of Antaeus”means full of energy .
Antaeus, son of Gaia and Poidon, was a Libyan giant who strength appeared invincible.拒绝用英语怎么说 He was extremely strong as long as he remained in contact with the ground (hi
s mother earth), but once lifted into the air he became as weak as other men.He challenged all pasrs-by to a wrestling match that he invariably won. Then he will kill them, and collect their skulls, so that he might one day build out of them a temple to his father Poidon. Heracles, finding that he could not beat Antaeus by throwing him to the ground, as he would regain his strength and be fortified, discovered the cret of his power (touching the ground) and held Antaeus aloft and crushed him to death .
B. “A freedom of pan” means carefree.
Pan is a the god of the mountain.He is the son of the wind god and one fairy lived in the forest.He is born with a man ‘s upper body ,but a sheep-like the lower part of the body .He usually wander in the forest without worries .
C. “Cupid’s Bow” means the people who fall in love.
开封特色 Cupid is the Roman god of love and the son of Venus. He is a small, winged boy, blindfolded, carrying bow and arrows. The arrows, once struck the heart, makes the victim fall in love.
D. “Pandora’s Box” means the original of disasters.
In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman on earth. Zeus ordered Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship, to create her and he did, using water and earth. The gods endowed her with many talents; Aphrodite gave her beauty, Apollo music, Hermes persuasion, and so forth. Hence her name: Pandora, "all-gifted".
When Prometheus stole fire from heaven, Zeus took vengeance by prenting Pandora to Epimethius, Prometheus' brother. With her, Pandora had a jar which she was not to open under any circumstance. Impelled by her natural curiosity, Pandora opened the jar, and all evil contained escaped and spread over the earth. She hastened to clo the lid, but the whole contents of the jar had escaped, except for one thing which lay at the bottom, and that was Hope.
E.The sword of Damocles
Damocles was a courtier of Dionysius the Elder. According to a legend, Damocles on o
ne occasion commented to his ruler on the grandeur and happiness of rulers. Dionysius soon thereafter invited his courtier to a luxurious banquet, where Damocles enjoyed the delights of the table until his attention was directed upward and he saw a sharp sword hanging above him by a single horhair. By this device Dionysius made Damocles realize that incurity might threaten tho who appeared to be the most fortunate. So the sword of Damocles means symbolic potential disaster..
