The Political Management of Myth in Greek History and Literature

“In principle – Diodorus (IV 45, 6) says – the myths of the past are a tale lacking linearity and uniformity“. Greeks, however, did not regard myths as episodes to be combined into a single coherent narrative, but as tools to be adapted to the needs imposed by the historical and political situation. Whenever it was a matter of founding a city, establishing a cult etc., the Greeks always searched for the myth that would justify their particular political choices. If, then, such a myth was missing, all that remained was to create a new one. This is one of the ways in which the so-called “invention of tradition“ (E. H. Hobsbawm) was realised. With reference to the situation in archaic, classical and post-classical Greece, moreover, we should rather speak of political management of myth. Together with a general overview of the subject, scholars will find here a selection of case-studies that shed light on the political management of myth, a crucial aspect for understanding both the historical and literary framework of Greek culture.