Myth and the City: Foundation Stories

Foundation Stories Overview

Foundation stories, or founding myths, describe the origins of ancient Greek and Roman cities.
These stories often feature heroes, gods, miracles, and supernatural events, reflecting the religious beliefs and values of the time.
Examples of famous foundation stories include the founding of Athens, Rome, and Thebes.
These myths were recorded by ancient historians, poets, and playwrights, such as Homer, Virgil, and Herodotus.

Aeneas was a Trojan hero and the son of the goddess Aphrodite.
Aeneas survived the Trojan War and led surviving Trojans to Italy, where he founded the line of Romans.
Aeneas’s journey and the foundation of Rome are chronicled in Virgil’s epic poem - The Aeneid.
According to the myth, Romulus and Remus, descendants of Aeneas, were the actual founders of Rome.

Theseus, a mythical king of Athens, is often credited with the foundation of Athens.
Theseus was known for numerous heroic deeds, such as slaying the Minotaur.
He is said to have unified the separate towns and villages of Attica into a single state, the city of Athens.
His wise rule and democratic reforms established Athens as a leading city in Greece.

Cadmus was a Phoenician prince who is credited with the founding of Thebes.
The myth recounts that Cadmus was sent by his father to find his sister, Europa, who was abducted by Zeus.
Unable to find his sister, Cadmus settled in Boeotia where he founded Thebes.
Cadmus introduced the Phoenician alphabet to the Greeks, marking Thebes as an important cultural city.

Foundation stories often have deep symbolic and cultural significance.
They can reflect a city’s perceived identity, values, and destiny.
The gods’ involvement in these stories reflects the ancient understanding of divine intervention and fate.
These myths were used to provide rational explanations for historical and geographical factors shaping the city.
They were also used for political purposes, to validate the authority and legitimacy of ruling powers.