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Lecture 11

J

ust mentioning the names of characters from Greek and Roman
mythology brings to mind vivid images; think of Zeus casting lightning
bolts down from the heavens or Apollo driving his sun chariot across
the sky. In fact, we’re still surrounded by the stories of these characters in
books, movies, and even video games. One reason we remain interested in
myths is that they help us make sense of the world. But they also, as Joseph
Campbell wrote, help us tap into the “rapture of being alive.” Myths embody
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held values. In this lecture, we’ll explore some words and phrases derived
from myths that live on in English today.

Sisyphean (adjective)

Endlessly laborious and futile.

z The word Sisyphean comes from the Greek myth of Sisyphus,

the king and reputed founder of Corinth. One day, Sisyphus

encountered the river god Asopus, who was searching for his lost

daughter, Aegina. Sisyphus said that he would tell Asopus the

whereabouts of his daughter but only after the river god gave the

city of Corinth a spring. Eventually, Asopus agreed and created a

source of water for the city.

z Sisyphus then told Asopus that Zeus had carried off his daughter.

In a rage, Asopus followed Zeus and came upon him unawares,

without his trademark thunderbolt. Weaponless and fearing the

river god’s fury, Zeus morphed himself into a rock and changed

Aegina into an island, which she remains to this day.

z Zeus, not pleased that a mere mortal had meddled in his affairs,

asked his brother Hades to take Sisyphus back to the underworld

and punish him. To arrest Sisyphus, Hades brought a pair of