Mythography

A mythographer, or a mythologist, according to a strict dictionary definition, is a compiler of myths. Mythography (from Greek μυθογραφία - mythografia, "writing of fables", from μῦθος - mythos,"speech, word, fact, story, narrative" + γράφειν - graphein, "to write, to inscribe") is then the rendering of myths in the arts. These are rather restrictive definitions, which can be said to fail to take into account the large body of twentieth century w... more

A mythographer, or a mythologist, according to a strict dictionary definition, is a compiler of myths. Mythography (from Greek μυθογραφία - mythografia, "writing of fables", from μῦθος - mythos,"speech, word, fact, story, narrative" + γράφειν - graphein, "to write, to inscribe") is then the rendering of myths in the arts. These are rather restrictive definitions, which can be said to fail to take into account the large body of twentieth century work on myth from many angles. The compilation of myths assumes some field work; and the aim may be to produce something of value to cultural anthropology, religious studies, or a myth theory, rather than simply as raw material for transformation into artistic productions. The word /μῦθος/ is cognate perhaps with Sanskrit /mūḍha/ 'perplexed' and possibly with (geminated from */mud/) Sumerian /mamud/ 'dream'. (In many cultures, such as the Yuma, myths are dreamed.) One of the first Western attempts at rationalization of mythology, and more... less