Can they trace Greek myths back to their origins?

Answer by  answerguy (45)

Not absolutely. Greek myths as we know them were the culmination of a long tradition of story telling. For instance, the Odyssey was not written down until thousands of years after its origin. By using language analysis and tracing variations of the stories their origins can be narrowed down, but the true beginnings are lost in the mists of time.

Answer by  jaclark586 (359)

Greek myths cannot be specifically traced back to their original creator because they began as oral tradition, stories told from one person to the next, with no credited author. Often times stories like this would in effect have many contributing authors because when these stories were retold each teller put their own spin on it.

Answer by  beck (1099)

If written records exist, then some myths can be traced to earlier civilization such as the Sumerians and Egyptians. Wherever there was trade and exchange of ideas, then the stories that became the Greek myths could be passed from culture to culture.

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

The only way to trace Greek myths is through recorded documents (or stone tablets) and idols. The recorded stories show evolution of the myths.