古希腊历史叙述中的农事与神话

Farming and Mythology in Historical Narratives of Ancient Greece

古希腊以农业文明为经济基础,受限于生产力水平,希腊人往往会把对丰收的期望寄托在神祇身上。他们把土地献给神作为圣地,这些土地受到严格的管控,产物也多用于祭祀牺牲。耕种自己土地的农民也时常需要农业节日来帮助自己安排劳作时序,有些节日被认为延续自久远的神话时代。随着时间的推移,一些神祇变得与农事活动密不可分。

Ancient Greece was an agricultural civilization based on economy. Because of its limited productivity, the Greeks often placed their expectations of harvest on the gods. They dedicated their land to God as a sacred land. These lands were strictly controlled and the products were also used for sacrifices. Farmers who cultivate their own land often need agricul- tural festivals to help them arrange work schedules, and some festivals are believed to have continued from mythical times. Over time, some gods became inseparable from agricultural activities.