This book is the result of researches carried out within the framework of this Erasmus project titled FROM MYTHOS TO LOGOS. Students realised the importance of these herbs and the relations to Myths.

From Mythos to Logos Plants and Animals

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Mint (Myntha) was a beautiful nymph born in a river. She lived in a kingdom commanded by Hades. Persephone, jealous of her husband, disliked the union and got angry when Menta threatened her. Hades allowed her to turn into fragrant grass, mint, but Persephone condemned her to sterility, preventing her from producing fruit. Another version of the myth suggests that it was Persephone herself who transformed Mint into a plant. Another version tells that Zeus, in love with Mint, had a rejection from her following a proposal. So for revenge, he turned the nymph into a cold plant just as the beautiful nymph had been with him.

They say that the origins of this horse date back to the time of the Spanish domination in the southern Italy and in fact Arab, Berber and Andalusian stallions contributed to its breed. Around 1500, the Count of Conversano was particularly impressed by these animals and was passionate about them. The Murgian horse is an Italian horse from a geographical area located in Puglia called MURGIA, and has been bred in the wild especially in ancient farms. It is an animal with a medium-sized body structure, it can vary a lot within the range. Mostly this breed has a dark, shiny cloak. The head has a very solid wide shape and covered by an abundant tuft. The ears stick out of the head and have a regular size; the nostrils are rather wide and the eyes impress for their great expressiveness. The neck is straight, equipped with a thick mane often wavy. The trunk is robust and muscular. The tail is well attached and with long abundant hairs. The limbs are muscular. The foot has regular proportions, covered with a very hard black horn but quite elastic. It is resistant to every effort however they are obedient and learn very easily, manifesting submission to man.

ΣΟΦΌΣ&nbsp; šalavijas&nbsp;&nbsp; sábio&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;salvie szalwia&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

ρίγανη &nbsp;&nbsp;origanas&nbsp; &nbsp;origan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; origan&nbsp;&nbsp; lebiodka

The origins of the plant date back to the areas of the Mediterranean and Asia. The flowers of sage are given the meaning of salvation. For the Greeks and the Romans sage is ruled by Jupiter. It has purifying abilities for the liver and blood. For this reason in the past they used it to cure snake bites and to strengthen the body and memory. A Christian legend tells of the virtues of this plant: when the Holy Family fled to Egypt, to avoid the sights of King Herod, only the sage agreed to hide the Child Jesus from the sight of the soldiers and to let him rest on a soft bed during stops made with its flowers. So Our Lady, to thank the sage of her generosity, blessed the plant with therapeutic qualities.

Ancient local Animals: the Murgian Horse

μουργκέι άλογο murgės arklys&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;cavalo murgese&nbsp;&nbsp;cal murgese&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;koń murgii

The Murgian Horse in Italian

It seems that the Martina Franca donkey derives from the Catalan donkey, imported into the Murgia from the Counts of Conversano at the time of the Spanish domination, but we have no confirmation. It is believed, however, that in the area there was already a type of donkey with a dark coat, so that the Spanish donkey, crossed with it, only improved the breed. This donkey today represents the best known Italian donkey breed, also appreciated abroad, because of its size and its very lively temperament. It has a browny-colored coat, the mane and tail are dark, the head has a wide, flat forehead, and the ears are long and straight. This donkey is tall, almost like a horse. The donkey is very robust because it lives in the wild and easily adapts to the rocky Murgia. Its donkey milk is used for paediatric use (similar to breast milk) and for the cosmetics industry and omeotherapy. They are also used as a means of transport through narrow streets.

Marble

Ic Marconi-Oliva, Locorotondo ITALY

From Mythos to Logos

Educational approaches to the European folk myths and legends

Expert Historian: Giuseppina L'Abate Original drawings: Valeria Pizzigallo Translations: the students involved in the project mobilities Editing: Paola Masciulli

Disclaimer: This lesson book is intended only for educational use related to this specific Erasmus project

Green polka dot pattern

Greek myths tell about the existence of a mythological creature called "king of snakes" or Basiliscus. It is a small snake, less than twenty centimeters long and the deadliest creature ever. It has the power to kill or petrify with a single direct look into the eyes. This monster can be defeated only by using basil. Since this plant was the only antidote, it took its name. In the Christian tradition the power of basil derives from two legends, one relates that basil was born in a vase which Solomon had buried the head of St. John the Baptist in. The second was found by the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, on the site of Christ's Crucifixion.

Watercolor texture 2

κρόκος šafranas açafrão şofran szafran

In a distant time, the nymph Smilace was in love with Crocus, a young warrior, who also loved her. The gods, determined to fight them, made them unhappy and they led Crocus to suicide and Smilace to madness. The gods decided to turn them into plants: the nymph became a plant with heart-shaped leaves, with flexible branches, a symbol of strong love; the warrior was turned into a purple flower-like superb passion, in memory of his love, with a sun-colored heart. Another myth is related to Mercury who dyed with the blood of his friend the precious plant. Another legend tells that, in the place where a stable stood, a tavern was built where a painter came to stay. He was poor and was put in a shelter. That night the Madonna appeared to him in sleep and asked for a portrait. He made it, but having no colors, he used the saffron found in the kitchen. This led to the worship of the miraculous image and the inhabitants of the village built the church for the Saffron Holy Lady.

&nbsp;δάφνη&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;lauras&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;laurel dafin wawrzyn

It is a dish from the ancient Apulian folk cuisine. It is a poor dish, but nutritious, light, and fresh, and all these features make it extremely traditional. They used to consume it in the early hours of dawn to face a hard working day and, sometimes, in the evening as the main course. It evokes scents and flavors now forgotten, it is suitable for warm summer evenings. Put cold water and crushed tomatoes, the small and sweet ones, in a large bowl, together with a tender stem of chopped celery, a good pinch of oregano, garlic, olive oil, onion, Apulian cucumbers, basil, salt as needed. Reshuffle the whole thing, then add homemade bread dices, and reshuffle slowly again so that the bread can absorb the tasty sauce.

Daphne was a young nymph who lived happily, spending her time in the woods hunting. Her life was changed by Apollo and Eros. The legend says that, one day, Apollo, proud to have shot and killed a giant snake at the tender age of four days, meets Eros forging a new bow. Apollo mocked Eros accusing him to never carry out actions worth of glory. The god of love then prepared his revenge: he took two arrows, one destined to reject love, which he launched into the heart of Daphne, and another golden one for Apollo, to make him fall in love violently. From that day Apollo began to wander desperately in search of Daphne. In the end he found her, but Daphne, as soon as she saw him, escaped in fear. The god cried out his love in vain. Daphne, terrified, ran into the woods. Apollo pressed her more and more closely. Daphne called Mother Earth for help and Mother Earth began to transform her body: her hair changed into leaves; her arms rose to the sky becoming branches; her body was covered with tender bark; her feet turned into roots and her delicate face vanished into the fronds of the tree. She changed into laurel.&nbsp;

δενδρολίβανο&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;rozmarinas &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;alecrim &nbsp;rozmarin&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;rozmaryn

Ancient local animals: the Martina Donkey

γάιδαρος μαρτίνι asilas martinietis&nbsp;&nbsp;burro martinês&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;măgar martinez osioł martinese

From Mythos to Logos

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Myths in animals and plants

From Mythos to Logos

βασιλικός bazilikas&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;manjericão &nbsp; busuioc &nbsp;&nbsp;bazylia

ίνθα mintas&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;hortelã mentă&nbsp; mennica

An old meal full of Myth: Water Salty Bread

Ovid tells that Venus made Apollo madly fall in love with a mortal, an Arab princess, Leucotoe, daughter of the king of Persia, in revenge for Apollo, who had discovered her with Mars. Apollo had no peace, burning with passion. The girl, however, was never alone, so Apollo turned into the mother of the girl and then managed to enter her room. Clizia, a nymph in love with Apollo, in revenge for being rejected, revealed the secret to the young woman's father. He sentenced her to death and had her buried alive. Apollo did not have the powers to bring her back to life and could only use his power with light to penetrate the tomb for Leucotoe. Under the heat of the sun, the remains of the girl slowly turned into a plant with an intense scent, thin leaflets and blue purple flowers.

There are two myths that have oregano as their protagonist. The first tells the story of Amaracus, a prince of Cyprus, who loved perfume production and was looking for the perfect perfume. One day he finally created it and decided to take it to the king, but the ampolla, which contained it, unfortunately fell and broke. The prince died of displeasure. The gods, however, had compassion on him and decided to turn it into a plant that had the best scent in the universe that Amaraco had created: oregano. The second myth is older. He tells that it was Aphrodite who created the oregano and that it made it grow in her gardens, on the slopes of Mount Olympus. Hence the Greek origin of its name, oros ganos, delight of the mountain, chosen for the fragrant grass.

Name

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