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A Very Short Fact: On this day in 1940, British musician, pop star, and member of The Beatles John Lennon was born.

“What makes someone mythic is not whether or not he lived, or lived well, but whether or not he was larger than life. Mythic heroes were – and are – outrageous and outstanding. They are phenomenal. They distil some collective ideal or fantasy. That’s why we can speak of ‘the myth of John Lennon’, but not ‘the myth of John Major’. And it’s also why Theseus made it and Lycurgus didn’t. From the 6th century BC onwards, Theseus became increasingly associated with Athens and its democratic reforms. His strength, political nous, and reputation for justice made him an ideal icon of Athens’ self-image. The Spartans could have done something similar with Lycurgus, and perhaps they did to some degree, but a prior mythical narrative and commitment got in the way. It was important to the Spartans that Sparta be seen as having been founded (or re-founded) by the descendants of Heracles (the Heraclidae). They cultivated myths that promoted their connection to the Heraclidae. As a result, Lycurgus was eclipsed. Whether Lycurgus does not have great narratives of adventure and conquest because he failed to channel the city’s psychological needs in any major way, or whether part of his failure to do so was his lack of exploits, is unknowable. But it certainly didn’t help raise his profile, and, in the annals of Greek mythology, he remains resolutely B-list.” — From ‘Classical Mythology: A Very Short Introduction’ by Helen Morales

[Pg. 54 — From ‘Classical Mythology: A Very Short Introduction’ by Helen Morales.]

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