Abstract

First of all the contribution shows in which situations the term "mythos", which originally meant "word", came to indicate, as opposed to "logos", an always more or less fantastic tale regarding events that were too ancient for indisputable knowledge. When and why the remains of legendary, multiform and lost traditions were grouped together and arranged in a systematic order to become a full-fledged mythology is then investigated. The author finally asks what - without being a tale or even a collection of tales - can give rise to this type of mental activity, setting fantasy into action.