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The Conversation
The Conversation
Marie-Claire Beaulieu, Associate Professor of Classical Studies, Tufts University

What ancient Greek stories of humans transformed into plants can teach us about fragility and resilience

Stories from Greek mythology often show the close relationship between humans and plants. Kristoffer Trolle/flickr, CC BY-SA

For me, gardening is the most joyful summer activity, when I can see my hard work rewarded with colorful blooms and lush greenery. Science explains this feeling by recognizing the deep bond between humans and plants. Being in a nurturing relationship with nature supports our physical and mental health.

At the same time, as a scholar of Greek mythology, I also see the close relationship between humans and plants reflected in ancient stories. In fact, Greek literature and poetry often represent human life as plant life.

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