Myths are ingrained in every global region, constituting a vital aspect of their culture and identity. They played a pivotal function in ancient societies by fulfilling various roles such as providing entertainment, answering queries, offering explanations, and establishing social norms. Above all else, myths enabled these societies to grasp the origins of the universe, the emergence of humanity, the powers of nature, human experiences, and the purpose of life. As a result, myths are indispensable for specific communities to comprehend influential forces that shape and affect their existence.
Myths from various ancient civilizations such as Rome, Greece, Christianity, Norse, and Mesopotamia all contain these common elements. These myths often portray the origins of things, dreams, archetypes, metaphysical aspects, proto-scientific aspects, religious beliefs, and sometimes just entertaining stories. The most popular myths revolve around gods and heroes who helped shape the unique identities of these civilizations. Overall, myths served as a way to connect different aspects of human life and experiences.
According to Internet 4, the myths of these people held immense importance in their lives. They served multiple purposes like explanations, assurance, encouragement, and inspiration. Creation myths were particularly popular among various other myths and played a fundamental role in their comprehension of the universe. These divine myths not only provided explanations but also offered reassurance, encouraged perseverance, and inspired remarkable achievements. Although the Greeks and Romans shared similar creation myths regarding the origins of the universe and humans, they assigned different names to their gods and goddesses.
Creation myths are popular because they provide explanations for the origin of the universe and humanity, as well as the purpose of life. In Greek mythology, there is a divine myth about the Rise of the Olympians which reveals that their origins can be traced back to their supreme rule over the universe. However, this came at a price for their father, Cronus, who had gained power by overthrowing his own father, Uranus. To prevent experiencing a similar fate of being dethroned by his own children, Cronus allegedly swallowed them immediately after their birth.
The significance of this myth lies in its origins and its reflection of the human condition. It serves as a reminder that attempting to avoid fate does not lead to a happy ending. According to Internet 1, Zeus, one of his children, was secretly taken away to ensure his safe growth and later returned to compel Cronus to regurgitate his other children. Zeus and his siblings were reunited and participated in the Titanomachy battles. Eventually, the Olympians emerged victorious, the Titans were confined in Tartarus, and Zeus became the king. This myth forms the foundation of their understanding of how the universe came into existence.
In addition, this myth provided explanations for various elements of the universe. Different roles were assigned to the gods and goddesses, who were responsible for “creating the earth and its beings, as well as the Sun, Moon, and Stars.” (Internet 4) Zeus took on the position of God of the Sky and all its phenomena, which included the clouds and thunderbolts. Hestia became the goddess of the Hearth. Poseidon was given control over the Sea by Zeus. Demeter became a goddess of Fertility, Hera became the goddess of Marriage and Childbirth, and Hades, another one of Zeus’ brothers, became god of the Underworld.
The Underworld is a common theme in Norse myths and Mesopotamian myths. In Aeneid VI, Virgil depicts the Roman/Greek Underworld using terms like “Sorrow… vengeful care… pale sickness… sad old age… illness… ill-advising Hunger… shameful poverty… death… drudgery… discord” (Virgil, Aeneid VI: 274-280). He also references various mythical creatures including Centaurs, Scyllaeque biformers, Briareus, Lernean Hydra, Chimaera, Gorgons, Harpies, and tricorporis shade (Virgil, Aeneid VI: 285-9). Such depictions of the Underworld would have captivated the people of that era. According to Greek and Roman mythology, mankind was brought into existence by Prometheus.
The theory of the world and universe is greatly aided by mythology. Greek mythology teaches that humans were formed by merging earth and water, with fire being pilfered from the gods for humankind’s advantage. Likewise, Norse mythology focuses on deities and their role in fashioning the world. Though their narratives vary slightly from those of Greeks and Romans, they possess a shared concept about the cosmos. Norse mythology maintains that Ginnungagap, a chasm enveloped by fire and ice, was the original state of the world.
Ymir, a giant born from the combination of fire and ice, and Audhumbla, a cow, were responsible for the creation of the world. Ymir’s act of licking Audhumbla unveiled Bur, a man who had three grandsons including Odin. Together with his brothers, Odin killed Ymir, the frost giant. They used Ymir’s remains to form various elements of nature according to Norse mythology: his blood became the sea, his flesh became the earth, his skull formed the sky, his bones transformed into mountains, and his hair became trees.
The Lay of Vafthrudnir mentions that before Ymir’s demise, a man and woman grew from his armpits. The Voluspa poem suggests that Odin and his brothers created the first man and woman using an ash tree and an elm tree. It was Odin who granted humans life, intelligence, and beauty.
In addition to this creation story is another belief described in Voluspa that before Bur’s sons shaped lands bringing life to middle-Earth; Ymir existed without sand, sea earth or sky. Similar to patterns found in Greek and Roman mythology followed by Odin when creating heaven Earth underworld in three levels within universe.
The Norse myths provide explanations for the origins and functions of different elements in the world, such as the sun, moon, and stars. Like Greek mythology, Sol is the deity who symbolizes the sun and rides a chariot through the sky while being pursued by a wolf. The moon, called Mani and Sol’s sibling, also evades a wolf. Moreover, Norse mythology recounts the tale of Svalinn: a shield that safeguards Sol from its burning rays.
The Greeks, Romans, and Mesopotamians all had theories of the world that relied on myths as explanations. The lack of technology and scientific knowledge made myths essential for understanding creation. In Mesopotamia, particularly in Sumerian mythology, gods like An (the sky god) and Ki (the earth goddess) were used to explain natural phenomena. Enlil, their son, played a significant role in these myths. In Sumerian mythology, Nammu, the sea, was believed to be “the mother who gave birth to heaven and earth” (Kramer, Sumerian Mythology, 1972: 39).
In various cultures, there is a common element of the universe – an underworld governed by a god. Similar to the ancient Greeks and Romans, these myths explain celestial entities like the moon. One such myth involves Enlil and the goddess of wind, Ninlil. According to the story, Enlil impregnates Ninlil while she is bathing, resulting in the conception of the future moon god, Nanna. Outraged by Enlil’s actions, the other gods demand that he be banished from the town for his sexual offense. In response to their demands, Enlil creates three substitutes for Nanna who will reside in the underworld.
In this myth, there is mention of a river in the Underworld, similar to the river described in Virgil’s Aeneid VI: “Cocytusque sinu labens circumvenit atro” or “Cocytus glides around holding them in his dark lap.” (Virgil, Aeneid VI: 132) Furthermore, these divine myths also explain the creation of mankind. The sea goddess Nammu seeks out her son Enki, who is the god of wisdom. Enki instructs her to mix the clay that is over the abyss, while the skilled and noble craftsmen shape it. You, Nammu, are to give form to the limbs.
Ninmah, the earth-mother or birth goddess, will be present as you are being formed. The goddesses of birth will stand beside you during this process. O my mother, please decree the destiny of the newborn. Ninmah will bestow upon it the likeness of the gods. It is indeed man. This demonstrates that “man was created to alleviate the gods of their responsibilities” (Internet 3). Additionally, the Sumerians utilized these gods to elucidate their way of life. Samuel Noah Kramer summarizes these legends as Enlil, the air-god, was determined to bring forth growth from the earth and establish prosperity in the land. It was Enlil who fabricated the pickax and probably the plow as prototypes for agricultural tools to be employed by man. Moreover, it is Enki who actively organizes the earth, specifically the region encompassing Sumer and its neighboring areas, into a functioning entity (Kramer, Sumerian Mythology, 1972: 42). Theories regarding creation and human existence in their world were similar to Greek, Roman, and Norse myths in that they were supported by divine accomplishments. The roles played by heroes in mythology are also integral to its framework.
Heroes in epic myths serve both as entertainment for the audience and as a guide for how men and women should live their lives. In these myths, the presence of the gods is significant, showing their influence in everyday life. This suggests that our lives are ultimately determined by the gods and fate, and we must obey their will. A prominent example of this is Virgil’s epic myth about the establishment of Rome. The Aeneid revolves around the divine Trojan hero Aeneas, who is described as being “sprung from divine blood” (Virgil, Aeneid VI: 125) and is destined to discover Rome.
In Virgil’s Aeneid VI: 45-6, it is necessary for Aeneas to call upon his fate, as stated by the phrase “poscere fata/ tempus”, which means “It is now time to invoke your fate”. The theme of fate is also significant in Homer’s Odyssey and this epic also mentions oracles. In Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, the oracle informs Oedipus that it is his destiny to be killed by his own son (711-3). Another famous myth involves Achilles, who, similar to Aeneas, has both a mortal and divine parent.
The concept of a hero is often associated with a divine birth, but they can also possess extraordinary human qualities such as godlike strength or beauty. In Homer’s Iliad, it is prophesied that Achilles will either live a long life without glory or die gloriously in battle at Troy, emphasizing the importance of seeking honor in one’s life. Achilles embodies qualities highly valued by the ancient Greeks, including strength, bravery, military skills, pride, and honor, making him a role model. Other mythologies, such as Norse and Mesopotamian, also feature heroes embarking on quests guided by gods. One of the oldest hero tales is the Babylonian Gilgamesh epic, written around 2000 BC, where the hero Gilgamesh seeks immortality. In Christianity, the story of the Hebrew prophet Moses can be interpreted as a heroic journey.
In brief, ancient mythology had a profound impact on daily life. It shaped cultural identity and inspired individuals to follow the gods’ paths while upholding values like strength, bravery, pride, and honor. Additionally, myths provided entertainment and answered questions about creation, human origins, existence, and conditions. They also established societal norms for people to live by – including traits such as courage, loyalty, piety, perseverance, and acceptance of fate.
Myths were significant in the ancient world as they were crucial to cultural identity. They served to understand the universe and share knowledge, especially through creation and hero myths. These types of myths were prevalent in mythologies such as Rome, Greece, Christianity, Norse mythology, and Mesopotamia. The primary goal of myths was to provide assurance, encouragement, and inspiration to ancient civilizations while explaining the forces that influence their lives.
