Comparison of World Myths

Similarities between World Myths
Lazarus & Persephone, Cornerstones by Be Gardiner, Creston, North Carolina
Chattanooga State Sculpture Garden II, part of the campus permanent collection

1. Chaos before creation
2. First parent gods of sky and earth
3. Creator-god usually creates first humans from parts of the earth
4. The gods destroy at least one world of humans by causing a great flood
5. In the world of nature there is a cycle: birth-maturity-death-rebirth
6. Heroes are children of a god--who have had an unusual birth and share some of the following:
1. Possess special powers
2. Possess great strength
3. Kill monsters with special weapons
4. Embark on an arduous journey
5. Descend to underworld
6. Have an unusual death
7. Heroes offer model behavior.
1. Earn lasting fame
2. None perfect
3. Cannot escape mortality
4. Show relationship between individual desires and responsibility to community (If the leader places himself above community--all suffer)
5. Show how to relate to outside forces
6. External characteristics of Hero
1. Immortal parent
2. Unusual birth
3. Artistocratic social position
4. Divine sponsorship

Major Differences between World Myths

Ramses II at the Battle of Kadesh,
Wikipedia (relief at Abu Simbel)

Comparing how gods in different cultures treat humans

Gods differ in their attitude towards humans
North American, Greek, Egyptian, Indian gods	appreciate and are sympathetic to humans
Norse & Mesopotamian gods	are indifferent to humans

Source Material

This content was developed by retired Chattanooga State professor Linda Reaves and is based on material taken from Donna Rosenberg, World Mythology and the works of Joseph Campbell.

HUM 2130 World Mythology