Greek Literature in its Near Eastern Context - Essay Example

Striking Similarities in the Greek Myth Myths are stories that are given in order to explain how certain events are assumed to have occurred; they are characteristic of any world culture. Myths, alongside other important oral narratives, are important in perpetuating some of the cultural values that are highly esteemed by a society. It is important to understand that from one society to another, the types and number of myths given varies significantly. There are certain features that are used to identify certain myths with certain cultures or groups of people.

The Food MythAll cultures of the world have certain myths that are used to describe the origin of the customs, rituals and other cultural aspects. It is often said that ancient traditional societies justify the fact that it’s their customs that are that created or led to such occurrences courtesy of their gods (Riordan 103). The flood myth has often been given by various cultures about a certain time in history when there was a great flood that swept away the world, ushering a new generation that formed part of our present humanity.

The Greek MythGreek mythology comprises of collections of narratives explaining the origin of the world and gives the origin of the world and adventures of a variety of gods, goddesses, heroes and heroines (Henderson 87). The same of the case with other world myths, however, form the Greek mythology, this entire stories are found in the collection of Greek literature, the oldest of which being lliad and Odyssey. At the same time, two poems composed by Homer near the contemporary Hesiod, gives a great account of the genesis of the world, including the story of the flood.

In Greek, it is important to note that mythology stories are specially preserved in Homeric themes, something that distinguishes them from other world myths. Works CitedHenderson, John. Telling Tales on Caesar: Roman Stories from Phaedrus. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2009. Print.Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief. New York: Miramax /Hyperion for Children, 2005. Print.