World mythology gives us an understanding of early indigenous religions: Discuss - Essay Example

?World mythology gives us an understanding of early indigenous religions: Discuss. The present paper aims to discuss the significant role the world mythology has played in respect of introducing the generations with the cult and culture, which had been in vogue in different parts of the globe during the ancient and medieval times. The paper will elucidate the norms, values, morals, taboos and ethics in the light of the literature and folklores traditionally followed and adopted by various civilisations including the ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Indian and Mesopotamian societies, which later gave birth to different religious beliefs and faiths in their wake. Consequently, the ancient and medieval faiths will be elaborated in the present study in the light of the information and vast knowledge the age-old conventional mythological legends have been conveying and communicating for the last several centuries. The notion of mythology simply refers to the traditions, folklores, fables, and the pieces of art and literature depicting the socio-cultural values, norms, cult, customs, laws and taboos etc followed by a significant proportion of some specific society, which has subsequently been turned out to be the essential part and identification mark of that civilisation. Mythological tales, Lincoln (2006, p.243) argues, appear to be reflecting the ideological boundaries of a civilisation in the same manner as history and political science reveal the geographical boundary of an empire or a state at large. Since religion has always been an essential part of almost all societies of the world since ever, mythological records also define the religious systems and patterns of belief adopted by various cultures and civilisations in general. By looking into the history of mythology, it becomes crystal clear that ancient Greek mythology is unanimously regarded to be the most ancient and legendry records of social, political, economic, strategic and religious system followed by the people. The Greek stories, preserved by the ancient era poets, playwrights, philosophers, painters, sculptors, writers and intellectuals, elucidate the nature of cult observed by the people. Homer’s illustrious Iliad reveals that the people of ancient Greece used to worship several Olympian gods and goddesses. Zeus was the king of the deities, who was believed to be the source of all powers and wisdoms. Besides, Adonis and Aphrodite were considered to be the god and goddess of love, desire and beauty respectively, while Athena and Hephaestus were attributed as the goddess of wisdom and god of art and sculpture respectively (Graves, 1993). Similarly, the ancient Greek writers and poets used to seek the support from the nine Muses including Clio, Thalia, Erato, Euterpe, Polyhymnia, Calliope, Terpsichore, Urania, Melpomene while creating a piece of literature; all these muses were the daughters of Zeus and M (Diodorus Siculus, VII). The distinguished works including Odyssey, Iliad and others depict the Trojan wars, where Prometheus had played decisive role in the victory of the Greek deities over the Trojan people (Graves, 1993). The Iliad narrates the tale of Zeus’ entering into love affairs with several goddesses and female humans, including Leda, to which he seduces in the guise of a white swan; consequently, these tales allow the ancient Greek people to practice sex out of their choice. In addition, the king of Greek deities had also homosexual relations with the young and beautiful Trojan prince Ganymede, whom he had abducted for the sexual purposes (Graves, 1993). Homer narrates the love affair between the Achilles and Patroclus, which is aptly cited in the history of ancient Greek civilisation as erotic same-sex passion between the two (Nagy, 1999, p.105). As a result, homosexual affairs remained in vogue among the individuals belonging to the ancient Greece, though the same is strictly prohibited among the followers of Abrahamic faiths. Roman mythology also enjoys a distinguished place in the history of the world, which discusses the cultural traits and cult followed by the people belonging to this vast and magnificent empire of ancient times. The Roman traditions also share many Greek figures in their mythology, where Zeus is attributed to be Jupiter, while Eros is the counterpart of Adonis, according to the ancient Roman traditions. In addition, the Roman mythology defines just three muses, i.e. Aoidi, Melete and Meneme, help of which was sought by the ancient Roman artists and musicians for observing perfection in their creative activities. Moreover, the Romans got indulged into revelries and dissipation (Blond, 2000, p.11), which actually was not actually the part of their faith. Since rituals and customs had obtained central status in society, the legendary Roman law offering golden principles of justice, equality and fair play, reflected the rule of law in their belief system. It not only left tremendous impact of it on several civilisations of the world, but also endorsed the very belief that their religious always laid stress upon human rights and social justice. Somehow, because of the Romans’ imitating the same faith and cult attributed to the ancient Greek civilisation, the former shared several personalities, deities and cult associated with the Greek people. While discussing the Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Indian mythologies, it becomes evident that all these pre-historic civilisations maintained strong belief in polytheism; consequently, they used to worship multiple gods and goddesses. Both these mythologies are of the view that gods could visit the world in human guise in order to accomplish the tasks the humans are unable to perform. Hence, it is deities that used to enter the world to struggle against the tyranny, violence, ruthlessness and injustices prevailing on the earth. It is, therefore, Shurpu, Maqlu, Anuma, Anu Enlil and others reflect the tales of divine incarnation into humans in details that endorse the Christian belief in divinity of Jesus Christ and his arrival on the earth as human being (Walton, 2006, p.61). It is why the ancient Egyptians and Indian cultures portray almost the same scenario in the form of sculptures, paintings and drawings of the earliest eras, where gods and goddesses were sought for every help at the hour of need. The Mesopotamian civilisation also mixed some Biblical narratives in its mythology, where the Epic of Gilgamesh describes the Great Deluge in the same manner the Hebrew bible depicts the Noah’s flood. Abrahamic religions are considered to be most distinguished ones in comparison with the rest of the faiths existing on the face of the Earth. Preserved in the form of Holy Scriptures, including Old and New Testaments and Holy Qur’an; the mythologies of all the three Abrahamic faiths including Judaism, Christianity and Islam, describe the existence of One Creator, called Yahweh, God and Allah by the three faiths respectively, Who is running all the affairs of the entire world. It is God that bestows life on humans, and also imposes death by taking back life or soul from the human body. Moreover, the Abrahamic mythologies declare the prophet Abraham as their patriarch and spiritual head, where all the future prophets and spiritual leaders would be from his progeny only. Consequently, Moses and Christ, the greatest figures for the Jews and Christians respectively were the descendents of Abraham through his younger son Isaac, while the Holy Prophet of Islam, i.e. Muhammad (peace be upon him) was Abraham’s descendent through his elder son Ishmael. Though there are several differences among these three faiths, yet the concept of heaven and hell, the creation of Adam and Eve, Satan’s status as the explicit enemy of human generations, life after death, Day of Resurrection, reward on practicing good during the life on earth, and punishment and agony for leading a sinful life appear to be the common beliefs among the Abrahamic faiths. In addition, angels are regarded as the flawless sacred spirits that have been created out of light in order to carry out the tasks, Almighty God, the Lord of heavens and earth, commands them related to all the affairs of the universe at large; they are also viewed to be supernatural messengers of God particularly appointed to communicate the messages and commandments of the Lord to the humanity through the holy prophets (Hugh, 2010). Somehow, the mythologies attributed to the above-mentioned Abrahamic faiths also differ from one another in many respects. For instance, the Jewish traditions consider Moses as the greatest human and prophet as well sent by Yahweh (i.e. God) for the political and spiritual uplift of the House of Jacob. Thus, the confine the spiritual guidance and political and religious welfare to one specific race or community, i.e. the children of Israel or Jacob, the grandson of Abraham (Dimont, 2003, p.7). In addition, the Jewish mythology also alludes to the fact that the Jewish faith is monotheist in nature, and would not allow worshipping anyone other than Yahweh (Leviticus 19:1-4). It is therefore, God punished the sinners among the Jews on worshipping the golden calf (Exodus, 32) in the absence of their Prophet Moses, who had been called by Yahweh for forty days and nights for prayers and meditation on the Mount Sinai (Exodus, 24:12-18). Moreover, the Jewish mythology also condemns homosexuality by declaring it strictly against the teachings of their faith. They cite the fate of the people living in the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which were destroyed by the angels by the decree of God, for collectively practicing homosexuality and forcing the outsider visitors to the city for observing the same (Genesis 19). The same traditions have also been adopted by Christians and Muslims subsequently. Both Bible (Matthew, 10:14-15) and Holy Qur’an (7:80-84) endorse the tale of the people committing sexual intercourse with the members of same-gender, during the time of the Prophet Lot. As a result, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah out of sheer wrath for openly revolting against His commandments (Qur’an 11:77-83). However, Biblical myths view Jesus Christ of Nazareth as the son of God, who sacrificed his life just to save the entire humanity from the wrath of God because of committing several sins and disobediences during the life on the earth (Chadwick, 1975, p.19). Christian mythology also narrates the Jesus’ opposition carried out by the Nazareth community, which had got involved into the sins of various types. The famous Sermon on the Mount delivered by Christ reflects the basic teachings of the religion, which had been narrated in Leviticus 18 & 19 (i.e. the Old Testament), and later were described in various chapters of the Qur’an (particularly chapter 2 and 17); all of which lay stress upon worshipping One God, obeying the parents, being supportive to the elders and kind to the younger, refraining from adultery and fornication of all kinds, practicing goodness to the neighbours, travellers and relations, and observing truthfulness, justice, equality and benevolence to all creatures of the world (Syed, 2003). Thus, Abrahamic mythologies portray the complete picture of the religious practices observed and imitated by the followers of the three faiths for the last many centuries. To conclude, it becomes evident that the mythologies serve as the archaeological, artistic and literary record of the religious, cultural, social, political and economic life and activities of the civilisations, which particularly narrate the belief system prevailing within some particular geographical boundaries. The ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Chinese and Abrahamic mythologies also draw out their faith systems and cults through their respective mythologies in the effective and influential manner, which turns out to be beneficial and supportive for the readers to comprehend with the teachings and practices adopted and followed by the individuals belonging to divergent cultures, societies, civilisations and beliefs of the world in general. Bibliography Blond, A. (2000). A Scandalous History of the Roman Emperors. Carroll & Graf Publishers, New York. Chadwick, H. (1975). The Early Church. The Pelican History of Church 1, Penguin Book. Dimont, M. I. (2003). Jews, God and History. 2nd Edition. New American Library. Graves, R. (1993). Greek Mythology I & II. Penguin Books. Hugh, P. (2010). Angels. The Catholic Encyclopaedia. Vol. 1. Robert Appleton Company, New York. Lincoln, B. (2006). An Early Moment in the Discourse of “Terrorism: Reflections on a Tale from Marco Polo. Comparative Studies in Society and History. Cambridge University Press, Vol. 48, No. 2 April, pp. 242-259. Littleton, M. (2001). Jesus. Westminster, John Knox Press. Nagy, G. (1999). The Best of the Achaeans. Second Edition. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. Syed, A. A. (2003). The Spirit of Islam. Kessinger Publishing. Walton, J. H. (2006). Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible. Baker Academic USA. Read More