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Greek mythology in the modern world
Mythology in modern media
D concept of afterlife in Greek culture
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Recommended: Greek mythology in the modern world
Everyone is eventually going to die, it is inevitable, and the Greek and Norse people knew this. Talk of some form of afterlife is really common in both of these cultures. After looking at both mythologies, the topic of where the average American would go when they die according to Norse and Greek mythology appeared to be a relevant topic. While researching, it became evident that Norse and Greek mythologies both have very elaborate views on the afterlife. To understand Norse and Greek mythology, you must first know a little about mythology. Mythology is the study of how past civilizations believed in a higher power, normally represented as gods and goddess, and the stories they tell to give explanations and purpose to natural phenomenon. …show more content…
One of the most famous depictions of Norse mythology, in pop culture, is the movie Thor. Norse and Greek mythologies have both made their way into modern society. Yet, Greek mythology has a definite depiction of the afterlife while Norse mythology has no consistent idea of the afterlife. (McCoy, Daniel). Even though Norse mythology is not consistent, there still are parts of the afterlife that are discussed. The most common depiction of Norse afterlife is that it is divided into three main parts, Hel, Valhalla, and Folkvang. The most common of the three parts of the afterlife is Hel, which is ruled by the goddess of death and the afterlife, Hel. In Hel, most people continue to do what they did in their mortal life, and remain under the location where they lived their mortal lives. (McCoy, Daniel). Most average people go there when they die, which is why most Americans would end up in …show more content…
In the underworld, there are 5 rivers for human troubles: Archeron-woe, Cocytus-lamentation, Phlegethon-fire, Styx-unbreakable oath-, and Lethe-forgetfulness. The entrance is guarded by Cerberus, a three-headed dog who is famously known for being Hercules’s twelfth trial. In order to enter into Hades, you would first need to ride on a ferry with Charon. Most Americans would never make it into Hades in the first place, because you are required to be buried with a coin in your mouth, which is not traditionally done in the United States. (Karas, Michael & Megas,
According to the Romans, people are sent to the River of Forgetfulness so they can reincarnate into another life. However, those who have acted badly in their lives do not have the option of reincarnation reincarnation, and, instead, must stay in perdition forever. The Blackfeet Indians believed in a ghost camp afterlife where all the dead went In the reading it did never say if good or bad people live there or if all dead people go there or only some; in this story there isn’t much information discussing the afterlife so I don’t really understand everything about what they thought would happen to you after death. The third myth is about what the Mantu think about the afterlife. In neither of the stories it really discusses much about it, the first myth the Man who would shoot Iruwa just talks about how the sun gods guard the underworld nothing more. In the second myth the girl who Wanted New Teeth all it talks about regarding the afterlife is that the chief, Imana brought back the woman’s children. One of the most interesting things in it was the egyptian mythology. It says once before entering the
Many religions and philosophies attempt to answer the question, what happens after a person dies? Some religions, such as Christianity and Islam, believe there is an afterlife. They believe that good and moral people enter Heaven or Paradise and that bad and immoral people go to Hell. Other religions and cultures believe that death is final, and that nothing happens after a person dies. Buddhism and Hinduism have different ideas about death.
What did the afterlife meant to Roman and Norse society? Back in the days, ones afterlife was essential since it set the behavior in ones normal life. While the Romans adapted a similar culture of the Greeks, the Vikings worshiped a pantheon of gods and goddesses, each one representing a different aspect of life.
... One tradition involving the underworld occurs above Hades. When a person dies, someone places a coin under the tongue of the victim. Charon, the ferryman, would not take any soul across the River Styx who did not have the coin. Those who didn’t would roam the banks of the river for eternity.
There are multiple views on death and the afterlife and each view is different depending on the religion or belief that someone practices. Some religions believe in a heaven but not a hell, some believe in both and others do not believe in either. The religions that are practiced today were created by our ancient ancestors who had the ability to think beyond themselves. Practicing a religion and having an idea of death and an afterlife back in ancient times laid a foundation on how religion is seen and practiced today. Mesopotamians, Egyptians and Hindu’s created the concept of death and life after death through what they believed and practiced in ancient times.
The gods and goddesses were thought to control different parts of the universe. For example, Zeus is the king of the gods, controlled weather. Or like Athena who was the goddess of wisdom. You learn about different gods and goddesses in myths. A myth is a story about a god or goddess. Homer, a blind poet, is famous for telling myths. He told myths because no one could read or write.
Mythology is defined as a collection of interrelated stories of a given culture. Myths are intended to explain and describe the mysteries of nature and give understanding about the world that surrounds us. Each culture has their own mythology that reflects their values and beliefs. Myths were also generated to tell the story of the first people to inhabit the earth. The Egyptian mythology elevated these people to the level of Gods and Goddesses by giving them supernatural and special powers. These myths of creation were passed from one generation to the next, either orally or by hieroglyphs painted in sacred temples, pyramids, and sanctuaries.
Thor is a war god that was widely worshipped throughout Scandinavia. He is the protector of the the realm of the gods, riding through the heavens on a chariot harnessed to two he-goats, bringing thunder and lighting with him. His strength is unmatched; he even has a belt that doubles his power. His actions in the gods’ realm was similar to that of the ones he carried out on the mortal plane; he would often be called upon by those in need of protection. (Norse Mythology for Smart People.)
The Vikings have garnered attention over the years not only for their raiding and trading, but also for the Paganist gods and religion. Similar to many other ancient civilizations, the Vikings leave behind many myths containing tales of their gods and their beliefs. Marvel’s 2011 film Thor serves as an introduction to Norse gods and mythology, but it does fall flat in term of accuracy and detail in certain areas. Despite various large and small-scale changes to its overall plot and characters, Thor has been well-adapted to portray Norse myths as best as possible within an existing Marvel franchise.
Christians, for example, believe that souls that have lived by the words of their God will exist eternally in heaven as divine beings themselves. This conception of an afterlife is generally what we people who are residents of the Unitied States hold to be true. For American culture has its roots in Europe and European culture was and is still influenced by Christian faiths. Similar to Christianity, the Hinduism also eases the fear of death by presenting a life after death. Disimilarities present themselves in the two faiths concerning exactly what kind of afterlife is lived. Believers of the Hindu faith expect to be reincarnated after their demise, either as an animal or human being depending on the manner in which their lives were carried out.
Mythology was used by the ancient worlds to tell their civilizations past and explain the unexplainable. The highly known and studied mythologies include Greek, Roman and Egyptian. However, there is another mythology that is lesser known in terms of popularity, Norse mythology, it is known to date back just as far and even farther in some cases than the more popular mythologies. Even though it is not widely known about, it still contains a vast and detailed history.
Mythology is an essential part of all cultures. Through myth, ancient cultures attempted to explain the world and make sense of their daily lives. Myth helps us to live in the minds and time period of people who lived many centuries ago with no technology, no running water, and a basic education. Greek myth is possibly the most commonly recognized myth simply because it is likely the most developed and best recorded. Modern Greek myth originated around 1000 B.C. in the writings of the famous Greek poet Homer in the Odyssey and the Illiad. Although early Greek myths are often vague and contain many primitive elements regarding their understanding of death, sacrifice, and fate, later myths show Greek culture developed and changed over time.
Norse and Celtic religions are the religions that were born in a primal world of chaos where conflict and survival was an everyday struggle. These religions are brutal unlike the religions we have today, these ancient beliefs felt it was necessary to perform sacrificial rituals in order to gain the god's favor. All living things were subject to these sacrifices livestock and humans would have been the most common. Death was something to be embraced in both these ancient religions it was a gateway to the afterlife.
Both Norse and Chinese mythology have similarities when it comes to the creation of the universe and the titles of some of their gods. This is amazing since these two cultures were so far apart. Another thing that makes this incredible is the fact that the people of ancient China were very private people and are shrouded in secrecy.
...sions of the mythology, it is easy to tell what the cultures held in high regard. The Greeks were a civil people; their chief deity was a god of law, justice, and morals. The Norse, on the other hand, were a people of war. Their chief god was a god of war and death, and the only way to Valhalla was to die honorably in battle. Examining these mythologies is an excellent way to show the similarities and differences of the two cultures.