Comparative Mythology: What Similarities and Differences Between Mythos

The Greeks and the Norse are the two sectors of humanity most well known for their mythologies. Both countries have vastly different climates, the Greek were flourishing with their fertile Mediterranean soil and during the country’s prime it was considered a paradisical society. The Norse, however, were stuck with frigid stubborn land and short growing seasons. This is reflected in both mythologies as Greek Mythology, while still explaining heavy subjects such as death and illness, had a much more cheery feel compared to the constantly brooding Norse Gods. The Greek creation myth begin with Chaos a veil of nothingness that surrounds the entire universe. Chaos is also surrounded by an unending stream of water ruled by Oceanus. The goddess Eurynome came out of the stream and with the help with of Ophion, a snake of the North Wind she gave birth to Eros. With the joy of her child she danced upon the waves of Oceanus’ stream making the land and populating it with diverse creatures. Three of these creatures were the Moirae the three sisters of fate who assign men’s birth, destiny, and death. Also born out of Chaos was Gaia, the goddess of the Earth; Ouranus, the god of the sky; Tatarus, the god of the underworld. Gaia and Ouranus had six sets of titan twins and six other monstrous children. Ouranus banished the cyclopes and giants to Tartarus which made Gaia furious. Gaia then called on her Titan children for help exacting her revenge. Only Cronus offered to help cut his father into pieces using a sickle. Cronus then had six children with Rhea, his sister. He proceeded to eat each of these children in paranoia that they were to overthrow him. Rhea, however tricked him of eating Zeus by giving him a rock instead. Zeus then grew up o... ...led an axis mundis and is â€Å"an imaginary vertical axis running as a center pole from the zenith of the sky through the ground, uniting heaven, Earth, and the Underworld.† (p.516, Rogers). The two examples of this are Bifrost and Yggdrasil, the second of which might represent how important plant life is to the Nords as if Yggdrasil were to die the apocalypse would erupt.Norse believe that the Titan, Ymir, had to die for Earth’s creation, while the Greeks believe that the Earth was created by Eurynome simply bounding on the ocean. This may further reflect the ease in which crops grow in the origins of the mythos. Works Cited  Rogers, Eugene F, Jr. Theology and Secuality: Classic and Contemporary Readings. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Inc., 2002. Print. Myers, Nicole. Comparisons of Creation Myths. Seminole State College of Florida. 19 Feb. 2009. Web. 20 May 2014.