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HISTORY, MYTHS, ORIGINS
The Origins of Mythology
Where and Why
Mythology is a very rich and complex fabric spun out of the human imagination, cultural history, and social requirements. By exploring the past, we can understand the continued relevance of myths.
The term “myth” is from the Greek “mythos” meaning “story” or “narrative. Myths are oral folk tales that are passed down through the generations and often include deities, heroes, and the supernatural.
These are not simply fables, but the products of the collective memories and belief systems of the people who created them.
Early mythology can be traced back to prehistoric times when early humans tried to make sense of the world around them, much like now.
The earliest myths were probably talked about and passed among campfires, in groups, and down through generations, changing with each retelling.
Myths, with the increasing complexity of human societies, also grew to incorporate new issues that need addressing or a note made that we dealt with it and this is how to move on for future generations.
Ancient cultures (e.g., Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek, and Indian) did leave us some of the earliest recorded myths.) the oldest established literary work, the Sumerian Epic…
