Similarities between World Myths

Lazarus and Persephone
Lazarus & Persephone, Cornerstones by Be Gardiner, Creston, North Carolina
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  1. Chaos before creation
  2. First parent gods of sky and earth
  3. Creator-god usually creates first humans from parts of the earth
  4. The gods destroy at least one world of humans by causing a great flood
  5. In the world of nature there is a cycle: birth-maturity-death-rebirth
  6. Heroes are children of a god--who have had an unusual birth and share some of the following:
    1. Possess special powers
    2. Possess great strength
    3. Kill monsters with special weapons
    4. Embark on an arduous journey
    5. Descend to underworld
    6. Have an unusual death
  7. Heroes offer model behavior.
    1. Earn lasting fame
    2. None perfect
    3. Cannot escape mortality
    4. Show relationship between individual desires and responsibility to community (If the leader places himself above community--all suffer)
    5. Show how to relate to outside forces
    6. External characteristics of Hero
      1. Immortal parent
      2. Unusual birth
      3. Artistocratic social position
      4. Divine sponsorship

Major Differences between World Myths

Ramses 2
Ramses 2 at the Battle of Kadesh,
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Comparing how gods in different cultures treat humans
Gods differ in their attitude towards humans
North American, Greek, Egyptian, Indian gods appreciate and are sympathetic to humans
Norse & Mesopotamian gods are indifferent to humans