Explore Important Mythologies - Greek, Roman, Norse, and More

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the inclusion of various mythologies in a proposed website dedicated to important mythologies from around the world. Participants suggest different mythological traditions, debate the categorization of certain belief systems, and express differing opinions on what constitutes mythology versus religion.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant lists several mythologies including Greek, Roman, Norse, Celtic, Chinese, Egyptian, American Indian, and African, seeking additional suggestions.
  • Another participant suggests including Christian, Jewish, and Muslim mythologies, arguing that if Greek mythology is considered silly, so too should be the biblical narratives.
  • Additional mythologies proposed include those of Central and South American peoples, Hindu, Japanese, Pacific Islandic, Babylonian/Assyrian, Inuit, Australian Aborigine, and Maori.
  • Some participants mention fictional mythologies such as those from Middle Earth and Lovecraftian lore, questioning their classification as mythology.
  • There is a discussion about the categorization of American Indian polytheism and whether it should be considered mythology or a legitimate religion.
  • One participant references definitions of mythology and challenges the exclusion of certain religious narratives from being classified as myths.
  • Another participant shares their involvement in cultural practices, suggesting that many traditions are still actively practiced and not merely historical.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on what should be included in the list of mythologies, with no consensus reached on the categorization of certain belief systems as mythology versus religion. Disagreements arise regarding the validity of including certain traditions and the implications of labeling them as myths.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions of mythology and religion, and there are references to cultural practices that may not fit neatly into either category. The discussion reflects a variety of perspectives on the significance and classification of different mythological traditions.

Greg Bernhardt
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I am making a site that deals with the important mythologies. I want to include as many as possible. So far I have these:

Greek
Roman
Norse
Celtic
Chinese
Egyptian
American Indian
African

What am I missing?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc.



[edit] Just want to make it clear that I'm being serious. It is my opinion that if you think that Greek mythology is silly, then the stuff they teach in the bible, etc are equally rediculous.
 
Last edited:
Central and South American peoples.
 
Hindu
Japanese
Pacific Islandic
Babylonian/Assyrian/Ancient Middle-Eastern
Inuit

Get a globe, close your eyes, and point.
 
Also:

Australian Aborigine mythology
Mythology of the Maori people of New Zealand.

Cheers.
 
Originally posted by dduardo
Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc.



[edit] Just want to make it clear that I'm being serious. It is my opinion that if you think that Greek mythology is silly, then the stuff they teach in the bible, etc are equally rediculous.

actually I believe greek mythology is scientific fact, please exuse me as I go pray in my zeus shrine out back.
 
Russian/slavic
Finno-Ugric, Gotta love that Kalavalla

and, the purely fictional ones

Middle Earth
Lovecraftian
Wicca

Njorl
 
Eskimo and Canadian Indian (although you may have meant to cover these with American Indian).

Pre-Hindu India

Zoroastrian and other Persian and Middle Eastern Mythologies
 
What about Germanic Mythology? Druidic? Ooh ooh, there is a question in this weeks Telegraph Crossword which is this

'The German god of thunder, counterpart of the Norse god Thor (5)'

and i have no idea at all, so any input is cool

What about Eastern European Mythology, the Russians have some story about a random dude called Dazhdbog (charming name), the son of the Almighty Perun and a mermaid named Ros...well that's all i can be bothered to read of the google header thing!
 
  • #10
actually don't worry bout the Telegraph crossword question, GOOGLE held the answer to that as well...for all those who are interested the German equivalent of Thor was called Donar
 
  • #11
Not forgeting the Druids, and other Pagans.

And of course environmentalism... the new anti-scientific mystical Mythology!
 
  • #12
i said druids!
 
  • #13
The druids were an elite Celtic warrior caste whose exact function or 'extantness' outside of the Goidelic Celts is not well known.
 
  • #14
hinduism christianity judaism budhism etc are all actual religions and no shouldn't be included in that forum. the list you had greg seems fine to me...

Middle Earth
Lovecraftian
Wicca

i don't think those would go in mythology really... wouldn't they be in ivans forum?
 
  • #15
Originally posted by Shadow
hinduism christianity judaism budhism etc are all actual religions and no shouldn't be included in that forum.

So your telling me that American Indian polytheism isn't a religion. Because they aren't the mainstream they are put into the category of mythology.

Rain god help my harvest grow. boom boom!
 
  • #16
from dictionary.com:

1:
A. A body or collection of myths belonging to a people and addressing their origin, history, deities, ancestors, and heroes.
B. A body of myths associated with an event, individual, or institution: “A new mythology, essential to the... American funeral rite, has grown up” (Jessica Mitford).

Uhm, by the above definition, how could any of the four you claim are not mythologies be excluded.

Aside from turning this into an argument, could you please show us something that makes stories from the bible or koran more then a myth?
 
  • #17
And I would add to the comments of Megashawn and dduardo that it is no myth either that I'll be found this year involved in the annual Deer Dance, which is an all day affair held on the 21st of Dec. I don't think things are as dead as many believe, not that I'm religious mind you, but many of the participants are.

Democracy;
Two religions voting a third to be only a myth.
 
  • #18
not that I'm religious mind you, but many of the participants are.

Sounds like a lot of people at church.
 
  • #19
Originally posted by selfAdjoint
Sounds like a lot of people at church.
LOL
 

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