Unveiling the Mythological Parallels: Greek vs. Roman Lore

Abstract

institutional affiliation Comparison of Roman Myth and Greek Myth Introduction Notably, in a closer analysis and study of the Roman and Greek mythology several similarities and difference can be observed. In a historical perceptive, there is no a clear background that show when the Greek mythology began but it is dated to have been around for more than 2,800 years. For the case of the Roman mythology, the empire started expanding in around 275 BCE. Throughout, large part of the Roman mythology was influenced by Greece mythology including the manner in which the myths portray the time period and how events are explained throughout the two mythology. Though several differences are evident, it is rather impressive to note the extent in which the Greek mythology is prevalent over the Roman mythology. This paper aims at conducting a detailed comparison of the Greek mythology and Roman mythology based on elements such as nature of gods, origin of the mythology, time period, the afterlife, the role of the mortals, traits and the physical form. In a review of gods and goddesses of the tow mythology, most of the Roman goddess and gods were derived from Greek mythology and they tended to be largely andromorphic. However, in terms of emotion dramatization, the Roman gods showed less emotion dramatization compared to the Roman gods. In terms of origin, the Greek mythology is dated to have come about 700 years prior to the Roman mythology. The Roman mythology is said to have been started by a solder called Aeneas who after the battle between Asia and Greece moved to Italy where he is said to have started the Roman mythology. On the other hand, though its is not clear when the Greek mythology could have originated or the actual time it started, it is assumed that it probably originated from Egyptians mythology because both mythologies believed in pantheon gods and the Egyptian mythology cam before the Greek mythology (Roman, & Roman, 2010). What is evident is that many of the Romans gods are borrowed from the Greek mythology but the only variation is that they have different names and traits. In terms of traits, gods within the Greek mythology are given perfect and beautiful physical appearance. On the other hand, gods within the Roman mythology are only presented based on human imagination and they are not given any physical form. Most of the Greek gods and goddesses are usually given human personality traits such as hate, love, honor and dignity and all the myths that are inclined to them are guided and shaped by the traits that they are granted (Morford, Lenardon, & Sham, 2011). In the Greek mythology the actions of mortal and gods are more individualistic where individual deeds are more influential compared to groups deeds. On the other hand, the Roman myth is relatively less individualistic. Regarding the afterlife, in Greek mythology, after life is less significant and in most cases mortals and gods are usually snatched from the afterlife and consequently brought to the present a notion that indicate less or no concern for the afterlife. There is much focus on the physical life where mortals are remembered and rewarded for their deeds on earth. On the contrary, Roman mythology is largely concerned on after life and Romans do good deeds mainly to secure a place in heaven and sometimes, they can earn a place among gods (Blundell, 2016). Similarly, regarding the role of the mortals, in Greek mythology, deities were important when it came to progression of life. Mortals were also equally as it is their social contribution that mattered at the end. On the other hand, in Roman mythology the actions of the mortals were less important than the heroic deeds of the gods once the mortals achieved good status in the afterlife. In the Roman mythology much focus is paid on morality and politics where the Romans pay much attention to augury, rituals and institution rather than cosmogony and theology. The tradition of the Romans was mainly focused in creating stories that were full of historical significance, myths and legends and which aimed at the rise of Rome. They mainly used the Greek mythology to fill in the gaps that existed in their mythology. There are two notable classes of gods within the Roman mythology and which include indigetes and the novensiles (Highet, 2015). The former were gods that were not adopted from other mythologies or religions while the latter are gods that can be found in other mythology or religions. The Greek mythology rarely followed historical events to make it make sense and fit and myths were only created to solve current problems or make sense of current events. There is no a notable creation story in the Roman mythology. However, in the Greek mythology, the story begins by explaining creation. In a closer look of the gods and goddesses in the two mythology, it is evident that every one of them reflected a counterpart in the opposite mythology. Three gods that standout based on this notion is Zeus, Poseidon and Hades in Greek mythology which are reflection of Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto in the Roman Mythology. Taking the example of Zeus, he was a reflection of Jupiter. Both given the trait of king...