66 replies to this topic

[debmedia]

A very simple queston: are there any reality in any mythologycal story? We all know that they are fantasy stories. but i just wonder if there any sort of reality in them. I get a link in wikipedia on similar topic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_understanding_of_Greek_mythology

If any reality in any myth then explain. if there any website or any articles on this topic then do post here.

[Arbitran]

debmedia, on 02 July 2012 - 09:27 AM, said:

A very simple queston: are there any reality in any mythologycal story? We all know that they are fantasy stories. but i just wonder if there any sort of reality in them. I get a link in wikipedia on similar topic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_understanding_of_Greek_mythology

If any reality in any myth then explain. if there any website or any articles on this topic then do post here.

I believe that myths do contain truth, yes. And even literal truth, occasionally. For instance, the deluge myth has been repeated so many times across the world that I believe that some real significant period of flooding did occur in the distant past. As for all myths being true, it would be very unwise of me to take such a position on faith. But when it comes to myths such as those recorded in the itihasa, those of the ancient Greeks, Chinese, and Japanese, to name a few, I do think that it is reasonable, based on the historical method, to reach the conclusion that the events recorded in the ancient myths might actually have occurred at some time in antiquity.

[spud the mackem]

I guess myths are stories invented long ago to keep children/people amused ,before modern inventions (radio/tv) maybe some have a ring of truth, but then they would become legends.

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

All myths have a basis in reality, be it as an explanation for a physical phenomenon (how humans learnt to use fire, where lightning comes from etc) or as an exageration of genuine events (The destructuin of Troy for example probably involved less goslings and more death).

[debmedia]

can anybody give any example comparing a myth with reality? like, one i can tell you, if you read norse mythology, you can get that they belived in multi planet. as they thought there are 9 world. i wonder, how they even think about multi planets when no telescope must found. if there is no advance science, how all myths tells us the process of creation so similar to one we know scientifically?

[Arbitran]

debmedia, on 02 July 2012 - 09:49 AM, said:

can anybody give any example comparing a myth with reality? like, one i can tell you, if you read norse mythology, you can get that they belived in multi planet. as they thought there are 9 world. i wonder, how they even think about multi planets when no telescope must found. if there is no advance science, how all myths tells us the process of creation so similar to one we know scientifically?

As I said, a decent example of a clear myth-meets-reality is the virtually universal flood myth.

Another good example is that of a war of the gods; the Titans .vs. the Olympians, the devas .vs. the asuras, the gods .vs. the giants, etc. Whatever the meaning of this myth is interpreted to be, it undeniably is common to most cultures of the ancient world, and thus likely contains some truth.

[Peter Cox]

Hi all I really like this topic

As far as myth goes I think that a whole lot of them may have basis in truth, stretched and changed and turned over the years much like broken telephone.

The nine world 9 planet thing I cant comment on as I have no info on it.

But then there are some myths that are just to far out there and some fanatics that try to hard and bend truth and reality to prove them, again i will mention the Adams calander and Sumerian gods myth, some guys here in South Africa are hell bent on making those 2 link but in all honesty I think they are very very wrong. Could be cool if they had serious proof but they dont.

So yes my opinion says some myths have basis in history but some are just people telling tall tales for entertainment or to prove a point. Then there are the extream more crazy people that like to porn off what they think and believe without any proof or basis and that just is a shame Only science and time can tell.

Have a great day all

Have a great day all.

[Peter Cox]

Arbitran, on 02 July 2012 - 10:39 AM, said:

As I said, a decent example of a clear myth-meets-reality is the virtually universal flood myth.

Another good example is that of a war of the gods; the Titans .vs. the Olympians, the devas .vs. the asuras, the gods .vs. the giants, etc. Whatever the meaning of this myth is interpreted to be, it undeniably is common to most cultures of the ancient world, and thus likely contains some truth.

Im drawn to agree with you, if 1 person says something it cant be taken at face value BUT the story/statement holds more credibility when told to you by 10 different people for 10 different places, cultures and race.

Nice post

Peter

[Emma_Acid]

Saying that all myths have a basis in reality because they're used to explain natural phenomena is a bit of a stretch. We simply don't know that all myths have a basis in truth, and probably will never know. But saying they definitely all do leaves the door dangerously open to a lot of pseudohistory.

[Peter Cox]

Emma_Acid, on 02 July 2012 - 10:47 AM, said:

Saying that all myths have a basis in reality because they're used to explain natural phenomena is a bit of a stretch. We simply don't know that all myths have a basis in truth, and probably will never know. But saying they definitely all do leaves the door dangerously open to a lot of pseudohistory.

Agreed it is not possible for all myths to have basis in truth or history, here is South African the local tribes have myths of all kinds of things. Most of them are stories passed from generation to generation and if there was any truth in them i think its been lost thought the years.

So again thats why I think some Myth most def has its place and basis in truth and others are just stories

[Myles]

I imagine that some do and some don't.   I think most are just stories.   Similar to Little Red Riding Hood.   Probably not based off of true events, but a warning of the dangers if you venture into the forest.

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

debmedia, on 02 July 2012 - 09:49 AM, said:

can anybody give any example comparing a myth with reality?

Not exactly what you wanted, but what about Brigadier General Douglas Haig. Legend has him as the Butcher of the Somme who mercilesly sent men to die to seize metres of land, who cared not a jot for the men under his command.
The reality of the man was thay he was fighting a 20th century war with a 18th century mindset, a failing for sure but he was as innovative and radic#l as his and his fellows' mindaet would allow. After the war he was responsible for the Returned Servicemeen's League and other groups tha looked out for servicemen and their families like Legacy.

[lightly]

debmedia, on 02 July 2012 - 09:49 AM, said:

can anybody give any example comparing a myth with reality? like, one i can tell you, if you read norse mythology, you can get that they belived in multi planet. as they thought there are 9 world. i wonder, how they even think about multi planets when no telescope must found. if there is no advance science, how all myths tells us the process of creation so similar to one we know scientifically?

I don't know why they thought there were 9 worlds...  but Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn ( and  sometimes Uranus if you have extra good vision)   are visible without a telescope. If they also thought of the sun and moon as "worlds"   then along with earth ,  that makes 9.
      We can see that planets move, as they orbit the sun, stars and galaxies appear to be motionless.
"planet"  is Greek for "wanderer".  

  Also in Norse mythology, It was said they used some sort of stone to guide them across the ocean.
It is now known that they did possess "sunstone" crystals  which are capable of polarizing light , allowing the vikings to locate the sun even on overcast days.

The Hittite empire, the only evidence of which was in the Bible, until physical evidence was found.

  My guess is that many myths have some basis in fact.

[Armchair Educated]

Read Plutarch's books he states opposing ideas of different myths from rome and greece

[debmedia]

Ever Learning, on 02 July 2012 - 12:25 PM, said:

Read Plutarch's books he states opposing ideas of different myths from rome and greece

That will help me, I just want something like that. thanks. and also mention if there any particular books you can remember.