Greek and Roman mythologies have fascinated people for centuries, inspiring books, films, research and conversation among those who want to learn more and who want to share the stories of the Gods and Goddesses. Their stories (fables or myths, depending on their origin), their triumphs and defeats, and their imminent immortality were the influence of many other religions, including Paganism and Norse Mythology.
Unfortunately, many people do not know the differences between Greek and Roman mythology, if the two are confused. In fact, the two are very different from each other and take almost opposite values of life which are the means of the people of the time. The Greek and Roman gods were not worshiped like the Christian God, but rather used as an example of what mortal men should and should not do.
The first Greeks came a thousand years before the Romans. Their most famous work, the Iliad, was distributed 700 years ago in the famous Roman codex of the Aeneid. The Iliad is based on at least 300 years of legends and stories that were handed down from mortal eyewitnesses, which are certainly correlated with the Christian Bible. It is not meant as holy scripture, but as a history of memory Greek Gods and Goddesses who were worshiped by people at that time.
The Greeks were chiefly known in life on the earth, towards the event of the destruction of life. They believed that a man’s work was established in his life, and that the memory of his gifts in the world was true immortality. His behavior, personality and interaction with other people spoke for his dignity. Gods and Goddesses are based on human characteristics – such as Love, Honor, Dignity, Hate – and their actions in the stories were symbolic of the actions of men. Many stories involve mortals or some god being rescued from the underworld, illustrating the belief that their demise is of no concern, and that the physical world is important.
Poets, artists, and those who devoted themselves to studies, were well respected by the Greeks. They placed creativity above physical works in the mortal and legendary world; stories should reflect those personal characteristics and explain the positive and negative meanings of people. The gods were important to the progress of life, but the mortal heroes were just as sacred, for they looked to the end of society.
He was also very important; the actions of the multitude were not of consequence like the actions of one; Men were responsible for their own salvation, and could not be troubled by the errors of the common people.
But the Romans were far more learned than the Greeks, and more intent on deeds than words. While the Greeks worshiped the poet, the Romans supported war with the highest sanctity, bravery and dangers taken by mortals and gods. They strongly felt that good things on earth would be well received in Heaven, and they tried to earn their place among the Gods in the next life. For if someone had done well enough in life, they believed that after death they would transcend the gods.
The Romans adopted many of the Greek myths and deities, changing the names and circumstances to support their beliefs. . For example, the Roman Gods were not individuals, like the Greek Gods, but were named for things and actions rather than human natures. The fables were embedded in the mighty and heroic acts of the Gods, and seldom brought before them the lives of mortals, because mortal life was not so great as that after death.
Even the Roman Gods and Goddesses were often not gender specific, since individual characteristics were not central to their activity.
Romans and Greek Mythology are very different, although they are rooted in similar histories. A study of these particulars of the Greeks and Romans illustrates their values and beliefs, and one can better understand how these stories and anecdotes originate.
