Classical Mythology : The Theogony Of Hesiod

Despite all their similarities, The Greeks and Romans engaged in substantive culture differences. Their religions derived from a complex set of gods and goddesses, called deities, who were seen as regulating human life. Since the Romans embraced culture from the Greeks, many traditions were the same. However, the Greek and Roman culture, although similar, are very different and appealing. For instance, the Greeks did not acknowledge an all-powerful god; they believe that deities controlled everything that transpired on earth. In other words, the Greeks sought religious cults to explain the forces that shape the world (Bentley et al, 2008 p.143).

In both Greek and Roman civilizations, mythology played an important part in their empire’s success. Both of these civilizations were polytheistic religions. Likewise, they had major and minor gods and goddesses as part of their religion as well. However, since the Roman Empire conquered many cultures including the Greeks, their gods blended with many similarities with the gods that the Ancient Greeks worshipped.

Asides from the planets, many of the moons orbiting the planets, especially Jupiter (Zeus) have been named according to Greek mythology. Pluto’s moon Charon was named after the boat keeper of the underworld, continuing the link between ancient Greek mythology and western society.

The Theogony is one of the most well-known sources of ancient Greek Mythology. It was written around 700 BC and delineates the emergence of the universe as well as the gods’ births and origins. Hesiod begins and ends the poem with a reference to the Heliconian Muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, goddesses of the arts as well as proclaimers of heroes and gods. In the beginning of the poem, Hesiod discloses that by order of the Muses he has to begin and end his stories of the gods with a reference to them (Hesiod quoted by Evelyn-White, Hugh G., Theogony 2004: 29-35).

Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece. Modern scholars refer to, and study, the myths, in an attempt to throw light on the religious and political institutions of Ancient Greece, its civilization, and to gain understanding of the nature of myth-making itself.

The Roman Empire’s rise began before its coming into existence. Founded in 753 BCE on the Tiber River, Roman myths say that two brothers founded Rome. Rome “became known for its generosity, particularly toward refugees…” (35). Rome formed military alliances with other nations and tried to incorporate other Italian tribes such as the Etruscans and Umbrians into Roman society and culture. Rome was not harsh or cruel after they defeated their foes. They were like the Persians and offered a treaty with the conquered group. The groups

The story of ancient Rome is a tale of how a small community of shepherds in the central Italy grew to become one of the greatest empires in history, and then collapsed. According to Roman legend. Rome was founded in 753 B.C. By 275 B.C., it controlled most of the Italian Peninsula. In the A.D. 100’s, the Roman Empire covered about half of Europe, much of the Middle East, and the northern coast of Africa. The empire then began to crumble, party because it was too big for Rome to govern.

In 146 B.C.E. the Roman Republic marched on the city of Corinth, the most powerful and wealthiest city state at the time of the attack. The Romans easily conquered Corinth and established themselves as one of the most dominant forces the Mediterranean world had ever seen. The Romans were not finished yet, they gained control over the entire Mediterranean world, most of Western Europe, and many of the Asian territories taken over by Alexander the great. The Romans had great military institutions, powerful political views, the smarts, and learned many lessons on how to rule the large areas around them. The Romans expanded so greatly during the period of 300-50 B.C.E. because of the pure drive, and how badly they wanted to expand.

Phyllis, L. M., & Minkel, W. (2000). Greek mythology. School Library Journal, 46(10), 75-76. Retrieved

Hesiod’s Theogony lines 139-163 The Theogony means the birth of gods in Hesiod’s Theogony it is meant to explain the origin of the Greek Gods.

When the Romans conquered Greece, not only did they discover that the Greeks had much to offer, but the Romans eventually adopted and built upon many of the Greek traditions. In terms of religion,

     In the end, I would say that the main purpose of classical mythology was not to entertain or make one laugh but the main purpose for it was to take a stand in people’s mind and to me that was one important aspect that served as a surface to the classical mythology. Classical mythology not only took stand in people’s mind of that era but it still continues to be in people’s mind now a days. The superstitions that many people have mostly do relate to the myths that one would hear from far back in time. Therefore, finally I would say that classical mythology

The sport of gladiatorial combat and the practice of foretelling the future by studying the entrails of animals or the flight of birds went back to the beginnings of the Etruscans. Two of the most famous myths the Romans told about the founding of Rome itself has been drawn back from the Etruscans: that involving Aeneas of Troy and that involving the infant twins Romulus and Remus. Aeneas of Troy links Rome with the Homeric world and the world

Focusing on two of history’s most notorious mythologies, Greek and Roman, one may believe that they are exceedingly comparable; however, beyond a first glance, it is clear that each system is extremely distinguished. The Roman Empire, developed nearly a millennia following the great, Greek Trojan war, was highly influenced by the elaborate Greek myths of gods, goddesses, monsters, and mythical creatures. Their captivation of Greek culture bore a permanent effect on the Roman Empire, as Rome adopted much that defined Greece, including its art, philosophy, literature, drama, and most importantly, mythology. However, despite their indistinguishable origins, Roman and Greek mythologies prove to be very individualized.

Many often lump Greek and Roman culture into one movement. The Greeks were an influence on the Roman Empire in everything from their art, architecture, and mathematics to their political structure. Though they are separated by over 500 years, the building of the Parthenon and Pantheon were each hugely significant architectural strides for each culture. Each has their similarities, as well as differences. On a whole, they set the way for the architects of the future with their vision.