"For as long as human beings have had language, they have had myths. Mythology is our earliest form of literary expression and the foundation of all history and morality" (1, Back Cover). Myths form many purposes in society. In some societies the myth is used for the purposes of entertaining the masses. In other cases it is used for educational purposes such as explaining why certain things occur like the rising and setting of the sun or what occurs to us when we die or the changing of the seasons. There is also another use for myths, they help us to philosophize as to who we are and where we came from as well as where we are going (the beginning and the end) (2, xvi). All the different uses of myths are astounding especially when viewed from the point that with all of the different cultures that have formed in so many different atmospheres all over the world all throughout time. The majority of them have many similarities in the way that they used their myths as well as to what occurs in those myths. Particularly interesting is how the theories of creation developed and the parallels that can be found in many of these cultures.

Another element that could contribute to the development of a myth in society is the geographical region in which that society dwells. The Greeks and Romans both lived in the Mediterranean. The Greeks on islands, and to the west the Romans on a peninsula. These were heavily traveled trade routes not only by these people, but the Mesopotamians and to a lesser extent the Egyptians as well as some Germanic tribes. Their geographical placement was a key element to exposing these people to outside influences.

Zeus, the supreme deity of Greco-Roman mythology "is represented as a stern but benign figure" (14, 300). These attributes are readily apparent in his dealings with the Hundred-Handed Giants and the Cyclopes. What is not apparent is why he is also so petty with the gifts he bestows upon man. Perhaps he fears that if man were to grow to powerful they would overthrow the gods just as Zeus overthrew Cronus.

On the other hand, the Mesopotamian creation myth begins to form some similarities to the Greco-Roman myth when it comes to the creation of the head of the pantheon. Tiamat and Apsu join together, also referred to as them having "mixed their waters together". The product of this union forms various gods who in turn unite and have gods of their own. As this continues there is discord amongst the gods. "Ea who knows everything" found out a plot by Apsu to be rid of him. Ea attack and slays Apsu, afterwards he sets up residence upon the corpse Apsu. Ea and his lover Damkina live on Apsu in splendor and have a son Marduk (8, 233). The similarities of this myth in comparison to the Greco-Roman myth are apparent in the violent nature in which an the elder god Apsu is overthrown and slain by a product of his offspring just like Uranus was castrated by his son Cronus.

In the Greco-Roman pantheon the job of creating man "was given to Prometheus and his brother, Epimetheus"..."Epimetheus had already given all the best gifts to animals and discovered he had nothing left to give man. So he asked his brother for help. Prometheus agreed and thought of ways to make man superior to animals. So, he made them walk upright like the gods and gave them fire" (11). Zeus was angered that the gift of fire was given to man so in retaliation "Zeus went to Hephaestus and had him create a beautiful woman out of clay. The Four Winds blew life into her, and the gods gave her a box, warning her never to open it. Her name was Pandora, which means "gift to all," and she was the first woman. Pandora was then sent to Epimetheus as a gift. His brother had warned him never to accept gifts from Zeus, but obviously, he didn't listen. Eventually, curiosity got the best of Pandora and she opened the box. Plagues, sorrow, and mischief flew out, but she closed the lid in time to save Hope" (12).

Perhaps the roles played by the different gods can be better understood if examined more closely. The obvious place to look would be the ruler of each particular pantheon.

From this point things just become more violent in the myths as the main gods must overcome adversity in order to reign supreme in their respective pantheons.

The Norsemen were also well versed in the ways of sea travel. They also traded with those they came across. Also, "Scandinavian exploration and settlement" played an important role in the development of their myths. The wandering heart of the Vikings could be found "as far west as North America and east as far as Uzbekistan" (9, ix).

Some common words found in the essay are:
Scandinavia Norse, Cover Myths, Odin Mesopotamian, Apsu Marduk, Zeus Hephaestus, Strangely Norse, North South, Giants Cyclopes, Vili Ve, Cronus Cronus, greco-roman myth, odin brothers, mesopotamian myth, giants cyclopes, frost giants, zeus siblings, similarities greco-roman myth, similarities greco-roman, rhea bore cronus, ruler gods, void chaos, hundred-handed giants cyclopes, creation myth, odin vili ve, sea odin brothers,
Approximate Word count = 3770
Approximate Pages = 15 (250 words per page double spaced)