Creation Myths

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how creation myths, such as the Babylonian and Hebrew (Genesis) accounts, speak a great deal to the nature of human relationships with one another and with nature; at the same time, both also speak of the religious and political interests of their time. It looks at how it is also possible to see these myths as a way of entrenching particular social mores, such as patriarchy or political values.

From the Paper:

"The psychological struggle of biological creation is evident in these myths -- the struggle between parent and child for independence and dominance, and the struggle of the child to evolve into adulthood. One common theme in Mideast/mediterranean mythology is that of tension between generations and genders. In Babylonian mythology, Aspu, father of the gods, conspires to kill his many children because they are too loud and boisterous. In response to Aspu's threats, EA kills his father. A similar story takes place twice in Greek creation myths, where Cronos both kills his murderous father and attempts to slay his own children, one of whom (Zeus) rises up to cast him down. Babylonian myth continues this war between the generations by describing how at last the mother of the gods, Tiamat, becomes filled with rage and takes a new consort with whom she creates a race of monsters and goes to war against her sons."

More papers on Creation Myths:

• Essay # 87422 : "Creation Myths from Ancient Egypt"
• Comparison Essay # 25940 : "Creation Myths"
• Comparison Essay # 128381 : "Creation Myths in Different Cultures"

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