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You are here: Home / Firsts / How Did Myths Begin?

How Did Myths Begin?

May 27, 2020 by Karen Hill

Some historians believe that myths began as actual historical events which, when told and retold through the ages, became exaggerated. Other historians believe that ancient people created myths to explain how and why things which they didn’t understand could happen: how the earth was created, how man came to be, why the sun rises, why lightning strikes, etc.

Early people did not have scientific answers to explain these happenings, so they explained them with stories of gods and goddesses, and other supernatural beings.

Myths are universal; all ancient people in every part of the world created them. Early inhabitants of both Asia and North American created similar myths to explain the creation of the earth. They believed that the Creator sat on a raft on the first sea and commanded the animals to dive for bits of earth. With this earth, the Creator built the world.

Ancient people in the Scandanivian countries believed that thunder and lightning were caused when their god Thor threw his hammer at his enemies.

The Greeks explained the rising and setting of the sun each day as their god Helios driving his flaming chariot across the sky from east to west.

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  • Where Did Norse Mythology Come From and How Did Viking Myths From Germany and Scandinavia Originate?
  • How Did North American Indians Tell Their Myths and How Did Native American Mythology Originate?
  • Who Were the Ancient Romans and How Did Greek Myths Influence Roman Mythology?
  • How Did Mythology In India Originate and Where Do the Myths of India Come From?

Filed Under: Firsts

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

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