How Greek and Roman Mythology are Connected

Something that has caught my interest lately is how greek and roman mythology are connected. I have studied my fair share of Roman and Greek mythology before. MY introduction to this subject would probably be when I saw the original “Clash of The Titans”. I loved the battle between Medusas and Perceus. I think other people already a basic understanding on greek gods(ie. Zeus, Posidon,Ares). I want people to know the difference or even similarities between these two myths.

I already know most of the Greek gods and minor gods. As for the Roman gods; I only know a little bit on the Roman gods. I know that these myths and gods were used to explain how the world works. I also know that there was some sort of recorded history of great battles with these said gods. I know that Zeus/Jupiter is the ruler of all the gods. Basically i know all the roles of the gods.

In the articale “ Roman Mythology vs Greek Mythology” provided much information on the two myths. It provides information like how myth was created and why. This article also states “ A similarity betweenn these two mythologies is that the symbols and designations of powers are the same in the two.” This is true; an example of this would be Zeus and Jupiter both are head of the gods and both control lightning.

In a article called “Roman and Greek Mythology Names: Gods, Planets, Astrology” it dwells on the creations and gods of both mythologies a bit deeper in terms of names. This article gives many similarities between greek and romans gods and goddeses’s names. One such example would be the Greek god Aphrodite is the most beautiful of all the gods and her Roman god countrerpart is Venus which is also the most beautiful, Venus is the brightest planet besides the moon and the sun. This leads me to believe that even though these gods have different names their roles and stories don’t change.

While i was searching through the internet I found a helpful chart called “ Greek Gods vs Roman Gods”. This chart compares the greek and roman gods of the past. This chart shows us that Greek mythology came before the Roman Mythology. This nifty information shows that the Romans have indeed gotten their beliefs from the Greeks. But there is a difference, becuase The Greek gods are shown as humans, but the Roman gods have no certain look ( they are more like beacons of power). Maybe the Romans did not want to re-create the Greek myth.
In an essay I found it explains the whole backbone of Greek mythology which is called “ Detailed Summary on Greek Mythology”. The essay goes through on how the Greek gods were made by the univers. The Earth was here before the gods. This ties in with the whole idea that the gods were used to explain the ideas on why things happen in the world. The 12 Olympians were rulers of the Earth and were famous for their words rather than their actions. Each god was liek an idea(i.e Ares: the god of war).

When I was scouting for decent “Roman Mythology” articles I found a nifty chart titles ‘ Roman Mythology”. Again this explains all the terms and gods of Roman mythology. Then this sentence caught my eye “The Romans were experts at assimilating many elements of other societies into their culture, including the mythology and gods of the Greeks and other nations.”This is exactly what i needed. This proves that Greek and Roman mythologies are the same and connected.

I have learned that the Greek and Roman mythology are the same. The connection between these two myths is great. This makes me think that if these two myths are similar that what else can be connected. Is the Jewish and Christian exactly alike? Or maybe the Asain and Hindu religions? Maybe that would be my next topic.

Works Citied:

1.”Roman Mythology vs, Greek Mythology” by Jose Delgado
http://www.kean.edu/~eslprog/accents/2003/page2003_7.html
This article talks about the creation of each myth and the story behind their creations.

2. Roman and Greek Mythology Names: Gods, Planets, Astrology by japtaker

http://japtaker.hubpages.com/hub/Roman-and-Greek-Mythology-Names-Gods-Pl...
This artcicle basically tells the whole story of Greek Mythology and the translations in Roman Mythology.

3. Greek Gods vs. Roman Gods
http://www.diffen.com/difference/Greek_Gods_vs_Roman_Gods
This post is a post on diffen that compares both greek and roman gods.

4. Detailed Summary on Greek Mythology by Edith Hamilton

http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Detailed-Summary-Greek-Mythology-Edith-Ha...
This article gives a brief description on Greek Mythology. It even explains the fabled tale “ Odessy to The West”

5. Roman Mythology
http://www.roman-colosseum.info/roman-gods/roman-mythology.htm
This article gives a list and description of each god and goddess. It also gives a brief history on Roman Mythology.