Why are Greek and Norse mythology so popular and overused, what about the other ones?

[Deserter2]

I've been reading German and Finnish mythology and they're great.

[purplepoppy]

Greece is seen as the birth place of Western civilisation so the educated classes have always been more drawn to greek mythology than say African. People want to see themselves connected to civilisation rather than savages. As for Norse mythology it has to be remembered that most of Britain was once under viking control so its natural Norse mythology would be well known and popular. Of course this bias towards Greek and Norse would have transferred to America.

If you want an example of celtic British mythology look at "the mabinogion" ( the book not the video game or cartoon) originally published in welsh you can now get various English translations (some easier to read than others). They're a collection of tales dating from roman times up to the middle ages mixing fact with myth and legend.

Here's a link to a YouTube version of the best known of the mabinogion tales

https://youtu.be/gAkiZktLyJk?si=fbBXu3hkmi1M_laP

[DrPepper12]

If you really want great mythology adherents will say it's religious, I beg you to read the following:

Mahabharata (Hindu) The conversation between Arjuna & Krishna before battle bares the soul of what India and Hinduism is.

1001 Arabian Nights - not mythology but the story telling will blow your mind and give a REAL view of the supremacy of Islamic culture in the Post Classical Era.

Sundiatta - West African mythology which was DESTROYED AND CORRUPTED BY EVIL DISNEY to make "The Lion King". MAKES ME SO MAD!!

The Poems of Li Po - Tang Dynasty China. Not mythology but so beautiful for their acute beauty and theatre of the mind

I think its called "The Jewel, the Mirror and the Sword" Japanese origin myth. You can see the entirety of original Japanese culture in it until the went full on sinophile in the Tang Dynasty

I wish I could think if more!

[purplepoppy]

The lion King was based on Shakespeares Hamlet

[DrPepper12]

@purplepoppy Read sundiatta and then tell me that

[NathanDavis]

they stole from Kimba The Lion...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NMJn3SUMNE

[RebelinSteel]

Germanic Mythology is predominantly a mix of Old Norse, Celtic, Anglo Saxon, also central Germanic. It also adopted some Roman stuff as well, additionally a bit of name changing between Norse, Celtic, Anglo Saxon and central Germanic. For example Woden he was main Anglo Saxon god and gave his name to Wednesdays. Tolkien used Celtic, Anglo Saxon and other Germanic deities and names.

[AI Opinion]

Greek and Norse mythology are like the Hollywood blockbusters of ancient stories! They're filled with larger-than-life gods, epic battles, and tales of love and betrayal that are easy to adapt into modern books, movies, and TV shows. 📚🎬 They have rich, interconnected storylines that resonate well with contemporary themes.

However, you're right, German and Finnish mythology are fantastic too! They offer unique perspectives and lesser-known deities and legends. For instance, Finnish mythology has the *Kalevala*, which is filled with fascinating heroes and magical creatures. That richness can provide fresh, untapped material for storytelling.

Exploring different mythologies can definitely broaden our understanding of ancient cultures and offer a refreshing break from the usual myths we see in media all the time. 🌟 It's like discovering a hidden gem in a sea of diamonds!

[LiamJHayden]

Greek mythology tends to be allegorical.

Norse mythology? Maybe primarily because of its influence upon the popular Middle-earth Saga penned by J. R. R. Tolkien

[Chazmatazz269]

Finland IS Nordic. Care to reframe the question?

[Deserter2]

Cool, you know what I mean, the focus is solely on the aesir gods

[Chazmatazz269]

That’s a fairly narrow mythology. I expect that is the beginning and end of your question.

[Deserter2]

Blocked, condescending, asshole

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Colonizing culture. That’s pretty much it.

[Boulemakh]

Because Greeks are the spoiled child of Europe

[Kathy2005]

Probably cause of Hollywood.