Where Did Myths Come from? Here are some mythological origin theories. None of them answer all the questions scholars have about mythology, but they all provide interesting ideas concerning the mystery of mythology.

I. Euhemerus: Greek Scholar from B.C.times A.Developed one of the oldest known theories about myths origins B.Suggested all myths were based on historical fact—in some way or another C.Believed scholars need to strip away the supernatural elements to get to the facts

II. Muller: language scholar from 1800s A.Suggested all gods and mythological heroes were really representations of nature deities, and heroes were originally a symbol for the sun in one of its phases. B.Today, few scholars take his theories seriously.

III. Tylor: anthropologist from 1800s A.Believed myths began through man’s efforts to explain dreams B.Believed man’s 1 st idea about the supernatural was his belief that they had a soul that would wander freely during dreams C.Believed animism (all living things have a soul) was the beginning of myth

IV. Malinowski: anthropologist from 1900s A.Emphasized the psychological conditions that lead man to create myths B.Believed man created myths when they couldn’t find a scientific answer to questions C.Believed man had to create myths to decrease tension caused by not knowing why something was happening

V. Frazer: anthropologist from 1800s-1900s A.Believed myths begin in the great cycle of nature—birth, growth, decay, death, rebirth B.Wrote that societies around the world sacrificed symbols of their gods to keep these gods—and the world—from decaying and dying. Instead, the sacrifice would lead to death then to rebirth with strength again.