Unit 1: Origins and Traditions

The heroic myths and epics of a society teach its members the proper behavior, attitudes, and values of that culture. These myths are of particular interest and value to us not only because they are exciting adventure stories, but in these myths we see ourselves drawn larger and greater than we are, yet with our weaknesses as well as our strengths.

 Heroes are the role models of human behavior for a society and earn lasting fame - the only kind of immortality possible for human beings. This is done by performing great deeds for the betterment of their society thus inspiring others to do the same.  Heroes undergo difficult tests or trials where they are forced by circumstances to make critical choices where they must balance one set of values against competing values. They emerge as heroes in part for their accomplishments and in part because they emerge more sensitive and thoughtful human beings.  (Achilles, Hector, Odysseus, and Gilgamesh came from cultures where individuals may earn fame in a variety of ways that permit them to express their individuality.)  In contrast, Rama must always remain and follow dharma, the particular form of proper and righteous behavior that the Hindu culture expects of a person in his political, social, and economic position. David is also bound by his monotheistic beliefs in a world that was predominantly polytheistic.

 The external characteristics of a hero can be but should not be intimidating: an immortal parent, unusual birth, aristocratic social position and divine sponsorship.  Since no hero is perfect, their human weaknesses can be as often as instructive as their heroic qualities. Their imperfections allow ordinary people to identify with them, for everyone have similar psychological needs and conflicts.  Hero myths examine the relationship between the individual's desires and his or her responsibility to society. The hero who chooses to risk death acquires honor and lasting fame; the hero who chooses safety is denied both and, sometimes, heroes acquire greater heroic stature by winning an inner conflict or battle against their desires.

In matriarchal societies, the political, economic, social, and religious foundation was the agricultural year. This fostered a cyclical view of life emphasizing the progression of all living matter from birth to maturity to death and rebirth.  The Great Goddess or Mother Goddess personified mother earth and was the supreme deity. She was the source of all life and all food.  The Queen personifies the Great Goddess and therefore she had great political, economic, social, and religious power. Other women were considered daughters of the Great Goddess, thus all women in a matriarchal society were highly valued and many held important positions

 The sacred kings came into being as the male's role in procreation came unknown. The Queen took a husband for a year. It was a great honor and men competed to be chosen. (Trials and contests of skill and strength were held to help choose the sacred king.) Each spring the sacred king would be sacrificed as part of a religious ceremony. The priestess of the Mother Goddess would eat his flesh in order to acquire his powers of fertility and the fields sprinkled with his blood to extend the fertility to the soil. Then the Queen would take a new sacred king for the following year.  As time went by the king began to acquire more power and gradually began to lengthen his reign by means of a substifute king who was the sacrificed while the "real sacred king" was in seclusion. This lengthened his reign to eight years.  By 24AA B.C.E., aggressive tribes worshipping a supreme male god who was a father figure or a successful warrior had begun to invade many matriarchal societies. Gradually, kings gained enough power to change the old social system to one in which kings ruled by heredity and animals were sacrificed to win the favor of the gods.