What are the five mythologies?
Major World Mythologies
There are many mythologies around the world, but when people refer to "the five mythologies," they are often talking about the five most studied or influential mythological systems from ancient times. These are:
- Greek Mythology: The myths and legends of ancient Greece, featuring gods like Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, and heroes such as Hercules and Perseus.
- Roman Mythology: Closely related to Greek mythology, but with Roman names for gods (Jupiter, Juno, Neptune) and its own legends and traditions.
- Egyptian Mythology: The religious beliefs and stories of ancient Egypt, including gods like Ra, Osiris, Isis, and Anubis.
- Norse Mythology: The myths of Scandinavia and the Viking world, featuring gods such as Odin, Thor, Freyja, and Loki, as well as the concept of Ragnarok.
- Hindu Mythology: The vast, complex body of myths from ancient India, involving gods like Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, and epic tales such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Other significant world mythologies include those of the Celts, Chinese, Mesopotamians, Japanese, and indigenous peoples worldwide.