Grecian mythology and Roman mythology are about indistinguishable. This is an recognized fact. as it is widely known that the Romans stole the Grecian myths. However. it is really interesting to observe that the mythology of the Vikings ( Norse ) has many similarities with the Grecian myths. These myths are. by no agencies. indistinguishable to the Grecian 1s ( like the Roman 1s are ) . but there are really distinguishable commonalties between the two. I see two possible grounds for this besides pure happenstance.

The first has to make with the fact that Norse myths were codified during the Viking epoch: 780 – 1070. This gives the Norsemen many centuries to go open to the Greek ( or Roman ) myths. The Vikings did go as far east as the Caspian sea. which is further east than both Italy and Greece. The Scandinavian myths were fashioned after the autumn of the Roman imperium. During the enlargement of the Roman imperium. the Romans were able to acquire all the manner to Britain. which is farther west than the Norse states where these myths originated. The Vikings made many expeditions into Britain.

So it is a really realistic idea that the Vikings could hold been exposed to the narratives of the Greek and Roman Gods. It is besides possible that the Vikings could hold extrapolated parts of the Roman narratives into their ain. The lone two bing primary beginnings of Norse mythology are the Prose ( Elder ) Edda. and the Poetic ( Younger ) Edda. These were written about one 1000 to eight hundred old ages ago severally.

The 2nd factor has to make with mythology as an extension of the society that fashions it. I see mythology as an effort by a people to explicate the powerful forces which affect and shape it. that are beyond its control. such as conditions. the elements. and nature. I besides see Gods as being characters that have many similarities with the people within the society.

The Gods and goddesses are powerful existences capable of super-human powers. but however are characters fraught with really human infirmities and defects. In this manner they created Gods that had similarities with the common adult male in the society. This made the Gods more touchable and easier to place with. I think that this was necessary because they were non yet at the social adulthood degree to hold a individual God on a cosmic plane.

Most of the comparings will be analyzing the similarities between major Greek and Norse Gods. every bit good as animals. narratives and specific symbols which are featured in the mythologies.