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Ancient Beliefs and Mythologies

Ancient Beliefs and Mythologies

A journey through the great polytheistic mythological systems of the ancient world, from the gods, temples, and funerary beliefs of Egypt and Mesopotamia to the myths of Greece, Rome, the Norse North, and the Celtic lands.

60-Second Review

Express review

A condensed, point-by-point summary of the module, for reviewing right before a test or exam.

  1. Egyptian Cosmology, Kingship, and the Afterlife. Egyptian cosmogonies, the Ra-Osiris-Isis-Horus pantheon, mummification, and Akhenaten’s Atenist revolution.
  2. Mesopotamian Myth and the Meaning of Mortality. Mesopotamian creation myth, its pantheon, the Epic of Gilgamesh, and temple religion across Sumer and Babylon.
  3. The Greek Gods, Heroes, and Mystery Cults. Greek cosmogony, the Olympian gods, heroic myths, and the mystery cults of Eleusis and Dionysus.
  4. Roman Religion: State, Household, and Empire. Roman state cult, household religion, syncretism, the cult of Mithras, and worship of the emperor.
  5. Norse Cosmology, the Afterlife, and Ragnarok. Norse creation myth, the Aesir gods, Yggdrasil, the afterlife, Ragnarok, and the two Eddas.
  6. Celtic Polytheism and Comparative Mythology. Celtic polytheism, Druidic practice, and shared structures across Indo-European mythology.
  7. The Decline and Legacy of Ancient Polytheism. Interpretation, decline, survival, and modern revival of ancient polytheism, and its lasting legacy.

This is the starting point of Ancient Beliefs and Mythologies: you don't need any prior knowledge of this subject to begin.

Key points

Visual module map

1Egyptian Cosmology, Kingship, and the Afterlife
2The Greek Gods, Heroes, and Mystery Cults
3Roman Religion: State, Household, and Empire
4Celtic Polytheism and Comparative Mythology
5The Decline and Legacy of Ancient Polytheism

Alternative visual view: a simplified sequence of some of the module's key points, in their order within the syllabus.

Your module mastery

0% (overall measurement)
Approximate breakdown by skill
Understanding of historiographical debate0%

A rough estimate based on the key points reviewed, not an exact measurement of actual mastery.

Final test

You need to review all key points to unlock the final test.

Optional mini-games

Extra practice, with no penalty, to reinforce the module's content.

Review Flashcards

Review each key point with cards that flip to reveal the summary.

Memory

Match each concept with its definition in as few attempts as possible.

Time Attack

Answer true or false statements before time runs out.

Chronological Order

Put the module's key points back in their original order.

Further reading

Bibliography and cited sources used to create this module.

  • Assmann, J. (2001). The Search for God in Ancient Egypt. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
  • Bottéro, J. (2001). Religion in Ancient Mesopotamia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
  • Burkert, W. (1985). Greek Religion. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  • Beard, M., North, J., and Price, S. (1998). Religions of Rome (Vol. 1). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Ellis Davidson, H. (1964). Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books.
  • Green, M. (1992). Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend. London: Thames & Hudson.
  • Dumézil, G. (1958). L’idéologie tripartie des Indo-Européens. Brussels: Latomus.
  • Hutton, R. (1991). The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles. Oxford: Blackwell.