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| Prometheus Calling |
Probably one of the clearest parallels revolve around the great flood. In Greek myth, Zeus becomes very angry with his bronze race due to their overwhelming wickedness and intends to flood the entire world to eliminate the race. Warned by his father Prometheus, Deucalion built an ark to survive the flood with his wife Pyrrha in order to re-populate the earth. In the Christian account (Genesis 6) "the lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become" and he decided to wipe mankind from the face of the earth. However, he found righteousness in one man, Noah; so God had him build an ark so that he, his family, and two of every animal on earth would survive to re-populate the earth.
Two floods to eradicate man for his wickedness. Two Arks. Warnings from God to one man to save himself and family. I think the similarities speak for themselves!
In this case the similarities are quite striking, and there are even a couple more similarities you left out. This being that the Ark in both accounts comes to rest on a mountain and in both accounts a dove is sent out to check if the flood has subsided. Also interesting to note, is the comment on wine in both accounts toward the end.
ReplyDeleteEven with these similarities there are still key differences to note. Zeus condemned the whole race and intended to wipe them all out, and without Prometheus' warning to Deucalion probably would have, whereas in the Biblical account God himself warned Noah. Zeus also seems more revolted by the way the people are treating him, whereas God seems to be revolted by the way people treat each other "for all flesh had corrupted their way upon earth" (Genesis 6:12).
Noah brings animals aboard the Ark, Deucalion does not. The flood in Greek myth left some mountain tops uncovered (perhaps to leave Mt Olympus dry? Or it allows other survivors which explain the survival of evils) and in Genesis ALL the earth was covered and ALL but Noah and family were killed. Deucalion and Pyrrha toss stones that turn into men and women to repopulate the earth, no mention like this in Genesis.
It is interesting to note the differences and maybe to explore how and why these differences arise, as you note there are obvious similarities, but where have the differences come from...?
Flood or Fire? Troy ring a bell...?
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