3.2 Hell: Views Of The Underworld in Ancient Ugarit

[KrokrX]

Interesting reference to Moses. If we add that to the archaeology that strongly suggests that the 'Exodus' never happened would you consider that Moses was a mythical character, perhaps adopted from earlier mythology?

[Brianswers]

I read that in Sumerian or Babylonian literature there is a story of a king who, as a baby, was sent down the river in a basket and found by the royal family..

[KrokrX]

You may be thinking of Tammuz who In Sumerian mythos was 'cast out on the flood'. The abandonment of a child of destiny is a common theme in many mythos, whether on a mountainside, in a forest or at sea, and was often attributed to real life characters. The list includes, Perseus, Dionysos, Oedipus, Shapur, Cyrus etc.

[KrokrX]

I forgot to add Sargon(Akkadian) and Semiramis(Babylon) to the previously mentioned Cyrus(Persia) as mythically abandoned kings.

[Brianswers]

I don't remember the name of the one I read about, but it was from a website on Sumerian/Babylonian myths, in a section on similarities to biblical stories.

interesting, I had no idea it was that widespread! From what I understand ancient religions always borrowed from each other, copying and modifying stories to fit their own mythos.

[KrokrX]

Tales of children of destiny raised in adversity can be found worldwide. For example some elements of the Romulus/Remus tale can be found in Birta-Chino founder of the Turkish race who was raised by a wolf, or Tiri the founder of the Yuracares tribe of Brazil raised by a leopard! Whilst there may be some borrowing and copying I suspect that what constitutes a good story is pretty fundamental, as is the temptation to ascribe mythological elements to revered figures.

[KrokrX]

Birta-Chino(Borte Cino) had an antecedent, an Indian prince, Kujugun Sandali-tu Qagan, set adrift in a copper box as a child yet rose to become the first king of Tibet.

In Japanese mythology, Hiruko is born to Izanagi and Izanami, the creator gods, but due to his deformity put him in a reed boat and cast into the sea. In some variations, Hiruko washes up on the shores of Hokkaido, regenerates his body, and grows up to become Ebisu, one of the Seven Gods of Fortune.

So many such stories!

[Brianswers]

Wow, very interesating stuff. Thanks for sharing!