Russian Mythology Vs Greek Mythology

Originating from the same hearth, Russian mythology and Greek mythology have so many similarities caused by being in the same cultural tree. The few differences are from the branches splitting off. Although ancient Russia and ancient Greece are thousand years apart from each other, Russian mythology and Greek mythology almost mirror reflect each other in the values the gods represent, the traits the heroes possess, and the notions the myths contribute to modern times, just like a pair of “fraternal twins.”
Starting from the tip of the pyramid, the gods and goddesses portrayed parallel values. The main purpose of the ancients creating myths is to explain the existence of natural phenomena and the deities are put in charge of these mystical domains. It is not difficult to line up the counterparts between Russian gods and Greek gods based on the domains they rule. In Russian mythology, the chief god of the Russians gods
is Perun, who lives in the sky and controls the weather: “When he was angry he caused thunderstorms and sent lightning to strike down people who had offended him” (Warner 15). In Greek mythology, Zeus is the king of the Greek gods and his domain is also the sky. He can induce abominable storms with his lightning bolt. There are many other examples of gods having similar duties. Dazbog and Apollo are both sun gods while Svarog and Hephaestus are gods of fire. Even though most of the Olympian gods are kin to each other and gods in the vast and rural Russian land are mostly not blood related to one another, both parties share the same values such as justice, honor, wisdom, health, and love. Aside from the gods, the heroes from both mythologies display analogous traits. Bogatyrs, the Russian word for heroes, includes Ivan Tsarevich. From his story of fighting Koshchei the Deathless for possession of his wife, brave and loving are two adjectives that would suit him. The Greek Orpheus is also the ideal husband. After his wife, Eurydice, died from a snake bite, Orpheus took his lyre and journeyed down to the Underworld: “Fair Persephone yielded to the powerful plea of Orpheus, and the grim Hades, too, felt pity for him” (Rosenberg & Baker 173). His music was so touching that the rulers of the Underworld agreed to let Eurydice return to Orpheus. The typical Greek hero is born into royalty. His father is often immortal while his mother is a mortal queen or princess. In contrast, most Russian heroes are born as farmers and develop their strength and skill from working in the fields. Although the humans who actually become the heroes differ in their lineages, they possess comparable virtues such as courage, loyalty, and commitment. Both of these mythologies still have contributions to modern cultures.
Many idioms used today come from the characters and events in both myths. “Svyatogor with the mountains” is used to depict Christianity taking over Russia and the pagan religion disappearing: “The identification of Svyatogor with the mountains means that he can also be seen as an embodiment of natural, elemental forces from Russia's pagan past -- forces that have no place in the newly -- Christianized land depicted in the epics” (McCannon par. 1). Svyatogor was once the best hero in Russian mythology, but now he is fading away from people’s memories just as how this phrase means “those that are forgotten” The Greek mythology literature has been translated into many major languages since the Renaissance. Russian idioms are more familiar within Slavic society, while Greek idioms are used around the world today. For example, “Achilles’ heel” is another way to say a person’s weakness, and “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts” or “Trojan Horse” is another way to warn people to be
careful. Similarities and differences are easily spotted in both Russian and Greek mythologies. Nature is bewildering to the ancients, which causes them to deify every aspect of it. Heroes all retain the same characteristics that made them who they are except they have different beginnings. Social changes and memorable myths are carried down even into contemporary times, although the level of their impacts varies. The phrase “fraternal twins” does an accurate job at describing the relationship between these two mythologies.