Ancient Mythology and Epic Literature: Key Stories and Contexts

Atrahasis Context

This was very likely the first flood story and it inspired future ones. The story of a mortal man who builds a boat and survives a great flood sent by the gods to wipe out humanity.

Enuma Elish Context

A Babylon creation myth that tells the story of the great god Marduk's victory over the forces of chaos and his establishment of order at the creation of the world.

Genesis Context

The story of the beginning of the redemption of Man through the Promised Seed of Abraham.

Gilgamesh Context

A Sumerian-Babylonian clay tablet poem set in Uruk, blending historical kingship, myth, and moral themes, and it remains a foundational work in world literature

Iliad Context

An ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer and intended to be recited or chanted. The plot takes place in the final year of the Trojan War and only covers a few weeks.

Kalevala Context

A Finnish national epic from oral folk songs and myths of Finland and Karelia.

Kingship in Heaven/Song of Ullikummi Context

A myth where Kumarbi's monstrous son is unleashed to challenge the storm god, but the gods unite to stop him.

Theogony/Works and Days Context

An epic poem by the archaic Greek poet Hesiod explaining origins of the gods and a cosmogony.

Völuspá Context

A mythic narrative showing the Norse view of the cosmos.

When Newness Was Made Context

The story is about the creation of the world by Áwonawílona, the All-Father, Maker, and Container of All: