INDO-EUROPEAN
MYTHOLOGY I
Indo-European Mythology 1 is the study of main mythical themes and events among several Indo-European cultures. The course’s primary goal is to introduce students to Indo-European cultures'
mythologies such that they can begin to perceive apparent similarities and differences.
Exit Standards:
 1. List and discuss the major primary sources for the mythology of three Indo-European cultures,
including their dates of origin and authorship (if known). Discuss any important factors that
may cause problems in interpreting these sources, such as the existence of multiple revisions,
or the presence of Christian or other outside influences in surviving texts. (minimum 300
words)
2. Summarize, then compare and contrast the myths of at least two Indo-European cultures with
respect to the following topics (you need not use the same two cultures as a basis of
comparison for each topic): (minimum 300 words for each)
- tales of creation
- tales of divine war
- tales which describe the fate of the dead
3. Explain how each of the following elements of ADF ritual does or does not resonate with
elements of two different Indo-European cultures (you need not use the same two cultures as
a basis of comparison for each element): (minimum 100 words each)
- Earth Mother
- Deities of Land
- Deities of Sea
- Deities of Sky
- Outsiders
- Nature Spirits
- Ancestors
4. Discuss how the following seven elements of ADF's cosmology are (or are not) reflected in the
myths of two different Indo-European cultures. For this question, please use the same two
cultures as a basis of comparison for the entire question. (minimum 100 words each)
- Upperworld
- Middleworld
- Divisions Of Middleworld (e.g., 4 Quarters, 3 Triads, 8 Sections)
- Nether/Underworld
- Fire
- Well
- Tree
5. To what extent do you think we can offer conjectures about Indo-European myths in general?
Are the common themes strong enough that the myths seem like variations? Or are the
differences so powerful that the themes are less important than the cultural variations?
(minimum 300 words)
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