Myth and religion in the ancient world

The difference between myth and religion is very difficult to understand, especially when discussing the difference in terms of ancient civilizations. In the modern sense of the word, “myth” refers to fictional stories that often include supernatural deities or implements to help explain or teach. “Religion” refers to a set of beliefs about the world, mankind’s creation and purpose and what, if anything, lies beyond the grave. Religion also includes the rituals performed by believers to perpetuate their beliefs. The difference between myth and religion lies in what we believe to be true, and that can change depending on whom you ask. For the peoples of ancient civilizations, myths were true. They believed that their gods existed and altered the events that shaped the world and their lives. Their religious rituals were therefore centred on winning the gods’ assistance in order for their lives to be shaped in the way that they wished. To the modern world, the beliefs of the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians seem strange, and the myths too incredible to be true, but the ancient peoples believed in them entirely. Religion was so much a part of their lives that the modern idea of religion would have been quite strange to them. Rituals and festivals dedicated to the gods were a daily occurrence to which each person was expected to attend. Religion was so involved in every aspect of their lives that a person could not simply choose to not be involved.

What we have termed myths comes from the Greek word, mythos that actually means story or plot. Myths were a central part of the ancient peoples’ beliefs and helped to develop their understanding of the world. While it is difficult to split the two up, it is possible to look at the rituals, festivals and the day-to-day tasks that have grown out of their understanding of their relationship with gods, separate from the mythos that describes stories of gods interacting with mankind and the world. It should not be forgotten, however, that myths are a part of religion, and in turn help to shape religious practices and beliefs.