In the last topic about myths you´ve only been introduced to the creation myth from various different mythologies. Therefore we decided to narrate two short stories about other kind of Myths from Greece and Egypt.
A lot of information about the gods and goddesses of these ancient civilizations can be found via these kind of stories or other sources.
MYTH STORIES
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Athena and Poseidon’s contest for Athens
Once a long long time ago, there was a man named Cecrops. Cecrops ,whose name means ''face with a snake'' was half - man and half - snake. He was also the founder of the first king of Athens. Athens was a prosperous and vibrant city and Athena and Poseidon both wanted to be patron of it. They were on the verge of attacking each other, when the wise Athena suggested that they should hold a contest for the city. With King Cecrops the judge, they set up the contest and decided that whoever presented the city with the best gift would be rewarded with the city itself as the grand prize.
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Leading the huge crowd, they ascended to the Acropolis to give their gifts, Poseidon was first, he lifted his trident and struck the earth with it. A frothy spring burst out producing a sea which is now called Erekhtheis. The people loved it but as they went closer to taste the water, to their dismay the water was as salty as the sea Poseidon ruled.
Athena on the other hand, merely knelt and buried something in the ground, which in time grew into an olive tree. This turned out to be a much more useful gift, granting the city, not only the olives themselves as sustenance, but also a source of oil for their lamps and for cooking their food as well as the wood from the olive tree to build their boasts and houses. Athena's gift was deemed by far the better by Cecrops and he declared her the winner, and patron. As the winner, Athena named the city after herself and the Acropolis, the citadel was named Cecropia in honour of Cecrops.
Ammit - The Book of the Dead
Consisting of a number of magic spells intended to assist a dead person's journey through the Duat, or underworld, and into the afterlife and written by many priests over a period of about 1000 years. The Book of the Dead was a protective 'guide' providing the correct ways to address the gods of the Underworld, to answer any questions and persuade the gods that they had committed no evil or wrong doings. Success allowed for entry into the ''House of Reeds'' (the Egyptian paradise). Failure to answer questions correctly, or use the appropriate responses, implied that they had led a sinful life and would result in their soul being given to Ammit the "devourer of the dead" or the "soul-eater".
The text contained in the Book of the Dead was prepared before death and used like a 'crib sheet' in preparation for the trials of the Underworld. Prior study of the text and the spells contained in the Book of the Dead would help to provide safe passage through the trials which led to the Hall of Two Truths where actions in mortal lives would be examined. The texts were also entombed with the dead to ensure they avoided punishment and execution by Ammit.