Some Notes On Near Eastern Mythological Factors In Greek Mythology Based Upon The Hesiodic Theogony

The Greek mythology is completely established by Hesiod in bis poem Theogony; and this theogonic genealogy seems to originate from the forerunning Near Eastern mythological system in the neighboring area This dissertation deals, in the following chapters, with such mythological factors in the Theogony based upon the Near Estern mythological literature.. Chapter 1 shows some of the Hesiod's living background that may be accessible to the understanding of Hesiodic absorption of the narrative elements from abroad.Chapter 2 introduces the outline of the Sumero-Akkadian mythological system, which is framed, in my present study, by the three mythical types: the Origin Myth, the Succession Myth and the Journey Myth.The succeeding two chapters are the first focus of this dissertation.Chapter 3 first shows a purified chain including some major elements in the nature: chasm -> heaven & earth -> waters -> creatures, appearing respectively in the Hesiodic Theogony and in the Mesopotamian mythology. Then there is a comparative analysis of the divine genealogies in Hesiod's poetry and in the Mesopotamian literature; and these divine "journeys" in die different mythical literatures are mentioned, together with an additional discussion on the probable relations between human origin and the earth.Chapter 4 is based upon some mythical data in Mesoptamia and gives some kinds of deities figured hi the Hesiodic Theogony and, especially, shows the social kingship and the social seccession of sexes,revealed in these deities' mutual relations.Chapter 5 comes up mainly with the intermediary function of the Hittite mythology in Asia Minor.Chapter 6 points out the different situations shown in the patriarchic dynasties and their relevant leaders' succession in the above-mentioned mythological systems. Then some major female beings in the turn of this sex succession can be analyzed to reveal their individual intrinsic meanings.Here comes the second focus of this dissertation: Chapter 7. This chapter gives a comprehensive list of all the proper names (except the place names) in the Theogony together with the relavant details of etymological analysis. This etymological analysis results in the distinctions of the Greek deities' names and epithets, and in some of the building laws of proper names in Greek.Chapter 8 becomes an extended analysis, where are concerned some of the hidden thoughts in the Theogony, such as love's universal productivity, the apparent lack of dichotomy in the Hellenic world, and sentimental appraisal for human living transition.Herein the conclusions come out: the Hesiodic Theogony is a mythological system after quite an active absorption of the eatablished Near Eastern mythological factors. This dissertation gives an emphasis on the natural genesis of the universe and the living beings, social succession ~ including the dominance of different sexes and kin genealogy - and some national thoughts in and beyond the Indo-European ideology.