Poll: Roman vs. Greek Mythology

[roostuf]

Greeks have interesting things.

 

[Jian-Li]

Both mythologies are the exact same thing except with different names so I won't vote since there's no "Can't choose" or similar button.

 

[OldRat]

I tend to like the Greek stuff more. If only for the fact I like Greece more.

 

[Korzack]

Greek Mythos, I feel - even the Roman myth of it's founding was based on the fall of Troy and the Iliad (Aneas was a refugee from that city, to the best of my shaky memory). The Roman pantheon of gods seem an altered version of the Greek (as an example, The Roman God of War, Mars, been a more virtuous god of victory, had more in common with Nike, Greek Goddess of Victory, than Ares, the Greek "any way will do it" god of war - Thank you, Rome: Total War)
Also, one big difference in terms of warfare - so far as I knew, the Greeks would allow retreating foes to flee. The Romans would instead run them down. Kind of does explain why one grew to dominance over the other, in my reckoning.

 

[Chal]

As far as I'm aware, Jupiter didn't turn into swans or bulls or whatnot for his debauchery. Nevermind, some quick checking shows those particular myths were also assimilated. Just goes to show that gods everywhere get kinda kinky when it comes to virgins.

Plus if you've ever said "By Jove," you already owe him your allegiance.

 

[McFarlington]

greek and roman mythology differ more than just names. the romans adapted the greek gods into how they fit into their society. ancient greek society was more based on education and the arts. the romans were more about war and stuff, so their adapted gods' personalities were such. (paraphrased from western civ 9)

 

[Cakes]

Apparently the Romans had shit for creativity, so I feel like I have to give this one to the Greeks.

The Romans turned the Greek religion into thier own Religion. Mostly by swapping names around and executing anyone who didnt agree with them, like almost every European religion.

I'm not aware of any major religious persecution among the European (i.e. Pagan) religions, aside from Early Christianity's trouble in the Roman Empire, since they refused to acknowledge the Imperial Cult.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

Though there are differences, they are pretty minute, so comparing them is all but pointless.

 

[inFAMOUSCowZ]

Greek here, but over all Norse mythology is my favorite. One of the reasons I want Too Human to be a complete trilogy.

 

[Chal]

Sorry but this just winds me up, I know it should't but this is just like a total QI moment of general ignorance. "Same shit, different names" anybody who thinks this has not studied classical civilisations past watching the Disney film Hercules.

Both cultures and mythologies would take many many years to get a true appreciation, and are massively in-depth and some mythologies and legends of each culture where the handed down spoken records of battles and events before recorded history, an example is the Mycenaean's the Greeks ancestors, many of their myths and legends are believed to be based on their history's but are too ancient to tie 100%. its this era that we get the story of the siege of troy.

Also Roman's looked down on Romans who embraced Greek culture too much! so why would they just change the name's! the Romans very much had their own culture before making Greece part of the empire. Anybody who has read in-depth about Nero can tell you that in his decline he lost a lot of favour with the people because he too readily embraced Greek culture.

Just because they both liked marble pillars and both had god's of war does not meen they are the same, in many military minded city's they would have temples to both the Greek and Roman gods of war and maybe even more from different nations depending on where it was in the empire or who was stationed there. the Romans adopted many things into their culture, but at the core was their own which was by far still the ruling force in all things in terms of influence.

I could literally write an essay or post one one here but, I won't cause that would just be twatish.

seriously just reading up on wikipedia does not make you an authority, read something of true value like the twelve cesars or agricola, or for Greeks Thucydides or head more into myth and study homer. or for where the legends come from get a book on they Mycenaeans, very interesting and gives you a massive appreciation for everything that has happened in the world over the 1000's of years of human existence and all the countless wars that have been fought.

Don't mind people who are just giving an opinion and stating that its just theirs and they don't know alot but, it has before and i'm sure it will again, pisses me off people who know a few phrases here and there and a brief history and act like they are an authority on it! I would't on something to do with psychology or something cause I know fuck all apart from a few phrases I've herd and don't understand!

Hope those who have been annoyed by similar things can forgive this rant!

I would be inclined to agree except for the fact that I've been contributing jack all when it comes to fostering some serious discussion. I'd probably have an easier time of it if the thread was on the civilizations in general; I absolutely loved studying Roman architecture and culture.

Oi, I've got to run at the moment.

 

[Smokej]

it's also because the romans considered themselves decedents of Aeneas who himself was a trojan which is a variation on greek

Hehe yeah kinda, the funny thing here is that the Latins started to import the greek relgion under influence of the Etruscan civilization. Before that the Latins had a sort of nature religion probably until the 5/6th century BC. Depending on your interpretation or scientific position on Iliad/Odyssey, the Fall of Troy was 1184 BC...

It's Mythology so who cares if it makes sense

 

[Mstrswrd]

Greek mythology always seemed more interesting to me.

Roman mythology is Greek mythology. The saying went, during ancient Roman times, "Greece has conquered her conquerer," because the Romans were basically just the Greek's in a spiffy new package, with a more organized front, and the same mythology and everyone named differently.

Sorry if I was rude.

 

[Double A]

Romans ripped off Greek mythology, but they did add a few things. Romulus & Remus and Horatius defending the bridge come to mind.

Of course, that doesn't mean it's any better. Zeus FTW!

 

[drh1975]

It was Greek mythology before it was Roman mythology, so there.

 

[ENKC]

Greek mythology, because Roman is essentially based on it. Also because Kratos makes it fun to kill everything in it.

p.s. I acknowledge all the arguments that it was more complicated than that. Of course it was. But the influence of Greek civilisation on Roman is undeniable.