Posted: March 21st, 2023

Divine Roles Across Cultures

Divine Roles Across Cultures
Complete Parts 1 and 2.
Cite at least 2 outside sources to support your assignment.
Part 1
Select 1 common divine role that recurs in world mythology. Divine roles include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Father or mother divinities
• Divinities of war
• Home or hearth divinities
• Divinities of love
• Divinities of wisdom
• Divinities of medicine or health
• Divinities of the wind
• Divinities of agriculture
• Divinities of the sky
• Ruler of all the gods
Add the role to the designated box in row 1, column 1 of the table.
Select 2 myths, each from a different culture, in which the divine role appears. Add the divinity names and cultures in the designated boxes in row 1, columns 2 and 3.
Complete the table by answering each of the 5 questions for both divinities.
Role Click or tap here to enter text.:
Divinity name: Click or tap here to enter text.
Culture of origin: Click or tap here to enter text.
Divinity name: Click or tap here to enter text.
Culture of origin: Click or tap here to enter text.

1. How is this divinity portrayed? Describe the divinity’s role in the myth. Click or tap here to enter text.
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2. Is the divinity male or female? What function does this play? Click or tap here to enter text.
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3. What are the divinity’s attributes, such as divine powers or characteristics? What objects does the divinity possess, such as a weapon or animal, that assist them? Click or tap here to enter text.
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4. In the myth of origin, how does this divinity compare with other divinities? How does this divinity interact with or compare to divinities of the same sex and to divinities of other sexes? Click or tap here to enter text.
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5. Identify 1 character from contemporary culture that shares characteristics of each divinity and explain why you chose each character. What real-life ideals does this divine role represent? How attainable are these ideals? Click or tap here to enter text.
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Part 2
Write a 150- to 350-word response to the following: Why do so many cultures have divinities in similar roles?
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References
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Part 1

Role: Divinities of Wisdom

Divinity name: Thoth
Culture of origin: Ancient Egyptian

Thoth is portrayed as a god with the head of an ibis or a baboon. He is considered the god of writing, wisdom, and magic. In the myth, Thoth played a crucial role in the weighing of the heart ceremony, which determined if a soul was worthy of entering the afterlife. Thoth also helped the god Horus in his battles against Set, the god of chaos.
Divinity name: Athena
Culture of origin: Ancient Greek

Athena is portrayed as a warrior goddess, often depicted with a helmet and shield. She is the goddess of wisdom, warfare, and crafts. In the myth, Athena was born fully grown and armored from the head of Zeus. She aided the Greek hero Odysseus on his journey home and fought alongside the Greek gods in their battles against the Titans.

Thoth is often depicted as male in ancient Egyptian art and mythology. In contrast, Athena is female in ancient Greek mythology. The gender of the divinity plays a significant role in the myth, as it often reflects cultural values and beliefs about gender roles.

Thoth’s attributes include knowledge, writing, and magic. He is often depicted holding a scribe’s palette and reed pen, symbolizing his role as the god of writing. He is also associated with the moon, which represents his role in measuring time. Athena’s attributes include wisdom, strategy, and warfare. She is often depicted with an owl, which symbolizes her wisdom, and a spear, which represents her skill in battle.

Thoth is often depicted as a mediator between other gods in ancient Egyptian mythology. He also compares favorably to other male deities, such as Ra and Osiris, in terms of his knowledge and wisdom. Athena is often depicted as a favorite of Zeus and is considered one of the most powerful goddesses in ancient Greek mythology. She is often compared favorably to other goddesses, such as Aphrodite and Hera, in terms of her intelligence and strategic abilities.

One character from contemporary culture that shares characteristics of Thoth is Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series. Like Thoth, Hermione is highly intelligent and skilled in magic and often acts as a mediator between other characters. One character from contemporary culture that shares characteristics of Athena is Wonder Woman, who is also a skilled warrior and strategist with a strong sense of justice. These divine roles represent the ideal of wisdom and intelligence, which are highly valued in many cultures. However, they may not be attainable for everyone, as they require a combination of innate talent and hard work to achieve.

Part 2

Many cultures have divinities in similar roles because these divine roles represent fundamental human values and beliefs. For example, divinities of wisdom, like Thoth and Athena, represent the ideal of knowledge and intelligence, which are highly valued in many cultures. Similarly, divinities of love and fertility represent the importance of family and reproduction,