The Origin and Evolution of Ancient Myths in China and Greece: From a Perspective of Marxist

Jing Shu

doi:10.54097/b3ncbk30

Authors

Jing Shu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/b3ncbk30

Keywords:

Myth, Ancient Myths, Marxism, Modes of Production, Myth Comparison

Abstract

This study explores the origins and evolution of ancient myths in China and ancient Greece, adopting a Marxist perspective, as well as their relationship with modes of production. The findings indicate that ancient myths were deeply influenced by geographical environments, social structures, and material production methods, exhibiting diverse forms and cultural connotations. Chinese myths evolved from totem worship to the myth of the emperors, and eventually to social ethics, reflecting the stability of agricultural civilization and the transformation of myths into tools of governance. In contrast, ancient Greek myths embody the adventurous spirit of maritime civilizations and the historical shifts in religious beliefs. Through a comparative analysis of myths, this study reveals how myths, as tools of ideology, were produced, transmitted, and transformed across different social formations.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] R. Barthes: Mythologies (Shanghai People’s Publishing House, China 2016).

[2] Collected Works of Marx and Engels, Vol. 1 (People’s Press, China 2012).

[3] G.W.F. Hegel: The Philosophy of History (Jiuzhou Press, China 2011).

[4] Y. Li: A Comparison of Ancient Greek and Chinese Myths from the Perspective of Geographic Environment, Sixiang Zhanxian, Vol. 24 (1998) No.4, p.26-32.

[5] Collected Works of Marx and Engels, Vol. 3 (People’s Press, China 2012).

[6] Y.D. Wen: Fuxi Kao (Century Publishing Group, China 2009).

[7] R.Q. Jin: The Historicization of Ancient Chinese Myths, Zhongzhou Xuekan, Vol. 21 (1999) No.3, p.124-128.

[8] Y.R. Yu: The Genealogy and Evolution of Divine Birth Myths in the “Records of the Grand Historian”, Minzu Wenxue Yanjiu, Vol. 37 (2019) No.4, p.37-46.

[9] Z.Y. Huang: The Diversity and Politics of Han Dynasty Myths, Wenxue Pinglun, Vol. 52 (2010) No.2, p.98-104.

[10] Z.Y. Yi: Religion and the Political Life of Ancient Greeks, Shanghai Shifan Daxue Xuebao (Zhexue Shehui Kexue Ban), Vol. 40 (2011) No.1, p.56-63.

[11] W.X. Shao: The Cultural Features of Ancient Greek Sports Through the Lens of Homeric Epics, Guangzhou Tiyu Xueyuan Xuebao, Vol. 35 (2015) No.6, p.41-43+51.

[12] C.C. Lei, Z.X. Hua: The Inner Tension of Christian Views on Life in the Middle Ages and Its Complex Influence on Sports Culture, Kexue Yu Wushenlun, Vol. 18 (2016) No.5, p.42-45.