The macabre element in Greek mythology : a prehistoric eastern influence

Abstract

The macabre element in Greek mythology is exemplified by the presence of monsters, often in the shape of serpents, hybrid creatures, unnatural births or growths, metamorphisms, cold-blooded murders, mutual killings, killing of someone by mistake, suicides, cannibalism, infanticides, castrations, maimings, incests, rapes, seductions, madness, desertions, denials of burial, and magic. Eastern influences upon Greek culture involved magic, human sacrifices, art, literature, architecture, linguistic elements, myths, divine kingship, rituals and religion. These influences came about mainly through Cretan and Mycenaean trade with the East in the 2nd mill. B.C., and have been preserved to some extent despite later cultural fusions as a result of migrations from the North before the 9th c. B.C. The macabre element in Greek mythology, which is a recurrent characteristic, travelled into Greece alongside other influences, and in most cases cannot be considered as a Greek creation considering Greek abhorrence for it in history and literature.