Latin mythology and its European reflexes

Abstract

This paper tries to synthesise the evolution and specificity of Latin mythology. Its primitive forms were mostly rural, with minor indigenous deities, and consisted mainly of ritual for practical purposes (invoking protection for agricultural crops, wars and family). An absorption of the rich Greek and Oriental mythological corpus followed. In the imperial age, in Rome, “there are so many gods that it is easier to meet one than it is to find a man” (Petronius Arbiter). A large part of this heterogeneous and complex corpus was inherited by the European Romanic and non-Romanic peoples. All around, written culture has copiously fed on traditional unwritten mythology.

Keywords

• mythology
• latin culture
• orality
• rituals
• religions
• written culture
• spiritual heritage