Most cultures have a creation story, and while they may differ in details, there are many themes and ideas that remain the same. Read another creation story from one of many mythologies in different cultures. Create a storyboard that compares the two stories, either as a standalone project or as preparation for a longer written assignment. Consider comparing similarities and differences between two myths' characters, plot progression, or themes.
| Greek Creation Story | Both | Judeo-Christian Tradition |
|---|---|---|
| Gaea, Eros, and Tartaros emerged from Chaos. Chaos represents nothingness. | Both stories have an origin from a single being. | God created the universe and separated the light from the darkness. God is an active creator. |
| Ouranos was born from Gaea. The sky is a being of his own. | The sky is one of the earliest parts of the world that was made. | God created the sky and separated it from the water. God is the only sentient being. |
| Ouranos and Gaea had many children. Ouranos imprisoned his children underground in Gaea's womb. Ouranos creates life through reproduction, but does not want new life! | The earth began to take shape: bodies of water and landforms. | God separated land from water and caused plants to grow. God has the power to create life at will. |
| Kronos castrated Ouranos with a sickle and takes power from his father, the sky. The sky remains, but Ouranos has lost his power to his son. | Both stories show a stark shift in the sky. There is the transfer of power from father to son in the Greek myth, and in the Judeo-Christian tradition, dark and light are regulated. | God created the moon and the sun so there would be night and day. The sky now has times for darkness and times for daylight. |
| Kronos fears losing power. He eats his own children to prevent them from defeating him. | Both Kronos and God show they are preparing for the future; Kronos is trying to ensure his power remains, and God is providing food and living areas for animals. | God created sea creatures and birds. After God has prepared the world with habitats and food, he creates animal life. |
| Zeus triumphs over Kronos with the help of Giants and reigns as king of the gods. The creation of animal and human life is not addressed in this story. | The world as humans know it was finally finished and fully formed. | God created domesticated animals and humans. Humans were granted control of the world in the Judeo-Christian tradition. |
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard comparing and contrasting the Greek Creation Story with the Judeo-Christian Tradition.