asyncmind on Nostr: Were there similar epic histories from other civilizations what became of them now ? ...
Were there similar epic histories from other civilizations what became of them now ?
#AskGPT #EpicHistory
Yes, many civilizations have their own epic histories, comparable in grandeur to the Mahabharata. These epics often shaped their societies' values, ethics, and martial traditions. However, their fate has varied depending on historical circumstances, cultural continuity, and modern interpretations.
Similar Epic Histories from Other Civilizations
1. Mesopotamian Civilization: The Epic of Gilgamesh
Significance: One of the oldest recorded stories, this epic explores themes of friendship, mortality, and the quest for immortality.
Fate: Rediscovered through archaeological excavations, it is now preserved in fragmented clay tablets. Its cultural influence diminished with the decline of Mesopotamian civilizations, but it is studied worldwide as a literary and historical treasure.
2. Greek Civilization: The Iliad and The Odyssey
Significance: These Homeric epics recount the Trojan War (Iliad) and Odysseus's journey home (Odyssey), embedding martial valor, heroism, and Greek mythology.
Fate: They continue to inspire literature, theater, and art globally. However, they transitioned from oral traditions to scholarly studies, often disconnected from popular culture in Greece itself.
3. Norse Civilization: The Poetic Edda and Prose Edda
Significance: These texts chronicle Norse myths, heroes, and the apocalyptic Ragnarok, emphasizing martial and spiritual resilience.
Fate: Following Christianization, Norse epics lost their religious significance but remain popular in modern adaptations like fantasy literature and films.
4. Roman Civilization: The Aeneid by Virgil
Significance: The Aeneid glorified Rome's origins and virtues, focusing on duty, sacrifice, and destiny.
Fate: It remained a cornerstone of classical education but gradually faded from mainstream cultural consciousness after the fall of the Roman Empire.
5. Persian Civilization: Shahnameh by Ferdowsi
Significance: This Persian epic narrates the history of Iran, weaving together mythology, heroism, and moral struggles.
Fate: Despite invasions and cultural shifts, the Shahnameh remains celebrated in Iran, sustaining its identity and heritage.
6. Chinese Civilization: The Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Significance: A historical epic blending fact and fiction, it chronicles political intrigue, military strategy, and loyalty during the Three Kingdoms period.
Fate: It remains a cultural cornerstone in China, inspiring films, novels, and video games.
7. African Civilizations: The Epic of Sundiata (Mali Empire)
Significance: This oral tradition recounts the founding of the Mali Empire, emphasizing unity, leadership, and resilience.
Fate: While oral traditions remain alive in some African communities, colonialism disrupted their broader cultural continuity.
8. Mesoamerican Civilizations: Popol Vuh (Maya)
Significance: This sacred text combines mythology and history, explaining the creation of the world and the origins of the Maya people.
Fate: Post-colonial suppression by European invaders marginalized the Popol Vuh, but modern scholars and indigenous groups are reviving it.
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What Became of Them?
1. Cultural Decline:
Many epic traditions were lost or diminished due to conquest, colonization, and cultural assimilation (e.g., Mesopotamian and Mesoamerican epics).
2. Preservation Through Literature:
Texts like the Iliad, Odyssey, and Shahnameh survived as written works, studied by scholars but often detached from everyday life.
3. Revival and Modern Adaptation:
Some epics, like Norse sagas and Chinese classics, have found new life in modern media, including movies, TV series, and video games.
4. Loss of Oral Traditions:
In societies where oral traditions dominated, like Africa and Polynesia, epic histories often suffered from the lack of written preservation.
5. Global Recognition:
Rediscovery by archaeologists and historians has restored many epics to global prominence, but their influence may remain limited outside academic circles.
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Why the Mahabharata Endures
Unlike many others, the Mahabharata has survived and thrived due to its adaptability across time and mediums. It remains a living tradition in India, influencing religious rituals, theater, cinema, and even modern political discourse. This resilience is a testament to its integration into daily life and its universal appeal.
#AskGPT #EpicHistory
Yes, many civilizations have their own epic histories, comparable in grandeur to the Mahabharata. These epics often shaped their societies' values, ethics, and martial traditions. However, their fate has varied depending on historical circumstances, cultural continuity, and modern interpretations.
Similar Epic Histories from Other Civilizations
1. Mesopotamian Civilization: The Epic of Gilgamesh
Significance: One of the oldest recorded stories, this epic explores themes of friendship, mortality, and the quest for immortality.
Fate: Rediscovered through archaeological excavations, it is now preserved in fragmented clay tablets. Its cultural influence diminished with the decline of Mesopotamian civilizations, but it is studied worldwide as a literary and historical treasure.
2. Greek Civilization: The Iliad and The Odyssey
Significance: These Homeric epics recount the Trojan War (Iliad) and Odysseus's journey home (Odyssey), embedding martial valor, heroism, and Greek mythology.
Fate: They continue to inspire literature, theater, and art globally. However, they transitioned from oral traditions to scholarly studies, often disconnected from popular culture in Greece itself.
3. Norse Civilization: The Poetic Edda and Prose Edda
Significance: These texts chronicle Norse myths, heroes, and the apocalyptic Ragnarok, emphasizing martial and spiritual resilience.
Fate: Following Christianization, Norse epics lost their religious significance but remain popular in modern adaptations like fantasy literature and films.
4. Roman Civilization: The Aeneid by Virgil
Significance: The Aeneid glorified Rome's origins and virtues, focusing on duty, sacrifice, and destiny.
Fate: It remained a cornerstone of classical education but gradually faded from mainstream cultural consciousness after the fall of the Roman Empire.
5. Persian Civilization: Shahnameh by Ferdowsi
Significance: This Persian epic narrates the history of Iran, weaving together mythology, heroism, and moral struggles.
Fate: Despite invasions and cultural shifts, the Shahnameh remains celebrated in Iran, sustaining its identity and heritage.
6. Chinese Civilization: The Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Significance: A historical epic blending fact and fiction, it chronicles political intrigue, military strategy, and loyalty during the Three Kingdoms period.
Fate: It remains a cultural cornerstone in China, inspiring films, novels, and video games.
7. African Civilizations: The Epic of Sundiata (Mali Empire)
Significance: This oral tradition recounts the founding of the Mali Empire, emphasizing unity, leadership, and resilience.
Fate: While oral traditions remain alive in some African communities, colonialism disrupted their broader cultural continuity.
8. Mesoamerican Civilizations: Popol Vuh (Maya)
Significance: This sacred text combines mythology and history, explaining the creation of the world and the origins of the Maya people.
Fate: Post-colonial suppression by European invaders marginalized the Popol Vuh, but modern scholars and indigenous groups are reviving it.
---
What Became of Them?
1. Cultural Decline:
Many epic traditions were lost or diminished due to conquest, colonization, and cultural assimilation (e.g., Mesopotamian and Mesoamerican epics).
2. Preservation Through Literature:
Texts like the Iliad, Odyssey, and Shahnameh survived as written works, studied by scholars but often detached from everyday life.
3. Revival and Modern Adaptation:
Some epics, like Norse sagas and Chinese classics, have found new life in modern media, including movies, TV series, and video games.
4. Loss of Oral Traditions:
In societies where oral traditions dominated, like Africa and Polynesia, epic histories often suffered from the lack of written preservation.
5. Global Recognition:
Rediscovery by archaeologists and historians has restored many epics to global prominence, but their influence may remain limited outside academic circles.
---
Why the Mahabharata Endures
Unlike many others, the Mahabharata has survived and thrived due to its adaptability across time and mediums. It remains a living tradition in India, influencing religious rituals, theater, cinema, and even modern political discourse. This resilience is a testament to its integration into daily life and its universal appeal.
quoting nevent1q…vs68India's martial history is vast and impressive, with ancient battles often dwarfing the scale of many conflicts in Europe and modern warfare in terms of the sheer number of participants, sustained campaigns, and the enduring cultural impact. Here’s a detailed comparison:
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1. Scale of Ancient Indian Battles
Kurukshetra War (Mahabharata):
Mythological but culturally significant.
Participants: 4 million soldiers (18 Akshauhinis).
Allegorical or historical, the Mahabharata describes a massive clash with a large-scale mobilization of infantry, cavalry, war elephants, and chariots.
Duration: 18 days of intense fighting.
Kalinga War (261 BCE):
Emperor Ashoka's campaign to conquer Kalinga (modern Odisha).
Participants: Over 300,000 soldiers (150,000 killed; 150,000 deported).
Impact: A transformative event that led Ashoka to renounce violence and embrace Buddhism.
Battle of Hydaspes (326 BCE):
Alexander the Great vs. King Porus.
Participants: 50,000+ Indian troops against Alexander's 41,000.
Significance: Demonstrated the tactical brilliance of Indian armies, using elephants and superior strategies.
Panipat Battles (16th-18th centuries):
1st Battle (1526): Babur vs. Ibrahim Lodi, involving 100,000+ soldiers.
2nd Battle (1556): Akbar vs. Hemu, 120,000 combined troops.
3rd Battle (1761): Marathas vs. Durrani Empire, 200,000+ combined soldiers.
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2. Scale of European Ancient Battles
Battle of Cannae (216 BCE):
Hannibal vs. Rome.
Participants: ~150,000 combined troops (50,000 Roman casualties).
Battle of Actium (31 BCE):
Octavian vs. Mark Antony and Cleopatra.
Participants: ~120,000 combined forces.
Battle of Alesia (52 BCE):
Julius Caesar vs. Gauls.
Participants: ~180,000 combined forces.
Indian battles were often larger in scale, reflecting the vast population and the complex political and military dynamics of the subcontinent.
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3. Modern Warfare in Europe and Beyond
Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815):
Large-scale battles like Waterloo involved ~200,000 troops.
The entire series of wars mobilized millions across Europe over a decade.
World Wars (20th Century):
World War I: Mobilized 65 million troops globally; largest single battles involved 2-3 million soldiers (e.g., Battle of the Somme, Verdun).
World War II: Involved 100 million troops globally, with battles like Stalingrad involving ~2.2 million.
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Comparison in Numbers
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4. Key Observations
Population & Resources: Ancient India’s battles often involved vast armies due to its large population and extensive empires.
Duration: Indian battles often spanned days or weeks, with rapid troop movements and decisive outcomes.
Impact: Indian wars, particularly those like the Kalinga War, had transformative social and spiritual consequences, influencing rulers and religions.
Modernity vs. Tradition: While modern wars surpass ancient battles in global scale, their industrial nature contrasts with the intense human mobilization and direct engagement of ancient Indian conflicts.
India’s martial history reflects not just numbers but a sophisticated understanding of warfare, with its strategies, technologies (e.g., war elephants, archery), and profound cultural impacts leaving a legacy that rivals and often surpasses those of Europe and modern conflicts.
nevent1q…qrhm