Succession Myth Research Paper

Generations within the Succession Myth: Prompt #3
The succession myth is a widely recognized story that has been instilled in numerous folk tales around the globe such as Enuma Elish, Kingship in Heaven, and Song of Ullikummi. The formula of the succession myth consists of a younger and stronger generation overthrowing the older generation until order is established. The younger generation does not necessarily have to kill older the older generation, they just have to their superiority. The Greek gods were able to establish order in the cosmos through the succession myth; however, the myth is not limited to divine beings. It can apply to anyone within the god to mortal spectrum. Examples of the succession myth can be seen through the gods in

Kronos brought the cosmos closer to order by shifting from a nature-dominated reign to a more civilized ruling. The primordial gods embody the physical nature of the universe so when an anthropomorphic figure overthrew ‘the Sky’ it represented the transition from nature to a civilized culture. In an attempt, “to prevent any other child of the Sky Dwellers from holding the kingly office among immortals… [Kronos] gulped down his children” (Theogony 461-67). Similar to Ouranos, Kronos attempted to prevent the younger generation from overpowering the older generation. However, from the previous case, it is clear that the myth is unavoidable. Kronos’ son Zeus was able to avoid being eaten because he was “Destined to crush him by might of hand drive him out of his rule, and become king of immortals” (Theogony 490-91). As the succession myth foresaw, Zeus was stronger and smarter than Kronos. With these superior attributes, the Olympian conjured up a plan to get help from the hundred handers and cyclopes to defeat Kronos and banish the Titans to Tartarus. As king of the cosmos, Zeus will finally be able to complete the succession myth and bring order to the