HISTORIC LITERATURE
We should acknowledge that in the whole history of the written word, there is no literature that is not influenced by the personality and opinion of the writer. Since written language developed relatively recently, ancient stories, passed on by story tellers and songs before writing became more common. These incipient writers would then begin to write in a manner that reflected their personal interpretation and opinion in the same way as it happens by writers today.
I am convinced that many ancient stories and myth do reflect events that happened in the past and that many of these stories, passed on for a long time by story tellers, songs and rituals, although based on some real events, were changed, embellished and colored by the individuals who propagated these stories. Other stories were, like the parables in the bible, moral lessons and did not reflect real happenings. It is impossible to tell how much the stories were changed, embellished and distorted through the ages before they were “frozen” in writing.
Many writers today write non-fictional material but it is infused with the writer’s opinion, interpretation and idealism. The “histories” of the Second World War are greatly influenced by the nationality, religion, and political opinion of the writers. Although we can get a truer picture by reading many writers who tackled the same subject, this was not the case in ancient times. There were very few writers and readers in the distant past so an objective opinion of whether the writings reflect actual “history” is very limited if not impossible.
We have many fictional writers today, it is not so illogical to assume that we must have had these fictional writers in the past as well (Homers ancient story ‘The Odyssey’ springs to mind). We read many imaginary stories about people and events in the past, present and future. There is no reason to believe that ancient writers did not do the same thing or retold old stories and adapted them to their time and circumstances (read about the similarities between Jesus and Horus). Many books today are written about fictional history, ghosts, aliens and UFOs. Thousands of years from now will some people believe that some of these stories are literally true?
Before writing such stories often would influence the behavior of the “tribe” and established the rules which made it possible to live in relative harmony and how to defend the tribe. These rules (morals), often reinforced by calling on a higher power (the king, emperor or god), could be adapted by the leader of the tribe to suit the changing circumstances and environments that the tribe found themselves in; and so those “morals” would evolve with time. After they were written down however, these “morals” became inflexible, and much harder to change (Moses and the 10 commandments is one such example). Even now we are struggling with the inflexibility of these ancient “morals” written down thousand of years ago by different tribes giving rise to the different religions, each with their own interpretation of these ancient texts.
Rules and laws dealing with food, developed to prevent food poisoning. With the development of modern hygienic food processing, many of these laws can be considered outdated, Similarly sex laws, which prevented the spread of venereal diseases, still haven’t been adapted to fit in the new knowledge and better understanding we now have. Many religions will stick to the letter of these “laws” despite the fact that they may not be relevant (and can even be detrimental) today.
I am convinced that many ancient stories and myth do reflect events that happened in the past and that many of these stories, passed on for a long time by story tellers, songs and rituals, although based on some real events, were changed, embellished and colored by the individuals who propagated these stories. Other stories were, like the parables in the bible, moral lessons and did not reflect real happenings. It is impossible to tell how much the stories were changed, embellished and distorted through the ages before they were “frozen” in writing.
Many writers today write non-fictional material but it is infused with the writer’s opinion, interpretation and idealism. The “histories” of the Second World War are greatly influenced by the nationality, religion, and political opinion of the writers. Although we can get a truer picture by reading many writers who tackled the same subject, this was not the case in ancient times. There were very few writers and readers in the distant past so an objective opinion of whether the writings reflect actual “history” is very limited if not impossible.
We have many fictional writers today, it is not so illogical to assume that we must have had these fictional writers in the past as well (Homers ancient story ‘The Odyssey’ springs to mind). We read many imaginary stories about people and events in the past, present and future. There is no reason to believe that ancient writers did not do the same thing or retold old stories and adapted them to their time and circumstances (read about the similarities between Jesus and Horus). Many books today are written about fictional history, ghosts, aliens and UFOs. Thousands of years from now will some people believe that some of these stories are literally true?
Before writing such stories often would influence the behavior of the “tribe” and established the rules which made it possible to live in relative harmony and how to defend the tribe. These rules (morals), often reinforced by calling on a higher power (the king, emperor or god), could be adapted by the leader of the tribe to suit the changing circumstances and environments that the tribe found themselves in; and so those “morals” would evolve with time. After they were written down however, these “morals” became inflexible, and much harder to change (Moses and the 10 commandments is one such example). Even now we are struggling with the inflexibility of these ancient “morals” written down thousand of years ago by different tribes giving rise to the different religions, each with their own interpretation of these ancient texts.
Rules and laws dealing with food, developed to prevent food poisoning. With the development of modern hygienic food processing, many of these laws can be considered outdated, Similarly sex laws, which prevented the spread of venereal diseases, still haven’t been adapted to fit in the new knowledge and better understanding we now have. Many religions will stick to the letter of these “laws” despite the fact that they may not be relevant (and can even be detrimental) today.